Utz-Peter Reich addresses economists interested in a sound empirical foundation for their theoretical concepts. He investigates economic value and determines how value is defined in theory, which is microeconomic, and how it is measured in practice in national accounts. He demonstrates that microeconomic theory is not made to guide or interpret national accounts figures and he offers an alternative theory.

The global wine industry is a continually modifying market impacted by financing, culture, and politics. Economics, Governance, and Politics in the Wine Market follows developments in European agriculture policies on wine legislation and market trend orientation between political power and market structure, from their inception through recent reforms. This political economic analysis seeks to explain the implementation of wine policies applied to production management in Europe. Gaeta and Corsinovi use The Public Choice model to describe bargaining and trade-off in agriculture wine policy by governments, producers, and critical industrial organizations. They argue that market problems cannot be analysed without an understanding of the motives and processes behind upstream policy decisions. With the book's theoretical approaches and famous case studies, readers become agricultural wine experts capable of navigating the current complex wine market of the European Union.

The virtues and failings of market economies are at present widely debated and the outcome of the debate is of practical importance. This book contains essays that address these issues of economic policy ranging from privatization of industry and financial markets to education and the proposal for an internal market in the health service. Apart from two general theoretical pieces, particular markets, and proposals for creating such markets, are studied.

This book has its focus on the dynamics of oligopoly games. Several contributions show how easily the unique Nash equilibria in some most traditional oligopoly models may lose stability, giving way to complex phenomena, such as periodic/chaotic processes, and to multi stability of coexistent attractors. The bifurcations producing these phenomena are studied by means of recently accumulated global methods, based on the use of critical curves. These tools are explained in a separate methodological chapter. The book also contains some historical background of the present theory. In this way the book becomes suitable also as an advanced text for industrial organisation courses. The various models presented in the book focus both classical Cournot types, and Hotelling`s "ice cream vendor" problems, including location choice. The author list comprises some of the most prolific contributors to current dynamic oligopoly modelling.

Although China is generally considered to have suffered continuous deforestation over most of its history, forests were protected or even planted and maintained for centuries in some places. This study identifies six such cases. It uses historical evidence to show that individuals and communities act to manage resources sustainably for a number of reasons including economic benefit, religious or symbolic purposes, and that sustainability of the management system depends on the form of control exerted over the resource.

Russia is moving dramatically ahead in reforming its economy and its firms. This joint Russian and American work focuses on the key issue in the Russian economic reform process--how to convert state-owned firms into successful private companies capable of competing in a market economy. Unique case studies of Russian enterprises, their legal and internal structure, management philosophy, and economic performance, provide insightful analyses of the ongoing Russian experience with economic reform. Recent Russian legislation and its implications for privatization are also discussed.

This volume is a follow-up to the earlier "Urban Economics, Volume 2" of "Handbook of Regional and Urban Economics," edited by Edwin Mills. The earlier volume, published in 1987, focussed on urban economic theory. This new handbook, in contrast, focuses on applied urban research. The difference is of course in emphasis. The earlier volume was by no means entirely concerned with theoretical research and this one is by no means entirely concerned with applied research.

There have certainly been important theoretical developments during the last decade, and they are surveyed at appropriate places in this volume. However, there has been an outpouring of high quality applied research in urban economics, as in other specialties. The reasons for the rapid growth of applied research are not difficult to identify; improved theoretical frameworks within which to do applied research; improved econometric techniques and software; more and better data; and, probably most important, ever cheaper computing power, which is being ever more widely distributed within the research community, providing increasingly easy access to and analysis of, data.

Selection and classification of topics to include in this handbook has inevitably depended on the editors' perceptions of subjects on which important research has been undertaken. It has also depended on the availability of authors who were able and willing to write critical surveys of large amounts of international research. An attempt was made to include authors and have them survey research from a variety of countries. However, there is still a US bias in applied urban research, partly related to the availability of data and computers but also to the sheer size of the US research community.

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A growing literature in economics has studied how fairness considerations shape human behavior. This review analyses the key theoretical and empirical contributions spanning the last four decades, along with influential related work in normative economics. It argues that the fairness motive is essential for understanding human behavior in a wide range of settings, such as markets, bargaining, and redistributive situations. It moves on to a discussion of the large heterogeneity in what people view as fair and the importance people attach to fairness, displaying how a concern for fairness develops in childhood and manifests itself in the brain. This research review will be a valuable tool for those interested in the fascinating field of the economics of fairness.

Hardbound. Volume 9 is entitled Industrial Organization and is the ninth volume in the series Advances in Applied Microeconomics. This series provides a forum in which researchers may disseminate frontier research in applied microeconomics to include both theoretical and empirical contributions in applied areas such as industrial organization, consumer and producer behavior, public economics, natural resources, and other applied microeconomic fields. Volumes are published along themes and contain theoretical papers that apply state-of-the-art theory to model important real-world phenomenon, as well as empirical papers that examine such phenomenon.

