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Abstract Using a dynamic transfer function model-based methodology, this study analyzes the joint influence of legislation changes, enforcement and compliance with driving regulations in terms of road fatalities in Spain during the 2005–2015 time period. Three robust econometric models demonstrate that two of the road safety law reforms recently implemented in Spain, the points-based driver's license and the toughening of the Penal Code, have had positive impacts, albeit with varying durations. Their impacts are also seen to have been reinforced by the application of a range of monitoring instruments to track compliance. The most effective of these include radar speed measuring devices, the mere presence of which has the desired deterrent effect irrespective of the positive proof that they might detect. However, lack of compliance with maximum alcohol limits seems to increase road fatalities, which suggests that a more complex preventive strategy needs to be developed through a combination of programmed actions. Lastly, the irreplaceable deterrence role of traffic police who enforce compliance with driving laws stands out, with the number of officers deployed being decisive. Highlights • Stricter road legislation linked to increased road safety in Spain. • Effects of changes to Penal Code longer-lasting than effects of Penalty Points System. • Radar speed controls appear to be effective instruments for reducing fatalities. • Alcohol-related DUI violations significantly linked to traffic fatalities. • Significant role of numbers of traffic police in preventing violations and improving safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • This study investigated the effect of speed limits increases on fatalities. • A meta-analysis was carried out of a sample of regression studies for the US. • Count fatalities went up more on rural interstates than all roads network. • Statewide fatality rates per VMT would relatively improve although weakly. Abstract Speed plays an important role in road safety as it affects accident risk and severity. Among safety policies implemented to control driving speed, speed limits are the most highly developed. Since the 1970′s, numerous studies have focused on the effectiveness of speed limits, but even today there is still no clear consensus as to the impact that raising the speed limit has on traffic fatalities. With the aim of consolidating knowledge on this topic, a meta-analysis has been carried out of a set of econometric studies assessing the effects on traffic fatalities of increasing speed limits in the US. Two sub-samples were obtained, taken from the traffic fatality measures considered by studies (fatality count and fatality rate normalized per vehicle miles traveled), and two approaches were analyzed: rural interstates (where speed limits were increased in 1987 and 1995), and a statewide approach (all roads network). Our findings show that by count traffic fatalities went up on both rural interstates and statewide level, although the effect was higher on rural interstates. In other respects, statewide fatality rates could be improved in relative terms by raising legal speed limits, although the effect would be weak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a structural change in mobility in major Spanish cities in recent decades, with a switch to the pattern followed in other countries in the area. A shift has taken place from a traditional Mediterranean model to a North American city stereotype, with uncontrolled motorization and major implications for public health. This article specifically analyzes negative road safety-related externalities that result from this process, given that the trend seems to show a steady decline in road safety accidents on urban roads in Spain, with major differences among NUTS-3 provinces. The objective is to evaluate the factors that empirically explain these differences for the 2003–2013 period using a panel data analysis. Results show that a key role is played by urban development variables, such as population density and improvements in health services, with advances linked to more accessible and sustainable urban transportation, such as the Smart City concept. Not only does this article close a gap in the literature, but the findings can also serve as a practical guide for the development and implementation of urban mobility and road safety plans, and reveals the special needs of the most vulnerable groups. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Successive changes to the legal framework affecting the Spanish Port System have been implemented over the last 25 years, forcing maritime operators to adapt to new rules. Based on a comprehensive literature review of studies addressing Spanish port devolution, our paper provides the most up-to-date evaluation of the impacts of these changes. Apart from the correlation between port activity and the economic cycle, an encouraging finding highlighted here is that legal reforms underpinned by broad political and port community consensus appear to be effective in attracting passenger and container traffic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some similarities can be seen in the drink driving policies of European Union (EU) countries but there are also some major differences. Although all member States are aware of the need to address the problem, there are considerable differences in aspects such as blood alcohol limits, alcohol prices and the enforcement of alcohol control laws. Considering that these policies are in place in specific economic and cultural contexts, we evaluate the effectiveness of the set of control policies implemented in the EU in terms of traffic