Coefficient of Structural Concordance and an Example of its Application: Labour Productivity and Wages in Slovenia

The article presents the underlying principles, derivation and properties of a simple descriptive measure of concordance between two analogous rank structures that we call the coefficient of structural concordance. It is based upon the idea of Kendalls coefficient of concordance, which we extend to two rank structures. As the coefficient of structural concordance is a pure intergroup measure of concordance, it is designed to complement the Kendalls intragroup coefficient of concordance. We apply this descriptive measure by exploring the relationship between wages and labour productivity in Slovenia for the period 19982007. We are able to confirm the hypothesis of high concordance between wages and labour productivity, which indicates a stimulative role of wages in production of market traded goods and services.Coefficient of structural concordance, Kendalls coefficient of concordance, Labour productivity, Slovenia, Value added per employee, Wages.

Retirement Decisions in Transition: Microeconometric Evidence from Slovenia

In this article, we analyse old-age retirement decisions of Slovenian men and women, eligible to retire in the period 1997-2003. In comparison to established market economies, we find relatively high hazard rates of retirement that decline with age. This unusual pattern can partly be attributed to weak incentives to work, inherent in the design of the pension system and reflected in predominantly negative values of accruals, and to transition-specific increase in wage inequality in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This is reflected in low wages and relatively high pensions of less productive (skilled) workers and vice versa. We find that the probability of retirement decreases with option value to work and net wages, although the response to the former, when controlling for the latter, is rather weak. Our results also imply that less educated individuals and individuals with greater personal wealth are more likely to retire.option value; retirement decisions; transition

Innovativeness and intangibles in transition: the case of Slovenia

The article presents the micro data on intangibles for Slovenia during the period 1994–2005 using an augmented method by Corrado et al. and analyses the role of intangibles in the Slovenian economy during the transition. By examining the organisational, information and communication technologies (ICT) and research and development (R&D) component of intangibles, we observe a decrease in the value of R&D capital that was to some extent offset by an increase in the value of ICT capital. We find that organisational workers had higher productivity than the average worker. The dynamic of change was gradual during the transition. The capitalisation of intangibles implied an average 4.5% increase of gross domestic product (GDP) for the new member states. Nonetheless, a worrying convergence can be observed between the tangible and the intangible capital. One can thus expect the intangibles have an important role in the future growth in Slovenia and across the European countries, but only if proper attention is devoted to them in terms of policy measures and regulation

Personal income tax reforms and tax progressivity in Slovenia, 1991-2012

Using two different data sets, both derived from the personal income tax files, this paper analyses income inequality and the effects of the personal income tax on after-tax income of employees in Slovenia. It has been shown by using the Kakwani index of progressivity that increases in tax progressivity came in leaps and bounds upon the introduction of new PIT legislation. After the early years of transition (1991-1993), characterized by a large increase in income inequality, the distribution of income has experienced rather small changes; this can be attributed to the introduction of the minimum wage and introduction of a tripartite institution (The Economic and Social Council), responsible for wage negotiations. Inequality of employee’s income has even been decreasing since 2005; some of this decrease is due to changes in the tax base, as PIT legislation introduced schedular taxation of capital income in 2005 and differentiated tax allowances in 2008. The share of income accruing to the top 1% of earners has not been increasing, but has been fluctuating, though on a decreasing trend in the last 10 years

R&D and Economic Growth in Slovenia: A Dynamic General Equilibrium Approach with Endogenous Growth

In the article, we model R&D as a major endogenous growth element in a small open economy general equilibrium framework and consider several R&D policy scenarios for Slovenia. Increase of the share of sectoral investment in R&D that is deductible from the corporate income tax and increase of government spending on R&D turned out to be the most effective suggested policy measures. While the former policy measure is still followed in part by an undesired transfer of the tax relief to dividends, a moderate increase of government spending on R&D boosts long-run productivity in the economy, thus increasing the future value of firms, which is reflected in a desired dividend increase. The households that would gain more utility from such policy scenarios are those with more skilled and highly skilled labour, but not the very top earners in the economy.Endogenous growth, General equilibrium modelling, R&D, Slovenia

The burden of labour taxation in Croatia, Slovenia and Slovakia in the period 2011–2017

This paper analyses the developments in labor income taxation in Croatia, Slovenia and Slovakia during the period 2011–2017. While the systems of social insurance contributions in these countries were relatively stable, their personal income taxes have undergone more important changes. Using tax-benefit microsimulation models, we compute average and marginal tax rates for the sample units and assess the impact of tax-benefit systems on income distributio

Some evidence for implementing an enhanced relationship in Slovenia

Fostering an enhanced relationship between the tax administration and taxpayers is a promising approach for transforming traditional vertical relationships into a partnership based on trust and close, proactive cooperation. This article examines an example of such efforts, based on a pilot project in Slovenia called Horizontal Monitoring. After two years of operation, the project has justified its existence and represents a solid basis for extension to a larger group of taxpayers

An economic analysis of the illegal marijuana market in Slovenia

The purpose of the article is to analyse the illegal marijuana market in Slovenia. We present an analysis of marijuana consumption patterns and point out which socio-economic and demographic groups are most inclined to marijuana use. We provide an empirical analysis of marijuana demand by calculating odds ratios and marginal effects based on logit and probit discrete choice models. We evaluate the likely size of the industry by estimating the level of consumption and retail expenditure by using data on the prevalence of marijuana use and its retail prices. Our findings provide insights to the marijuana consumption, offer support to government decision-making and evaluation of alternative policy approaches, and give estimates of the likely revenue that the government could raise by subjecting marijuana to taxation in a manner similar to fine-cut tobacco