Wolfgang Blaas

Technology Transfer: An Opportunity for Small Open Economies

In this paper, crucial aspects of technology transfer are considered from the perspective of a small open economy with a predominantly small and medium-sized enterprise structure. The paper uses empirical data from an investigation which prepared the ground for developing a model for the active support of technology transfer in Austria. Experience from technology transfer strategies in other European countries was introduced and integrated in the formulation of policy proposals. These proposals are valid for a broad range of different technologies, while taking into account the possibilities and limitations of technology transfer policy in small open economies.

Strategic Arena Switching in International Trade Negotiations

Foreword Introduction, Joachim Becker and Wolfgang Blaas Political and Institutional Manoeuvres in International Trade Negotiations: The United States and the Doha development round, Nitsan Chorev European Union Trade Politics: Pursuit of Neo-Mercantilism in Different fora?, Werner Raza India and the WTO, Muchkund Dubey Chinas Economic Development, Trade and Foreign Investment, Weiyu Gao and Xiaoling Ji Back from the future? Brazils international trade in the early 21st century, Luiz A.E. Faria Join my value chain! South Africas Regional Trade Policy, Gottfried Wellmer Turkey: WTO Negotiations in the Shadow of the European Union, Gaye Yilmaz Conclusions: Doha round and forum-switching, Joachim Becker and Wolfgang Blaas Index.

Privatisation of Education

For several years education seems to have been under pressure with regard to its content, organisation and funding. National education systems are being challenged because of shortcomings in teaching and learning. ‘Are students well prepared for future challenges?’2 the OECD is asking, and it assesses the knowledge and skills of students near the end of compulsory education every three years. In the countries that participate in this exercise, a low ranking often translates into a national disaster. At the same time, national governments have ceased to regard education as a core public activity and begun to stress individual responsibility. Consequently, liberalisation, deregulation, privatisation and marketisation have spread in diverse forms and to various extents on different levels of the educational systems of EU member countries — from pre-elementary to higher education and vocational training institutions. This is the topic of the current chapter.

Das Dilemma der Gefangenen — Ökonomen

Egon Matzner war ein Wissenschafter, den die Diskrepanz zwischen okonomischer Lehre und okonomischer Realitat nicht kalt lies. Viele seiner Arbeiten waren daher gepragt vom Bestreben, die enge Welt der vorherrschenden okonomischen Theorie zu offnen fur Gedanken, die in der Lage waren, diese Diskrepanz zu verringern1. Als eminenter homo politicus ist ihm sicher auch jene zentrale Schlussfolgerung der Neoklassik ein Anstos zum Weiterdenken gewesen, nach der die uneingeschrankte Verfolgung des individuellen Vorteils in Summe zum Besten der Gemeinschaft fuhrt.