Les impôts locaux sont-ils gaspillés ?, by Marc Baudry Although public economists generally agree on the fact that the gap between the positive approach of local public choices on the one hand and their normative approach on the other hand entails the existence of potential pareto...

The article highlights the role of heterogeneity in the formation of hedonic prices. The article distinguishes between continuous and groupwise heterogeneity. The distinction helps understanding two important points. First, the analysis of market equilibrium with group wise heterogeneity makes...

In this paper, we address the problem of patent valuation. With this aim in view, we focus on the feasibility of a patent rating system. This leads us to develop a structural model of patent renewal decisions based on real options that links patent renewals and patent value and to estimate it on...

Uncertainty on effective stocks or damages is the core of most irreversible economic decisions involving natural resources and the environment and, more generally, of most investment decisions. The discussion on the relevance of the precautionary principle is illustrative of this role. Although...

Public authorities often invoke the precautionary principle to ban or postpone the development of innovative projects with uncertain but potentially harmful irreversible impacts on the environment or health. As stated in the Rio declaration, the precautionary principle suggests balancing costs...