Search

The Harris-Todaro model of migration is modified to incorporate the impact of human capital, housing stock and the availability of publicly provided goods like health care and road provision in order to analyse the determinants of migration in different regions of Poland. The Seemingly Unrelated Regression Equation [SURE] model is used to investigate the data. The results show that GDP per capita, unemployment and distance have a strong effect on regional migration in this country. Human capital is also an important explanatory factor as is the provision of key publicly provided facilities such as roads. The lack of housing in Poland is important in explaining the low levels of internal migration.

Artículos La estadística como herramienta para el desarrollo de sistemas automaticos reconocedores del habla. Maldonado, José Luciano Efectos de las aplicaciones del programa de ajuste estructural en la industria de alimentos (1989-1993). Moreno, Fanny La pymi en europa y las políticas hacia ella. Mulhern, Alan El método de Davidovich y migración interna venezolana de la población nativa del siglo XX. Ramos Ojeda, Oswaldo Limites de las políticas intervencionistas en Venezuela, Argentina y México. Padrón, Alejandro Paridad de intereses: ¿una alternativa para el cálculo del tipo de cambio de equilibrio en Venezuela? Ramoni P., Josefa El rol de la gerencia en el proceso de cambio. Sulbarán, Juan Pedro 63-85 semestral Nivel analítico

This paper adapts the traditional model of migration to include human capital, housing prices and a region's infrastructure in order to analyse the determinants of migration in the Spanish regions between 1998-2003. Using the Seemingly Unrelated Regression Equations [SURE] model, results indicate that regional differences in the following variables help explain the patterns of internal migration: wages, unemployment, infrastructure (health, education and transport), housing prices. Human capital is also a significant explanatory variable.

Polish small firm development has been impressive in the 1990s. However regional differences in macro-economic development have widened and have been accompanied by regional differences in small firm development at the micro level. The findings of a survey of the Polish small firm stratum reveal substantial qualitative differences between small firms in developed and less developed parts of the country. Small firms in the more developed region have a greater degree of development in eighteen variables, stretching from the legal form of ownership to investment and restructuring. These differences are understood within a systemic competitiveness model. They point to the need for differential, rather than generic, regional small firm policy as well as to a theoretical conception of the small firm in which considerable variation in structure, conduct and performance is acknowledged.

Polish small firm policy stresses the importance of tying support measures to firm performance and intention to grow. Polish small firms are smaller than their EU counterparts and are therefore considered to be at a competitive disadvantage. They are also vital for employment generation especially given the recent economic slowdown. Therefore the identification of those factors driving small firm growth is important to promote adequate policy interventions. This paper examines the statistical work emerging from survey data of the Polish small firm sector in 1999 that tested for the optimism of this stratum with respect to both immediate growth prospects and EU accession. On this basis key drivers of optimism in the small firm stratum are identified and a generic profile of those Polish small firm with a potential for growth is drawn. Policy implications are explored.

Polish small firm policy stresses the importance of fast growing small firms. This paper examines the statistical work emerging from survey data of the Polish small firm sector in 1999 which tested for the optimism of this stratum with respect to immediate growth prospects and EU accession. The statistical analyses reveal the following variables correlated with such optimism: the region of establishment, branch of activity, ownership of other national enterprises, extent of internet use, knowledge of EU markets, the difficulty of obtaining a bank loan, the existing level of exports and franchising activity, a recent increase in the level of fixed assets and income, the level of human capital and the technological level of a small firm’s products. On this basis a profile of the potential fast growing Polish small firm is drawn. Policy implications are explored particularly the need for a differentiated policy for firms at different stages of growth and in regions of different development levels.

Two surveys of Polish small firms were carried out in Gdansk and Lublin in 1999. Four studies of these surveys, 2 descriptive and 2 statistical are summarised and analysed. This reveals the structure of the small firm sector, its expectations with respect to EU accession and its short term expansion plans. The typical nature of the small firm is described and the regional differences in small firms between Gdansk and Lublin are identified with Gdansk having the more developed private sector and a more advanced level of firm development. The statistical analysis of the questionnaires by two teams reveals a series of significant variables correlated with optimism vis-à-vis the impact of EU accession and also with intentions to expand output in the 1999-2001 period.

This paper investigates the determinants of Polish SME’s intentions to expand production in the context of possible economic expansion on accession to the EU. A model is developed using twenty-six explanatory variables derived from a questionnaire given to Polish SMEs in late 1999. Seven of these are found to be significant, namely: export activity, franchising activity, the technological level of an SME’s products, a recent increase in fixed assets, the difficulty in obtaining a bank loan, the level of human capital and the estimated proportionate change in income from 1997 to 1999. The latter is found to have a non-linear effect consistent with the interpretation of diminishing returns to intended expansion. Non-linearity also applied to the technological level of the firm’s products. This indicates that the optimism of an SME to future expansion is related to recent increase in turnover and investment, the size of the enterprise, the technological level of its products, the availability of credit, the extent to which it engages in international activity and the educational level of its workforce.

Venezuela’s economic system has been characterised by two attempts at “transition” to a modern economy: the first in 1958 at the start of its democratic system; the second in 1989 when it attempted to bring into being an open free market economy. These attempts have been unsuccessful in creating an open, participative and democratic economic society. One expression of this has been the relative decline in the manufacturing sector of Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) since 1960 and their absolute decline since the late 1970s. Statistical evidence is presented on this decline and it is placed in international context. Econometric testing of explanatory variables shows the significance of structural barriers in manufacturing and a lack of efficiency and innovation efforts by SMEs as key economic determinants of this process. This decline results from the deeply exclusionary nature of the economic structure, the roots of which lie in Venezuela’s political history. A genuine transitional economy implies a participative economic democracy and access to the productive resources of the economy so new wealth can be created and new firms can come into existence. The decline of SMEs highlights not only an economic problem in Venezuela but also the wider political problem of lack of real democratic economic participation.