scholarly journals Why are there so few hard facts about the impact of cluster policies in Germany? A critical review of evaluation studies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Rothgang ◽  
Bernhard Lageman ◽  
Anne-Marie Scholz
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation Studies ◽  
Cluster Policy ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Informational Basis ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
Comparative Case Studies ◽  
Systemic Nature ◽  
Available Information ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBased on empirical findings on the effects of cluster policies in Germany, this paper scrutinises the available knowledge on cluster policies impact. There is a growing body of insights on direct effects of policy measures on cluster actors, cluster organisations and innovation networks of the promoted clusters. For some industries such as biotechnology, there are indications that cluster policies had a substantial influence on the formation of new firms and emerging sectoral structures. While the available information seems to support the hypothesis that cluster policies can provide positive impulses for the development of clusters, the actual knowledge on far-reaching impacts of cluster policies on economic structures and processes is still rather limited. The paper asks for the reasons of this knowledge gap between expectations placed in cluster policies and the available evidence on their impact. We identify five reasons: (i) problems in addressing the systemic nature of cluster policy interventions and their effects, (ii) deficiencies regarding the methodologies used, (iii) a lacking informational basis, (iv) practical contexts (e.g., a lack of interest of policy makers) leading to deficiencies in incentive mechanisms and (v) the limited transferability of evaluation results to other cluster policy contexts. For future evaluations, we propose among others the use of system-related approaches to impact analyses based on mixed-method designs as well as comparative case studies based on new methods like process tracing. In order to improve the incentives for evaluators, an increasing awareness of policy makers about the relevance of evaluation studies would be important.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 on households´ income in the EU

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanda Almeida ◽  
Salvador Barrios ◽  
Michael Christl ◽  
Silvia De Poli ◽  
Alberto Tumino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fiscal Policy ◽  
Disposable Income ◽  
Income Loss ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Discretionary Fiscal Policy ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

AbstractThis analysis makes use of economic forecasts for 2020 issued by the European Commission in Autumn 2019 and Spring 2020, and of a counterfactual under a no-policy change assumption, to analyse the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on EU households´ income. Additionally, our analysis assesses the cushioning effect of discretionary fiscal policy measures taken by the EU Member States. We find that the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to affect significantly households’ disposable income in the EU, with lower income households being more severely hit. However, our results show that due to policy intervention, the impact of the crisis is expected to be similar to the one experienced during the 2008–2009 financial crisis. In detail, our results indicate that discretionary fiscal policy measures will play a significant cushioning role, reducing the size of the income loss (from −9.3% to −4.3% for the average equivalised disposable income), its regressivity and mitigating the poverty impact of the pandemic. We conclude that policy interventions are therefore instrumental in cushioning against the impact of the crisis on inequality and poverty.

Exploration of the Effectiveness of Public Procurement for Innovation: Panel Analysis of EU Countries’ data

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Detelj ◽  
Timotej Jagric ◽  
Tanja Markovic-Hribernik
Keyword(s):  
Econometric Model ◽  
Innovation Policy ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
The Other ◽  
Panel Analysis ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
The Impact

This research focuses on the impact of public procurement for innovation (PPI) on a country's level of innovativeness. The available literature primarily consists of case studies that identify PPI’s impact on the innovativeness of particular firms. Therefore, this paper developed an econometric model to investigate the impact of PPI on the innovativeness of EU countries. The model tested the impact of four different innovation policy measures (PPI, R&D subsidies, regulations and cooperation). The results showed that in different model settings, PPI was positively and significantly related to countries’ innovativeness, whereas the other three measures showed low significance. These research findings may be important to policy makers when selecting appropriate measures for promoting innovation and thereby also enhancing their country’s competitiveness.

