The Diffusion of Regulatory Oversight

The idea of cost-benefit analysis has been spreading internationally for centuries — at least since an American named Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter in 1772 to his British friend, Joseph Priestley, recommending that Priestley weigh the pros and cons of a difficult decision in what Franklin dubbed a “moral or prudential algebra” (Franklin 1772) (more on this letter below). Several recent studies show that the use of benefit-cost analysis (BCA), for both public projects and public regulation of private activities, is now unfolding in countries on every habitable continent around the world (Livermore and Revesz 2013; Quah and Toh 2012; De Francesco 2012; Livermore 2011; Cordova-Novion and Jacobzone 2011). This global diffusion of BCA is intermingled with the global diffusion of regulatory capitalism, in which privatized market actors are supervised by expert regulatory agencies (Levi-Faur 2005; Simmons et al. 2008), and with the international spread of ex ante regulatory precautions to anticipate and prevent risks despite uncertainty (Wiener et al. 2011)

The Development of New Concepts for Assessing Reproductive Toxicity Applicable to Large Scale Toxicological Programmes

Large scale toxicological testing programmes which are currently ongoing such as the new European chemical legislation REACH require the development of new integrated testing strategies rather than applying traditional testing schemes to thousands of chemicals. The current practice of requiring in vivo testing for every possible adverse effect endanger the success of these programmes due (i) to limited testing facilities and sufficient capacity of scientific/technical knowledge for reproductive toxicity; (ii) an unacceptable number of laboratory animals involved (iii) an intolerable number of chemicals classified as false positive. A key aspect of the implementation of new testing strategies is the determination of prevalence of reproductive toxicity in the universe of industrial chemicals. Prevalences are relevant in order to be aware on the expected rate of false classification during the toxicological testing and to implement appropriate measures for their avoidance. Furthermore, a detailed understanding on the subendpoints affected by reproductive toxicants and the underlying mechanisms will lead to more science based testing strategies integrating alternative methods without compromising the protection of consumers

A paradigm paralysis? Boys and early literacy learning in three Maltese state schools

Within the global context of concern about ‘boys’ underachievement’, this article highlights sections of my doctoral study where I investigated the reading and writing experiences of five- to six-year-old boys in three Maltese state schools. The purpose of this enquiry was not to solve the widely discussed phenomenon of ‘boys’ underachievement’ but rather to create new understandings related to the concepts of ‘boys’ underachievement’, ‘early literacy learning’ and ‘school readiness’ in a Maltese context through a mixed methods phenomenological research investigation. Young boys’ voices, several stakeholders’ perspectives and the lived experience of three groups of five- to six-year-old boys during schooled reading and writing practices were investigated through an online questionnaire, classroom observations, individual interviews, and focus groups. This article presents the core findings which suggest that the three main concepts explored were inclined to biased and constricted worldviews that resulted in the majority of the young boys experiencing undesirable reading and writing practices. Subsequently, the overall conclusion implies the risk of a ‘paradigm paralysis’ in the fields of gender, literacy, and early years education in the local context, and offers new conceptualisations towards an educational response.peer-reviewe

Аналіз зовнішньої заборгованості країн «Великої сімки»: виклики та перспективи (The analysis of external indebtedness of the G7 countries: challegences and perspectives)

Проблема зовнішньої заборгованості розвинутих країн привертає все більше уваги дослідників, оскільки за останні десятиліття спостерігається помітне зростання обсягу зовнішнього державного боргу розвинутих кра- їн, темп прирісту зовнішньої заборгованості перевищує темп економічного зростання, про що свідчить зростання показника зовнішній борг-ВВП. У контексті аналізу зовншіньої заборгованості країн «Великої сімки», встановлено, що послаблення продуктивності сприяє посиленню боргового тягаря на економіку даних країн. Незважаючи на пожвавлення економічного зростання, майже серед усіх країн G7, недостатня продуктивність не сприятиме послабленню зовнішньоборгового тягаря. (The problem of the external indebtedness of developed countries draws more attention and concern nowadays, since there has been a considerable increase in the level of the external debt of developed countries for the last decades. Moreover, the increment rate of external indebtedness outpaces the increment rate of economic growth and an increase in the external debt-to-GDP ratio of developed countries underpins the tendency. The debt dynamics of G7 countries draw special attention, since those countries represent the majority of net global wealth, generate half of the global GDP and are the top-ranking economies according to the Human Development Index. Despite the fact that almost all the G7 economies have managed to boost economic growth, an inadequate rate of productivity is hardly likely to alleviate debt pressure. It is recommended to address the productivity issues, since the tendency of external indebtedness accumulation to outpace economic growth increases the cost of necessary reforms and adjustments.

