Browsing Working Papers (ECON) by Title
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Lund, Lars (København, 2003)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Abstract: The balance of payments of Greenland has special features due to an important current transfer, bloktilskud, from Denmark. The trade balance does not exhibit a deficit of this order of magnitude but comparison of the bloktilskud and the deficit is difficult as official figures are available for the merchandise trade only. Figures for services are missing. However, guesses about the size of a deficit in the services’ trade do not easily discard the impression of a large surplus on the current account. Over a ten year period it is suggested that accumulated surpluses could be twice the level of Greenland’s GDP. This seems unlikely, but the available data raise a puzzle that ought to be addressed as it nourishes suspicion of unobserved accumulation of wealth. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7550 Files in this item: 1
wpec052003.pdf (304.0Kb) -
a welfare-theoretical approachOlai Hansen, Bodil; Keiding, Hans (København, 1999)[More information][Less information]
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Junge, Martin; Severgnini, Battista; Sørensen, Anders (Frederiksberg, 2012)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: The role of product and marketing innovation for productivity growth is addressed using survey and register data for the Danish economy. It is argued that marketing and product innovation are complementary inputs and that innovation activities are skill-intensive. It is found that product and marketing innovation in skill-intensive firms results in significantly faster productivity growth than in unskilled-intensive firms that introduce this combination of innovation activities. More precisely, an increase in the share of educated workers of one percentage point, increases productivity growth by around 0.1 percentage point in firms with product and marketing innovation. In addition, it is found that firms that engage in product innovation but not in marketing innovation or the other way around do not demonstrate a growth effect from their innovation activities. It is also found that product and marketing innovation has an independent role in productivity growth that cannot be attributed to organisational changes, even though the majority of innovative firms engage in this latter innovation type. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/8468 Files in this item: 1
JungeSevergniniSoerensen-WP-1-2012.pdf (417.0Kb) -
Andersen, Torben M.; Skaksen, Jan Rose (København, 2003)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Product Market Integration, Comparative Advantages and Labour Market Performance* In a two-country model with trade driven by comparative advantages, it is considered how imperfectly competitive labour markets are affected by lower frictions in international goods trade. Easier goods trading is equivalent to increased mobility of employment across countries and thus a change in the trade-off between wages and employment faced by wage setters. While the effects of product market integration on the trade-off between wages and employment in general is ambiguous, it is shown that product market integration works like a general improvement in productivity via the specialization it allows through trade. Unambiguously, real wages and employment and welfare improve upon reductions in trade frictions, and therefore workers are better off irrespective of whether the market power of unions is enhanced or muted. JEL Classification: F15, J30, J50 Keywords: trade frictions, wage formation, employment, welfare gains URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7506 Files in this item: 1
dp698.pdf (424.7Kb) -
Andersen, Torben M.; Rose Skaksen, Jan (København, 2004)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: In this paper, we set up a two-country general equilibrium model where trade unions have wage bargaining power. We show that a decrease in trade distortions inducing further product market integration gives rise to specialization gains as well as a labour market reform effect. The implications of the specialization gains are similar to an increase in labour productivity, whereas the labour market reform effect is similar to an increase in the degree of competition in the labour market. Wages, employment and welfare increase as a result of further product market integration. It is interesting to note that the labour market reform effect of product market integration is achieved despite an increase in the wage level. JEL Classification: F15, J30, J50. Keywords: Trade frictions, wage formation, employment, welfare gains. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7655 Files in this item: 1
wpec082004.pdf (310.3Kb) -
Hansen, Bodil O.; Keiding, Hans (København, 2006)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: We consider a model of commercial television market, where private broadcasters coexist with a public television broadcaster. Assuming that the public TV station follows a policy of Ramsey pricing whereas the private stations are profit maximizers, we consider the equilibria in this market and compare with a situation where the public station is privatized and acts as another private TV broadcaster. A closer scrutiny of the market for commercial television leads to a distinction between target rating points, which are the prime unit of account in TV advertising, and net coverage, which is the final goal of advertisers. Working with net coverage as the fundamental concept, we exploit the models of competition between public and private price and quantity in order to show that privatization of the public TV station entails a welfare loss and results in TV advertising becoming more expensive. Keywords: TV broadcasting, imperfect competition, Ramsey pricing, welfare comparison. JEL classification: L11, L82, L33 URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7501 Files in this item: 1
