Simultaneous Determination of NAIRU, Output Gaps, and Structural Budget Balances: Swedish Evidence

Economists are often concerned with estimates of three unobservable variables: the NAIRU, the output gap, and the structural budget balance. Although the main purpose of many existing methods is to remove effects stemming from the same business cycle, the three variables are estimated in different models. In this paper, we propose a new unifying approach to estimate NAIRU, output gaps, and structural budget balances in the same model. A structural VAR model, designed to take the non-stationarity of European unemployment into account, is applied and we provide Swedish evidence using yearly data for the period 1950-2004.

When Are Fiscal Contractions Successful? Lessons for Countries Within and Outside the EMU

In the past 25 years, many OECD countries have implemented fiscal contractions to strengthen their public finances. The macroeconomic outcomes of these efforts have varied. With the aid of an econometric model, this paper seeks to identify the factors that make contractions successful from a macroeconomic standpoint. The findings suggest, among other things, that favorable changes in the real exchange rate prior to the period of fiscal contraction and in the real quantity of money during this period play an important part in the macroeconomic outcome. This indicates in turn that it may be more difficult to implement successful fiscal contractions within the EMU. The findings also show that the composition of the contraction in regard to the relative proportions of tax increases and expenditure cutbacks, respectively, is probably less important than has usually been assumed.Fiscal Contractions; Fiscal Policy; Real Exchange Rate; EMU

Journal Staff

SAMMANFATTNING Bakgrund Undernäring är vanligt förekommande bland äldre i Sverige varav en orsak är att de äter för få måltider och har dålig aptit. Det är därför viktigt att de äldre erbjuds tillräckligt många mål mat per dag och att maten är energi- och näringsriktig. Sjuka, undernärda äldre behöver ofta äta energi- och proteinrik kost för att uppnå sina behov. Det är viktigt att motverka och behandla undernäring då det kan medföra bland annat försämrad livskvalité. Med denna studie ville vi ta reda på och belysa hur de äldres näringsintag verkligen såg ut. Syfte Syftet med studien var att studera intag av energi, protein, järn, kalcium samt C och D-vitamin under två huvudmåltider, två dagar hos geriatriska patienter som åt E-kost. Metod Metoden som användes var en vägd kostregistrering samt fotografering. I studien ingick patienter på en geriatrisk avdelning, totalt gjordes 74 registreringar. För att analysera skillnader mellan män och kvinnor och jämföra energiintagen med Livsmedelsverkets rekommendationer användes SPSS 21,0 med p<0,05. Resultat Energiintagen låg nära referensvärdena både för män och kvinnor. Vid en måltid var männens intag högre (p=0,04) än referensvärdena och en måltid var deras intag lägre (p=0,01). Vid en måltid var kvinnornas intag högre (p=0,01) än referensvärdena och en måltid var deras intag lägre (p=0,01). Männens energiintag var högre än kvinnornas en måltid (p=0,04). Även männens intag av kalcium var högre än kvinnornas (p=0,046). Intagen av D-vitamin var låga i förhållande till dagsrekommendationerna och intagen av protein var lägre än rekommendationerna för en måltid. Männens intag av protein var högre än kvinnornas en måltid (p=0,02). Slutsats Patienternas intag var mestadels lägre än rekommendationerna och referensvärdena, detta tyder på att det kan vara viktigt med energi och näringsrika frukostar samt mellanmål för att uppnå högre energi- och näringsintag. Det är önskvärt med fler studier för att kunna dra slutsatser gällande patienternas intag samt om kosttillskott behövs

The Dynamic Response of the Budget Balance to Tax, Spending and Output Shocks: Does Model Specification Matter?

This paper estimates how the US budget responds to shocks in taxes, spending and output. In particular, we consider the dynamic adjustment of the two budget components (taxes and spending) to such shocks. The recently developed Generalized Impulse Response Function, which takes the historical distribution of the residuals into account, is applied. We select the 'correct' specification, estimate two VAR and two VEC models and compare the results. Our chosen specification suggests that tax, spending and output shocks generate deficits in the long run while the tax and output shocks generate a surplus in the short run. Moreover, model specification matters indeed.Generalized impulse response function; Model specification; VAR; Budget deficit; Fiscal variables

In Search of a Method for Measuring the Output Gap of the Swedish Economy

This paper describes and evaluates measures of trend (or potential) output in order to improve the measuring and understanding of the current state of the Swedish economy. The target group of the paper is primarily policy makers and analysts in Sweden and international organisations who study the Swedish economy and give recommendations concerning appropriate stabilization policies. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the ones of neither the National Institute of Economic Research nor the Ministry of Finance.

Persuasive Engagement: Exploiting lifestyle as a driving force to promote energy-aware use patterns and behaviours.

Electricity consumption has been rising significantly in the western world the last decades and this has affected the environment negatively. Efficient use and more energy conservative usage patterns could be ways to approach this problem. However, electricity has for a long time actively been hidden away and it is rarely thought of unless it ceases to exist. From the perspective of critical design, we have been working to find methods to visualise electricity and electricity consumption in everyday life to promote environmentally positive behavioural change. In this paper, we are looking at how aspects of lifestyles can be used in design as central driving forces that could lead to changed behaviour. Attempts to promote behavioural changes related to energy consumption might be successfully carried out when people are offered desirable alternatives that are engaging and that do not impose a perceived extra burden in their everyday life. This argument is exemplified through two design concepts, the AWARE Laundry Lamp and the Energy Plant, which are examples on how to increase people’s energy awareness and offer them means for reducing their energy consumption in the home. Both prototypes are inspired by current trends in lifestyle as well as actual observed user behaviour. Keywords: Interaction Design; Sustainable Design; Energy; Lifestyle; Persuasive Design</p