Suchergebnisse

I build a quantitative model of economic growth that can be used to evaluate the impact of environmental policy interventions on final-use energy consumption, an important driver of carbon emissions. In the model, energy demand is driven by directed technical change. Energy supply is subject to increasing extraction costs. The model is consistent with aggregate evidence on energy use, efficiency, and prices in the United States, as well as the standard balanced growth facts. I use the model to conduct several policy analyses. First, I examine the impact of energy taxes and compare the results to the standard Cobb-Douglas approach used in the environmental macroeconomics literature. Second, I investigate how the government can use energy taxes and R&D policy to implement the least-cost path that achieves an environmental target. Finally, I study the dynamic impacts of exogenous improvements in energy efficiency and R&D subsidies for energy efficiency, focusing on the role of rebound. All analyses highlight the importance of transition dynamics.

1. Introduction -- 2. Dynamics of economic spaces : a theoretical framework -- 3. Integral model of service innovation -- 4. Path dependence, regional resilience, and the evolution of the regional economy -- 5. Global megatrends and spatial economic inequality in East Asia -- 6. Interaction between corporate and urban systems for the accumulation of intangible assets -- 7. Evolution of the industrial cluster and policy : the case of Gumi City, Korea -- 8. Restructuring, innovation, and the global networks of Samsung -- 9. Future perspectives for the dynamics of East Asian economic spaces and policy implications.

Significant social and labour market policy reforms have taken place in most European countries since the beginning of the 1990s. These changes warrant an examination of the dynamics of differing national models from two opposing analytical perspectives: path dependence (signifying that initial differences persist) and convergence (merging towards a single model). This article compares the national models in France and the UK. Fundamental principles of social protection and labour market policy in each country were contrasting in the early 1990s; however, both experienced numerous reforms at the end of the 1990s and the beginning of the 2000s. We show that although the UK and France stick to differentiated institutional paths, nevertheless, some convergence towards job supply-oriented employment and social policies emerges at the end of the period. Therefore, path dependence theory appears to be highly significant in understanding the dynamics of national regimes, but this reference should be amended to include other forms of change that enable a functional convergence of initially differing systems. Neoinstitutionalist theory, in particular North's work (North, 1990), is likely to underpin this more general framework to include insights into the role of informal factors, especially ideas.

2021 Fall. ; Includes bibliographical references. ; At this moment in the technological transition toward clean energy resources, two related strands of social science research deserve further empirical study: (1) the drivers of policy change, or alternatively, the factors that inhibit comprehensive policy change, and (2) the politics surrounding the regulation of clean energy technologies. Regarding the latter, this study is particularly interested in regulatory frameworks governing small-scale systems located close to the point of electricity consumption, or distributed generation systems, or DGs. Much of the political science and energy policy literature examines the drivers of policy change for renewable technologies writ large, but fewer studies have taken a focused approach on the policy mechanisms to drive adoption of renewable technologies specifically within small- and mid-size markets for residential and commercial properties. Because the regulatory environment for DGs is largely shaped by state policymakers, this research seeks to understand the sources of institutional resistance toward policies that would expand DG deployment at the state level. Two concepts in the political science and public policy literature potentially explain resistance toward updating regulatory frameworks to facilitate the technological transition. The first is path dependence, which explains how institutions become locked-in to outdated technologies due to increasing returns. The second is policy or regulatory drift, which illustrates how institutions avoid comprehensive change and remain stuck using regulatory structures that become inadequate for addressing social and environmental risk as circumstances evolve. This dissertation is focused on the following research question: what can explain the variance in path dependence and regulatory drift across states' regulatory regimes, specifically in DG integration policy? To answer this question, I conduct quantitative analyses of the association of political and economic variables with pro-DG policy outcomes across a seven-year period, from 2012 to 2018. Chapter Three analyzes the state policy environment using a quantitative index measure factoring in a series of DG integration policies, emphasizing net energy metering and interconnection standards. Chapter Four analyzes a similar set of political-economic and technical variables against the likelihood of pro-DG decisions from public utility commissions. The study finds some support for the hypothesis that path dependence and regulatory drift is occurring across states' DG policy environments, but the independent variables of interest – coal generation, utility market concentration, and power system characteristics – exert an uneven impact on DG policy outcome. Statistical relationships are conditional upon geographic region and electricity price and interpreting results across the two quantitative models is not clear-cut. This project contributes to our understanding of drift and path dependence in DG policy by providing a snapshot of the observable relationships between political-economic factors and regulatory favorability toward DG, and further research can utilize this project as a springboard to precisely identify the drivers of DG policy outcomes or discuss the role of drift in phases of technological change.