In six chapters this book introduces a micro-economic model where trade takes place through a stable structure of bilateral exchange institutions.The main problem in such models is that, for well-known equilibrium concepts, equilibrium may fail to exist in the corresponding game. In this work an adaptation of such models - hierarchically structured economies - is introduced. The possibilities and limitations of the use of the concept of subgame perfect equilibrium within the context of this kind of models is discussed. Furthermore, it is shown that some well-known market forms, viz. Walrasian and monopolistic markets, occur as special cases. A modification of the concept of subgame perfect equilibrium is introduced to formulate and prove a general theorem on the existence of equilibrium in hierarchically structured economies.

This anthology concerns the economic and demographic changes that have occurred in northeastern Ohio since 1960, but specifically during the 1970s and 1980s when that region's major industries (rubber, steel, automobiles) experienced severe decline. Sixteen chapters reflect on the reasons for industrial restructuring, the implications for population growth and future employment and investment opportunities, and the role of local, state, and national governments in undertaking policies that generate economic activity. Three themes dominate: the centrality of employment in regional development; the relation between economic development and product cycles (and thus the need to introduce new economic activities to the region); and the regional, national, and international constraints on local economic-development initiatives. "Choice"

Much has been written concerning the erosion of the industrial base in this particular region and other areas of the country. Drawing heavily upon contributions from nationally recognized experts on urban and regional development as well as input from nanacademic sources, the present volume uses Northeastern Ohio as a case study of older industrial areas suffering from economic repression. Among the topics discussed are the limits of traditional development, fiscal implications of industrial restructuring, and urban adaptibility. Particular cities are also examined in order to pinpoint development problems and to offer alternative paths to local progress.

It is beyond any doubt that East-Central European countries such as Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia has dramatically changed its shape through its radical transition from centrally planned to the market economies in last 7 years. Many economists divide the process of economic transformation into areas of Stabilization, Liberalization, and Privatization/Restructuring. The traditional view is that stabilization and liberalization can be achieved rather quickly-by balancing budgets, balance of payments, tightening money supply, freeing prices and liberalizing trade-but that the area of privatization is one that could be moved to the future and will require much more time. Until 1991, none of the post-communist nations except former East Germany (which had a large decree of support from West Germany) had succeeded in privatizing large numbers of enterprises, even though more than two years had passed since the changes in government in these nations. The privatization has been, however, seen as an extremely important part of reform package together with stabilization and liberalization especially in the Czech Republic from the very beginning. The Czechs originally as a part of the Czechoslovak Federal Republic embarked on an unprecedented path that should have lead not only to stabilization and liberalization, but also to very rapid, mass privatization of its sector of large enterprises that have dominated its economy to an extreme extent.

Written by specialists in law and economics, this book studies the role of liability rules in an effort to illustrate the possible consequences of statutory tampering with them. The contributors explain how statutory and common law liability rules evolved, how they work in current practice, and how changes in rules can alter economic outcomes in significant and unintended ways. Although price theory is the primary analytical tool employed in the study, the contributors also provide a wealth of institutional detail intended to illuminate the structure and operation of forces at work when questions of product or service liability arise.

Throughout, the contributors focus on the effects of individual decision making: how incentives faced by individuals are affected by liability rules and how the collective actions of purposeful individuals working in private markets and through the political process affect social outcomes. Among the specific topics addressed are using liability rules to deter government takings, the impact of government liability on private risk avoidance, the allocation of product liability by market share, liability and environmental quality, the effects of the flammability rule, deposit insurance and the savings and loan fiasco, and the political debate over automobile air bags. The contributors conclude that attempts to remedy alleged defects in the common law by legislative edict are not well grounded. Ideal as supplemental reading for courses in business and government, this volume will also be of significant interest to students of law and economics.

Providing an empirical look at the Jamaican economy, this careful study examines the impact of the (International Monetary Fund) approach to economic management in the 1980s and compares it to the non-IMF policies of the 1970s. Opening with an overview of the structure of Jamaica's economy, the book discusses the results of the economic policies of the 1970s and 1980s. Demonstrating that Jamaica's income is among the most unequally distributed in the world, the author explores how the policies of various governments affected income distribution, focusing on whether non-IMF policies had a different effect than IMF policies. He concludes with a discussion of how inflation and fiscal policies influence particularly vulnerable groups, which include children, the elderly, and much of the labor force.

Strategic Interaction and Markets explores the theoretical richness of economic contexts such as product differentiation, strategic barriers to entry, and imperfect information, where economic agents act strategically taking into account the impact of their behaviour on competitors' behaviour and prices. This non-ideal form of competition is the standard result when competition is amongst a small number of agents. Designed as an ancillary text for graduate students, this book is an accessible introduction to the applications of a complex area of mathematical economics.

A collective effort by American and North African scholars, this volume provides a comprehensive analysis of recent economic, social, and political events in North Africa. It shows how the Maghrebi states and societies are currently at a very important junction as they try to adjust to different ways of doing things in new regional and international orders. Using a political economy approach, the book focuses on a series of issues raised by the interaction between economic crisis and reform on the one hand, and political change or stagnation on the other. The author and his contributors provide a comprehensive and up-to-date survey of particular value to scholars and researchers of the Arab world in general and North Africa in particular.

