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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the high rates of economic growth of the US economy and the remarkable acceleration of productivity growth since the mid-1990s which is widely attributed to the modern information and communication technologies (ICTs). Design/methodology/approach After identifying three key factors for Solow's productivity puzzle and examining ICTs as a general purpose technology, three main channels of ICTs' impact in the economy are discussed: the first transmission channel is direct and consists of the effects generated by rapid technical progress within the ICT-capital goods producing sector. The second one is due to the increasing accumulation and application of ICT goods and services in the user sectors. ICTs' positive spillover effects comprise the third transmission channel, i.e. they lead to "disembodied" increases in efficiency in the sense of "learning by doing" in the end-user sector. Findings - The diffusion of ICTs requires investment in all industries, i.e. the improvement of competitiveness on the macro level is strongly linked to investment activities and skill qualifications on the micro level. Research limitations/implications The paper concludes with some comparisons between the US and the German economy where the acute need for infrastructure investment in East Germany in the 1990s limited the possibilities for investment in ICTs exactly at a time of high-technological dynamism at the start of an upswing of a new Kondratieff cycle. Although some comparisons with the EU are made the impact of ICTs in other countries except the USA and Germany is not discussed more intensively. Practical implications A very useful source of information for graduate students and policy makers alike on the theoretical and empirical impact of new technologies on economic development. Originality/value - This paper fulfils an information need for comparing growth in international perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper describes the proactive culture of support that has been effective in the regional development of a semi-rural area. Design/methodology/approach Information used in this paper came predominately from participative case studies accompanied with formal and informal discussions with principals, including members of associated economic development groups. Oral responses and observations were supported by plans, reports, pro-formas and financial statements that were available as the cases developed. Findings - Two streams of businesses contribute to development. One stream is the businesses started by local entrepreneurs. The other stream comes from individuals who relocate their businesses in particular semi-rural areas. A pro-active culture of support contributes to success in both streams. This culture is affected by the county's center for economic operations, which is described in the paper. Examples of firms from these streams are given along with services provided to them by entities in the county. Research limitations/implications Although, the procedure generally is accepted as providing adequate attention to validity, reliability, and triangulation concerns, one is always careful about accepting generality of case studies. Practical implications - The desirability of having firms locate in a specific area is a pervasive consideration in economic development. Results here indicate that location of industrial businesses in semi-rural areas comes from two streams that can be managed strategically by economic development professionals. Originality/value - The idea of a pass along approach to regional development is fundamental to the management of resources. It should be of particular value to professionals involved in these activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This study aims to test the emerald model on the regional basis for the identification of the most important sources of competitiveness in the states of the US.Design/methodology/approach Using the emerald model and its assertions, data are collected over the period 1998-2013 from 47 states in the US. Multiple regression analysis is performed with a lag structure of four, six and eight years as alternative time intervals to explain the dependent variable.Findings The empirical results support the emerald model except for its R&D attractiveness dimension in its ability to explain competitiveness in the states of the US. In the longer term (eight-year lag), cluster attractiveness has the highest impact, followed by environmental attractiveness, ownership attractiveness, educational attractiveness and talent attractiveness. Comparison of regression models with different time lags indicates that once the very early phase is over, the impacts of most attractiveness dimensions become rather consistent across time and do not disappear.Originality/value The study contributes to the literature on the measurement of regional competitiveness by performing an overall assessment of the emerald model and by analyzing the impacts of the model’s dimensions on competitiveness over time. On the other hand, the identification of the sources of regional competitiveness paves the way for a more efficient allocation of resources regarding policies and improvement programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe aim of this research is to evaluate effective U.S. organization and management strategies in Vietnam's transition economy. The goal is to show effective organizational planning in terms of international firm structure as well as market entry strategies. Vietnam's economic reforms initiated in 1987 have created an important emerging market increasingly integrated with the Southeast Asian Political-Economic system. The research fulfills several scholarly needs. It fulfills a need for information on the transition of a centralized command economy to a market economy. It also fulfills a need for an evaluation of effective management strategies including localization, training and development, relationship marketing, and niche marketing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]