This publication discusses the dimensions, significance, and policy implications of international flows of human resources in science and technology. The international mobility of highly skilled workers is increasing in scale and complexity as more economies participate in R&D and innovation activity. Mobile talent diffuses knowledge both directly and indirectly across borders. This can boost global innovation performance, with benefits accruing to both sending and receiving countries. It is clear that mobility is leading to an increasing level of labour-market internationalisation and integra

Over the past decade, historical institutionalism has emerged as one of the major research pillars of contemporary political science. However, most historical institutionalists seem to be unaware of the paradigmatic implications of this approach for political studies. The theoretical underpinnings of historical institutionalism, namely, the ideas of path dependence and the economics of increasing returns, are based on a new science called complexity science. The worldview of complexity science is largely inconsistent with the scientific foundation of current mainstream political science, namely, Newtonianism. The emergence of historical institutionalist analyses in political studies thus means serious paradigmatic challenges for the discipline.

The article is dedicated to Dimitrii Dan (1856–1927), a well-known Bucovina priest, historian, ethnographer, folklorist, paleographer, collector of ancient historical documents and museum organizer, corresponding member of the Romanian Academy of Sciences. The purpose of scientific research is to study the life path of D. Dan on the basis of available historical sources. Such a study is relevant, since a full biography of the academician is not available in the Ukrainian scientific circulation. Its coverage in the most detailed form represents a scientific novelty. The method of the papper based on the study of archival documents, books and articles of D. Dan, memoir literature, periodicals and correspondence. Conclusions. Dimitrii Dan's life path is a synthesis of love for family and friends, for God and research. Great diligence, inquisitiveness and fruitfulness are characteristic of this path. How priest D. Dan took care of church affairs, explained the theological questions needed by clergymen, gave examples from the past of exploits of authoritative representatives of the clergy. As an ethnographer, he familiarized the reader with ethnogenesis, settlement, culture and daily life, inter-ethnic relations of ethnic groups of Bukovyna: Ruthenians (Ukrainians), Armenians, Jews, Lipovans, Gypsies. Folklore publications of Bukovyna and beyond eagerly awaited his collected songs, beliefs, proverbs, poems, legends, etc. His historical works, devoted to villages, monasteries, churches, personalities, were based on a various source base consisting of authentic historical documents, excellent knowledge of archeography and paleography. With his characteristic enthusiasm, he engaged in the protection of monuments and the organization of museums. D. Dan was always a patriot of his people, he cared about the development of the Romanian language, culture and history. As a member of the National Council, he took part in the General Unification Congress of Bukovyna, which took place in 1918 in Chernivtsi. His fruitful activity was noted by the church leadership, the community, the governments of Austria-Hungary and Romania. For his scientific activity, D. Dan received the title of corresponding member of the Romanian Academy of Sciences. Streets in Radivtsi and Suceava were named in his honor. Today, his work has again gained relevance in the scientific circles of Romania and Ukraine

