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on Transition Economics |
| By: | Däubler, Thomas; Linek, Lukáš |
| Abstract: | Do party selectors or voters choose more productive politicians? Selectors may promote quality candidates and have an informational advantage over voters, but quality need not be the key criterion for nominations, and voters may be sufficiently informed to correct inferior decisions. We empirically examine whether the type of principal responsible for the selection affects individual parliamentary work (attendance, bills, amendments, questions, speeches). Flexible-list proportional representation systems are both interesting and analytically useful in this context, since seats within parties are first allocated to candidates reaching a certain number of personal votes, while any remaining seats are awarded based on the pre-electoral list rank. This allows us to compare three types of elected candidates: selector-chosen, voter-chosen, and doubly-chosen representatives. Analysing data from the Czech Republic in the period between 2002 and 2021, we find that voters have a stronger preference for candidates with high formal education than selectors. We do not find differences in parliamentary behaviour between selector-chosen and voter-chosen types. The results speak against a potential trade-off between giving voters more influence on within-party seat allocation and the quality of chosen representatives. |
| Keywords: | list proportional representation, political selection, ballot structure, preference voting, candidate selection, flexible-list system, parliamentary behaviour |
| JEL: | H11 |
| Date: | 2024–11–04 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:122594 |
| By: | Celebi, Ismail |
| Abstract: | Increasing high-speed railway planning in Central Europe and the lack of border effect estimations in this region encouraged a border effect study in this region. With rail transport data collected in 2022, border effects in railway transport between six coun- tries were estimated separately by basing on Czechia and Slovakia. Significant border effects were found between these countries and their neighbours, and these effect were estimated ranging from 0.46 to 0.69 for Czechia, and 0.11 to 0.37 for Slovakia. However, no significant border effect was found between Czechia and Slovakia. These findings support arguments about that countries with common language, culture and history have lower border effects. |
| Date: | 2024–11–18 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:jqctz |
| By: | Gromadzki, Jan (Vienna University of Economics and Business) |
| Abstract: | I study fertility adjustments after the introduction of a large universal child benefit in Poland. The program caused a six percent increase in the number of births. Patterns of selection into parenthood changed significantly and persistently, with a weakening of positive selection based on education and a strengthening of negative selection based on income. The share of births in the bottom half of the income distribution increased from 51 percent to 58 percent. Using a microsimulation approach, I combine changes in the births structure with existing estimates of the transfer's effect on labor supply to study the impact of these adjustments on poverty reduction. These impacts are very small due to the exceptional generosity of the transfer, but they become more pronounced in the middle of the income distribution. |
| Keywords: | fertility, child benefit, unconditional cash transfer, poverty |
| JEL: | J13 H31 I38 |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17456 |
| By: | Rafi, Dilara |
| Abstract: | The Middle Corridor, a critical trade route connecting Europe and Asia, has gained importance after geopolitical challenges on the alternative routes, the Northern and Southern Corridors. Azerbaijan plays a strategic role in the Middle Corridor, investing in transport infrastructure and fostering regional cooperation. This paper examines Azerbaijan's efforts to enhance its position as a key global transit hub to strengthen its logistical capabilities, contributing to non-oil sector growth and economic diversification. Through regional partnerships, infrastructure projects, and improved multimodal transport systems, the country aims for capitalizing on its strategic location, further integrating into global trade networks. The paper concludes with recommendations for enhancing Azerbaijan's transit potential, emphasizing the need for digital innovations, regulatory reforms, and increased collaboration with corridor countries and global partners. |
| Keywords: | Middle Corridor, multimodal transport, non-oil sector, economic diversification |
| JEL: | R4 |
| Date: | 2024–10–25 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:122499 |
| By: | Matthew E. Kahn; Wen-Chi Liao; Siqi Zheng |
| Abstract: | The Trump Administration's tariffs created a wedge between mutually beneficial trades between China's producers and U.S. consumers. Moving production to nearby Vietnam allows firms to jump the tariff wall. Within Vietnam, cities closer to China with respect to distance and industrial mix grow faster and attract more FDI. They are increasingly consuming renewable power to fuel their local economy. We study the local air quality gains and the carbon dioxide emissions reductions associated with the growth in regional trade. China’s regional trade increases have important implications for the rise of the system of cities across Asia. |
| JEL: | F14 R40 |
| Date: | 2024–11 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:33126 |
| By: | RUSSO Margherita; SIMONAZZI Annamaria; CETRULO Armanda |
| Abstract: | This study investigates the impact of technological upgrades and automation, on employment and working conditions in the automotive, sector in Romania, Spain and Germany. Utilising qualitative research methods, the study examines work organisation, job quality, and occupational composition from a gender perspective. The findings of the study exploring the impact of technology, identified main drivers for automation implementation as increased productivity, quality, and reduced manual labour availability. Automation and robotisation have also increased flexibility to cope with the variable composition of final products and the traceability of production processes. Barriers include high costs, technical difficulties, and the need for worker training. It observed that automation can simplify tasks, create new jobs, and increase responsibilities in middle management and team/shift leaders, while potentially reducing worker autonomy and increasing work pace. Positive job quality implications include ergonomics and improved operators' safety. Automation has reduced the number of line operators, while increased maintenance workers, quality control, logistics and indirect labour. The study observed vertical and horizontal gender segregation in hybrid production processes, with advancements towards horizontal gender equality in technologically advanced establishments. Addressing cultural attitudes and technical challenges is crucial for equitable benefits, as both industries currently undergo a transitional phase. |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc136545 |
| By: | Giao, Ha Nam Khanh |
| Abstract: | The main objectives of this study are to identify the factors that influence Vietnamese employees' decisions to purchase online service vouchers, measure the impact of each factor and analyze the demographic differences in these purchasing decisions. The research involved surveying 331 employees who had previously purchased online service vouchers. The methodologies employed included Cronbach’s alpha analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis; all conducted using the SPSS program. The findings indicate that several factors influence the purchase decisions of Vietnamese employees. These factors, ranked by their decreasing impact, include reference group, credibility, website responsiveness, price, online shopping experience, and convenience. Additionally, the study offers recommendations for website-owning companies to enhance their ability to sell online service vouchers. |
| Date: | 2024–09–14 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:osfxxx:t8ksa |
| By: | Uysal, Sezgin (Masaryk University); Celebi, Ismail |
| Abstract: | The study focuses on the temporal differences (30 years on average) between ethnic groups migrating from the Austro-Hungarian Empire to the U.S. between 1850 and 1910. In our study, we argue that the main factor that led to differences in the timing of emigration was the differences in regional economic development of different ethnic groups living in different regions of the Empire. Migration costs: before the 1864 introduction of steam engine technology in transatlantic maritime transport, emigration costs were not affordable for Hungarians and Slovaks due to the sea and land voyage high ticket prices. Therefore, with more resources, Austrians and Czechs could afford to migrate earlier. However, after the introduction of steamship technology and the technological change in ship engines, travel became more affordable due to reduced ticket prices, faster voyages, and increased capacity. This allowed Hungarians and Slovaks from poorer regions to begin migrating in larger numbers as migration became economically feasible. In this study, we utilise a complete count of the U.S. Census records from 1900 and 1910 (Helgertz et al., 2023; Ruggles et al., 2021), which Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS). On the other hand, we utilise economic indicators, which are regional daily wage, GDP per capita income and living standard data for the Austria-Hungary Empire from Cvrcek (2013) and Schulze (2000). |
| Date: | 2024–11–17 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:7vfxn |