Co-operation between Europe and some Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Countries on the use of ICT in Education: constrains and opportunities learnt from several European projects

Based on previous experience in Southern Europe and Middle-East, potentiality and constraints in collaborative projects are presented. More specifically, a number of EC funded ICT projects, undertaking by countries of these regions and implemented the last seven years, are presented in brief. By the introduction of quality issues and carefully examining a number of constraints and difficulties appeared during the development of these projects, we propose specific recommendations for successful co-operation, especially at a moment of deep and strong changes in these regions.</jats:p

Measuring Poverty and Inequality in a Computable General Equilibrium Model

This paper aims to evaluate the relevance of different types of macroeconomic general equilibrium modelling for measuring the impact of economic policy shocks on the incidence of poverty and on the distribution of income. In the literature three approaches are identified. The first is based on a traditional form of the CGEM which specifies a large number of households. In this case, we can only observe inter group income inequalities. The next uses survey data to estimate the distribution function and average variations by group, which allows one to estimate the evolution of poverty. The third approach, which we present in detail, includes individual data directly in the general equilibrium model according to the principles of micro simulations. This treatment provides a more reliable picture of income distribution but is also more complex. Given this, we develop, within a co-ordinated statistical framework representing an archetypal economy, the three types of model described above. More precisely, this exercise allows us to break down the contribution of average income variations, of the poverty line, and of income distribution in the evolution of the main poverty indicators. The results obtained show the importance of intra group information and therefore the relevance of micro simulation exercises.General Equilibrium Models, Micro Simulation, Poverty, Inequality

Physicians' Multitasking and Incentives: Empirical Evidence from a Natural Experiment

We analyse how physicians respond to contractual changes and incentives within a multitasking environment. In 1999 the Quebec government (Canada) introduced an optional mixed compensation system, combining a fixed per diem with a discounted (relative to the traditional fee-for-service system) fee for services provided. We combine panel survey and administrative data on Quebec physicians to evaluate the impact of this change in incentives on their practice choices. We highlight the differentiated impact of incentives on various dimensions of physician behaviour by considering a wide range of labour supply variables: time spent on seeing patients, time devoted to teaching, administrative tasks or research, as well as the volume of clinical services and average time per clinical service. Our results show that, on average, the reform induced physicians who changed from FFS to MC to reduce their volume of (billable) services by 6.15% and to reduce their hours of work spent on seeing patients by 2.57%. Their average time spent per service increased by 3.58%, suggesting a potential quality-quantity substitution. Also the reform induced these physicians to increase their time spent on teaching and administrative duties (tasks not remunerated under the fee-for-service system) by 7.9%.Physician payment mechanisms, multitasking, mixed-payment systems, incentive contracts, labour supply, self-selection, panel estimation

Mesurer la pauvreté et les inégalités dans un modèle d'équilibre général calculable

Ce papier vise à évaluer la pertinence des différents types de modélisation macro- économique en équilibre général pour mesurer l'impact des chocs de politique économique sur l'incidence de la pauvreté et la distribution du revenu. Dans la littérature on peut identifier trois types d'exercices. Le premier repose sur une forme traditionnelle de MEGC spécifiant un grand nombre de ménages. Dans ce cadre on peut seulement observer les inégalités de revenu inter groupe. Le suivant utilise des données d'enquête pour estimer la fonction de distribution et lui applique les variations moyennes par groupe, ce qui permet d'estimer l'évolution de la pauvreté. Le dernier enfin, que nous présentons plus en détail, inclus les données individuelles directement dans le modèle d'équilibre général selon le principe des micro simulations. Cette approche donne une image plus fidèle de la distribution de revenu mais est également plus complexe à mettre en œuvre. Dans cette perspective, nous développons les trois types de modélisation précédemment décrits, dans un cadre statistique coordonné représentant une économie archétype. Plus précisément, cet exercice nous permet de décomposer la contribution des variations de revenu moyen, de la ligne de pauvreté et des distributions de revenu dans l'évolution des principaux indicateurs de pauvreté. Les résultats obtenus démontrent l'importance des informations intra groupe et donc la pertinence des exercices de micro simulation.Modèles d'Équilibre Général, Micro simulation, Pauvreté, Inégalité

Assessing the tribocorrosionnext term behaviour of Cu and Al by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

International audienceThis study is focused on the interests and limits of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, to establish the electrochemical behaviour of a tribosystem between Cu and Al, in acid solution. The calculated capacitance, in high-frequency range, partially allows understanding the double layer state of body in the contact. The Potential of Zero Charge (PZC) was calculated for Cu sample and it was associated with a potential range for Al. PZC value of each material is discussed as a key parameter of sliding contact. During tests of wear, the EIS results are related to the evolution of adsorbed water molecules

Copper and aluminium tribocorrosion in acid medium : Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy investigations

