The optimal provision of public inputs in a second best scenario

This paper provides a simple general equilibrium model with productive public spending and distorting taxes. The optimal conditions for the provision of public inputs are obtained under different tax systems. Also we discuss which factors affect the marginal cost of public funds.

How does a fisacl reform affect elasticities of income tax revenues? the case os Spain, 2003-2008

This paper estimates the extent to which an exogenous change in income affects income tax revenues. We focus on the case of Spain over the period 2003-2008, as income tax there underwent a substantial reform in 2007. Using both an analytical method and a numerical simulation, we find a significant increase in aggregate income tax elasticities from 1.4 for 2003-2003 to around 1.8 for 2007-2008. The sensitivity of results to the presence of housing tax credits, non-equiproportional variations in income, changes in income inequality and fiscal drag is also considered.income tax elasticity; progressivity; tax rates; tax credits

On the optimal level of public inputs.

This paper studies the optimal level of public inputs under two different tax settings. With this aim, we adapt the approach by Gronberg and Liu (2001) to the case of productivity-enhancing public spending. We find that it is not analytically clear whether the first-best level of public spending exceeds the second-best level. After taking account the type of public input, a wide numerical simulation has been carried out. We obtain that the second-best level is always below the first-best level but the criterion by Gronberg and Liu has to be qualified.Second best, excess burden, public input.

Optimization in non-standard problems. An application to the provision of public inputs

This paper describes a new method for solving non-standard constrained optimization problems for which standard methodologies do not work properly. Our method (the Rational Iterative Multisection -RIM- algorithm) consists of different stages that can be interpreted as different requirements of precision by obtaining the optimal solution. We have performed an application of RIM method to the case of public inputs provision. We prove that the RIM approach and comparable standard methodologies achieve the same results with regular optimization problems while the RIM algorithm takes advantage over them when facing non-standard optimization problems.direct search, constrained optimization, multisection, optimal taxation, public input.

How sensitive is the provision of public inputs to specifications?

This paper studies the sensitivity of provision of public inputs to changes in the specification of technology and consumer preferences. We consider a simple model in which the government, with recourse to three different tax settings (a lump-sum tax, a tax on labour and a tax on economic profit), provides firms with certain productive services. We focus on the numerical results coming from the government optimization problem. We look at several specific cases in which the returns to scale in the production function emerges as a critical issue. Our …findings also address the impact of changes in output elasticity, in consumer preferences and in the number of households on the levels of public input and utility.firm-augmenting public input, factor-augmenting public input, optimal provision

Looking beyond the R&D effects on innovation: The contribution of non-R&D activities to total factor productivity growth in the EU

Although non-R&D innovation activities account for a significant portion of innovation efforts carried out across very heterogeneous economies in Europe, how to incorporate them in to economic models is not always straightforward. For instance, the traditional macro approach to estimating the determinants of total factor productivity (TFP) does not handle them well. To counter these problems, this paper proposes applying an augmented macro-theoretical model to estimate the determinants of TFP by jointly considering the effects of R&D and the impact of non-R&D innovation activities on the productivity levels of firms. Estimations from a model of a sample of EU-26 countries covering the period 2004-2008 show that the distinction between R&D and non-R&D effects is significant for a number of different issues. First, the results show a sizeable impact on TFP growth, as the impact of R&D is twice that of non-R&D. Second, absorptive capacity is only linked to R&D endowments. And third, the two types of endowments cannot strictly been seen as complementary, at least for the case of countries with high R&D intensities or high non-R&D intensities

Looking beyond the R&D effects on innovation: The contribution of non-R&D activities to total factor productivity growth in the EU

Although non-R&D innovation activities account for a significant portion of innovation efforts carried out across very heterogeneous economies in Europe, how to incorporate them in to economic models is not always straightforward. For instance, the traditional macro approach to estimating the determinants of total factor productivity (TFP) does not handle them well. To counter these problems, this paper proposes applying an augmented macro-theoretical model to estimate the determinants of TFP by jointly considering the effects of R&D and the impact of non-R&D innova- tion activities on the productivity levels of ?firms. Estimations from a model of a sample of EU-26 countries covering the period 2004-2008 show that the distinction between R&D and non-R&D e¤ects is significant for a number of diffffrent issues. First, the results show a sizable impact on TFP growth, as the impact of R&D is twice that of non-R&D. Second, absorptive capacity is only linked to R&D endowments. And third, the two types of endowments cannot strictly been seen as complementary, at least for the case of countries with high R&D intensities or high non-R&D intensities

Vertical externalities with lump-sum taxes: how much difference does unemployment make?

This paper analyses how the existence of unemployment affects the conventional approach to vertical externalities. We discuss the optimality rule for the provision of public inputs both in a unitary and in a federal state. Our findings indicate that decentralising spending responsability on public inputs in the presence of unemployment allows output to be closer to the first best level. Moreover, we describe the inability of the federal government, behaving as a Stackelberg leader, to replicate the unitary outcome, unless there are new policy instruments at government's disposal

Looking beyond the R&D effects on innovation: the contribution of non-R&D activities to total factor productivity growth in the EU

Although non-R&D innovation activities account for a significant portion of innovation efforts carried out across very heterogeneous economies in Europe, how to incorporate them in to economic models is not always straightforward. For instance, the traditional macro approach to estimating the determinants of total factor productivity (TFP) does not handle them well. To counter these problems, this paper proposes applying an augmented macro-theoretical model to estimate the determinants of TFP by jointly considering the effects of R&D and the impact of non-R&D innovation activities on the productivity levels of firms. Estimations from a model of a sample of EU-26 countries covering the period 2004-2008 show that the distinction between R&D and non-R&D effects is significant for a number of different issues. First, the results show a sizable impact on TFP growth, as the impact of R&D is twice that of non-R&D. Second, absorptive capacity is only linked to R&D endowments. And third, the two types of endowments cannot strictly been seen as complementary, at least for the case of countries with high R&D intensities or high non-R&D intensities

1D and 3D supramolecular structures exhibiting weak ferromagnetism in three Cu(II) complexes based on malonato and di-alkyl-2,2’-bipyridines

Abstract Manganese coordination polymers {Mn(- fum)(5dmb)(H2O)2}n (1) and {[Mn2(fum)2(4dmb)2] H2O}n (2) (fum= fumarato; 5dmb = 5,50-dimethyl-2,20-bipyridine; 4dmb = 4,40-dimethyl-2,20-bipyridine) were obtained from one-pot, solution reactions under ambient conditions. The fum ligand acquires different coordination modes in the presence of the different dmb ancillary ligands, promoting distinctive crystal structures, including divergent dimensionalities. Thus, X-ray single-crystal data reveal that complex 1 crystallizes in a monoclinic system with C2/c space group and forms an infinite one-dimensional polymer. The Mn(II) center is six-coordinated and displays a distorted octahedral configuration. In addition, the solid-state selfassembly of the polymeric structure of 1 gives rise to a twodimensional (2D) supramolecular framework, mainly through hydrogen bonding. In contrast, complex 2 crystallizes in a monoclinic system with a Cc space group and forms an infinite 2D coordination polymer having dinuclear units. The Mn(II) center has a distorted octahedral configuration. The thermal stabilities of both coordination polymers were investigated. Variable-temperature magnetic measurements show that complex 1 is paramagnetic, while complex 2 exhibits weak antiferromagnetic coupling between adjacent Mn(II) centers.supported by CONACyT project 129293, DGAPA-UNAM project IN106014, and ICYTDF, project PICCO