The formation of preferences is an elusive subject that many social scientists, and especially economists, have tended to avoid. In this original new book, Wilfred Dolfsma combines institutional economics with insights from the other social sciences to analyse the way in which preferences are...

The authors address the question of infrastructure reforms in a novel way by focusing on the impact which they can have on consumers through the prices paid by different groups and on their access to the networks. They analyse original material from four Latin American countries - Argentina,...

"Product counterfeits and other brand infringements represent a growing and substantial risk to firms, consumers, and society. While policing such illicit activity is important, there is much that firms can do to protect themselves and their customers. Grounded in field research and practice,...

Contents: Part I -- 1. The Makings of an Authority in Science -- 2. Theorizing Status Intermediaries -- Part II -- 3. Tensions and Struggles in Europe-Level Science -- 4. Creating Acceptance for European Research Council Evaluations -- 5. The Consequences of European Research Council Allocations...

1. Is the world of work behind middle class reshuffling? / Daniel Vaughan-Whitehead, Rosalie Vazquez-Alvarez and Nicolas Maitre -- 2. Is the world of work stimulating middle class growth in the Baltic states? / Jaan Masso, Inta Mierina and Kerly Espenberg -- 3. Social concertation and middle...

Part I framing the discussion on the competitiveness challenge -- 1. Boosting European competitiveness / Marek Belka, Ewald Nowotny, Doris Ritzberger-Grünwald and Pawel Samecki -- 2. Harnessing foreign direct investment to boost economic growth / Beata S. Jarvorcik -- 3. Correcting external...

The aim of this book is to present a much-needed conceptualization of 'the learning region'. The editors scrutinize key concepts and issues surrounding this phenomenon, which are then discussed in the context of recent literature. This unique conceptualization of the learning region presents a...

pt. 1. The financial community's perspective on the role of private equity -- pt. 2. The entrepreneur's perspective on the role of private equity -- pt. 3. Private equity and the role of public policy in Europe.

Pt. 1. The role of the individual versus that of the institution -- Pt. 2. The econo-geographic aspects of emergence, cooperation and survival -- Pt. 3. The cultural levels of nation, gender, profession, sector and region in emergence, cooperation and survival.