George Halkos

Environmental Kuznets Curve for sulfur: evidence using GMM estimation and random coefficient panel data models

The purpose of this study is to test empirically the hypothesis of the inverted U-shaped relationship between environmental damage from sulfur emissions and economic growth as expressed by GDP. Using a large database of panel data consisting of 73 OECD and non-OECD countries for 31 years (1960–1990) we apply for the first time random coefficients and Arellano-Bond Generalized Method of Moments (A–B GMM) econometric methods. Our findings indicate that the EKC hypothesis is not rejected in the case of the A–B GMM. On the other hand there is no support for an EKC in the case of using a random coefficients model. Our turning points range from

Environmental Kuznets curves: Bayesian evidence from switching regime models

2805–

A conditional directional distance function approach for measuring regional environmental efficiency: Evidence from UK regions

6230/c. These results are completely different compared to the results derived using the same database and fixed and random effects models.

Measuring economic journals' citation efficiency: a data envelopment analysis approach

The purpose of the paper is to test empirically the existence of an environmental Kuznets curve (EKC), using switching regime models along with cross-sectional data and Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo methods to perform the computations. The models are based on the normal and Students t distributions. These methods allow us to present exact, finite-sample posterior distributions of switching regime model parameters as well as exact probabilities of separation of countries into regimes of high and low environmental degradation. Our evidence indicates a monotonic relationship between environmental degradation and income and thus rejects the existence of an EKC. Additionally, we find that several economic and demographic variables cannot explain the distinction between low and high damage countries.

Sulphur abatement policy: Implications of cost differentials

This paper, by using conditional directional distance functions as introduced by Simar and Vanhems [J. Econometrics 166 (2012) 342-354] modifies the model by Fare and Grosskopf [Eur. J. Operat. Res. 157 (2004) 242-245], examines the link between regional environmental efficiency and economic growth. The proposed model using conditional directional distance functions incorporates the effect of regional economic growth on regions’ environmental efficiency levels. The results from the UK regional data reveal that economic growth has a negative effect on regions’ environmental performance up to a certain GDP per capita level, where after that point the effect becomes positive. This indicates the existence of a Kuznets type relationship between the UK regions’ environmental performance and economic growth.

Implementation Of Environmental Management Systems Standards: Important Factors In Corporate Decision Making

This paper by using data envelopment analysis (DEA) and statistical inference evaluates the citation performance of 229 economic journals. The paper categorizes the journals into four main categories (A–D) based on their efficiency levels. The results are then compared to the 27 “core economic journals” as introduced by Diamond (Curr Contents 21(1):4–11, 1989). The results reveal that after more than 20 years Diamonds’ list of “core economic journals” is still valid. Finally, for the first time the paper uses data from four well-known databases (SSCI, Scopus, RePEc, Econlit) and two quality ranking reports (Kiel Institute internals ranking and ABS quality ranking report) in a DEA setting and in order to derive the ranking of 229 economic journals. The ten economic journals with the highest citation performance are Journal of Political Economy, Econometrica, Quarterly Journal of Economics, Journal of Financial Economics, Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Review, Review of Economic Studies, Journal of Econometrics, Journal of Finance, Brookings Papers on Economic Activity.

Electricity Generation and Economic Efficiency: Panel Data Evidence from World and East Asian Countries

This paper compares the cost of meeting pollution targets by the imposition of a uniform charge rate and by differentiated charge rates. These costs are then compared with a simple standards setting in the form of critical loads in order to see in an empirical way if economic instruments work better than regulations. Empirical results are provided with associated conclusions and policy implications.

International Competitiveness in the ICT Industry: Evaluating the Performance of the Top 50 Companies

While Environmental Management Systems Standards (EMSS) have been advocated by policy makers and consultants on the basis of a number of benefits associated with their implementation some companies are reluctant to implement them. This paper tests four hypotheses with regard to the significance of a number of factors in a companys decision to implement EMSS. Specifically, it assesses whether a company would be more likely to implement EMSS if its management has a positive perception of environmental issues; if there are pressures on the company to improve its environmental performance; if opportunities arise through its environmental activities; and if it operates in sensitive environmental conditions. For this purpose, Greek companies in the process of EMSS implementation were surveyed and their responses compared with companies that had not decided up to that point to implement the standards. Specific aspects of the hypotheses posed were supported and confirmed a range of factors that are important in a companys decision to implement EMSS.

Incomplete Information in the Acid Rain Game

Abstract This paper investigates the effect of electricity generation on countries’ economic efficiency. By using a sample of 42 World and East Asian countries for the time period 1996–2006 the paper employs Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) window analysis and econometric panel techniques. The results reveal that there is an inverted U-shape relationship between electricity generation and countries’ economic efficiency. Finally, the turning point for the European countries is much smaller compared to the one of East Asian countries indicating that the European countries shift in energy use from electricity to other sources of energy. In addition the electricity generation–economic efficiency relationship depends also on the structure of the economy.

Optimal Acid Rain Abatement Policy for Europe: An Analysis for the Year 2000

Abstract Given the importance of global competition in the information and communication technology (ICT) industry and its contribution to national economies, this paper examines the competitive structure of the global ICT market. By examining the effect of global strategies of the top 50 ICT multinationals, benchmarks, performances and key characteristics of multinational strategic behaviour in the ICT industry is established. The results indicate that there is higher rivalry among the competitors in communication and electronics/equipment segments. Additionally, the most efficient global strategies are adopted from the US and Japanese multinationals imposing a “policy gap” on corporate governance between US, Japan and the European countries.