Spiros Bougheas

Infrastructure, Transport Costs and Trade

Abstract This paper examines the role of infrastructure in a bilateral trade model with transport costs. Transport costs are assumed to depend inversely on the level of infrastructure. The accumulation of infrastructure, however, is subject to a resource cost technology which includes both fixed and variable components. It is shown that, depending on geography and endowments, equilibria with or without infrastructure can be obtained. For pairs of countries for which investment in infrastructure is optimal, the model predicts a positive relationship between the level of infrastructure and the volume of trade. The paper offers empirical evidence, utilising an augmented gravity model and data from European countries, which strongly supports this prediction of the theory.

Infrastructure, Specialization, And Economic Growth

We introduce infrastructure as a cost-reducing technology in Romers (1987) model of endogenous growth. We show that infrastructure can promote specialization and long-run growth, even though its effect on the latter is non-monotonic, reflecting its resource costs. We provide evidence using data from the U.S. Census of Manufactures that suggests that the degree of specialization is positively correlated with core infrastructure, as predicted by the model. We also provide evidence from cross-country regressions, using physical measures of infrastructure provision, that shows a robust non-monotonic relationship between infrastructure and growth.

Trade Credit, Bank Lending and Monetary Policy Transmission

This paper investigates the role of trade credit in the transmission of monetary policy. Most models of the transmission mechanism allow the firm to access only financial markets or bank lending according to some net worth criterion. In our model we introduce trade credit as an additional source of funding. We predict that when monetary policy tightens there will be a reduction in market and bank lending, and an increase in trade credit. This is confirmed with an empirical investigation of 16,000 manufacturing firms.

Is R & D Financially Constrained? Theory and Evidence from Irish Manufacturing

We re-examine the effects of liquidity constraints on R & D investment. Inour theoretical section we extend the neoclassical framework of investmentin physical capital by introducing R & D and liquidity constraints. Weanalyse this issue empirically using firm-level data for R & D activemanufacturing firms in the Republic of Ireland. Our results provide evidencethat suggests that R & D investment is financially constrained. This is inline with previous studies of U.S. firms.

Optimal Education Policies and Comparative Advantage

We consider the optimal education policies of a small economy whose government has a limited budget. Initially, the economy is closed and the government chooses its education policy to maximize welfare under autarky. When the economy trades with the rest of the world the government chooses a new education policy that maximizes welfare under trade. Is it ever optimal for the government to choose its new policy so that it reverses the economys comparative advantage? We find that if the budget stays fixed when it is optimal to ‘move up the skills chain’ it is not feasible. In such a case, a foreign loan is welfare improving. A move in the opposite direction can be optimal, and when it is optimal it is also feasible.

Trade and the distribution of human capital

Abstract We develop a two-country, two-sector model of trade where the only difference between the two countries is their distribution of human capital endowments. We show that even if the two countries have identical aggregate human capital endowments the pattern of trade depends on the properties of the two human capital distributions. We also show that the two distributions of endowments also completely determine the effects of trade on income inequality. We also look at a simple majority voting model. It turns out autarky and free trade with and without compensation may be the voting outcome.

Market-based reforms of public schooling: some unpleasant dynamics

Abstract Reforms in many countries have attempted to increase the degree of competition in schooling markets. The partial implementation of market solutions has not always produced the uniform, system-wide rise in educational standards anticipated. In this paper we analyse schooling market outcomes utilizing a simple model of the type of local market created in England and Wales. Regulatory authorities and researchers have noted that within local schooling markets these reforms have been associated with an increase in the diversity of school performance. Pre-existing school hierarchies have often been reinforced rather than challenged. We show that both promotion of an indicator of school performance based upon unadjusted pupil attainment and the presence of peer group effects can generate these market outcomes.

Trade and the Distribution of Human Capital

We develop a two-country, two-sector model of trade where the only difference between the two countries is their distribution of human capital endowments. We show that even if the two countries have identical aggregate human capital endowments the pattern of trade depends on the properties of the two human capital distributions. We also show that the two distributions of endowments also completely determine the effects of trade on income inequality. Then, we prove that there are long-term gains from trade if the marginal utility of income is constant or as long as losers from trade are compensated by winners. Finally, we look at a simple majority voting model. It turns out depending on the distribution of human capital, autarky and free trade with and without compensation may be the outcome of majority voting.

Contagious bank runs

Abstract We present a model of the propagation process of bank runs. A bank failure alone is not sufficient to trigger a panic. In accord with the empirical evidence, runs become contagious only during periods of macroeconomic instability. In addition, we make a clear distinction between illiquidity and insolvency as possible causes of bank failures. We also show that, despite the possibility of runs, the deposit contract is superior to autarky.

Complex Financial Networks and Systemic Risk: A Review

In this paper we review recent advances in financial economics in relation to the measurement of systemic risk. We start by reviewing studies that apply traditional measures of risk to financial institutions. However, the main focus of the review is on studies that use network analysis paying special attention to those that apply complex analysis techniques. Applications of these techniques for the analysis and pricing of systemic risk has already provided significant benefits at least at the conceptual level but it also looks very promising from a practical point of view.