wp2-2006.pdf (146.8Kb) -
Ahsan, Syed M.; Tsigaris, Panagiotis (København, 1998)[More information][Less information]
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Keuschnigg, Christian; Nielsen, Søren Bo (København, 2003)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: This paper proposes and analyses a model of start-up investment. Innovative entrepreneurs are commercially inexperienced and can benefit from venture capital support. Only part of them succeed in matching with a venture capitalist while the rest must resort to standard bank finance. We consider a number of policies to promote entrepreneurship and venture capital backed innovation. JEL Classification: D82, G24, G28, H24. Keywords: venture capital bank finance, matching, moral hazard, public policy. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7658 Files in this item: 1
cesifo working paper no. 850.pdf (392.7Kb) -
Keuschnigg, Christian; Nielsen, Søren Bo (København, 2001)[More information][Less information]
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Keuschnigg, Christian; Nielsen, Søren Bo (København, 2006)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: In recent years, venture capital has become an important source for nancing young entrepreneurial rms. Given the apparently more innovative nature and extra value added of venture capital backed rms compared to other firms, policy makers have taken an increasing interest in an active venture capital industry. We explore how selected policy instruments determine the incentives of individuals to start up new rms and of venture capitalists to nance and advise them, and how policy thereby influences the size and nature of the industry and how it aspects aggregate welfare. We examine the impact of wage and corporate income taxes as well as capital gains taxes and start-up capital subsidies on the volume and quality of venture capital backed entrepreneurship. JEL-Classi cation: D82, G24, H24, H25 Keywords: Entrepreneurship, venture capital, double moral hazard, taxes, sub-sidies. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7569 Files in this item: 1
wp15-06.pdf (291.5Kb) -
implications of recent nonparametric testsDahl, Christian M.; Nielsen, Steen (København, 2001)[More information][Less information]
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the Danish stock market since World War 1Risager, Ole (København, 1998)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Abstract: This paper contributes to the growing literature on mean reversion in stock markets by examining a newly constructed Danish data set for the period 1922-95. Variance ratio tests clearly reject the random walk hypothesis at the 2-year horizon, that is, the riskiness of a 2- year investment is significantly less than twice the risk of a 1-year investment. Variance ratio tests for 3- and 4-year horizons are not significant under conventional significance levels, whereas autocorrelation tests of the joint hypothesis that there is departure from random walk at all horizons tend to reject the random walk hypothesis and support the mean reversion hypothesis. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7617 Files in this item: 1
1998_7.pdf (71.21Kb) -
Staff utilisation in branches of a large Canadian bankAsmild, Mette; Bogetoft, Peter; Hougaard, Jens Leth (, 2011)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: In this paper we consider staffing decisions in branches of a large Canadian bank. The bank has well-developed staffing models and the branches work in a highly competitive environment. One would therefore expect limited ’inefficiency’ in the sense of wasted resources and over-staffing. Using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) we nevertheless find considerable ’inefficiency’ which raises the question whether this is best interpreted as waste or if the apparent inefficiency may serve other purposes. To investigate this, we invoke the theoretical framework of Rational Inefficiency (Bogetoft and Hougaard 2003). A systematic pattern of slack consumption emerges, which suggests that the allocation of slack between sta↵ groups is far from random. The slack pattern seems natural from the point of view of employee value and hierarchy and also considering employee flexibility and substitutability. For example we find relatively large over-staffing at the supervisor level which is natural given both their strong bargaining position derived from their role in the branch hierarchy and given the relative flexibility of supervisor resources. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/8634 Files in this item: 1
Asmild Bogetoft Hougaard_2011.pdf (567.5Kb) -