fatality rates following the recent enlargement process. For this, we use a panel during the period 1999–2012 controlling for several explanatory economic, demographic and geographical attributes. We find that policies that may be effective for reducing alcohol consumption among young drivers may lead to improvements in road safety. Our results also show that zero approach maximum alcohol concentration rates do not seem to be a panacea for this problem, since the countries with the strictest limits do not achieve better road safety outcomes. Finally, the influence of alcohol consumption on traffic fatalities seems to be particularly relevant for the male population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, so-called mobile learning or m-learning has become a new paradigm in education as a consequence of technological advances and the widespread use of mobile devices to access information and for communication. In this context, this paper analyzes different profiles depending on students’ preferences for taking mobile devices (specifically tablets and/or laptops) to economics classes at the University of Seville (Spain). A survey-based field study of a sample of 412 students and the application of bivariate probit models show a low level of mobile device integration in teaching (devices taken to class by only 29.8% of respondents) with a slight predominance of laptops. The results also show differences between users of the two types of devices. Students who take their laptops to class usually live at home with their family, have already used them in pre-university levels, and are concerned about recharging their devices in class. However, although users who take their tablets to class also live with their parents, they are much more active on social network sites and more concerned about the quality of the internet connection. These findings enable the design of strategies to encourage students to attend class with their own mobile devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cities are implementing an ever widening range of initiatives to promote bicycle use with the aim of improving the sustainability of urban journeys. One strategy that is achieving the most immediate results in the promotion of bicycle use, along with the construction of bicycle lanes and bicycle parking, is the implementation of Public Bicycle Sharing Systems (PBSS), which coexist with private bicycle use. As both these systems (PBSS and the private bicycles) have their advantages and disadvantages, this paper seeks to compare the distances for which PBSS and private bicycles are habitually used by applying a propensity score matching-based model. Our findings unequivocally demonstrate that the mean journey length made by private bicycle is 700–800 m (0.44–0.5 miles) greater than those made by public bicycle. We find robust empirical evidence that there is a complementarity relationship between the two modes of transport with regard to distance. The conclusions of this study are useful for the PBSS literature in spatial/geographical terms, for the management of PBSS hire charges, and in relation to the system's suitability for different city models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of studies have addressed the impact of Audience Response Systems (ARS) on academic performance at all stages of education, although the evidence does not seem conclusive. With the aim of shedding light on the extent and diversity of the research outcomes, we conduct a meta-analysis of studies worldwide on this topic to assess whether the exam scores of students included in ARS experiments achieve better results than others taught using more conventional teaching tools. From an initial sample of 254 studies, data from 51 papers published between 2008 and 2012 (involving 14,963 participants) that set academic quality criteria, were extracted and analyzed following technical protocols for meta-analyses. Their high degree of heterogeneity shows that the effect of ARS on exam scores seems to be moderated by specific features. So, through a random-effects model, our results provide a positive, although moderated pooled effect of ARS on examination scores that is much greater in experiments performed in non-university contexts (Hedges' g = 0.48; S.E. = .2665) than at the university level (Hedge's g = 0.22, S.E. = .0434). Specifically, the categories of university disciplines in which ARS interventions are implemented seem to influence their usefulness for achieving better academic marks, being more effective when either Pure Soft Sciences or Applied Hard Sciences are considered. These findings might provide guidance for governments, researchers and educators into the effectiveness of learning based on the new interactive technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying econometric techniques to EU28 panel data and controlling for explanatory variables such as road types, we find that increased truck load capacity does not necessarily aggravate road traffic safety. Specifically, heavy trucks do not seem to be linked with greater numbers of traffic fatalities/accidents, medium trucks appear to be the worst performers in terms of fatalities, and light trucks seem to be the worst for accidents. In summary, our results clarify the complex relationship between truck load capacity and road safety, pointing to the existence of a negative correlation for accidents per capita and an inverse U-shaped curve for fatalities per capita. