Changing Patterns in the Export of Goods Versus International Competitiveness. A Comparative Analysis for Central-East European Countries in the Period 2000–2011

This paper discusses the existing links between changing patterns in the export of goods, broken down by technology-intensity, versus intrenational competitiveness. The study covers nine Central-East European (CEE) economies: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and the Slovak Republic, in the time span 2000-2011. We examine the hypothesis of a strong, positive and statistically significant relationship between flows of export of high-tech and ICT manufactures industries goods, and an economy’s level of international competitiveness (approximated by the Global Competitiveness Index - GCI, see: World Economic Forum). Our methodological approach relies on elaboration of each country`s individual export patterns with regard to industries of different technology-intensities, and statistical analysis between the international GCI variable and variables identifying shares in total export of certain industries. Contrary to what was initially expected, our empirical results do not seem to support the hypothesis on statistically positive links between growing shares of high-tech and ICT manufactures industries in the total value of export versus the Global Competitiveness Index in the analyzed countries.Dane dotyczące eksportu pochodzą z bazy OECD STAN Bilateral Trade Database by Industry and End-use Category (BTDIxE), zaś te dotyczące międzynarodowej konkurencyjności - World Economic Forum. Wyniki przeprowadzonej analizy empirycznej nie potwierdzają statystycznej zależności między poziomem międzynarodowej konkurencyjności (GCI) a udziałem sektora high-tech oraz ICT w całości eksportu danego kraju

Structural convergence among selected European countries. Multidimensional analysis

The main aim of the paper to test for structural convergence among arbitrary selected European countries. The authors choose four transition economies: Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovak Republic which are widely recognized as structurally similar economies. All four countries` economy structures are consequently compared with the structure of German economy – here selected as the reference country. The authors want to find out whether it is possible to confirm the hypothesis about the structural convergence between the four selected economies and Germany. The data sample covers the period of 2000-2007. The empirical part of analysis bases on 18 different indicators connected with the economy structure. To verify the hypothesis the authors apply multidimensional taxonomy methodsstructural convergence, structural changes

Technological progress and its contribution to economic development

The semi-empirical papers discusses main issues concerning role of new Information and Communication Technologies in fostering economic development worldwide. The author identifies some crucial aspects of the ICTs adoption in developing, as well in developed, countries. To assess the hypothetical role of ICTs in development, there are 3 summary indices applied - TAI, DAI and DOI. In the paper the potencial strength of the ICTs on the level of development is estimated

Concentration in ICTs sector – cross country analysis.

In the chapter below, the author presents inequalities in sector of new information and communication technologies. Having in mind inequalities we can also discuss concentration issues, and the concentration itself is a problem to which the author refers on first place. The paper is organized as following: first basic measures of concentration are defined, after we can read a discussion referring to concentration in ICTs sector when R&D expenditures are considered. Consequently the author analyzes basic concentration where use and application of ICTs goods and services are taken into account. To analyze the inequalities and concentration, traditional measures are applied, like: Gini coefficient, Hirschman-Herfindahl Index, and Concentration Ratio

Technology convergence and digital divides. A country-level evidence for the period 2000-2010.

The paper, mostly empirical in nature, investigates issues on cross-national new information and communication technologies (ICTs) adoption patterns and growth directions. In the period of 2000-2010, a great number of countries underwent substantial changes on the field of ICTs implementation. Many of them made a great “jump” starting with almost “zero level” of ICTs adoption in year 2000, and during the 10 – year period were implementing ICTs at astonishingly high pace. Despite the obvious positive impact that ICTs have on overall society and economy condition, rapid changes can also generate higher inequalities on the field. The paper focuses mainly on capturing these changes. It also aims to confirm or reject the hypothesis on growing inter-country inequalities in ICTs adoption. The target of the paper is twofold. Firstly, we explain the magnitude of past and present differences in digitalization level among countries; secondly, we concentrate digital technology convergence. We apply three approaches to convergence – β-convergence, σ-convergence and quantile-convergence (q-convergence), to check if relative division between countries was growing or diminishing in the time span 2000-2010. Additionally we check if countries of the given sample tend to form convergence clubs in the relevant years. The analysis is run for the sample consisted of 145 economies and the time coverage is 2000-2010. All data applied in the research are drawn from the International Telecommunication Union statistical databases

Social development – a multidimensional approach to social development analysis. Country level evidence for year 2011.

