Potential new entrants to the European Union from Central and Eastern European countries face many challenges to achieve financial convergence with the existing EU nations. Using detailed case studies from Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland and analysis of cross country...

This book highlights the achievements and challenges of the ongoing process of financial integration in Europe. This unique collection will be of great interest to economists and experts in the fields of financial markets and European integration from central, commercial and investment banks,...

What role will the current evolution of banking systems play in the newly adopted EU countries during the historic challenges following enlargement? This book, a blend of economics and political economy, offers a systematic analysis of the current trends in financial intermediation in the...

Due to financial market imperfections it is imperative to analyse the relationship between financial structure and the monetary policy transmission process in Europe to effectively design and implement European monetary policy. Focusing on the years 1980-1995 and providing empirical evidence for...

This book provides in-depth and innovative analysis of the minimum wage in Europe. The authors explore its role and scope within the enlarged EU, and address the question of whether there should be harmonization between the individual member states or even a common EU minimum wage. They also...

Combining both academic and practitioner perspectives, this book provides authoritative insights into the integration of European labour markets against the background of increasing international labour mobility

Against the backdrop of the financial crisis that unfolded in 2008, this book deals with policy challenges going forward, focusing in particular on the ongoing catching-up process in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern European countries

The debate about how best to manage the interplay between trade, industrialization and the impacts of both on the global environment continues to rage, particularly in the context of the introduction and ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. This book deals with a number of important issues...

This book uniquely applies the Schumpeterian innovation policy perspective to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. A broadly defined framework of the science, technology, innovation and growth system underpins the empirical and conceptual analysis of the critical issues including demand,...

1. Opening remarks -- 2. Fiscal policies and sustainability of public finances in the European Union -- 3. Fiscal policy challenges, sustainability of public finances and EU accession : the case of Turkey -- 4. Monetary policy in the Euro area : lessons from five years of the ECB and then...