Assessing Economic Complexity with Input-Output Based Measures

Economic complexity can be defined as the level of interdependence between the component parts of an economy. In input-output systems, intersectoral connectedness is a crucial feature of analysis, and there are many different methods for measuring it. Most of the measures, however, have drawbacks that prevent them from being used as a good indicator of economic complexity, because they were not explicitly made with this purpose in mind. In this paper, we present, discuss and compare empirically different indexes of economic complexity as intersectoral connectedness, using the interindustry tables of several OECD countries.input-output analysis; intersectoral connectedness; economic complexity

External dependency, value added generation and structural change: an inter-industry approach

The external dependency of many industries and the corresponding low value added generated in production, combined with a relatively weak export potential, create high external deficits and growing debt to GDP ratios in several open economies. In this paper we propose an empirical method to assess the evolution of these vulnerabilities, based on a new treatment of interindustry production multipliers. The (gross)output growth potential given by the column sums of the Leontief inverse matrix (backward linkage indicators) results from three terms: interindustry consumptions, value added and imported inputs. After a convenient arrangement of these terms, the evolution of backward linkage indicators can be used to detect structural changes, particularly quantifying a (net) growth effect (more value-added generation) and an external dependency effect (more imported inputs), and to classify the productive sectors accordingly. An application to the Portuguese Economy is made, using input-output tables for the years 1980, 1995 and 2005. This method can also be useful as a simple, but suggestive, device to compare the evolution of two or more economies, along their development processes in time.

Obesidade da genética ao ambiente

A obesidade é reconhecida pela Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS) como um importante problema de saúde pública, afectando crianças, adolescentes e adultos (WHO, 1998). Os dados do International Obesity Task Force (2000) mostraram que, nos últimos anos, a prevalência de obesidade tem aumentado significativamente em várias regiões do mundo, sendo responsável, em grande parte, pelo aumento da mortalidade e morbilidade com implicações significativas no indivíduo, na família e na comunidade (Dietz et al, 1999; Cole et al, 2000)

A New Kind of Production Multiplier for Assessing the Scale and Structure Effects of Demand Shocks in Input-Output Frameworks

The main purpose of this paper is to develop a new kind of input-output multiplier that would be particularly well suited to quantifying the impacts of final demand changes on the sectoral output growth potential of an economy. Instead of using the traditional output multipliers, solving an appropriate optimization problem provides what can be called input-output Euclidean distance multipliers. This method does not impose unitary final demand shocks with a fixed (predetermined) structure, allowing the “IO economy” to change across the spectrum of all possible structures. It can be very helpful in measuring interindustry linkages and key sectors in a national or regional economy. An empirical illustration is made, using national (Spain and Portugal) and regional (Balearic Islands and the Azores) input-output data.input-output analysis; ultra-peripheral regions; structural change

Condição humana e organização social e política: crise e as ideias de Regionalismo e de Europa das Regiões

Partindo da crise que se abate sobre o modelo moderno de Estado soberano desde as duas guerras mundiais do último século, o texto procura explorar o conceito de regionalismo, perspectivando-o como utopia e como demanda de uma forma alternativa de organização social e política. Paralelamente, procede-se à exploração de dois projectos alternativos. Primeiro, o projecto de Europa das regiões, que enforma o ideário federalista de meados do século XX de substituição da Europa dos Estado por uma Europa das Regiões - o qual, paradoxalmente, viria impedir as Regiões de aceder ao processo de integração europeia. Segundo, o projecto de Europa com Regiões, que se viria a estabelecer, de forma lenta, se bem que gradual, primeiro no Conselho e na União Europeia, a partir de meados da década de oitenta do século XX.ABSTRACT: Starting from the crisis that befalls the modern sovereign state since the two world wars of the last century, the text aims to explore the concept of regionalism, viewing it as an Utopia and as a demand for an alternative form of social and political organization. In parallel, it proceeds to the exploration of two alternative projects. First, the project Europe of the Regions, which shapes the federalist ideas of the mid-twentieth century which points to the replacement of the Europe of States with a Europe of Regions – which paradoxically, would prevent the Regions from acceding to the European Integration Process. Second, the project of Europe with Regions, Europe with the Regions, which unfolded in a slow, albeit gradual way, in the firstly in the Council of Europe and afterwards in the European Union, from the mid-eighties of the twentieth century

External dependency, value added generation and structural change: an interindustry approach

The external dependency of many industries and the corresponding low value added generated in production create high external deficits and growing debt to GDP ratios in several open economies. In this paper we propose an empirical method to assess the evolution of these vulnerabilities, based on a new treatment of interindustry production multipliers. The (gross) output growth potential given by the column sums of the Leontief inverse matrix (backward linkage indicators) results from three terms: interindustry consumptions, value added and imported inputs. After a convenient arrangement of these terms, the evolution of backward linkage indicators can be used to detect structural changes, particularly quantifying a (net) growth effect (more value-added generation) and an external dependency effect (more imported inputs), and to classify the productive sectors accordingly. An application to the Portuguese Economy is made, using input-output tables for the years 1980, 1995 and 2005. This method can also be useful as a simple, but suggestive, device to compare the evolution of two or more economies, along their development processes in time.input-output linkages; external dependency; structural change; Portugal

