Ana Salomé García Muñiz

Core/periphery structure models: An alternative methodological proposal

Abstract The idea of a structure made up of a core and periphery is a common, classic paradigm in many fields of science. Following this line, in 1999, researchers Stephen Borgatti and Martin Everett developed a model of structural analysis based on the delimitation of a core formed by a group of densely connected actors, in contrast to a class of actors, more loosely connected and forming the periphery of the system. The original approach of these authors is modified, employing measures that, in our opinion, show a larger degree of coherence and accuracy in the proposed objectives.

The impact of immigration on interregional migrations: an input–output analysis with an application for Spain

Developed countries in general, Spain in particular, have experienced a dramatic rise in the reception of foreign workers in the last decade. Among all the economic and social effects originated by the arrivals of immigrants, the literature has paid some attention to the potential effect that this immigration can produce on the internal migration patterns (the so-called “displacement effect”). This paper proposes the use of a multi-region input–output model of migrations for measuring how the reception of immigrants in one region displaces population among all the regions included in the model. From some basic assumptions, the input–output methodology proposed describes how the arrival of one immigrant in one region i, by the dissemination of internal population from i, generates indirect effects on other region j. To illustrate the methodology proposed in the paper, an empirical application for Spain is also included.

Modelling economic structures from a qualitative input–output perspective: Greece in 2005 and 2010

Sectors in economic systems are interdependent because they trade goods that consuming sectors use as inputs; the relative values of those supply and demand links define economic structures. Industries play different roles depending on the relative number of connections they maintain with one another and on whether those links are preferably demands or supplies. On this regards, we extend a stochastic social structural model into the economic context. Further, we apply it to recent Greek data, analysing the role of different technological intensity sectors. We show that our results help to explain some structural features of this economy.

La utilitat de les activitats d'avaluació en cursos en línia. Una anàlisi objectiu a partir de la Teoria de la Informació

Els campus virtuals proporcionen una bona oportunitat per a explorar nous metodes d’ensenyament i aprenentatge col·laboratius. Aquest treball recull la nostra experiencia en una assignatura on-line. El curs conte una amplia varietat de recursos docents, eines de comunicacio i una avaluacio continua. La teoria de la informacio permetra valorar la utilitat d’aquestes eines per al proces d’aprenentatge dels alumnes. Les mesures d’informacio permeten reduir la incertesa sobre el proces d’aprenentatge, els beneficis dels diferents formats d’avaluacio i la importancia de les activitats comunicatives i de col·laboracio. Els resultats subministren evidencies significatives sobre els diferents tipus d’activitats implementades. Els entorns col·laboratius i les habilitats per a la cerca i analisi de material complementari resulten rellevants per a diferenciar el nivell de competencies adquirides per l’alumnat.

Assessment Tools in Teaching Introduction to Economic Statistics: Experiences in the Context of Bologna Process

Universities and higher education centres across Europe are undertaking reforms to construct the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). One of the EHEA priorities is to make transparent the relationship between university education and transferable skills. It follows in the development of a competence based model for curriculum in universities. Assessment strategies have to be developed in order to evaluate competences or learning outcomes. In this work, we expose our experience in the development of assessment tools in the course of Introduction to Economic Statistics under their implementation the Bologna process. The course is a basic training in a Business Administration degree in the first undergraduate year. To assess learning, we employ a combination of assessment activities as the final exam and the continuous assessment which values the effort and work developed by the student throughout the course by means of different types of individual activities. A good assessment strategy should evaluate the acquired competences but also discriminate among students. The purpose of this study is to determine which assessment activity allows a better discrimination of the students by examining their results with information theory measures.

A Multivariate Framework for the Analysis of the Convergence in Higher Education

Debates and policies in the world about the diversity of higher education institutions and educational systems quality have changed substantially over the years. In 1999, the Bologna Declaration was signed to establish a European Higher Education Area (EHEA) by 2010. The Bologna process supposes an attempt to increase mobility and improve the comparability and competitiveness of European universities. In this work, we analyze the main features of educational systems to rate their similarity and evolution during the last years. The statistics for the monitoring of the social dimension and mobility of the Bologna Process provide by Eurostat are employed with this finality. A multivariate technique has been applied to systematize this information. Multidimensional scaling procedure (MSD) has been conducted in order to group the countries together in specific configurations based upon the selected educational indicators. The results of key education indicators are compared in 2001 and 2005. The multivariate outcomes show a harmonization tends in the European Higher Education Area. The differentiation is also minor for the rest of world countries.