Universities in the Market for Continuing Higher Education

The purpose of the paper is to explain why and how American universities have taken the lead in continuing education compared to their European counterparts. In a first step we will discuss different notions of continuing education and develop an analytical framework to handle its various forms. In a second step, we will develop a theoretical typology in the form of a morphography in order to scrutinize the basic structures of a system of continuing higher education. Third, using our morphography, we will introduce some empirical insight from a case study that was pursued at the Pennsylvania State University in July and August 2001. We con-clude with our assessments as to which elements from the American system of higher and con-tinuing education may be transferable to the European tradition.Continuing Education;Higher Education;Morphography

Benchmarking-Initiativen und ihre Eignung für die Anwendung in der Deutschen Wasserwirtschaft

Due to recent legislation, Benchmarking in the German water and sewerage sector will be introduced as widely as possible. Under certain conditions this decision by the German Bundestag might help to improve the efficiency of the industry. I will define two sets of conditions. First, a useful benchmarking initiative should fulfil certain criteria outlined in the paper. One is the coordination of the national system with an international one in order to allow international comparisons in the future. Second, a German benchmarking system should be as flexible as possible. A system which is comparable to the English solution of collecting, defining and comparing data would either make it easier to completely switch to the English regulatory approach or solely use certain interesting benchmarking elements which are presented here. On the basis of these two sets of conditions I analyse if a practicable benchmarking approach does already exist in Germany. I show that those German benchmarking systems which are interrelated with the system of the International Water System are especially applicable and should therefore be fostered

Ein geeigneter wettbewerbsrechtlicher Rahmen für die deutsche Wasserwirtschaft

The question non longer is if more competition should be introduced in the German water and sewerage sector. The issue rather is what kind of competition ought to be implemented. There are mainly three different approaches: Competition in the Market; Competition for the Market and the introduction of a system of comparative efficiency. None of these approaches seem to solely fit for the fragmented structure of the German market. Therefore it is suggested to choose different regulatory approaches depending on the size of the company. Whereas incentives should be created for smaller companies to merge the big ones should already start with a system of comparative efficiency. In the longer run the merged companies also ought to integrate into this regulatory system

Kundenservice in der deutschen Wasserwirtschaft: Eine Analyse der Internetauftritte ausgewählter Unternehmen

There is a lack of competition in the German water and sewerage sector. According to economic theory levels of service can be expected to be inefficient. I will check this hypothesis and therefore take a closer look at various categories of levels of service. In analysing the internet pages of main German water and sewerage companies I exclusively work with those indicators of levels of service which do not need much capital investment in order to be improved. Most of these indicators are similar to those used in England. Therefore it is possible to compare the performances in levels of service in these two countries. I come to the conclusion that service offered by English companies is significantly better and in most cases more efficient than service offered by German ones. I therefore deduce that the main reason for that difference is in fact the existence of more competition in the English water and sewerage sector

Universities in the market for continuing higher education

The purpose of the paper is to explain why and how American universities have taken the lead in continuing education compared to their European counterparts. In a first step we will discuss different notions of continuing education and develop an analytical framework to handle its various forms. In a second step, we will develop a theoretical typology in the form of a morphography in order to scrutinize the basic structures of a system of continuing higher education. Third, using our morphography, we will introduce some empirical insight from a case study that was pursued at the Pennsylvania State University in July and August 2001. We conclude with our assessments as to which elements from the American system of higher and continuing education may be transferable to the European tradition

Benchmarking-Initiativen und ihre Eignung für die Anwendung in der Deutschen Wasserwirtschaft

Due to recent legislation, Benchmarking in the German water and sewerage sector will be introduced as widely as possible. Under certain conditions this decision by the German Bundestag might help to improve the efficiency of the industry. I will define two sets of conditions. First, a useful benchmarking initiative should fulfil certain criteria outlined in the paper. One is the coordination of the national system with an international one in order to allow international comparisons in the future. Second, a German benchmarking system should be as flexible as possible. A system which is comparable to the English solution of collecting, defining and comparing data would either make it easier to completely switch to the English regulatory approach or solely use certain interesting benchmarking elements which are presented here. On the basis of these two sets of conditions I analyse if a practicable benchmarking approach does already exist in Germany. I show that those German benchmarking systems which are interrelated with the system of the International Water System are especially applicable and should therefore be fostered.Sewerage, Benchmarking, Germany, Regulation.

Elektronischer Handel im Lichte der Bestreitbarkeit von Märkten

Information and communication technologies are transforming economies and societies around the world. In this respect, E-Commerce has the capability to build a new global economy. That is why government, industries, non-profit-organisations, trade unions and consumers would like to come together to set up a regulatory framework. As set out in our paper competition effects have to be considered when doing so. We identify and discuss various regulatory and private entry barriers to electronic markets and answer the question whether or not there is any need for international policy coordination in E-Commerce

Kundenservice in der deutschen Wasserwirtschaft – Eine Analyse der Internetauftritte ausgewählter Unternehmen

There is a lack of competition in the German water and sewerage sector. According to economic theory levels of service can be expected to be inefficient. I will check this hypothesis and therefore take a closer look at various categories of levels of service. In analysing the internet pages of main German water and sewerage companies I exclusively work with those indicators of levels of service which do not need much capital investment in order to be improved. Most of these indicators are similar to those used in England. Therefore it is possible to compare the performances in levels of service in these two countries. I come to the conclusion that service offered by English companies is significantly better and in most cases more efficient than service offered by German ones. I therefore deduce that the main reason for that difference is in fact the existence of more competition in the English water and sewerage sector.Water; Sewerage; Levels of service; Germany; Regulation