Renewable energy policies in Portugal

Policies chosen to promote renewables can vary significantly and determine different levels of deployment, efficiency and technological innovation. Instruments in this sector have been mostly directed towards electricity generation and are usually divided into two main types: feed-in tariffs and quota obligations. The former is more frequent in the European Union and is associated with higher levels of deployment, as well as higher policy costs. However, support schemes can be adjusted in order to minimize their shortcomings. Tariffs can be reduced progressively as deployment targets are reached and quota obligation schemes can be designed to recognize different technological development stages. Policies in Portugal have initially been based on investment grants to promote the switch from fuel oil, an attempt to reduce energy dependence and keep the industrial sector competitive after the two oil shocks of the 70s. This approach continued after the accession to the European Union and feed-in tariffs per se were only introduced in 1999. However, it would only be with the introduction of technology premiums in the pricing mechanism in 2001 that significant renewable deployment was to be seen. This thesis describes the policy evolution and includes a detailed analysis of the bioenergy sector, where the combined heat and power feed-in tariff has successfully triggered new power capacity promoted mostly by industrial companies in the wood sector, particularly pulp and paper. Incentives for heat production have been scarce but the sector has fought back its troubles by making good use of strong support policies in other Member States.As políticas para a promoção de energias renováveis podem variar significativamente e determinar diferentes níveis de desenvolvimento, eficiência e inovação tecnológica. Os instrumentos neste sector têm sido maioritariamente direccionados para a produção de electricidade e são geralmente divididos em dois tipos principais: tarifas de aquisição e quotas. O primeiro é mais frequente na União Europeia e associado a níveis mais elevados de desenvolvimento, apesar de o serem também os custos de política. Os esquemas de apoio podem ser ajustados por forma a minimizar as suas desvantagens. As tarifas podem ser progressivamente reduzidas à medida que as metas de desenvolvimento são atingidas e os esquemas baseados em quotas podem ser desenhados para acomodar os diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento tecnológico. As políticas em Portugal estiveram inicialmente suportadas em ajudas ao investimento para promover a substituição de fuelóleo, uma tentativa de reduzir a dependência energética e manter o sector industrial competitivo depois dos choques petrolíferos da década de 70. Esta abordagem prosseguiu após a entrada na União Europeia e as tarifas de aquisição per se foram apenas introduzidas em 1999. Contudo, apenas com a introdução de um prémio tecnológico no mecanismo de preço em 2001 foi possível registar um desenvolvimento significativo das renováveis. No sector da bioenergia, a tarifa para a cogeração conseguiu activar com sucesso a construção de nova capacidade, promovida principalmente pela indústria do sector da madeira, especialmente da pasta e papel. Os incentivos para a produção de calor têm sido reduzidos mas o sector soube aproveitar o forte apoio às renováveis noutros Estados-membros

A medieval "enigma": About the ecclesiastical trajectory of the Archbishop of Braga and "Antipope" Gregory VIII, Maurice "Bourdin" (11th-12th centuries)

Longo e diversificado foi o percurso eclesiástico e político do arcebispo bracarense e "antipapa" Maurício "Burdino". Dentro do complexo contexto da afirmação da Igreja romana face aos poderes da Europa Medieval, bem como da reorganização da Igreja hispânica, a experiência de Maurício representa tum caso paradigmático. O estudo da sua ação permite-nos refletir acerca dos principais problemas da instituição eclesiástica e sobre as transformações da sociedade europeia, entre finais do século XI e as primeiras décadas do século XII. Neste artigo analisaremos dois aspetos específicos: primeiramente, a trajetória de Maurício à frente da arquidiocese de Braga, a partir de 1109 - privilegiando o seu relacionamento com os demais poderes eclesiásticos peninsulares e com a cúria pontifícia -, e, num segundo momento, as causas da sua "inesperada" eleição como "antipapa" Gregório VIII, pelo imperador Henrique V, em 1118, em oposição aos pontífices romanos Gelásio II e Calisto II.The ecclesiastical and political trajectory of the archbishop of Braga and "antipope" Maurice "Bourdin" had been long and diversified. In the complex context of both the Roman Church's affirmation among the powers of Medieval Europe and the reorganization of the Hispanic Church, Maurice's experience represents a paradigmatic case. The study of his career allows us to reflect on the main problems related to the ecclesiastical institutions and the transformations of European society between the end of the 11th century and the first decades of the 12th century. In this article, we will analyse two specific aspects. First, we will study Maurice's trajectory as bishop of Coimbra and archbishop of Braga from 1099 onwards and his relations with the Iberian ecclesiastical powers and the Roman Curia. Second, we will analyse the causes of his "unexpected" 1118-election as "antipope" Gregory VIII, supported by Emperor Henry V, in opposition to the Roman pontiffs Gelasius II and Calixtus II

Stomach cancer incidence in Southern Portugal 1998-2006:a spatio-temporal analysis

Understanding geographical differences in health, particularly in small areas, became a major concern of epidemiologists. Geographical association studies and, more recently, several spatial disease mapping studies have emerged due to the development of new spatial statistical tools. Among other diseases, these methods are being applied to analyze cancer data. However, in this kind of studies, it is of utmost importance to also investigate the influence of temporal variability and that is why spatio-temporal studies became so popular. The aim of this study is to investigate spatial and temporal trends for the incidence of this type of cancer. This retrospective population-based study is based on data on all stomach cancers registered by the Southern Portuguese Cancer Registry (ROR Sul) between 1998 and 2006. Because several studies have underlined the important role of socioeconomic status in cancer risk, information on this variable has also been taken into account. Bayesian hierarchical models were applied to model stomach incidence at a county level and resulting relative risks were used to build risk maps for cancer incidence. Age-Period-Cohort models were also applied.N/

Comedy’s time spell

In this paper, the authors intend to reflect upon the social time interrupted by humor, as a discourse recipe, and by comedy, as a performative resource. The incongruity of the significations produced by this stylistic form means a suspension of the tipification rules in the life-world daily interactions. These moments of suspension are designated by time out. In this text, the authors show how humour and comedy connect with common time and time out to reveal interpretation keys to disclose the intersubjective social fabric