Inequality and Growth: Uncovering the main conclusions from the empirics

The theme of the relationship between inequality and economic growth has gained considerable attention among economists over the last two decades. In this paper, we analyse the effect of inequality on growth, whose related literature has been producing inconclusive results. After an exhaustive study of the major empirical works in this specific research area, we are able not only to advance with some potential explanations for the apparent lack of consensus on the empirical assessment of the inequality-growth relationship, but also to achieve a better understanding of the nature of this relationship and the forces underlying it. We conclude that the disparities found in the results of the estimation of the reduced-form relationship are most likely due to three dimensions: differences in the estimation techniques, the countries and the periods included in the sample, and the variable used to measure inequality. The last two aspects have particularly important implications. First, country/region specificities play a crucial role in the relationship between inequality and growth, so more emphasis should be put on the estimation of such a relationship on a national/regional basis, rather than trying to establish universal patterns. Second, the time horizon of the analysis should be carefully chosen, as different transmission channels from inequality to growth tend to operate differently in the short and in the long-run. Third, the fact that inequality in wealth distribution has a stronger negative effect on growth than inequality in income distribution may indicate that the channels through which inequality affects growth are not the same in both distributions. Therefore, we argue that in order to produce an accurate assessment of both the reduced-form relationship and the underlying transmission channels these aspects should be accordingly considered, which has not been the case in most of the empirical literature.inequality, economic growth, transmission channels, income distribution, wealth distribution, taxation

Is Mercosur an optimum currency area?

We find that generalized purchasing power parity does not hold for Mercosur, and thus that the South American trade group does not constitute an optimum currency area. We also find that the role of the United States cannot be neglected in the region, and that high short run volatility of real exchange rates is accompanied by slow adjustment processes of between 2 and 16 years (PPP puzzle).generalized purchasing power parity; optimum currency area; Mercosur; PPP puzzle

Is Mercosur an optimum currency area? An assessment using generalized purchasing power parity

We consider the cointegration approach of generalized purchasing power parity to show that a necessary condition for Mercosur to be an optimum currency area is met. Yet there are still large cross-country differences as to cast doubt on the success of either monetary union or official dollarization. The PPP puzzle is also found to occur in Mercosur.

Knowledge diffusion at a major central European automotive supplier

Diffusion of knowledge is a topic approached by modern economy to reach and sustain competitive advantage. As the environment is more uncertain, it is essential organisations learn to deal with new environmental changes as a consequence of Industry 4.0. The purpose of this project is to assess the adequacy of valuable knowledge diffusion in organisations during the implementation of Industry 4.0 principles and technologies. This diffusion is implemented in automotive businesses reaching an improvement of communication and production processes and consequently the productivity. This project establishes a case study, was adopted by an automotive industry Group focusing in promotion of knowledge diffusion and Industry 4.0 implementation among various stakeholders of the same company. The processes were analysed using observation, unstructured interviews and focus groups. The proposed challenge was to study how to apply Industry 4.0 to improve relevant knowledge sharing processes within the company. Regarding the needs and challenges identified, the best approach was to develop a communication channel which aligns the knowledge between all stakeholders. To link the two departments, recognize the value of an invention and achieve an innovation, some improvements were suggested and a new mean of communication was developed. The created product have not already been implemented due to time required, stakeholders busy schedule and R&D work dependability. With the proposed solution, the company will overcome the identified communication challenge and reduce the loss of important knowledge to maintain their progress.A difusão do conhecimento é um dos tópicos mais abordados pela economia moderna para alcançar e sustentar a vantagem competitiva. Como o ambiente empresarial é mais instável é fundamental que as organizações aprendam a lidar com as novas mudanças ambientais introduzidas pela Indústria 4.0. O objetivo deste projeto é avaliar no sponsor a adequação da difusão do seu conhecimento mais valioso na implementação dos princípios e tecnologias da Indústria 4.0. Esta difusão é implementada para melhorar os processos de comunicação e produção de forma a melhorar a sua produtividade no setor automóvel. Este projeto constitui um caso de estudo que foi abordado por um grupo da indústria automóvel para promover a difusão do conhecimento, melhorar processos de partilha de conhecimentos relevantes e a implementação da Indústria 4.0 entre os diversos stakeholders da empresa. Os processos foram analisados e os dados recolhidos por observação, entrevistas nãoestruturadas e focus groups. Em relação aos desafios identificados, a abordagem escolhida foi desenvolver um canal de comunicação para alinhar o conhecimento entre todas as partes interessadas. Para ligar os dois departamentos, reconhecer o valor de uma invenção e para alcançar uma inovação foram sugeridas algumas melhorias e desenvolvido um novo meio de comunicação. A implementação do produto ainda não foi realizada devido à sua duração, à agenda ocupada dos stakeholders e à dependência do trabalho resultante da P&D. Com a solução proposta, a empresa conseguirá ultrapassar o desafio de comunicação identificado e reduzirá as perdas de conhecimentos importantes para manter a sua evolução

Evaluation of Nosocomial Infection Risk Using a Hybrid Approach

Nosocomial infections have severe consequences for the patients and the society in general, being one of the causes that increase the length of stay in healthcare facilities. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to be preventive, being aware of how probable is to have that kind of infection, although it is hard to do with traditional methodologies and tools for problem solving. Therefore, this work will focus on the development of a decision support system that will cater for an individual risk evaluation tool with respect to catch nosocomial infections. The Knowledge Representation and Reasoning procedures used will be based on an extension to the Logic Programming language, allowing the handling of incomplete and/or default data. The computational framework in place will be centered on Artificial Neural Networks. It may be emphasized that in addition to the nosocomial infections risk evaluation, it is provided the Degree-of-Confidence that one has on such a happening

Sinalização turística: metodologia para o desenvolvimento de sistemas de signos para informação a visitantes

A maior afluência de pessoas a determinados locais, como aeroportos, zonas comerciais, eventos, serviços públicos, instalações turísticas, etc., suscitou a necessidade de orientar essas pessoas num espaço desconhecido e comunicar mensagens básicas com uma linguagem compreendida por uma maioria. Por outro lado essa mesma mobilidade trouxe consigo desenvolvimento rodoviário associado a um crescente fluxo de indivíduos que se deslocam por necessidades várias de um ponto para outro. Esse deslocamento, muitas vezes efectuado em espaços desconhecidos, despoletou a necessidade em apreender novas regras, as quais passam a ser formalizadas através de signos que facilitam o acesso ou a circulação a determinados locais. Para o presente projecto de investigação identificou-­‐se um problema concreto: os sistemas de signos para informação turística em Portugal, na Europa e no mundo são díspares, na sua maioria não se relacionam graficamente, são incoerentes do ponto de vista da sua concepção gráfica e não existe a nível europeu um sistema normalizado. Estrategicamente, encontra-­‐se no design de informação uma resposta concreta para a obtenção de metodologias de investigação aplicadas à concepção de símbolos para informação turística

Sign systems for touristic information: design and method

Sistemas de signos para informação turístic