FuturICT foundations are social science, complex systems science, and ICT. The main concerns and challenges in the science of complex systems in the context of FuturICT are laid out in this paper with special emphasis on the Complex Systems route to Social Sciences. This include complex systems having: many heterogeneous interacting parts; multiple scales; complicated transition laws; unexpected or unpredicted emergence; sensitive dependence on initial conditions; path-dependent dynamics; networked hierarchical connectivities; interaction of autonomous agents; self-organisation; non-equilibrium dynamics; combinatorial explosion; adaptivity to changing environments; co-evolving subsystems; ill-defined boundaries; and multilevel dynamics. In this context, science is seen as the process of abstracting the dynamics of systems from data. This presents many challenges including: data gathering by large-scale experiment, participatory sensing and social computation, managing huge distributed dynamic and heterogeneous databases; moving from data to dynamical models, going beyond correlations to cause-effect relationships, understanding the relationship between simple and comprehensive models with appropriate choices of variables, ensemble modeling and data assimilation, modeling systems of systems of systems with many levels between micro and macro; and formulating new approaches to prediction, forecasting, and risk, especially in systems that can reflect on and change their behaviour in response to predictions, and systems whose apparently predictable behaviour is disrupted by apparently unpredictable rare or extreme events. These challenges are part of the FuturICT agenda. © The Author(s) 2012. ; The publication of this work was partially supported by the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement No. 284709, a Coordina- tionandSupportActionintheInformationandCommunicationTechnologiesactivityarea ('FuturICT' FET Flagship Pilot Project). MSM acknowledges also financial support for research on Complex Systems from MINECO FIS2007-6032. ; Peer Reviewed

AbstractThis article analyzes the reemergence of the film industry in İstanbul since the mid-1990s. In exploring the industrial and spatial dynamics of this process of reemergence, we employ the perspective of path dependence, conducted with the aid of historical analysis and in-depth interviews with the key actors of the sector. By zooming in on the details of this industry's reemergence, we uncover the specifics of the process of revival in terms of both the industry itself and of location. Analysis of the industry reveals the impact on the revival of İstanbul's film sector of system-wide developments, the key roles played by the advertising and television sectors, and entrepreneurial initiatives. Analysis of location, on the other hand, reveals that, following the collapse of Yeşilçam—the historical center of İstanbul's film industry—two new clusters have emerged, one located in the vicinity of the old center (Beyoğlu) and the other in a rising commercial district (Levent).

This study compares publication pattern dynamics in the social sciences and humanities in five European countries. Three are Central and Eastern European countries that share a similar cultural and political heritage (the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland). The other two are Flanders (Belgium) and Norway, representing Western Europe and the Nordics, respectively. We analysed 449,409 publications from 2013-2016 and found that, despite persisting differences between the two groups of countries across all disciplines, publication patterns in the Central and Eastern European countries are becoming more similar to those in their Western and Nordic counterparts. Articles from the Central and Eastern European countries are increasingly published in journals indexed in Web of Science and also in journals with the highest citation impacts. There are, however, clear differences between social science and humanities disciplines, which need to be considered in research evaluation and science policy.

The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to the capacity of developed welfare states to meet emerging needs. In its initial year, the pandemic prompted a wave of new social policy programmes and modifications to existing ones. This study empirically investigates the applicability of various social theories in elucidating the dynamics of social policy changes during the COVID-19 crisis.
Reflective analysis employs Hegelian dialectics as a methodological framework on established theories, including welfare regime theory, path dependence theory, path creation, and incorporates contemporary perspectives such as capability theory. The aim is to reflect and discern what these approaches explain and how these theoretical paradigms account for the observed shifts in social policy dynamics.
The paper builds on previously published studies focused on the dynamics of persistence and change, mitigation and prevention, divergence and convergence, and continuity and irruption in social policies implemented in response to the pandemic. The article also contributes at developing a theoretical and methodological reflective approach to examine social policy changes in multiple contexts.

