European Integration, Productivity Growth and Real Convergence

This paper derives a stochastic endogenous growth model that investigates the impact of European Union integration on convergence and productivity growth. We deviate from the general strand of literature by not only deriving a theoretical model for the effects of integration on the rate of economic growth, but also by using more appropriate estimation techniques. The outcome of a series of panel and structural break tests examining the accession process of five recent members to the Union generally show improved rates of productivity growth and convergence to EU standards. We then draw from the experience of these recent members to derive implications for the first-round EU candidate countries. Subsequent tests on the first-round candidate countries find a high level of heterogeneity in growth rates, and a fast-paced convergence to EU standards.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/40043/3/wp657.pd

European integration, productivity growth and real convergence

This paper derives a stochastic endogenous growth model that investigates the impact of European Union integration on convergence and productivity growth. We deviate from the general strand of literature by not only deriving a theoretical model for the effects of integration on the rate of economic growth, but also by using more appropriate estimation techniques. The outcome of a series of panel and structural break tests examining the accession process of five recent members to the Union generally show improved rates of productivity growth and convergence to EU standards. We then draw from the experience of these recent members to derive implications for the first-round EU candidate countries. Subsequent tests on the first-round candidate countries find a high level of heterogeneity in growth rates, and a fast-paced convergence to EU standards. --

Nominal and real stochastic convergence within transition economies and to the European Union: Evidence from panel data

This paper investigates the issue of real and nominal economic convergence of transition economies in two distinct ways: i) within their own groups as in Koèenda (2001) and ii) to the European Union (EU). We extend Koèenda’s study not only by using a more stable period (post-93) but also by employing a more recent panel estimation approach developed by Im, Pesaran, and Shin (IPS) (1997), which offers less restrictive assumptions about convergence by allowing heterogeneity in the convergence rates than previous panel unit root techniques. Relaxing the assumption of homogeneity in convergence rates yields less convergence in price level and money supply variables than reported by Koèenda. Again using the IPS method, we extend the investigation to examine the convergence of the first and second round candidate economies to EU standards. We find that the first-round candidates have made significant progress in monetary policy convergence with respect to EU and there is significant real convergence between the first round candidate economies and EU, but not for the second round candidate countries. The results have important implications for full EU membership preparations by these countries, including the choice of an optimal interim exchange rate policy. --

Exploring Preschool Teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge: The Effect of Professional Experience

This study aimed to explore the pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) of preschool teachers. This multiple case study was conducted with the participation of two preschool teachers. In this way, two preschool teachers' PCK about science teaching was examined, and it was attempted to determine the underlying causes of their pedagogical conceptualizations about any subject. Therefore, the participants were asked to create a lesson plan specific to the subject matter they selected, answer the interview questions about PCK, and implement the lesson plan they created. While the participants' responses to the lesson plan and PCK interview questions were analyzed by inductive content analysis based on the constant comparative method, classroom observations were evaluated with an analytical evaluation rubric. Furthermore, PCK maps showing the interaction between the subject-specific and unique PCK components of preschool teachers were created. Results revealed that teachers did not have sufficient knowledge about science teaching and that their PCK tended to change according to professional experience. It was determined that experienced teachers had more teacher-centered orientations than less experienced teachers with more student-centered orientations. Moreover, it was observed that professional experience increased the relationship between the PCK components

The Effects of Transition and Political Instability On Foreign Direct Investment Inflows: Central Europe and the Balkans

This paper examines the effect of transition and of political instability on FDI flows to the transition economies of Central Europe, the Baltics and the Balkans. We find that FDI to transition economies unaffected by conflict and political instability exceed those that would be expected for comparable West European countries. Success with stabilization and reform tends to increase FDI inflows. In the case of Balkan counties, conflict and instability have reduced FDI inflows below what one would expect for comparable West European countries, and reform and stabilization failures have further reduced FDI to the region. Thus the economic costs of instability in the Balkans have been quite high.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/40115/3/wp729.pd