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The effect of globalization is examined in relation to the exit strategy of manufacturing companies in Belgium. Findings show that the entry of multinational corporations in the industry prompts exit of local firms. The study also found that Belgian firms offshoring to non-European Union countries have greater chances of survival.

The relationship between migration and spatial distribution of per-capita taxable incomes in municipalities in Belgium is studied. Growth regression is estimated using the generalized maximum entrophy method. Selective in-migration has been found to benefit high-income, amenity-rich municipalities.

A study was conducted to present a network-based representation of border regions. A network approach is proposed to better understand the relation between socio-economic linkages and ethnic divisions in the Flemish-Walloon border region. The possibility of using the approach as a border management tool is also discussed.

Belgium's unique political system of consociationalism, the extremely complex form of federalism and the enduring socio-economic aspects that distinguish it from other European political systems and make it difficult to govern effectively is examined. The features in political and social life that have enabled it to translate the potential for failure into a successful system of democratic governance are highlighted.

The structure of Belgian federalism is set out and the reasons why the federalization of Belgium did not start until 1970 are analyzed. The specificities of Belgian federalism when put into comparative perspective and the political dynamics that underpin its further development is highlighted and finally, the assets and liabilities of federalism from the viewpoint of institutional sustainability is examined and an attempt is made to predict the political future of Belgium and the contribution of federalism

An investigation was conducted on the long-term output and labor market effects of public capital in Belgium within a broad model explaining private sector output and costs, private employment and capital formation, wage bargaining, price setting and aggregate demand. The investigation supports the case for an increase in public investment spending, complemented by structural labor market reform.

The high debt countries like Belgium and Italy were found evidence of tax discounting, where tax discounting seems to be time varying and increasing with the debt ratio. Whether the debt situation in a country affects the degree of tax discounting is discussed.

Foreign direct investment discourages entrepreneurship in Belgian manufacturing industries.

Empirical results on the link between budget deficits and exchange rates in Germany, the UK, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, France and Canada between 1980-95 proved the link between exchange rates and budget deficits with the effect of the deficits on the irregular exchange rate. In some cases, budget deficits appear to have resulted in a currency devaluation, while in others to a currency boost.

A general framework of household behavior concerning portfolio allocation and consumption-saving decisions was created to quantify income effects of interest rate reductions to household consumption and housing investment. Results indicate that short-term interest rates have no significant effects on Belgian household absorption. The compensation of the substitution effect by the income effect accounts for the insignificant effect on consumption.

The research studied the influence of labour market policies (LMPs) such as training programmes and unemployment compensation on unemployment exit rates. It assessed job competition for vacancies between groups of job seekers based on Belgian data over a 30 year period. The study also showed that a number of variables are integrated of order 1 based on the tests. In addition, classical econometric and cointegration approaches have been formulated to assess the relation of conclusions to the methodology used.

The regional variations in the pattern of poverty in mid-19th-century Belgium are linked to the characteristics of the rural economy of the regions. Public welfare statistics of 1846-1848 reveal that the densely populated and agriculturally rich regions of north-west Flanders and central Belgium suffered extreme poverty during the period. Poorer and self-sufficient areas with lower populations, such as the Kempen and the Southern Ardennes, suffered relatively lesser poverty. Such regional economic differentials need to be addressed while analysing poverty in mid-19th-century Belgium.

The effects of political events on consumer confidence are studied. Political events such as the announcement of elections, the election results and government changes are argued to change consumer expectations on future policies. This theory is applied on Belgian consumer confidence data. Unexpected elections and new governments are found to have an impact on economic variables.

The macro marketing mix of Belgium makes it a potential test market for firms wishing to market their products on a global scale. Belgium can be regarded as a miniature Europe as it exhibits most of the economic and consumption trends in the region. Its macro marketing elements, however, typify a small but rich consumption society, such as its highly developed retail trade and extensive product offerings, minimal promotional costs and strong price competition in key industries.

The industrial development of South West Flanders, Belgium, can be attributed to a host of factors. These include a significant capacity for social and economic self-regulation at the local level and the residents' motivation to attain economic independence. South West Flanders residents also boast of a remarkable capacity to adapt to changes in the environment and their collective efforts in promoting relative local autonomy., INTRODUCTION AND THEORETICAL BACKGROUND In recent years, South West Flanders has been one of the fastest growing regions in Belgium. Its acclaimed economic performance has resulted almost exclusively from the [...]

In the years 1944-1960 Belgium was distinguished by a particularly rapid recovery followed by below average growth. The 'Belgian miracle' of the immediate postwar period was associated with bold institutional reforms, both social and monetary. The relatively slow growth in the 1950s has frequently been attributed to defensive investments and the absence of industrial restructuring. The Belgian experience, as a small open economy, is considered in the light of recent debates on reconstruction, convergence and catching-up. Catching-up and convergence, it will be argued, were not automatic but were strongly conditioned by structural and institutional factors.