Sørensen, Anders (København, 2005)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: It may be optimal from a welfare perspective to use R&D subsidies when the source of R&D distortions originates from the surplus appropriability problem and technological spillovers in the form of knowledge spillovers, creative destruction, and duplication externalities are absent. Hence, R&D subsidies may constitute the optimal policy even when subsidies directly targeted on monopoly pricing could be applied. The result holds when dynamic effects are important relative to static effects and when governments spending is restricted. The latter characteristic arises when a government is unable or unwilling to use the level of spending required to implement the optimum policy. The argument is developed in a semi-endogenous growth model where the only distortion is monopoly pricing of intermediate goods. Keywords: R&D, policy instruments, welfare, market power JEL: O38, O41 URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7541 Files in this item: 1
wp17-2005.pdf (332.0Kb) -
Who Gains?Boom, Anette; Schwenen, Sebastian (Frederiksberg, 2013)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: We examine welfare e ects of real-time pricing in electricity markets. Before stochastic energy demand is known, competitive retailers contract with nal consumers who exogenously do not have real-time meters. After demand is realized, two electricity generators compete in a uniform price auction to satisfy demand from retailers acting on behalf of subscribed customers and from consumers with real-time meters. Increasing the number of consumers on real-time pricing does not always increase welfare since risk-averse consumers dislike uncertain and high prices arising through market power. In the Bertrand case, welfare is the same with all or no consumers on smart meters. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/8766 Files in this item: 1
boom_schwenen_1-2013.pdf (532.8Kb) -
Nielsen, Steen; Overgaard Olesen, Jan (København, 2000)[More information][Less information]
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An Optimal Insurance ApproachOlai Hansen, Bodil; Keiding, Hans (København, 2000)[More information][Less information]
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Med særligt henblik på grønlandske forholdLund, Lars (København, 2007)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Resource rents and models for taxation of these rents. Some references to the situation for Greenland. After a general introduction to the concept of rents the risk of distortion by double taxation of the normal capital income to investment is explained. Cash flow taxation or deduction in the tax base of investment times the risk free interest rate can be used to avoid this double taxation. Among other instruments to secure a part of rents for the public sector are direct participation and selling rights to exploit the resources by auction. The greater part of the paper is about taxation of rents in fisheries. The regulation is assumed to be based on professional advising and individual transferable quotas. Duties on the quota or a general cost increasing tariff, e. g. on fuel, are administratively simple models for taxation. Cost increasing indirect taxation has the good quality of incentive compatibility, as it supports the effort reducing aim of regulation. A concrete example illustrates a possible taxation of the prawn/shrimp fishery combining a duty on the quota with a tariff levied on the catch. Some comment are given on a recent report on the shrimp fishery (2005), and it is criticised for highlighting the theoretical qualities of Greenland’s fisheries policy, but neglecting the regulation and also to which extent incomes derived from quotas end up as income for Greenlandic households. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7559 Files in this item: 1
wp1-2007_rev.pdf (305.6Kb) -
Effects on Capacity Investments, Prices and WelfareBuehler, Stefan; Boom, Anette (København, 2006)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: We examine the effects of reorganizing electricity markets on capacity investments, retail prices and welfare when demand is uncertain. We study the following market configurations: (i) integrated monopoly, (ii) integrated duopoly with wholesale trade, and (iii) separated duopoly with wholesale trade. Assuming that wholesale prices can react to changes in retail prices (but not vice versa), we find that generators install sufficient capacity to serve retail demand in each market configuration, thus avoiding blackouts. Furthermore, aggregate capacity levels and retail prices are such that the separated (integrated) duopoly with wholesale trade performs best (worst) in terms of welfare. Keywords: Electricity, Investments, Generating Capacities, Vertical Integration, Monopoly and Competition. JEL-Classification: D42, D43, D44, L11, L12, L13 URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7589 Files in this item: 1
wp11-2006.pdf (286.3Kb) -
Vertical Structure and the Risk of Rent ExtractionBoom, Anette; Buehler, Stefan (Frederiksbarg, 2014)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: We study the role of vertical structure in determining generating capacities and retail prices in the electricity industry. Allowing for uncertain demand, we compare three market configurations: (i) integrated monopoly, (ii) integrated duopoly with wholesale trade, and (iii) separated duopoly with wholesale trade. We find that equilibrium capacities and retail prices are such that welfare is highest (lowest) under separated (integrated) duopoly. The driving force behind this result is the risk of rent extraction faced by competing integrated generators on the wholesale market. Our analysis suggests that vertical structure plays an important role in determining generating capacities and retail prices. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/9031 Files in this item: 1
boom.pdf (614.5Kb)