In this paper we discuss the specification process of a spatial econometric model. There are a lot of results available in a time series context, which form a very well structured phase, but little has been said when the domain of the model is the Space in relation to this question. There are...

The solution of the transportation network optimization problem actually requires, in most cases, very intricate and powerful computer resources, so that it is not feasible to use classical algorithms. One promising way is to use stochastic search techniques. In this context, Genetic Algorithms...

Knowledge intensive business service firms (KIBS) are an important element of modern economies and thus attracting increasing interest in scientific research. In the existing literature it is argued that due to the important role of knowledge, innovation and user-producer interaction in the KIBS...

This paper looks at the evolution of the labour markets in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania since the beginning of transition until 2003, with a particular focus on labour force participation. Do the marked differences in labour market policies between the countries result in different patterns of...

In the recent past, expectations concerning universities have emphasised their active role as driving forces in industrial and regional development. Obviously, this challenge is especially demanding in the universities which have primarily focussed on traditional academic teaching and research...

Regional inequalities in product per capita and labour productivity in the EU are large and persistent. Building on a model in which aggregate increasing returns is the result of the increase in the number of varieties of composite services, under competitive manufactures, we derive a simple and...

The plans of the ‘Thessaloniki International Trade Fair (TIF) SA’ to develop the area occupied by the facilities of the Trade Fair ignited a strong debate. The TIF SA was established in 1925 and the General Trade Fair, as it came to be called, organised on an annual basis, has since...

This paper tests the extent to which convergence has been occurring between EU member states in the sources of funding for investment by non-financial corporations. The evidence from time series on 9 EU member countries during 1971-1996 suggests that bank lending (credit) remains the most...

Greater trade and financial integration are implicitly identified by the Barcelona Conference as the mechanism to promote “peace and shared prosperity†and “sustainable and balanced economic and social development†in the Euro-Mediterranean Area. Indeed, the Conference has...

This paper extends an economic geography model by tariffs to analyze their impact on welfare and sustainability of agglomerations. Policies with and without cooperation are compared, with the goal of maximizing aggregated welfare in the former and regional welfare in the latter case. The main...