Article

 

Privatization in a Post-Communist economy: Are there any Macroeconomic Effects of Privatization in Slovenia? (p.11-27)

by

Primož Dolenc, Faculty of management Koper

Keywords : state-owned enterprises, macroeconomic effects of privatization, Slovenia

JEL classification : L33, E62, H82

Abstract

State-owned enterprises and privatization has long been a major economic topic. After large privatizations in Great Britain, France etc., the privatization became an interesting topic again when now transition economies changed its economic system. The purpose of this article is to present preliminary results of the analysis that took into consideration of privatization proceeds potentially influencing some macroeconomic variables. However, we found that in Slovenia privatization so far influenced only on lowering public debt, while other influences could not be proven.

 

 

Income Distribution and the Effectiveness of Fiscal Policy: Evidence from some Transitional Economies (p.29-45)

by

J. Georg Cerf, The College of New Jersey

Subarna K. Samanta, The College of New Jersey

Keywords : income distribution, fiscal policy, transition economies

JEL classification : D3, E62, H3

Abstract

The article investigates how effectiveness of fiscal policies can be influenced by the nature of the income distribution of the economy. Time series data are used for a set of recently independent or transitional countries, to verify whether there is a predictable relationship between the degree of income equality and the effectiveness of the government expenditures on the economy.

 

 

High Tech and Societal Innovation in Poland: Prospects and Strategies  (p.47-73)

by

Alojzy Nowak, Warsaw University

Bernard Aroguaswamy, Lemoyne College

Keywords : Innovation Systems; ICT innovation; high tech innovation; societal innovation; innovation scorecards; Poland’s performance

JEL classification : O32, O33

Abstract

Innovation has become increasingly central to the creation of a sustainable competitive advantage for firms, as well as to the success and prestige of nations. In this paper we attempt to assess the state of innovation in Poland, a large transition nation and recent entrant into the European Union. We develop a framework for innovation comprised of the National, Regional, Local, and Enterprise levels. We employ this as a template to investigate innovation in three layers-ICT, high tech, and society-wide. Three sets of secondary data pertaining to Poland are analyzed, leading to the conclusion that Poland’s innovation performance needs radical improvement on all three interdependent counts. Recommendations are made based on the more effective management of diverse societal interfaces, as well as the judicious management of a mix of the four innovation systems.

 

 

Frontier Regions of the European Union: The National State and the European Union as significant factors to the function of local communities (p.75-87)

by

Trifonas Kostopoulos, Panteion University

Keywords : local communities, national state, European Union regions

JEL classification : H7, N9, P1, P2

Abstract

This article investigates how the National State functions as a member of the European Union in respect to social minorities. Especially, it is examined whether the National Government can resolve the problem of social minorities by itself or can it be more easily handled within the framework of European integration. From this point of view we deal with the case of the Greek National State, which is part of the European Union of the “27”. The analysis presents the economic and other social characteristics of the region of Thrace. We examine the decentralized policy of the government, through the institution of the local self-government, along with the politics of the European Union concerning those social minorities.