Tag: O47

DETECTING FOR CONVERGENCE TRENDS AMONG CHINESE UNIVERSITIES IN TERMS OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Maria ADAMAKOU

PhD Candidate, Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly

madamakou@uth.gr

Dimitris KALLIORAS

Professor, Department of Planning and Regional Development, University of Thessaly

dkallior@uth.gr

Abstract

Under the conditions of the rapid market liberalization process that China has been experiencing, questions of spatial cohesion – and thus of convergence and divergence – become increasingly salient. This is so as the elimination of spatial imbalances is both a pre-condition and a core objective of the reforms aiming at market liberalization. The paper aims at detecting trends of convergence among Chinese universities in terms of academic performance. Taking into consideration that within the knowledge-based economy universities are emerging growth determinants, the topic of the paper is extremely important. This is so as the possible prevalence of divergence trends may indicate that the growth impact of Chinese universities is not space neutral. The empirical analysis of the paper covers the period 2018/19-2022/23, utilizes data obtained from the URAP database, and employs the methodological approach of gaps convergence clubs. The findings of the paper provide valuable insight into both theory and policy.

Keywords: Chinese universities, academic performance, gaps convergence clubs

JEL classification: C21, O43, O47

 pp. 25-31

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RELEVANCE OF TYPE OF INVESTMENT FOR GROWTH: EVIDENCE FROM EU-10 COUNTRIES

Vladimir ŠIMIĆ

Associate professor, University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism, Split, Croatia and CERGE-EI Teaching Fellow

vsimic@efst.hr

Lena MALEŠEVIĆ PEROVIĆ

Full professor, University of Split, Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism, Split, Croatia and CERGE-EI Teaching Fellow

lena@efst.hr

Abstract

Whilst investment in both theoretical and empirical literature stands out as one of the most prominent determinants of growth, evidence on the importance of different types of investment for growth appears to be missing. This paper aims at filling this gap. The paper, thus, primarily contributes to the empirical literature by investigating the effects of different types of investment on growth in a group of EU-10 economies covering the period from 1995 to 2019. The panel data analysis provides some important and interesting findings. While overall investment is found to be strongly significant and positive, being in accordance with previous studies, the results provide new insights into the importance of different types of investment for growth. Not all types of investment affect growth (positively and significantly), thus sending also important message that it matters in which activities investment goes.

Keywords: Type of investment, Growth, EU-10 countries

JEL classification: E22, O4, O47

 pp. 105-115

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DOES EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERSHIP RESULT IN QUALITY-OF-LIFE CONVERGENCE?

Joel I. DEICHMANN*¹

Professor of Global Studies

jdeichmann@bentley.edu

Dominique HAUGHTON¹

Professor of Mathematical Sciences

dhaughton@bentley.edu

Mingfei LI¹

Professor of Mathematical Sciences

mli@bentley.edu

Heyao WANG¹

Graduate Research Assistant

wang_heya@bentley.edu

*Corresponding Author

¹Members of the Data Analytic Research Team (DART)

Bentley University Waltham, MA 02452 USA

Abstract

This paper employs European Quality-of-life Survey (EQLS) responses from 2003, 2008, 2012, and 2016 to examine whether European Union (EU) enlargement helps meet the objectives of improved living standards and overall quality-of-life across the continent. The data set includes responses to forty questions across nine dimensions for all twenty-eight pre-Brexit EU member states, along with eight non-member states. Insights are captured through the systematic comparison of self-reported perceptions pooled at the country level before and after accession, as well as between member states and non-member states. Special attention is paid to the eleven post-communist countries that joined the EU in 2004, 2007, and 2013, which together represent the addition of one hundred million EU citizens. These include Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Croatia. Based upon these findings, the paper concludes with speculation upon popular support for further enlargement in the wake of the 2007-08 Global Financial Crisis, the 2016-2020 Brexit process, and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: European Union, Central and Eastern Europe, economic integration, European convergence

JEL classification: O10, O47, P20, P48, R11

 pp. 31-46

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