Regional differences in technology : theory and empirics

The aim of this paper is, on the one hand, to give a review of several streams in the litera-ture which differ with respect to the extent they assume knowledge to spread over regions. On the other hand, this paper shows the extent to which these theories are supported empirically. The regional neoclassical growth model focuses on the immediate diffusion of technological knowledge. Alternative theories like cumulative causation and imperfect diffusion theories focus on the issue that technology gaps between regions will persist over time. Cumulative causation assumes that there exists no diffusion of knowledge, while imperfect diffusion theories assume that diffusion will take place, though slowly. These theoretical insights lead to several testable hypotheses on the presence and the development over time of regional technology gaps. This paper attempts to use a new set of data on R&D in the European Union to explore this field. Evidence from regional R&D statistics will be used to highlight differences in technological activity between the regions within the leading European economies. Also the factors that are proposedly related to the relative technological activity of a region are analysed, in addition to the long term implications of technology gaps.research and development ;

The Geographic Distribution of Patents and Value Added Across European

Until recently, the geographic element of concentrations of economic activity and knowledge spillovers was almost completely disregarded by economic theory. Although space is a central concept in theories in the field of geography, geographers have not attached great value to technology as a motivating factor for clustering of economic activity. A pooled market of skilled labour and the availability of nontraded inputs are considered much more important as factors that induce the clustering of firms (Krugman 1991). Several recent studies for the US (among others Jaffe, Trajtenberg and Henderson 1993, Audretsch and Feldman 1994, Feldman 1994) examined the extent to which innovative as well as economic activity clusters spatially. Until recently there were no data available for Europe on this issue. By means of a new data set, namely regional patent data for Europe, this paper will try to identify differences in geographic concentration in patents (as a proxy for innovation) and manufacturing value added over several industries. Several statistical techniques will be used to gather information on the spatial pattern of variation in patents and manufacturing value added across European regions.regional and urban economics ;

Spatial distance in a technology gap model

This paper analyses the effect of locally bounded knowledge spillovers on regionaldifferences in growth. A model will be developed that allows spillovers to take place acrossregions. Certain conditions determine the amount of spillovers a region receives. By use ofsimulations (with randomised parameter constellations), it is possible to examine the generalbehaviour of the model. It is found that certain patterns in the gaps of the knowledge stocksappear repeatedly. The inclusion of geographical distance in a technology gap model leads tothe observation that when differences (in parameters such as the learning capability or theexogenous rate of knowledge generation) increase across regions, the disparity in terms ofGDP per capita between them decreases. This counterintuitive result is a direct effect from theinclusion of geographical distance in the model.regional and urban economics ;

The effects of economic integration on regional growth, an evolutionary model

This paper will present a multi-region-multi-country model in which inter-regional knowledgespillovers determine the growth of regions. Key parameters in the model are the learningcapability of a region, and the exogenous rate of knowledge generation (R&D). The intensityof spillovers depends on geographical distance between regions. The model is investigated bymeans of simulation techniques. What results is a core-periphery situation, the exact form ofwhich depends on the assumed spatial structure. One surprising result of the analysis is thatlarger technological differences between regions may lead to smaller disparity in terms of thelong-run spatial distribution of GDP per capita.The impact of economic integration is investigated by comparing two different aspects ofthe model. First, examining a fixed exchange rate system versus a system of flexible exchangerates results in conditions (constellations of parameters) under which fixed exchange rates(compared to flexible exchange rates) generate less disparity across regions. However,depending on the parameter values, fixed exchange rates may also generate more disparity,leading to the conclusion that the effect of monetary integration is ambiguous.Second, the impact of barriers to knowledge spillovers is analysed by assuming that crossborder knowledge flows are hampered compared to inter-country flows. This results in theobservation that reduced cross border flows have a large impact when regions are initiallyunequal with respect to their exogenous rate of knowledge generation or their learningcapability. In these cases, the resulting trends in overall disparity are quite different from thetrends established in a situation of no barriers to knowledge spillovers.international economics and trade ;

The Jatropha Biofuels Sector in Tanzania 2005-9: Evolution Towards Sustainability?