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the success achieved by Public Bicycle Sharing Systems (PBSS) across the world, several researchers provide evidence on their limitations and constraints in a medium-long term, and bicycle ownership may be considered as a complementary tool to promote a ’bicycle-culture’. This paper aims to cover the gap about the interaction between both systems (public bicycle/private bicycle) and which are the key aspects to explain the bicycle-buying decision. After a fieldwork based on surveys conducted in Seville (Spain), one of the cities currently acknowledged worldwide for its successful policy of promoting cycling, we apply a Discrete Choice Model. Our findings show that among the socio-demographic factors that favor the move from the PBSS to the private bicycle are: having a higher level of education, being more progressive ideologically-speaking, and being a resident of the city itself; while age and gender do not appear to be conclusive. Experienced users, for whom the bicycle is a part of his/her healthy lifestyle, state a greater willingness to buy a bicycle. And the main obstacles to make the jump from the PBSS to the private bicycle, and that any action plan to support private bicycle usage should take into account, are: the lack of proper parking at the origin/destination, and fear of theft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the impact on the traffic accident rate of the interaction between trucks and cars on Europe’s roads using a panel data set that covers the period 1999–2010. We find that rising motorization rates for trucks lead to higher traffic fatalities, while rising motorization rates for cars do not. Empirically, the model we build predicts the positive impact of stricter speed limit legislation for trucks in the reduction of road fatalities. These findings lend support to European strategies and aimed at promoting alternative modes of freight transport, including rail and maritime transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this paper is to estimate the impact that the expansion of the HSR network has had on air transport in Spain by estimating the substitution effect between the two types of transportation. This paper considers the way that the HSR network has grown and how this growth could have affected air transport dynamically. The findings show that a dynamic vision of this substitution rate should be adopted, as opposed to assuming that the rate is constant, as has been the case in previous references. Although the rate varies significantly over the study period, only 13.9% of HSR passenger demand was found to have come from air travel during the 1999–2012 period, meaning that HSR and airlines would seem to offer more independent services than at first it might appear. This confirms the hypothesis as to the HSR’s great ability to generate its own demand. The substitution rate between the two transport modes seems to be closely linked to the way that any new stations are incorporated into the HSR network. Convergence between the seasonality of HSR and air transport has also been examined. The results show that it is difficult to talk of a real HSR transport network in Spain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seville is a city of 700,000 inhabitants in the south of Spain. It is currently the administrative capital of the region of Andalusia. However, Seville was once the most important city in the Spanish Empire, and a global metropolis when it monopolized trade with ‘the Indies’. Its historical past, its subsequent decline and its traditions (many of them religious) generate a range of perceptions among local society as to what the city should be. After being transformed in the wake of the two World Expositions that were staged in the city in the 20th century, at the beginning of the 21st century a change was proposed to Seville’s planning model that would not clash with its past. This profile seeks to analyze this period and interpret whether these changes and transformations to the city are part of a consciously created city model and to consider any inconsistencies and internal contradictions. The conclusions show that in periods of large-scale change in the city, the starting-point has to be an agreed city model that enables tradition and modernity to exist side by side, and that is based on greater public participation. The city profile of Seville is significant and useful as an exemplary case of a historic city being capable of renewing the relationship between urban space and the citizen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The connection between crime and road safety is a relatively recent topic in academic research, although most studies have focused on the link between criminal behavior and traffic offenses, and only a few authors discuss the possible relationship with traffic accident fatalities. Evidence worldwide shows that people who commit other offenses characteristic of antisocial attitudes are more likely to have road traffic accidents and infringe traffic laws. We examine the records of the 28 current member states of the European Union over the 1999–2010 period. Our aim is to test the hypothesis that crime rates (and specifically, motor vehicle-related crimes) can be considered as predictors of fatal road traffic accidents. If they can be, this could be prima facie justification, at least, of the trend in several countries to consider traffic offenses as crimes in their penal codes and to toughen the punishment imposed on those who commit them. The effect of the severity of the legal system applied to traffic offenses is also analyzed. From a geographical point of view, our results reveal that road traffic fatality rates are higher in countries where the behavior of the inhabitants is more aggressive, while the rates are lower in countries with more severe penal systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pedestrianizing areas that are generally in the old part