The roads of ‘excellence’ in Central and Eastern Europe

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 547-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Antonowicz ◽  
Jan Kohoutek ◽  
Rómulo Pinheiro ◽  
Myroslava Hladchenko
Keyword(s):  
Eastern European ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Local Contexts ◽  
Flagship Universities ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
Eastern European Countries ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Strategic Funding

The aim of the article is to explore the impact of excellence as a powerful policy idea in the context of recent and contemporary developments in three selected Central and Eastern European countries, namely, the Czech Republic, Poland and Ukraine. More specifically, we explore how excellence as a ‘global script’ was translated by policy makers into local contexts with institutionalized practices. It shows that the translation of the idea of excellence involved the rise of a series of novel policy measures such as long-term strategic funding and the establishment of various pertinent schemes (e.g. flagship universities, centres of excellence). By doing so, the analysis – which is comparative by nature – focuses on exploring major differences and similarities in the conceptualization and implementation of the idea of excellence in the three local contexts of science.

scholarly journals INTEREST RATE REGIME AND THE PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGERIAN CAPITAL MARKET

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edirin Jeroh ◽  
C. M. Ekwueme
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rate ◽  
Interest Rates ◽  
Capital Market ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Ordinary Least Square ◽  
Policy Review ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
The Impact

This study x-ray’s the interest rates regime in Nigeria as it affects the performance of the Nigerian Capital Market. In order to achieve this objective, relevant data for a period of 33 years spanning from 1981 – 2013 were obtained from the Factbook of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, CBN Statistical Bulletin as well as the annual accounts of quoted firms for the relevant years. The data obtained were analysed with the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) technique. The result from our analysis reveal among others that changes in interest rate regimes have majorly influenced the level of the performance of the Nigerian Capital Market. Based on the above, we recommend that capital market regulators and other regulatory agencies should keep an eye on movements in interest rates and the Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) (now MPR) and watch their trend. We also recommend that efforts must be put in place to establish a policy review and reassessment mechanism that would help in assessing the impact of selected policy measures on the economy so that policy makers would know the effectiveness and efficiency of designed policies and be guided in the policy review and development process in the country.

scholarly journals A “Young Farmer Problem”? Opportunities and Constraints for Generational Renewal in Farm Management: An Example from Southern Europe

Land ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathias Eistrup ◽  
Ana Rita Sanches ◽  
José Muñoz-Rojas ◽  
Teresa Pinto Correia
Keyword(s):  
Land Tenure ◽  
Policy Support ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Access To Credit ◽  
High Investment ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Complex Question

The existence of a “young farmer problem” in Europe has been recognized by scientists and policy-makers and is based on the widespread acknowledgement of the poor generational renewal rates in the farming sector and in particular in farmland management across the European Union. Despite existing support policy measures, young farmers (YF) face barriers which hamper the establishment and consolidation of their farming enterprises. Focusing on Alentejo (NUTS II), in Portugal, this paper identifies the difficulties YF face to accessing land, the high investment costs required to set up a farming unit, and the insufficient access to credit as the main reasons why young people are prevented from setting up their farming enterprises. Existing policy support measures targeting YF are widely perceived as inefficient with regard to triggering generational renewal. Hence, our findings suggest that not only is it necessary to pay greater attention to the complex question of land tenure, but that also the impact of policies implemented in the past should be examined in detail in order to develop and implement more effective measures that are sensitive to the different national and regional contexts.

scholarly journals Stakeholders’ Perceptions of the EU ETS Revision and Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 18-23
Author(s):  
Maciej Cygler
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Markets ◽  
Eu Ets ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Trading System ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
Individual Self ◽  
Available Information ◽  
The Eu

Abstract The European Green Deal (EGD) communication supports strengthening and expansion of the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). Possible linkages with other carbon markets worldwide are also subject to both experts’ and policy-makers’ discussions. Results of the survey on the state and expectations concerning the development of the EU climate policy measures, in particular, the EU ETS, are presented in this article. The survey was done online. There is a group of questions dealing with the EU ETS performance and future development, and another concerning available information assessment and individual self-assessment in terms of relevant knowledge.

scholarly journals Trophy hunting and lion conservation: a question of governance?