Biofuel production has recently attracted a great deal of attention. Some anticipate substantial social and environmental benefits, while at the same time expecting sound profitability for investors. Others are more doubtful, envisaging large trade-offs between the pursuit of social, environmental and economic objectives, particularly in poor countries in the tropics. The paper explores these issues in Tanzania, which is a forerunner in Africa in the cultivation of a bio-oil shrub called Jatropha curcas L. We trace how isolated Jatropha biofuel experiments developed since their inception in early 2005 towards a fully fledged sectoral production and innovation system; and investigate to what extent that system has been capable of developing ànd maintaining sustainable practices and producing sustainable outcomes. The application of evolutionary economic theory allows us to view the development processes in the sector as a result of evolutionary variation and selection on the one hand, and revolutionary contestation between different coalitions of stakeholders on the other. Both these processes constitute significant engines of change in the sector. While variation and selection is driven predominantly by localised learning, the conflict-driven dynamics are highly globalised. The sector is found to have moved some way towards a full sectoral innovation and production system, but it is impossible to predict whether a viable sector with a strong “triple bottom line” orientation will ultimate emerge, since many issues surrounding the social, environmental and financial sustainability still remain unresolved.biofuels, evolutionary theory, innovation systems, sustainability, stakeholder conflict, learning, Tanzania.

Elektronisch werkboek

Het project "Het ontwikkelen en flexibel uitleverbare digitale onderwijsmaterialen (werkprocessen genoemd)" heeft als doel de werkprocessen te ondersteunen voor het ontwerpen en ontwikkelen van onderwijs met leidende trefwoorden als webgebaseerde aansturing, multimediale inzet, interactiviteit, en activerend onderwijs

How remote working increases the importance of positive leadership for employee vigor

IntroductionLeadership is essential for creating a healthy and happy work environment for employees. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, working remotely from home has become prevalent for many employees, which challenges leaders to reach out to their followers even if these followers are not physically at work. Drawing on positive psychology theories, the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between positive leadership and psychological energy (i.e., vigor), and particularly the extent in which this relationship is affected by whether employees are working from home, as well as the tenure of the leader-follower relationship.MethodsA two-wave time-lagged study design is used with a sample of 186 followers.ResultsFindings indicate that the effect of positive leadership on followers’ vigor is especially strong when employees work from home, and even more so when leaders and followers have a long lasting work relationship.DiscussionThe study shows that positive leadership behaviors are positively related to employee vigor. Such positive leadership behaviors consist of praising follower’s individual performance, personally thanking followers, cheering them up, and helping them with specified tasks

Informal learning in the Netherlands

Caniëls, M. C., & Kirschner, P. A. (2010). Informal learning in the Netherlands. In S. Halley, C. Birch, D. Tempelaar, M. McCuddy, N. Hérnandez Nanclares, S. Reeb Grube, W. Gijselaers, B. Rienties, & N. Nelissen (Eds), Proceedings of the 17th EDINEB Conference: Crossing Borders in Education and Work-Based Learning (pp. 339-348). Maastricht: FEBA ERD Press.Lifelong learning (LLL) is a focal point of Dutch policy in relation to innovation, economic growth and social-cohesion. Prerequisite for LLL policy and implementation is knowledge of LLL participation of the working age population (18-64 years). Problem is that policy makers, government agencies and learning institutions only know the extent for formal LLL and not informal and non-formal LLL. This contribution represents the first large-scale study of participation in, barriers for and benefits of LLL in the Netherlands. Results show that in the Dutch labour force that younger workers make more use of LLL than older workers and those with higher levels of formal education participate more than those with lower levels. Perceived benefits include better job performance, keeping up with new knowledge, and better performance of new, job-related tasks Barriers include lack of time, inconvenient time and place of LLL-activities, cost of LLL-activities, and a lack of employer support.Netherlands Laboratory for Lifelong Learning (NeLLL), Open University of the Netherland