Transport networks are becoming increasingly important now that free trade, open access, increased competition and greater market orientation are fundamental to the current restructuring of Europe. Infrastructure networks are the corner stones of European integration and this book provides a comprehensive overview of the current concepts and policies which are being examined by researchers, government officials and policy makers. Transport Networks in Europe explores current debates and presents new proposals for well-functioning infrastructure networks. Key issues discussed include: * regional development * congestion * urban transport policy * private-public cooperation * environmental sustainability * transport borders and barriers The authors place emphasis on sustainable transport and provide a wide spectrum of policy recommendations for sustainable transport networks at the European, national and urban levels. The growing significance of transport networks in the European Union will ensure that this timely book is an essential companion for those actively engaged in transport policy formulation and implementation. It will also be welcomed by transport analysts, geographers and regional scientists.

Business cycle theory has been one of the fastest growing fields in modern nonlinear economic dynamics. The book is centered around models of multiplier-accelerator type, emerging from Samuelson's seminal work, later developed into nonlinear formats by Hicks and Goodwin. These models left open ends, as the tools then available did not permit more systematic analysis. The present situation is different, due to the emergence of new methods also focusing global analysis. The focus on classical, causal or recursive models implies a deviation from current main stream business cycle theory, based on "rational expectations," which in view of the possibility of mathematical chaos becomes untenable. This book is a rejoinder to Puu and Sushko, Oligopoly Dynamics - Models and Tools, (Springer 2002).

Corporate social responsibility is examined in this book as multi-stakeholder approach to corporate governance. This volume outlines neo-institutional and stakeholder theories of the firm, new rational choice and social contract normative models, self regulatory and soft law models, and the advances from behavioural economics.

The process of globalization can be seen in the increase of: trade interdependence, the importance of global multinational corporations, mobility and volatility of capital flows (with dangers demonstrated by the recent Mexican crisis). This globalization creates both dangers and new opportunities, both winners and losers. The parallel growth of regional blocs is equally hazardous, particularly for countries left outside the regional blocs. The book, with contributions by eminent experts, describes the impact of both globalization and regionalization and the relationship between these two dominant trends.

Technology and innovation are fundamental to economic success and the struggle for markets in an increasingly competitive world. This book draws together the latest research in the fields of technology, innovation and competitiveness from some of the world's leading academics.International in its approach, this book considers a wide range of topics including the globalization of research and technology and the effect of this on the product cycle, financial domination in the global economy and its consequences for structural competitiveness. It also examines the impact of the pooling of technology and science in Europe on the environment for new entrepreneurial initiatives. Special emphasis is placed on the policy implications of recent developments in technology, industry and the economy. Technology, Innovation and Competitiveness will be of interest to policy analysts as well as academics and students of economics, management and business studies.

This book explores the relationship between the location of the firm, the location of its markets and suppliers, and the inventory holding behaviour of the firm. Space costs and time costs are manifested in inventory costs. The examination of these inventory costs allows new insights into the reasons for observed industrial location behaviour. In particular, we see that transport costs are only a small part of total distance costs, and that the values of the goods being shipped and the value-added by the firm, are crucial location determinants. This approach is then extended to an analysis of Just-In-Time (JIT) production.

This important and timely book examines how corporate governance has and should be developed in China to meet the challenges of enterprise and financial reform. It highlights key economic, social and political issues that China has to confront in order to transform the state owned industrial enterprises into a competitive and modern corporate sector. On Kit Tam critically appraises the main analytical frameworks and models of corporate governance in industrialized countries. He then assesses China's development in terms of current Western debates in relation to the role, function and evolution of corporate governance arrangements. He examines how the Chinese government has adopted a top-down approach combined with a market based Anglo-American model. The author also presents surveys of company directors, managers and supervisors reporting the current environment and analyses the choices available in the light of China's particular problems. He concludes with suggestions for a model of corporate governance in China. This book will be welcomed by economists and those interested in management studies, Chinese reform, international business, Asian studies, industrial organization and business strategy.

This work considers the potential effects of competition in the natural gas pipeline industry. Contrary to published studies and government reports, this study concludes that federal regulation in the industry is no longer necessary to limit the market power of current pipeline suppliers. Rather, potential entry by nearby suppliers--a competitive factor largely ignored in most economic analyses--will promote competition in most major markets. The purpose of the work is two-fold: to quantify the competitive effect of potential market entry by natural gas suppliers; and to demonstrate that any industry analysis which fails to consider this competitive factor is likely to be in error.

This compilation and analysis of market-by-market data on current deliveries by pipeline, location of nearby deliveries, and location of nearby pipelines which make no deliveries will be of interest to scholars, policymakers, and industry analysts concerned with competitive, antitrust, and regulatory issues.