International audienceThis study is focused on the interests and limits of EIS, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, to establish the electrochemical behaviour of a tribosystem during friction between copper and aluminium in acid solution. EIS measurements are performed before, during and after friction for understanding electrochemical surface reaction evolution. For each material, calculated capacitance in high frequencies range allows getting further information about the double layer state. The Potential of Zero Charge (PZC) is defined such as the potential value associated to the lowest capacitance. PZC was calculated for copper sample precisely and it was associated to a potential range for aluminium. PZC value of each material is discussed as a key parameter of sliding contact in considered media. Finally, impedance diagrams illustrate a parallel contribution of aluminium and copper during static contact. During wear corrosion tests, EIS results, at high frequencies, are related to the evolution of adsorbed water molecules

Physicians' Multitasking and Incentives: Empirical Evidence from a Natural Experiment

We analyse how physicians respond to contractual changes and incentives within a multitasking environment. In 1999 the Quebec government (Canada) introduced an optional mixed compensation system, combining a xed per diem with a partial (relative to the traditional fee-for-service system) fee for services provided. We combine panel survey and administrative data on Quebec physicians to evaluate the impact of this change in incentives on their practice choices. We highlight the dierentiated impact of incentives on various dimensions of physician behaviour by considering a wide range of labour supply variables: time spent on seeing patients, time devoted to teaching, administrative tasks or research, as well as the volume of clinical services and average time per clinical service. Our results show that, on average, the reform induced physicians who changed from FFS to MC to reduce their volume of (billable) services by 6.15% and to reduce their hours of work spent on seeing patients by 2.57%. Their average time spent per service increased by 3.58%, suggesting a potential quality-quantity substitution. Also the reform induced these physicians to increase their time spent on teaching and administrative duties (tasks not remunerated under the fee-for-service system) by 7.9%.physician payment mechanisms; multitasking; mixed-payment systems; incentive contracts; labour supply; self-selection; panel estimation

Physicians’ Multitasking and Incentives: Empirical Evidence from a Natural Experiment

We analyse how physicians respond to contractual changes and incentives within a multitasking environment. In 1999 the Quebec government (Canada) introduced an optional mixed compensation (MC) system, combining a fixed per diem with a partial (relative to the traditional fee-for-service system) fee for services provided. We combine panel survey and administrative data on Quebec physicians to evaluate the impact of this change in incentives on their practice choices. We highlight the differentiated impact of incentives on various dimensions of physician behaviour by considering a wide range of labour supply variables: time spent on seeing patients, time devoted to teaching, administrative tasks or research, as well as the volume of clinical services and average time per clinical service. Our results show that, on average, the reform induced physicians who changed from FFS to MC to reduce their volume of (billable) services by 6.15% and to reduce their hours of work spent on seeing patients by 2.57%. Their average time spent per service increased by 3.81%, suggesting a potential quality-quantity substitution. Also the reform induced these physicians to increase their time spent on teaching and administrative duties (tasks not remunerated under the fee-for-service system) by 7.9%. En 1999, le ministère de la Santé et des Services Sociaux du Québec introduisait un mode de rémunération mixte optionnel pour rémunérer l’activité hospitalière des médecins spécialistes. Ce mode combine une rémunération forfaitaire pour chaque jour de travail (per diem ou demi per diem) et une rémunération partielle à l’acte s’exprimant en un pourcentage du tarif habituellement applicable pour un service donné. Cette étude jumelle en panel des données de sondage du Collège des Médecins du Québec et des données administratives de la Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec pour évaluer l’impact de ce mode de rémunération sur les choix de pratique des spécialistes. Nous mettons l’accent sur l’effet de la rémunération mixte sur plusieurs dimensions du comportement professionnel du médecin : heures consacrées aux patients, heures consacrées à l’enseignement, aux activités médicales administratives et à la recherche, volume de services médicaux et temps moyen par service médical. Nos résultats montrent que l’introduction de la rémunération mixte a incité les médecins qui sont passés de la rémunération à l’acte à la rémunération mixte à réduire leur nombre de services médicaux (facturables) de 6,15 % et à réduire leurs heures de travail consacrées aux patients de 2,57 %. En revanche, le temps moyen par service médical s’est accru de 3,81 %, ce qui peut suggérer une substitution entre la quantité et la qualité des services. La réforme a aussi incité ces médecins à accroître le temps consacré à l’enseignement et aux activités médicales administratives (activités non rémunérées par la rémunération à l’acte) de 7,9 %. En outre, le temps consacré par ces médecins à la recherche (activité non rémunérée par l’un ou l’autre des modes de rémunération) a diminué de 14,7 %. Enfin, le revenu des médecins qui sont passés à la rémunération mixte s’est accru de 8,05 %, indiquant qu’il était financièrement rentable pour ceux-ci de choisir ce mode de rémunération.physician payment mechanisms, multitasking, mixed-payment systems, incentive contracts, labour supply, self-selection, panel estimation., mécanismes de rémunération des médecins, fonctionnement multitâche, rémunération mixte, contrats incitatifs, offre de travail, auto-sélection, estimation en panel