Libraries and Research

published or submitted for publicatio

Spillover-effects, crowding-in and the contributions of FDI to growth in China: A review of the literature

The paper presents a review of theoretical concepts and empirical findings on the issue of FDI-induced spillover and crowding-effects in the Chinese economy. Against the background of the peculiar characteristics of China's FDI-inflows the paper discusses various research agendas and results. It finds mostly inconclusive evidence, which is understood to result from an insufficient analytical differentiation of FDI and host economy actors. On the 'supply'-side of FDI it seems to be necessary to include the parameter of 'cultural affinity' in the analysis and differentiate between Overseas Chinese and non-Chinese investors (with the latter probably featuring a greater potential for positive externalities). On the 'demand'-side it seems to be adequate to differentiate between the state and collective / private domestic sector and analyze their respective incentives to actively explore potential spillover effects and actually appropriate new technologies introduced by foreign investors. It seems as if the harder the budget constraints and the more competitive the environment, the greater the realized spillover effects. It becomes obvious that most existing studies are working with data that does not reflect the dynamic developments of the recent ten years. --Foreign direct investment,spillover-effects,crowding-in,Chinese economy

Methodological aspects of determination of biological N-fixation of different forage legumes [Methodische Aspekte der Bestimmung der biologischen N-Fixierung verschiedener Futterleguminosen]

Knowledge about the amount of fixed nitrogen of different legume crops is very important for calculation of farm N balances. According to literature the choice of determination method may have an impact on the estimated amount of N fixed by a legume sward. The aim of the study was to compare the three most important field methods for determination of nitrogen fixation under different sward management systems. In the present study the natural 15N abundance method gave lower fixation rates than the two alternative methods (total-N-difference method and 15N enrichment technique). The determination of N fixation based only on N in harvestable plant material underestimated the amount of fixed N on average by 70 kg × ha-1 compared to techniques including also the amount of N in non harvestable plant parts

China, the European Union and the United States of America: Partners or competitors?

This working paper brings together assessments of the trilateral relations between China, the EU und the US from the disciplines of political science and economics. The first paper primarily addresses the following three issues: a) China's current development and prospects b) EU-China relations, and c) recommendations in terms of EU policies towards China. The second paper applies a three tier analysis looking first at changes in the Chinese and global economic setting caused by China's WTO accession. It then takes a look at the bilateral economic relations between China and the EU and US respectively. Finally the scored goals and competing interests of the USA and the EU vis-à-vis China are analysed. --EU-US-China relations,China's domestic development,EU policies,China's external economic relations,China's WTO accession,structural change,World economy

The rise of emerging markets' financial market architecture: constituting new roles in the global financial goverancen

This paper analyses the impact of the global financial crisis on Brazil, India and South Africa whose financial markets have shown strong resilience to the global financial turmoil. The paper shows, that in contrast to advanced countries in these emerging market economies there is contagion from the real sector through a slump in exports and a decline in industrial production. Although exposure to toxic assets has been very low, financial markets of the economies under consideration have come under pressure in the second half of 2008 resulting in steep stock market corrections, and a strong volatility of prices, in particular exchange rates. However, there was no bail-out of financial institutions and in 2009 financial markets of these countries strongly recovered. The paper identifies a combination of a reduction of foreign debt exposure, a macro-prudential approach in supervision and rule-based approach in regulation complemented by a variety of country-specific rules applied by these countries already before the crisis together with non-orthodox monetary and fiscal policy during the crisis as the main features of their success. The paper concludes that this achievement has already changed policy coordination between advanced countries and emerging markets and will continue to do so both in terms of voice and content.emerging markets; financial sector resilience; art of supervision; foreign debt; global financial governance;

Dinitrogen fixation and residue nitrogen of different managed legumes and nitrogen uptake of subsequent winter wheat [N2-Fixierung und residualer Stickstoff verschiedener Futterleguminosen sowie N-Aufnahme der Folgefrucht Winterweizen.]

Fixed nitrogen accumulated by legumes is the main nitrogen source for organic farming systems. Knowledge about the amount of fixed nitrogen, its pathways into forage yield, crop residues, soil-N and yield formation of the following crop is needed for designing crop rotations. Two field experiments were conducted in Northern Germany with differently managed (cut, mulched) legumes (red clover, alfalfa, white clover) in pure stands and various mixtures with two companion grasses (Lolium multiflorum, Lolium perenne) have been grown to determine N2-fixation, residue nitrogen and N-uptake of subsequent crops. Cropped grass/legume reached higher N2-fixation than mulched. While green manure grass/legume left up to 280 kg ha-1 of N in mulch, stubble and roots on the field, most cropped grass/legume mixtures left less than 110 kg N ha-1 in crop residues. Pure legume swards or legume rich mixtures showed higher N2-fixation than grass rich mixtures. N-uptake in late autumn and at maturity of the subsequent wheat was strongly correlated to the legume content in DM-yield

Anatomy of cluster development in China: The case of health biotech clusters

Focussing on China's health biotech clusters the study explores the anatomy of interaction in as well as between various clusters. While the literature has identified the existence of a dense network of durable interactions among firms and between firms and academia at a particular location as one of the most important prerequisites for well-performing clusters, we show that network ties extending beyond regional boundaries are equally valuable for the innovative capacity of China's biotech firms. Analysing the demographic process of cluster emergence we show that there exist different types of biotech clusters in China, which are closely linked and exchange knowledge and technology amongst each other. It appears as if further analysis of these cross-cluster links may provide important insights of how learning and innovation works in China's health biotech industry. Although China's science parks and industrial bases may on an individual basis appear to be badly structured, the organization of China's health biotech industry turns out to be substantially enhanced once these external linkages are taken into consideration. --China,health biotechnology,cluster,entrepreneurship,localization

Yield, forage quality, residue nitrogen and nitrogen fixation of different forage legumes

Fixed nitrogen accumulated by legumes is the main nitrogen source for organic farming systems. Knowledge about the amount of fixed nitrogen, its pathways into forage yield, crop residues, soil-N and yield formation of the following crop is needed for designing crop rotations. In a field experiment conducted in Northern Germany differently managed (cut, mulched) legumes (red clover, alfalfa, white clover) in pure stands and in mixture with a companion grass (Lolium perenne) have been grown to determine Yield, forage-quality, N2-fixation and residue nitrogen. Cropped grass/legume reached higher N2-fixation than mulched. While green manure grass/legume left up to 296 kg ha-1 of N in mulch, stubble and roots on the field, most cropped grass/legume mixtures left less than 120 kg N ha-1 in crop residues. Cropped swards showed higher N2-fixation than the mulched mixtures. Swards with red clover or alfalfa reached higher legume contents and harvestable biomass than swards with white clover. Conclusions The results show that biomass production, forage yields, residue nitrogen and N fixation of grass/legume mixtures can be influenced by various combinations of legume species and management. The factors listed have to be considered carefully when planning crop rotations