Ton Van Schaik

Differences in social capital between 54 Western European regions

Beugelsdijk S. and Van Schaik T. (2005) Differences in social capital between 54 Western European regions, Regional Studies 39 , 1053–1064. Based on the extant literature, a newly developed index measuring social capital at the regional level in Europe is presented. It is shown that there are large regional differences on this social capital index. It was tested if higher scores on this social capital index correlate with higher levels of economic development and regional economic growth in 54 Western European regions. Though further research is required, these preliminary results suggest a positive relationship exists between social capital and regional economic development. The paper concludes with suggestions for future empirical research.

Toward a unified Europe? Explaining regional differences in value patterns by economic development, cultural heritage and historical shocks

Beugelsdijk S., Van Schaik T. and Arts W. (2006) Toward a unified Europe? Explaining regional differences in value patterns by economic development, cultural heritage and historical shocks, Regional Studies 40, 317–327. The concept of the ‘Europe of the regions’ has given rise to the question of whether there is a process of cultural unification discernible among European regions. The paper reports the results of an empirical analysis of cultural differences among a panel of 55 European regions. Modernization theorists argue that cultural convergence can be expected, whereas culturalist theorists claim there are processes of path dependence. Using existing measures of culture, it is found that economic development is an important driver for value change, but that cultural (religious) heritage leaves a permanent imprint. In addition, the results suggest that historical shocks influence the process of cultural change. Beugelsdijk S., Van Schaik T. and Arts W. (2006) Toward a unified Europe? Explaining regional differences in value patterns by economic development, cultural heritage and historical shocks, Regional Studies 40, 317–327. The concept of the ‘Europe of the regions’ has given rise to the question of whether there is a process of cultural unification discernible among European regions. The paper reports the results of an empirical analysis of cultural differences among a panel of 55 European regions. Modernization theorists argue that cultural convergence can be expected, whereas culturalist theorists claim there are processes of path dependence. Using existing measures of culture, it is found that economic development is an important driver for value change, but that cultural (religious) heritage leaves a permanent imprint. In addition, the results suggest that historical shocks influence the process of cultural change. Culture, Dépendance causale, Europe, Théorie de modernisation, Théorie des apports culturels Beugelsdijk S., Van Schaik T. and Arts W. (2006) Toward a unified Europe? Explaining regional differences in value patterns by economic development, cultural heritage and historical shocks, Regional Studies 40, 317–327. The concept of the ‘Europe of the regions’ has given rise to the question of whether there is a process of cultural unification discernible among European regions. The paper reports the results of an empirical analysis of cultural differences among a panel of 55 European regions. Modernization theorists argue that cultural convergence can be expected, whereas culturalist theorists claim there are processes of path dependence. Using existing measures of culture, it is found that economic development is an important driver for value change, but that cultural (religious) heritage leaves a permanent imprint. In addition, the results suggest that historical shocks influence the process of cultural change. Kultur, Abhängigkeit vom eingeschlagenen Weg, Europa, Theorie der Modernisierung, Theorie des Kulturismus Beugelsdijk S., Van Schaik T. and Arts W. (2006) Toward a unified Europe? Explaining regional differences in value patterns by economic development, cultural heritage and historical shocks, Regional Studies 40, 317–327. The concept of the ‘Europe of the regions’ has given rise to the question of whether there is a process of cultural unification discernible among European regions. The paper reports the results of an empirical analysis of cultural differences among a panel of 55 European regions. Modernization theorists argue that cultural convergence can be expected, whereas culturalist theorists claim there are processes of path dependence. Using existing measures of culture, it is found that economic development is an important driver for value change, but that cultural (religious) heritage leaves a permanent imprint. In addition, the results suggest that historical shocks influence the process of cultural change. Cultura, Dependencia de rutas, Europa, Teoría de la modernización, Teoría culturalista

Employment protection legislation and catching-up

After World War II (WW II), productivity growth in Europe and Japan was driven by catching up with the US. Institutions in Europe were different too and well suited for economic growth through imitation and adaptation of the technology to local circumstances. Catching up is, however, a self defeating process. It ends when the technology frontier is attained or when in case of conditional convergence institutions set a limit to the process of catching up. Once this situation is reached, the existing institutions may no longer be appropriate. Regression analysis on a panel of 21 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries reveals that Employment Protection Legislations (EPL) had a positive impact on productivity growth in the period of rapid convergence in the sixties and seventies. However, from the eighties onwards, the total effect of EPL on labour productivity growth was negative.After WW II productivity growth in Europe and Japan was driven by catching-up with the US. Institutions in Europe were different too and were well suited for economic growth through imitation and adaptation of the technology to local circumstances. Catching up is, however, a self-defeating process. It ends when the technology frontier is attained or when in case of conditional convergence institutions set a limit to the process of catching up. Once this situation is reached, the existing institutions may no longer be appropriate. Regression analysis on a panel of 21 OECD-countries reveals that employment protection legislations (EPL) had a positive impact on productivity growth in the period of rapid convergence in the sixties and seventies. However, from the eighties onwards the total effect of EPL on labour productivity growth was negative.

Wages and scrappage of old machinery (A simulation study for the Netherlands)

SummaryTwo issues are raised simultaneously. First, how long does it take before unprofitable old machinery is scrapped? Second, how do different methods of fitting the clay-clay vintage model to empirical data influence the answer to this question. If a more indirect fitting procedure is preferred, an optimum three year lag with a specific structure is the result.

Demand and supply as factors determining economic growth

SummaryIn models of economic growth the long-run rate of growth is usually determined by exogenous factors like the increase in working population and technical progress. In this article the rate of technical progress is treated as an endogenous variable depending on the increase in real wages and the degree of capacity utilization. A clay-clay production model is presented. Moreover, consumption, investment, changes in wages and in prices are explained by additional equations. Numerical steady state solutions for different values of the parameters are discussed. In each case the specific role played by demand and supply is stressed.