Oryx ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 501-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Nelson ◽  
Peter Lindsey ◽  
Guy Balme
Keyword(s):  
Panthera Leo ◽  
The Past ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Trophy Hunting ◽  
Policy Debates ◽  
Communal Lands ◽  
Comparative Case Studies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Recent Policy

AbstractLion Panthera leo populations and distributions in Africa have contracted considerably in the past 30 years. Recent policy debates focus on restricting trophy hunting as a measure to address concerns about excessive offtakes of lions. We review the impact of trophy hunting in relation to lion conservation goals, using comparative case studies from Southern and East Africa, which together contain most of Africa's remaining lion populations. The comparison demonstrates that the impact of trophy hunting on lion populations is variable and shaped by the way trophy hunting is managed and wildlife is governed in different range states. In Tanzania, the most important lion range state, hunting produces significant revenues but weaknesses in how hunting is managed and revenues are distributed undermine the potential of hunting and encourage overharvesting. In Southern Africa linkages are stronger between revenue generated by trophy hunting and lion conservation outcomes on private and communal lands. Trophy hunting is most beneficial to lion conservation where revenues and user rights over wildlife are devolved, ensuring benefits from lion hunting compensate for their costs to local people, and where hunting is managed through long-term and competitively allocated concession systems. Policy interventions should focus on supporting trophy hunting as a conservation tool where it is effective and well-managed, and work to promote reform of hunting and wildlife governance elsewhere.

scholarly journals Measuring the informal economy in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Saunders ◽  
E Loots
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Informal Economy ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Economic Policies ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Formal Economy ◽  
Currency Demand ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
Currency Demand Approach ◽  
The Impact

Measuring the size of the South African informal economy has received inadequate attention, making it difficult for policy-makers to assess the impact of policy measures to stimulate informal economic activity. This article aims to estimate the size of the informal economy by using the Currency Demand Approach.  The empirical results reveal that the informal economy as a percentage of GDP decreased from 1967 to 1993, before levelling off.  The growth in the informal econmy has also underperformed in comparison to formal economic growth. There appears to be a causal relationship running from the informal to the formal economy. Macro-economic policies aimed at the formal economy will not necessarily 'trickle down' to the informal, while these polcies aimed at the informal economy may have a profound effect on the formal economy.

scholarly journals The Virtual Online Supermarket: An Open-Source Research Platform for Experimental Consumer Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4375
Author(s):  
Nils Engelbrecht ◽  
Tim-Benjamin Lembcke ◽  
Alfred Benedikt Brendel ◽  
Kilian Bizer ◽  
Lutz M. Kolbe
Keyword(s):  
Open Source ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Grocery Shopping ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Complementary Approach ◽  
Research Platform ◽  
Policy Measures ◽  
The Impact

It is controversially discussed if and which interventions policymakers should implement to promote healthier, more sustainable, and more ethical food choices. Often, policy measures suffer from a lack of data. This is especially true for the growing field of online grocery shopping. Yet, it not always feasible to test the impact of each possible policy intervention in the field. Here, computer-simulated shopping experiments offer a complementary approach. Recent evidence suggests that they heighten the realism of consumer experiments and collect valid data at a relatively low cost. In this paper, we introduce an open-source toolset that offers multiple avenues to develop and run experiments in the context of online grocery shopping. Hence, it supports researchers and policy makers in evaluating instore-intervention aiming to support more sustainable food choices.

scholarly journals THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON REGIONAL PRICE DISPERSION IN THE US

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Ismail H. Genc
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Price Dispersion ◽  
Perfect Competition ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Fast Pace ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Impact Of Technology ◽  
Available Information ◽  
The Impact

We analyze the behavior of inflation in the era of fast pace information thanks to technological advances, especially internet. Owing to readily available information, prices/inflation should quickly converge under perfect competition. To this end, we explore the possibility of price convergence in regional inflation in the USA including the permanency of such a phenomenon if observed, a concern for monetary policy makers. Empirically, we analyze standard deviation of regional inflation with special attention to technology. We show that standard deviation of inflation is not constant over time, but not necessarily ever-declining. Technology seems to help reduce price dispersion across regions.

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