Regional responses to macroeconomic and regional policy in Poland

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate regional impact of macroeconomic and regional policy impulses, using our newly developed multi-regional computable general equilibrium (CGE) model for three, structurally distinctive Polish macro-regions.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, we build an interregional social accounting matrix for Poland and use it to develop a small scale, three-region CGE model, reflecting the size of regional economies and cross-regional differences in industrial structures, while also explicitly accounting for the dynamics of main economic relationships across regions, such as interregional flows in commodities, labor and capital. The model is subsequently use to simulate regional effects of various policy impulses.FindingsWe demonstrate important cross-regional differences in the transmission mechanism of macro-level policies, which either affect regional output and its individual components (as in the case of imposing shocks to VAT or PIT rates) or are limited to the components, while preserving a rather uniform impact on output (as in the case of imposing shocks to wages). Furthermore, we contribute to the regional policy equity-efficiency trade-off debate, by illustrating quantitatively how, due to structural differences, spatially targeted expenditure measures might promote either regional convergence or aggregate output growth at the country-level.Originality/valuePrior to our study, regional CGE models have not been used to simulate spatial distribution of aggregate shocks in Poland or in any other CEE country. Another originality of our study lies in comprehensive evaluation of various policy impulses, from the perspective of their impact on the respective region, spillovers to the other regions and its overall, country-level effect.

Introducing CGE Models to the Classroom Using EXCEL

Introducing CGE Models to the Classroom Using EXCEL

Introducing CGE Models to the Classroom Using EXCEL

Introducing CGE Models to the Classroom Using EXCEL

Systematic literature review on computable general equilibrium applications in tourism

Assessment of the economy-wide impacts of tourism has increased importance due to the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19. Computable general equilibrium (CGE) approach is a versatile tool for estimating the economy-wide impacts of tourism, as opposed to alternative general equilibrium approaches and partial equilibrium approaches. However, there has not been any systematic review done on CGE applications in tourism literature. The article reviews CGE applications in tourism over the past 25 years using a systematic quantitative literature review approach. This review presents potentially important applications of CGE models in guiding post-COVID tourism. Further, the article highlights the new developments in CGE modelling, which are yet to be adopted in tourism economics. Existing studies show a strong geographical bias. Notable research gaps exist in the areas of poverty, inequality, gender, environmental and the climate change impacts of tourism. Future research in these areas will be vital to effectively guide post-COVID tourism recovery.

Economic Evaluation of Investments in Airports: Recent Developments

The problem of how to evaluate investments in airports has now been studied for over 50 years. This paper analyzes the use of different methods like cost–benefit analysis (CBA), economic impact analysis (EIA), and computable general equilibrium (CGE) models to address the question. It assesses the strength and weaknesses of each method, and it discusses which methods have been used in different countries. The paper argues that the CBA approach and the newer CGE modeling approach address the policy issue well and that both methods are appropriate, although improvements are possible, especially in the newer aspects of evaluation. Furthermore, more data intensive CGE models are able to analyze broader aspects of the evaluation question for which CBA has had difficulty. EIA does not address the problem satisfactorily, and it misleads air transport policy. But this evaluation contrasts sharply with practice. EIA has been extensively used to decide on airport investment. CGE approaches are very promising, though further work is needed for them to reach their full potential. This paper pays particular attention to the relationship between CBA and CGE in airport investment evaluation and also the possible role of wider economic benefits (WEBs) of aviation in evaluation.

Implications of Initial Assumptions in Agri-Environmental Nitrogen Pollution Reduction Policy Design: Quasi-Empirical Evidence from Croatia

This paper aims to extend understanding of potential general equilibrium effects of nitrogen pollution reduction policies in multifunctional agriculture. Under the EU Nitrates Directive, to achieve agricultural nitrogen pollution reduction, a country can choose between (or combine) market and command-and-control measures. To deal with nitrate pollution from agricultural sources Croatia uses measures such as input regulations and management practices, rather than market-based measures. This paper evaluates welfare and macroeconomic effects of selected market and command-and-control based agricultural nitrogen reduction policies within Croatian data based CGE model. The paper highlights the importance of usual theoretical assumptions, i.e. labor market cleaning assumption and the degree of substitutability of nitrogen in agricultural production, for policy prescriptions. Namely, the results suggest that agri-environ­mental policy prescriptions largely depend upon labor market cleaning assumption and substitutability of nitrogen in agricultural production. The paper also emphasizes current limitations of CGE models for agri-environmental nitrogen reduction related policies evaluation and highlights the methodological and database development needs for future research.