The study investigates disparities in social development in 144 countries worldwide. In the paper we aim to investigate cross-country differences in social development level in year 2011, as well as to estimate inequalities on the field. Secondly, we assess relative social development level differences – gaps (divides) among countries. For the analysis purposes, we apply: descriptive statistics analysis, Kernel epanechnikov density (to check for world distribution of social welfare), inequality measure – Gini coefficient and square Euclidean distance (full linkages) method. The analysis sample encompasses 144 countries, and we mainly collect statistical data for the year 2011 (if available). The data applied in the study are derived from databases like: United Nations Millennium Development Goals Database; United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; World Health Organization; International Human Development Indicators

Technology convergence and digital divides. A country-level evidence for the period 2000-2010.

The paper, mostly empirical in nature, investigates issues on cross-national new information and communication technologies (ICTs) adoption patterns and growth directions. In the period of 2000-2010, a great number of countries underwent substantial changes on the field of ICTs implementation. Many of them made a great “jump” starting with almost “zero level” of ICTs adoption in year 2000, and during the 10 – year period were implementing ICTs at astonishingly high pace. Despite the obvious positive impact that ICTs have on overall society and economy condition, rapid changes can also generate higher inequalities on the field. The paper focuses mainly on capturing these changes. It also aims to confirm or reject the hypothesis on growing inter-country inequalities in ICTs adoption. The target of the paper is twofold. Firstly, we explain the magnitude of past and present differences in digitalization level among countries; secondly, we concentrate digital technology convergence. We apply three approaches to convergence – β-convergence, σ-convergence and quantile-convergence (q-convergence), to check if relative division between countries was growing or diminishing in the time span 2000-2010. Additionally we check if countries of the given sample tend to form convergence clubs in the relevant years. The analysis is run for the sample consisted of 145 economies and the time coverage is 2000-2010. All data applied in the research are drawn from the International Telecommunication Union statistical databases

Economic growth dynamics across countries.

Economic growth is one of the most important issues discussed worldwide. Its dynamics over time seem to be crucial from the perspective of the ability of poor countries to catch up with highly developed economies. As can be easily noticed in world statistics, both GDP per capita and GDP growth levels vary substantially across countries. The main purpose of the paper is to analyze GDP PPP per capita growth rates across countries in the period 1980 – 2008, as well as to identify top and bottom country performers. In addition, the author verifies the statistical relationship between GDP PPP per capita and some arbitrary selected social indicators like: school life expectancy, infant mortality rate, life expectancy and Human Development Index. All data applied in the study are drawn from International Monetary Fund and United Nation database

Social development – a multidimensional approach to social development analysis. Country level evidence for year 2011.

The study investigates disparities in social development in 144 countries worldwide. In the paper we aim to investigate cross-country differences in social development level in year 2011, as well as to estimate inequalities on the field. Secondly, we assess relative social development level differences – gaps (divides) among countries. For the analysis purposes, we apply: descriptive statistics analysis, Kernel epanechnikov density (to check for world distribution of social welfare), inequality measure – Gini coefficient and square Euclidean distance (full linkages) method. The analysis sample encompasses 144 countries, and we mainly collect statistical data for the year 2011 (if available). The data applied in the study are derived from databases like: United Nations Millennium Development Goals Database; United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; World Health Organization; International Human Development Indicators

Digital divide – inequalities in level of implementation of new information and telecommunication technologies. Cross country study.

In the paper presented, the author considers few aspects of the so-called “digital divide”. It is easily noticeable worldwide, that new information and communication technologies (ICTs) “possess” a great ability to spread, at high pace, among countries from all around the world. At the same time, we can see that ICTs are being implemented at different pace in difference economies. Different pace of ICTs implementation generates significant inequalities in level of usage and application of these technologies in different countries. The main purpose of the paper is to assess magnitude of existing digital divides among countries, which can partly explain existing inequalities in use and application of ICTs. The author will apply relevant methodology – taken from basic taxonomy methodology – to measure the digital divides among economies. All countries where necessary data is available and reliable will be included in the study