A critical analysis from a South African perspective of advance pricing agreements for multinational enterprises

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Commerce (specialising in Taxation), Johannesburg, 2017Tax Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS)1 has become an epidemic of global legal tax avoidance being used by Multinational Enterprises (MNEs). BEPS has resulted in the structuring of transactions within groups of companies, with these including: transfer pricing, manipulating prices of goods, services, management fees, professional fees, royalties, interest and dividends. This study is a critical analysis of South African legislation in relation to the Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with the United Kingdom (UK). Reference is made to the Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) as proposed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).2 Even though South Africa follows the OECD guidelines (2010),3 Advance Pricing Agreements (APA) are not included in South African legislation, which may result in double non-taxation or double taxation and disputes. Recourse in the event of double taxation is examined in this research report. The application of APA legislation in the UK, as a leading tax authority,4 is analysed, as well as Davis Tax Committee recommendations in relation to Transfer Pricing. KEYWORDS Advance Pricing Agreement, Arm’s length price, Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, Davis Tax Committee, Double Taxation, Double Taxation Agreement, Multinational Enterprises, Mutual Agreement Procedure, OECD, South African Revenue Service, Transfer Pricing. 1 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (n.d.a), ‘About BEPS and the inclusive framework’, , retrieved 5 November 2016. 2 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2010b), Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations. Paris: OECD. 3 Supra note 2. 4 Broomberg, E. B. (2007), Tax avoidance then and now, Tax Planning Corporate and Personal, vol. 21, no. 5, pp112-118.GR201

The interplay of educational and labour market institutions and links to relative youth unemployment

Many institutional theories assume that institutions function in conjunction with each other and, therefore, constitute regimes. Moreover, when analysing institutional effects most researchers maintain a purely variable-oriented approach and its ceteris-paribus logic of causal association. This article analyses associations between configurations of labour market and education institutions and relative youth unemployment by examining 30 countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The analysis reveals that no single institution constitutes a sufficient or necessary condition for relative youth unemployment. Institutions unfold their effects only in combination with other institutions, that is, they are always conjunctural. Low relative youth unemployment cannot be explained adequately. Employment protection is only associated with high relative youth unemployment if vocational specificity, standardisation and stratification is low

Enterprise and entrepreneurship education: Towards a comparative analysis

Purpose - This paper states the case for adopting a comparative method of analysis to the study of enterprise education. Adopting a comparative approach can provide fresh insights and opportunities for researching from different perspectives. It develops understanding of the concept by reexamining its origins and history. By default its purpose, development operation and rationale are also briefly discussed through reference to literature and policy. Design/methodology/approach - This paper draws on the literature around enterprise and entrepreneurship education. It argues that comparative analysis of enterprise education is an important methodological tool that can enrich, deepen and inform research processes, findings and outcomes. Comparative analysis can take a number of forms and can include within country, cross-country, historical, temporal, longitudinal, spatial, pedagogical, policy or other types of comparison. Findings - This paper unpacks and teases out some of the points of difference and similarity between enterprise education concepts, policies and practices; and the way they are introduced to, applied and operate in different contexts. The main focus and point for comparison is the UK. Enterprise education is distinct from and should not be confused with business and economics. Teacher training in the techniques of enterprise education and resources designed to suit social and cultural requirements is crucial to achieve successful project outcomes. Originality/value - The comparative analysis of enterprise education programmes and policies advocated here adds value and provides additional insight to these concepts and practices

What should be the contribution of further and higher education in Ireland to the current global economic crisis?

This paper will be in two parts; the first section will examine the current tertiary education situation in Ireland amid the global economic crisis and will review what should education’s contribution be to help alleviate the crisis. Through doing this both the state and the market, who have interests in the academy and their graduates produced, will become part of the review, as building stronger links with the academy and the economy to help raise skills, efficiency and productivity is becoming more important in ensuring global competitiveness and retaining equality and accessibility in the academy (see Gaffikin and Morrissey, 2003: 98). The second and final section will look at the merge of entrepreneurship and education. As the lifelong learning society is conceptualised largely in terms of maintaining a flexible and competitive economy in the knowledge society, the concept of an entrepreneurial society will be proposed to fill the gap which has emerged since the exit of many international companies for cheaper labour elsewhere. Within all levels of education entrepreneurship should be encouraged and embedded in the curricula from the earliest stages as a prevention rather than cure to the current economic crisis in Ireland

Why Some Sectors of Transition Economies are less Reformed than Others? The Case of Research and Education

We analyze university research and education in transition countries. University system differs from industry in the nature of product that it produces. University system is engaged in production of public goods rather than private goods. The sector also suffers from measurement problem. We argue that because of these factors reforms were slower in this sector leading to low productivity growth. Lobby groups succeeded to gain significant control inside administrative structures regulating the sector. The case studies from the Czech Republic and Slovakia provide the evidence in support of this argument.Research, education, public good, transition, reform, productivity

International Perspectives on Early Years Mathematics

In recent decades the development of mathematical proficiency has been recognised as a key issue for children and their education. The purpose of this paper is to identify key international perspectives that influence Australian mathematics education in the early years especially those that are in a similar state of technological development to Australia. There are four key trends deserving of discussion (1) development in the early years, (2) mathematical proficiency in the early years, (3) mathematics policy and curriculum designed for young children, and (4) the existing research evidence-base