Dit artikel bespreekt de methodologie van beleidsgerichte toekomstverkenningen voor de lange termijn. Van belang is dat de toekomstverkenningen (i) een kader bieden voor beslissingen op de korte termijn; (ii) op goede wijze wetenschappelijke inzichten benutten; (iii) tegengaan dat het beleid in...

In this paper we explore the relevance of the theory of autopoiesis for understanding the evolution of information systems. We use the theory as a metaphor which highlights three themes: (1) How systems construct their own environments, (2) how the system’s organization of itself and its...

This paper aims to present an operational framework for sustainable agricultural development at the local or regional level. Sustainability targets are introduced by using critical threshold values for policy- relevant variables of different nature. The paper introduces then a so-called flag...

There is an abundance of literature on cost functions and economies of scale in the rail sector. Results from such studies are used in decisions on privatization, regulation and mergers. Different studies may, however, come to very different conclusions. In this paper we examine the results of...