We will investigate valuation of derivatives with payoff defined as a nonlinear though close to linear function of tradable underlying assets. Derivatives involving Libor or swap rates in arrears, i.e. rates paid in a wrong time, are a typical example. It is generally tempting to replace the...

This paper analyses possible options how to improve the risk adjustment of the health insurance system in the Czech Republic. Out of possible options it argues for including Pharmaceutical Cost Groups (PCGs) as additional risk factors since it is an improvement that can be implemented almost...

Czech laws on Deposit Guarantee-Schemes are characterized. It is described history of rise of the Czech Deposit Insurance Fund and dynamics of its basic characteristics. Czech deposit guarantee system is compared with the European system and with the European Directive on Deposit...

The Czech Republic has been a successful recipient of foreign direct investment over recent years. Therefore, it is important to understand the decisions made by foreign investors where to place their investments and how to decide about their location between alternative industries. The aim of...

This paper studies whether the dynamic behavior of real GDP, unemployment and inflation is systematically affected by the timing of elections and by changes of governments in the Czech Republic. Two basic models of political cycles are tested – the political business cycle models and the...

This paper summarizes the major events in the recent history of modelling human decisions under risk. After presenting the basics of expected utility theory, the key pieces of evidence are described which showed that under certain circumstances, this theory is not descriptively valid. The most...

Doubts about the intrinsic value of economic performance are nothing new (T.Scitovsky, J.Galbraith). The paper starts with a criticism of „catching up“ models and a „puzzle“ of East Germans dissatisfaction with a rise of welfare after the Berlin wall’s fall. Author provides a sketch of...

In this paper, we set out to examine an efficient fiscal-policy framework for a monetary union. We illustrate that fiscal policy’s bias toward budget deficit only temporarily ceased at the end of the 20th century as European countries endeavored to qualify for euro-zone membership, which...

The paper assesses the developments in the financial accounts of the balance of payments in 15 transition countries in Central, Baltic and South-Eastern Europe. It is a follow-up of the IES working paper no. 49 of May 2004, that dealt with the state of current accounts in these countries. In...

Paper explains the changing concept of privatization, regulation and deregulation of utilities. The theoretical and political background of new EU energy/gas directives in the framework of the limited impact of existing directives is discussed, their implementation in the Czech energy law and...