Who's who in networks. Wanted: the key group

Ballester, Calv ́o-Armengol, and Zenou (2006, Econometrica, 74/5, pp. 1403-17) show that in a network game with local payoff complementarities, together with global uniform payoff substitutability and own concavity effects, the intercentrality measure identifies the key player - a player who, once removed, leads to the optimal change in overall activity. In this paper we search for the key group in such network games, whose members are, in general, different from the players with the highest individual intercentralities. Thus the quest for a single target is generalized to a group selection problem targeting an arbitrary number of players, where the key group is identified by a group intercentrality measure. We show that the members of a key group are rather nonredundant actors, i.e., they are largely heterogenous in their patterns of ties to the third parties

Input-output impact analysis in current or constant prices:does it matter?

This paper addresses the question whether the results of input-output (IO) impact analyses differ (and to what extent) when a framework in current prices or in constant prices is used. We consider the effect of an exogenous stimulus of final demand in current prices on (a) gross output in constant prices, and (b) employment. In an empirical application to Denmark, we found that all predicted effects were very similar. This holds in particular for the results at the aggregate, economy-wide level and, to a lesser extent, at the sectoral level. Mathematics Subject Classification (2000): C67, D57

Who's who in networks. Wanted: the key group

Ballester, Calv ́o-Armengol, and Zenou (2006, Econometrica, 74/5, pp. 1403-17) show that in a network game with local payoff complementarities, together with global uniform payoff substitutability and own concavity effects, the intercentrality measure identifies the key player - a player who, once removed, leads to the optimal change in overall activity. In this paper we search for the key group in such network games, whose members are, in general, different from the players with the highest individual intercentralities. Thus the quest for a single target is generalized to a group selection problem targeting an arbitrary number of players, where the key group is identified by a group intercentrality measure. We show that the members of a key group are rather nonredundant actors, i.e., they are largely heterogenous in their patterns of ties to the third parties

EU Petroleum Refining Fitness Check: OURSE Modelling and Results

The OURSE (Oil is Used in Refineries to Supply Energy) model is used to assess ex post the likely impact on the performance and international competitiveness of the EU refineries of the main EU legislation included in the EU Petroleum Refining Fitness Check (REFIT) study. Given the (dis)similar nature of the immediate (i.e. direct) impact mechanisms of the legislation acts on refining industry, the considered directives were grouped into the following three (broader) categories for modelling purposes: 1. Fuel quality specifications change due to the Fuels Quality Directive (FQD) and Marine Fuels Directive (MFD); 2. Demand levels and composition change due to the requirements of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and Energy Taxation Directive (ETD); and 3. Sulphur dioxide emissions limits change as implied by the requirements of the Large Combustion Plants Directive (LCPD), Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive (IPPCD) and Air Quality Directive (AQD).JRC.J.5-Sustainable Production and Consumptio

Market-based instruments to reduce air emissions from household heating appliances: Analysis of scrappage policy scenarios

This document explores the potential for the use of a market based instrument to contribute to reducing the emissions of particulate matter of less than 10 micrometres from household heating appliances in the framework of the review of the Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution. The study is focused on the assessment of the economic and environmental impacts of possible scrappage policies for promoting the accelerated replacement of existing heating appliances by cleaner ones. Under these policy programmes, households replacing an old appliance by a cleaner one would receive a subsidy from the government. This subsidy would compensate households for the residual value of the appliance scrapped and the opportunity costs of the early investment in a new one. Two different scenarios are analysed: The scrappage and replacement of all the different types of conventional appliances that do not incorporate any emission control technology ("non-controlled"), and the scrappage and replacement of only "non-controlled" firewood and hard coal fired manual single house boilers. It is assumed that the scrappage programme is in force between 2018 and 2020. For each scenario, the study focuses on the effects of different levels of replacement of the "non-controlled" appliances and the size of subsidies relative to the investment costs.JRC.J.5-Sustainable Production and Consumptio

EU Petroleum Refining Fitness Check: Impact of EU Legislation on Sectoral Economic Performance

This report presents the results of the quantitative assessment of the impact on the petroleum refining sector of legislative measures, identified in the process of European Commission's analysis and stakeholder consultations as being of significant relevance for petroleum refineries, and as such included in the mandate of the fitness check. This quantitative assessment took into account the impact of the legislation on costs and revenues of the EU petroleum refining industry and therefore on its capacity to remain internationally competitive. This analysis, mostly of a quantitative nature, was accompanied where possible and relevant by a qualitative assessment in accordance with the Commission's general approach to fitness checks . In particular, the report analysed how coherently and consistently the EU legislation, identified as relevant for the sector, works together, whether it is effective and efficient, and whether it is associated with excessive regulatory burdens, overlaps, gaps, inconsistencies or obsolete measures. Since this fitness check addressed a specific industry sector rather than a policy area, it had a specific focus on the cumulative impact, effectiveness, efficiency and coherence of the measures with respect to the oil refining sector. As stated in the mandate of the fitness check, the analysis in this report was retrospective and concentrated on the impact of the relevant legislation on the petroleum refining sector in the period between 2000 and 2012.JRC.J.5-Sustainable Production and Consumptio