The industrial policy role of European state-invested enterprises in the 21st century: Continuity and change across phases of domestic and global transformation

This chapter explores the potential industrial policy role of European state-invested enterprises (SIEs) in the 21st century. This is done by analysing the evolution of European state-owned enterprises (SOEs) from their rise in the second half of the 20th century to their partial privatization, and the subsequent transition to the model of SIEs in recent years. Partial privatization was a key step in SOEs’ transformation because it entailed the demise of public policy mandates from their statutory provisions. As a result, most current SIEs are managed as private enterprises. However, the chapter argues that SIEs can still play a role in serving national interests, particularly in their global sphere of action. In fact, SIEs that operate in global strategic markets (e.g. natural resources, advanced technologies and transnational infrastructure) provide essential inputs to the domestic economy. This is an element of continuity with the traditional industrial policy role of SOEs. It suggests that, despite being mainly driven by profitability, SIEs’ business still has a profound impact on economic competitiveness. Because of this systemic role, SIEs can act as industrial policy tools for states to address some of the current economic challenges. For example, their ability to supply cheap and abundant inputs to domestic markets can provide a decisive contribution to counteract the relative decline of European economies vis-à-vis emerging economies. For this reason, the chapter suggests new ways for European states and SIEs to cooperate and maximize mutual synergies. However, in the light of the extensive changes that have occurred in domestic and global markets, their cooperation should be different from the past. In particular, cooperation should make it possible to simultaneously address operational efficiency and industrial policy objectives, which are both important to face international competition from economic and political actors

Six Collective Challenges for Sustainability of Almería Greenhouse Horticulture

Globally, current food consumption and trade are placing unprecedented demand on agricultural systems and increasing pressure on natural resources, requiring tradeoffs between food security and environmental impacts especially given the tension between market-driven agriculture and agro-ecological goals. In order to illustrate the wicked social, economic and environmental challenges and processes to find transformative solutions, we focus on the largest concentration of greenhouses in the world located in the semi-arid coastal plain of South-east Spain. Almería family farming, predominantly cooperative, greenhouse intensive production, commenced after the 1960s and has resulted in very significant social and economic benefits for the region, while also having important negative environmental and biodiversity impacts, as well as creating new social challenges. The system currently finds itself in a crisis of diminishing economic benefits and increasing environmental and social dilemmas. Here, we present the outcomes of multi-actor, transdisciplinary research to review and provide collective insights for solutions-oriented research on the sustainability of Almeria’s agricultural sector. The multi-actor, transdisciplinary process implemented collectively, and supported by scientific literature, identified six fundamental challenges to transitioning to an agricultural model that aims to ameliorate risks and avoid a systemic collapse, whilst balancing a concern for profitability with sustainability: (1) Governance based on a culture of shared responsibility for sustainability, (2) Sustainable and efficient use of water, (3) Biodiversity conservation, (4) Implementing a circular economy plan, (5) Technology and knowledge transfer, and (6) Image and identity. We conclude that the multi-actor transdisciplinary approach successfully facilitated the creation of a culture of shared responsibility among public, private, academic, and civil society actors. Notwithstanding plural values, challenges and solutions identified by consensus point to a nascent acknowledgement of the strategic necessity to locate agricultural economic activity within social and environmental spheres.This paper demonstrates the need to establish transdisciplinary multi-actor work-schemes to continue collaboration and research for the transition to an agro-ecological model as a means to remain competitive and to create value

ERAWATCH Country Reports 2012: Portugal

This analytical country report is one of a series of annual ERAWATCH reports produced for EU Member States and Countries Associated to the Seventh Framework Programme for Research of the European Union (FP7). The main objective of the ERAWATCH Annual Country Reports is to characterise and assess the performance of national research systems and related policies in a structured manner that is comparable across countries. The Country Report 2012 builds on and updates the 2011 edition. The report identifies the structural challenges of the national research and innovation system and assesses the match between the national priorities and the structural challenges, highlighting the latest developments, their dynamics and impact in the overall national context. They further analyse and assess the ability of the policy mix in place to consistently and efficiently tackle these challenges. These reports were originally produced in December 2012, focusing on policy developments over the previous twelve months. The reports were produced by independent experts under direct contract with IPTS. The analytical framework and the structure of the reports have been developed by the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies of the Joint Research Centre (JRC-IPTS) and Directorate General for Research and Innovation with contributions from external experts.JRC.J.2-Knowledge for Growt

Desafios do setor financeiro cooperativo espanhol diante do risco sistêmico

Purpose: The aim is to reflect on the Spanish financial cooperative sector based on the analysis of the concept, as well as on systemic risk typologies. Description: The business model proposed by credit cooperatives in Spain has strong foundations on orthodox financial culture in the sense that these entities, generally, have adopted financial sustainability as their strategic horizon. Point of view: Due to a given a series of regulatory procedures that have taken place in Spain, it is possible to affirm, in general terms, that, to a large extent, credit cooperatives have not been affected. This condition does not apply for savings banks, for example. Conclusions: In relation to the rest of entities and modalities that make up the banking system, credit cooperatives have less risk exposure, which affects the other institutions in the banking system. In addition, the great competitive advantage that these entities can count on will result from combining the provision of dimension, efficiency and financially sustainable services that face a convulsive future in coexistence with commercial banking entities that are increasingly competitive.Propósito: a partir del análisis del concepto, así como de las tipologías del riesgo sistémico, se pretende reflexionar en torno al sector cooperativo financiero español. Descripción: el modelo de negocio propuesto por las cooperativas de crédito en España tiene unas fuertes bases de cultura financiera ortodoxa en el sentido de que estas entidades, por lo general, han tenido como horizonte estratégico lo que se denomina “sostenibilidad financiera”. Punto de vista: en términos generales, dada una serie de procedimientos normativos que se han producido en España, se puede afirmar que, en gran medida, las cooperativas de crédito no se han visto afectadas, cosa que no aplica, por ejemplo, para las cajas de ahorro. Conclusiones: las cooperativas de crédito, en relación con el resto de las figuras que componen el sistema bancario, disponen de una menor exposición frente a los riesgos, de manera que se ve afectado el resto de las entidades que componen el sistema. Además, la gran ventaja competitiva con la que podrán contar estas entidades será la combinación de dimensión, eficacia y prestación de servicios financieramente sostenibles para afrontar un futuro convulso y en convivencia con entidades de banca comercial cada vez más competitivas.Objetivo: a partir da análise do conceito, bem como das tipologias de risco sistêmico, pretende-se refletir em torno ao setor cooperativo financeiro espanhol. Descrição: o modelo de negócio proposto pelas cooperativas de crédito na Espanha tem fundamentos fortes da cultura financeira ortodoxa, posto que essas entidades, em geral, têm como horizonte estratégico a chamada "sustentabilidade financeira". Ponto de vista: em termos gerais, dada uma série de procedimentos normativos que tiveram lugar na Espanha, pode-se afirmar que, em grande medida, as cooperativas de crédito não foram afetadas, ao contrário, por exemplo, das caixas económicas. Conclusões: as cooperativas de crédito, em relação às outras figuras que conformam o sistema bancário, têm menor exposição a riscos, de modo que afetam o restante das entidades do sistema. Além disso, a grande vantagem competitiva que essas entidades poderão ter será a combinação de dimensão, eficiência e prestação de serviços financeiramente sustentáveis para enfrentar um futuro convulsivo e em convivência com entidades bancárias comerciais cada vez mais competitivas