The purpose of this dissertation is to describe, explain and understand how slowness appeared when some decisions were made in the area of welfare policy and how this slowness was eliminated. The study focuses on major changes. It is argued that such changes follow another logic than small gradual adjustments. Four breaking points have been selected for a deeper analysis: the pension policy decisions of 1913 and 1994 and the housing policy decisions of 1935 and 1992. These decisions led to the emergence of fundamentally new institutional structures concerning the relation between the central government and the citizens. The study shows that an established institutional structure within a welfare policy area generated mental constructs and decision rules that governed political decision-making. This governance resulted in slowness in the form of lengthy decision-making processes. The fundamental institutional structure was being altered only when the mental constructs were broken down. A common feature was that the decisions were first made when discontent with the prevailing order became so strong that it overwhelmed the fear of a new institutional structure. The general tendency was also to shape the fundamental changes in relation to the citizens so that the changes could be portrayed as small. The established mental constructs are the determining explanation for slowness. The interest organizations played a secondary role, as their interests are shaped in accordance with the mental constructs. Their resistance was declined at the same time when the mental constructs were broken down. The individuals – agents of change – that constantly worked for the change of system in reality appear to be significantly more interesting than hindering organization. Their influence showed a recurring pattern.

Despite having a formidable position in terms of domestic R&D; activity and a welldeveloped science and technology infrastructure prior to transition, Russia has failed to create a competitive firm sector. Using a systems of innovation approach, we argue that institutions are subject to inertia when political and economic regimes were rapidly reformed, and the system structural lock-in, causing industrial enterprises to engage in routines that generated a sub-optimal outcome. Market forces did not result in the western style model, but a hybrid one. A significant segment of industry maintains a Soviet-style dependence on 'top-down' supply-driven allocation of resources and a reliance on external (and domestic) network of sources for innovation and capital. At the same time, 'new' industries have also evolved which undertake their own R&D;, and utilise foreign sources of capital and technology, and at least partly determine their production and innovative activities on the basis on market forces.

This dissertation traces Social Security policymaking through most of its post-enactment history in search of ideational processes and schema in path-dependent, path-shaping, and path-breaking modes of institutional persistence and change. The study is grounded in the historical institutionalist literature, specifically the recent debate about the utility of path dependence frameworks in incorporating institutional change, with a particular focus on ideas as stimuli. As a case for tracing path-dependent policy processes, Social Security is overbroad. This breadth requires focusing more narrowly on the interaction between the major coalitions, business/conservative and liberal/labor, on retirement and disability pension (but not health care) issues through the venue of Social Security Advisory Councils. Council is used as a catch-all label for the six-decade succession of (mostly) citizen groups appointed by the secretary of HEW, Senate Finance Committee, and, in one case, the president to deliberate questions of Social Security policy and recommend changes, often enacted into law. A pattern-matching analysis points to a moderate level of path dependence, indicating that the exchange of ideas between coalitions fits the larger consensual pattern of give and take around an existing arrangement. An ideational narrative reveals early negotiations over the emphasis placed on equity versus adequacy, with manifestly ideational exchanges in the 1996 Council's deliberations marking a turning point in the coalitional interaction. A key implication of this research for the application of path dependence frameworks to U.S. political institutions like Social Security is to buttress moderate path dependence arguments, for instance, those advanced by Hacker and Pierson (2002), and to discount the relevance of path-shaping narratives that have been fashioned from European examples (Cox 2004). Yet the research also modifies understanding of path dependence as a self-perpetuating function of increasing returns by identifying an ideational strand that bound both coalitions to social insurance principles. Path-breaking developments apparent in the 1996 Council further implicated new ideas as institutional factors contributing to the loss of historical consensus on Social Security, bolstering the notion of ideational processes as an element of institutional persistence and pressing the argument for further research into ideas as dynamic elements fostering institutional change. ; Ph. D.

The Science Budget monitors public funding and performance of State-funded Science & Technology (S&T) and Research & Development (R&D) and aims to capture key performance metrics within the State sector. A total of 37 government departments and agencies who are engaged in some form of S&T or R&D activity in 2010-2011 were surveyed. This report presents findings from the 2011 Science Budget, with the final outturn data for 2010 together with estimates for 2011.