of town has been widely used in recent years in both developed and developing countries as a way to improve urban quality in cities traditionally designed for intensive vehicle use. This paper applies discrete demand models to examine the satisfaction of citizens or frequent visitors with these schemes in two streets that are not part of the urban center of the city of Seville (Spain) and the conclusions that are drawn can be easily extrapolated to other cities, irrespective of the country that they are in. These two pedestrianizations outside the traditional inner city are clearly positively valued by citizens, especially by people living in the vicinity of the pedestrianized streets and by the collectives that have more available free time or more flexible schedules. They have also been especially welcomed by citizens who are more aware of the need for environmental protection and calling for a more a more sustainable city. The results show that both pedestrianizations have resulted in significant changes in citizens' shopping and consumption habits in establishments located in the pedestrian zones, which have been turned into open air malls with improvements to their lively ambience. These findings are repeated in countries at different levels of development. These results are in stark contrast to the strong social rejection that existed during the period that the road works to pedestrianize the zones were being planned and executed. In fact, the results show the importance of the time variable, as the more time that has passed since the works were finalized, the better the variables that measure satisfaction with the pedestrianizations have become, and the less negative the perception of the negative externalities associated with the road works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the trends in road traffic fatality rates in a sample of European States over the 1970-2010 period. Taking into account that previous research seems to find that the Europeanization process has had a favorable impact on national road safety performance, our main contribution is to test whether the same mechanism might lead to the convergence of Member States as a whole as a possible outcome. Based on typical convergence methodology for Economic Growth Theory, our findings reveal evidence of the full convergence of road fatality rates across a sample of EU countries during said time period. Compared to the uncertain results obtained by the literature on macroeconomic convergence, we do not find support for the convergence of sub-groups of countries, but a one-speed-convergence for all EU countries. This fact shows that convergence is achievable in certain EU areas even beyond economic convergence through successful efforts made jointly at national and community levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Cruise traffic is linked to ports in populous areas and close to large airports. [•] Cruise traffic is related to ports not specialized in container traffic. [•] Cruise traffic is determined by facilities shared with other types of port traffic. [•] Having cruise traffic is related to ports with a minimum depth of water. [•] The amount of cruise traffic is determined by the tourist appeal of the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article seeks to analyse the factors that determine the dynamics of the balance between supply and demand in the Spanish fresh fish market. For this, the time-series of fresh fish landed in the 1973–2009 period is analysed through an estimation of the series of transfer function models. Among other things, the findings in the Spanish case show a complex relationship between the amount of fish landed and price; a clear substitution relationship between fresh fish and aquaculture; a negative impact of labour costs in a manual labour-intensive sector such as fishing, which in developed countries is being affected by an exodus of manpower to other sectors where there is less uncertainty surrounding labour conditions; the impact of Spain being barred from international fishing grounds a result of the delimitation of exclusive economic zones (EEZs); and the dwindling importance of fisheries traffic as a result of the port devolution process begun in Spain in the early 1990s. The non-significance of a priori key factors, such as the price of oil and Spain's entry into the EEC, can be explained by widespread energy subsidies and contradictions in the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Traffic safety has become a major component of European transport policies. But the road to a real Common European Road Safety Policy has been a long one. The notion of Europeanization might help to describe the European Union (EU)'s impact on national policies, although the process differs from other transport sectors. The objective of this article is to explain the effect of the EU road safety policy on domestic road mortality rates in the EU-27. Using data on European countries for the 2000–2009 period we analyse how EU traffic safety policies, institutions and networks facilitate and encourage the learning process in the individual countries. This timeframe coincides with the 2001 White Paper and the third European Road Safety Action Programme (ERSAP), both of which are crucial for constructing the Common Road Safety Policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Age and level of education affect the use of SSTs for check-in. [•] Time savings are a major factor in choosing online check-in. [•] Frequent flyers opt for self check-in and business passengers for the check-in desk. [•] Foreign travellers are more likely to use kiosks for check-in. [•] The penalisation for using LCC check-in desks impacts on the choice of check-in mode. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Airport systems organized spatially as hub-and-spoke systems where traditional airlines (Full-Service Network Carriers – FSNCs) dominate have been impacted by the continuing expansion of Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs) in mainly point-to-point connection systems. Using a methodology based on linear transfer function models, the objective of this paper is to reflect on the future of hubs and on whether their role as large geographical air transport nodes is in doubt. Although Spanish hubs have continued to strengthen their position of dominance, the consequences of this enforced coexistence has manifested itself in a substitution effect, with LCCs replacing FSNCs at the hubs for international, primarily intra-European, flights. The market for national flights, however, has not experienced any significant changes as this new development of LCCs in this market is fundamentally based on new demand from both new passengers and the greater travel frequency of current passengers. There is also room for complementarity between the two models, as national connections with LCC hubs feed long-distance destinations exploited solely by the FSNCs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: One of the most popular coactive measures developed to prevent road traffic accidents in recent decades is the implementation of driving licenses based on points systems (PS) which penalize repeat offenders with suspension or withdrawal of their licenses. This paper analyzes their rapid spread worldwide through an in-depth review of the existing literature. A comprehensive meta-analysis of the effects of PS on road traffic accidents and the duration of these effects has been conducted. The findings show that the strong initial positive impact (15 to 20% reductions in accidents, fatalities and injuries) seems to wear off in under eighteen months. This limited effectiveness is related to the absence of complementary enforcement to back up these measures. Without them, points systems could turn into a boomerang road safety policy, and even be abandoned at a later date. The implications of the conclusions for legislation and future research are considered. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: At the beginning of the 21st century, the punishment strategies used by the Spanish administration were considerably hardened to achieve a reduction in road accidents. This hardening could also be seen in the mass-media public advertising campaigns, with a marked shift from gentle messages to threat-based advertisements. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of this radical change in terms of main road accident indicators and the time that the effects last using multivariate unobserved component models set up in a state space framework applied to monthly series for the 1980–2008 period. The main conclusion is that the effect on reducing road accidents is no greater when citizens are subjected to a greater level of threats in advertising campaigns than would on average be achieved using campaigns with a low level of threats. Secondly, the impact of bloody advertising in Spain is limited to the most serious accidents, those that cause deaths, either on highways or in built-up areas. Moreover, the positive effects progressively decrease as the average lifespan for significant effects of medium and high level campaigns on deaths on highways or in built-up areas was 8months and almost 12days. The results show that a reduction in numbers of deaths and injuries is always achieved when the level of harshness in the messages is increased after a period of several years of mild advertising. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper explores the establishment of a flat rate for the taxicab service that serves routes between the city and the airport in Seville. First, the advantages and disadvantages of a flat rate are explained and why it may be an advisable measure for tourist cities with a conflictive taxicab industry. In addition, by using a methodology based on the estimation of average treatment effects, an evaluation is made of the impact of the taxi flat rate on the probability of passengers choosing a taxi for their city–airport transport needs. The main conclusion is that the increased market transparency fostered by this urban transport policy has led to an increase of almost 7 per cent in both the probability of selection and the average revenues of taxi-drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The goal of this article is to evaluate the impact of the drastic Spanish Penal Code reform on the number of road deaths in Spain and the time that the effects might last. This is achieved by means of multivariate unobserved component models set up in a state space framework estimated using maximum likelihood. In short, with this reform Spain might be considered to be closing the final gap that kept it apart from other developed countries as far as the road accident rate is concerned. We have found two different types of effects on Spanish road traffic fatalities. Initially, a month before the reform was passed there was a 24.7 percent fall in Spanish road deaths. After the Bill had been passed and for the following thirteen months, thereductionstayed at a constant sixteen percent. This reform has reduced Spanish road fatalities by 534 in all between November 2007 and December 2008 and the effects will foreseeably continue during 2009. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article analyzes the struggle between traditional travel agencies and airlines to gain control of the Spanish airline services market. Also analyzed is the strong emergence of a third player, online travel portals that act as online travel agencies. We use a multinomial logit model to study the influence of 27 socio-economic factors and trip attributes on passenger purchase channel choice. The results show that the profile of a passenger who has a greater likelihood of making his/her bookings online is that of a young person, a student or educated to a high level, a habitual traveler, booking a simple journey and using an LCC. The factors linked to an increased likelihood of making purchases by phone include: being male, middle-aged, on a business or short trip, and the passengers usually use a travel agency. Finally, passengers who are over 65years of age, with a lower academic level, who use a travel agency and are going to make a more complicated journey, are more likely to purchase their tickets in-store. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article seeks to quantify the effects of the penalty points system driver''s license during the 18-month period following its coming into force. This is achieved by means of univariate and multivariate unobserved component models set up in a state space framework estimated using maximum likelihood. A detailed intervention analysis is carried out in order to test for the effects and their duration of the introduction of the penalty points system driver''s license in Spain. Other variables, mainly indicators of the level of economic activity in Spain, are also considered. Among the main effects, we can mention an average reduction of almost 12.6% in the number of deaths in highway accidents. It would take at least 2 years for that effect to disappear. For the rest of the safety indicator variables (vehicle occupants injured in highway accidents and vehicle occupants injured in accidents built-up areas) the effects disappeared 1 year after the law coming into force. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the last few decades, changes in consumer habits have been observed in household economies. These habits now focus on large retail chains and shopping centers out-of-town rather than independent retailers sited, for the most part, in shopping districts or in the town center. One factor in this trend is the retailer’s accessibility to the customer. Because of this relationship, the retail market share is affected by the development of an efficient transport system, such as the Metro. This paper examines both short- and long-term positive and negative interactions between the retail sector and the introduction of the Metro using empirical evidence from three middle-sized Spanish cities (Bilbao, Málaga and Seville). It also analyzes how retailers assess the influence of a nearby Metro station on their business. Finally, the conclusion is drawn that a new planning model for urban transportation infrastructure works is beginning to prevail with the backing of smallbusiness association lobbies. This model seeks to minimize the effect of works-related negative externalities on urban retail fabrics but can never guarantee a happy ending for independent stores. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the matter of port legislation, the nineties was a period of maximum interest in Spain. Two laws enacted in 1992 and 1997, respectively, aimed at increasing the autonomy of individual ports in the management and organization of its activities. Before 1992 two different models of management coexisted in the Spanish port system: autonomous decision-making ports and ports controlled in its decision-making by the Central Government. The question we address in this paper is how these legislative changes have affected the evolution of the levels of traffic of the Spanish port system from 1992, date of introduction of the first law, to 2003, date of approval of a third legislative change that remains out of this analysis for lack of sufficient data. We find an important impact of legislative changes on port traffic by way of an estimated econometric model over the 1966–2003 period. We control for the effect of other variables that might have influenced Spanish maritime traffic such as international maritime flows, taken as a proxy of globalization, or gross domestic product, under the hypothesis that maritime transport is a demand derived of economic activity. We provide evidence supporting that greater port autonomy had beneficial effects for the Spanish port system as a whole. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Capital injections were necessary for some EU states due to economic crisis by the so-called Troika. • Financial intervention reduces traffic safety policy budgets but might also have a positive effect on traffic safety. • Our results would dispute the negative evidence about austericity and the way in which the EU handled the economic crisis. • There is a robust non-linear Kuznets curve between road safety (also accidents) and economic development. The recent economic crisis has required the bailout of some European States by the so-called Troika , with capital injections accompanied by financial austerity. This paper analyzes econometrically the impact of this support programme on road safety for an original panel data (1995–2015). The findings also corroborate the Kuznets curve hypothesis for traffic accidents in the long term. Regarding the impact of intervention in the short term, despite reductions in safety policy budgets due to austerity, financial support, and related austerity measures might have led to an improvement in road safety, reducing both the number of accidents and fatalities. Therefore, it seems that our result is more linked to the austerity measures than to the financial support given by the Troika. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]