Efficiency of Embodied Technology Spillovers

Technological progress is the key competitive ability of a society.A society's technological progress depends on it's ability of research and development (R&D) and the absorption of R&D spillovers. Since China is a developing country, which is comparatively short of R&D expenditure and activity, it is absolutely necessarily to utilize R&D spillovers. This paper analyses the relation among destination-specific AC (Absorption Capacity) , source- and destination-specific SS (Structural Similarity) and embodied technology spillovers by one-sector and three-areas GTAP models. The conclusion is:Being 'neutral' in nature, the exogenous Hicks-Neutral Technical Progress shock uniformly reduces the input requirements associated with producing a given level of output of stuff.     

Geographical Spillovers and University Research: A Spatial EconometricPerspective

Using data for U.S. metropolitan statistical areas, an earlier study of aggregate local geographic research spillovers generated by universities (Anselin et al.1997) was extended to a sectorally disaggregated level. These findings suggest the existence of significant sectoral variation with respect to local university effects on innovation. Apparent differences were found across sectors with respect to the “mix” of applied local knowledge inputs in general, and the extent to which university research plays a role in innovation in particular. The main conclusion is that local university spillovers seem to be specific to certain industries, such that at the two‐digit SIC level, no university spillover effects are at work in the Drugs and Chemicals (SIC28) and in the Machinery (SIC35) sectors. On the contrary, very strong and significant university research spillovers are evidenced in the Electronics (SIC36) and the Instruments (SIC38) industries. These spillovers extend beyond the boundary of the MSA within a 75‐mile range from the central city.     

Patterns of Broadband Efficiency in the U.S

Data envelopment analysis is used to assess the efficiency of broadband Internet adoption and use in the U.S. Analyses at the state level from 2005 to 2007 suggest that broadband adoption and use is not equally efficient across the U.S. states. Although the instantaneous efficiencies are relatively high for many states, the changes in total factor productivity suggest that the efficiency of broadband adoption and use still increases over time. Moreover, it is observed that efficiency values are often spatially autocorrelated, which suggests spatial dependency from spillovers or interstate competition. This leads to a particular spatial diffusion pattern in broadband adoption. Although states have different strategies in support of broadband expansion they need to identify their shortcomings and use the appropriate mix of inputs (and outputs) to improve their efficiencies.     

“Bad Neighborhood” and Internet Adoption in Poor Countries: What is behind the Persistent Digital Gap?

The paper investigates the determinants of Internet adoption in poor countries, focusing on the role of macro‐geographic location (neighborhood). It is argued that neighboring countries are interconnected by various kinds of spillovers, including knowledge spillovers as well as spillovers of norms and attitudes that affect individual adoption behavior. The empirical findings support the view that Internet adoption is affected by adoption rates in neighboring countries, even when controlling for a wide range of covariates. Addressing potential endogeneity concerns using an instrumental variable approach moreover suggests these relationships to be causal. The findings imply that international policies to support Internet adoption in poor countries might be more effective if they target groups of neighboring countries rather than single countries in order to better exploit spillovers between neighboring countries.     

Spillovers and Local Growth Controls: An Alternative Perspective on Suburbanization

ABSTRACT Since the 1970s, many local jurisdictions in politically fragmented metropolitan regions have enacted growth control and management measures to tackle the challenges arising from rapid suburban growth. These locally implemented growth controls have produced spillovers—the spatial shifts of homebuilding and households to nearby localities. Using data for California, this paper investigates the link between growth controls and homebuilding. The results suggest that some of the excess homebuilding can be linked to the presence or absence of growth control measures and thus be attributed to spillover effects. Moreover, generators of spillovers are nearly exclusively located in urban areas along the coast whereas the receptors of spillovers are primarily found at the metropolitan fringes and in peripherally located jurisdictions of the interior.     

A Spatial Analysis of the R&D‐Productivity Nexus at Firm Level

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effect of research and development (R&D) on productivity by taking into account productivity spillovers. To this end, by using a sample of Italian manufacturing firms over the period 2004–2006 provided by the Xth UniCredit‐Capitalia survey (2008), we have analyzed the role of R&D in firm productivity by using a spatial autoregressive model. In so doing, we have allowed the productivity of each firm to be affected by the productivity of nearby firms. Results show that R&D significantly affects Italian firm productivity and that productivity spillovers across firms matter. Moreover, productivity is found to be positively affected by intrasectoral R&D spillovers, while intersectoral R&D spillovers do not have a significant effect.     

An Analysis on China Neutral Technological Progress by Embodied Spillovers from North America

This paper empirically discusses the mechanism of China Neutral Technology by Embodied Spillovers from North America, and the effect on China economic growth. The simulations show that the effects of technology spillovers on both the innovating and the receiving economies depend on SS and AC. The three sectors spillovers of North America can improve China's Hicks-neutral technological progress, but only the third industry can increase the output of same industry of China, and decrease the output of other two industries. Based on the simulations, some advices are given on China trade policy.     

Differences in Labor versus Value Chain Industry Clusters: An Empirical Investigation

ABSTRACT Regional analysts often identify industry clusters according to a single dimension of industrial interdependence, typically by trading patterns as revealed in national or regionalized input–output data. This is despite the fact that the theory underpinning regional industry cluster applications draws heavily on Marshall's theory of external economies, including the important role of labor pooling economies and knowledge spillovers in addition to spatially co‐located suppliers. This article investigates whether industry clusters identified based on trading relationships (value chain clusters) are meaningfully different in industrial composition and geography than those derived from an analysis of occupational employment requirements (labor‐based clusters). The results suggest that value chain linkages are a weak proxy for shared labor requirements, and vice versa.     

Innovation and Regional Growth in Mexico: 2000–2010

This paper looks at the factors driving regional growth in Mexico, paying special attention to the potentially growth‐enhancing role of innovation and innovation policy. The analysis combines innovation variables with indicators linked to the formation of adequate social conditions for innovation (the social filter), and spillovers for 31 Mexican states and the Mexico City capital district (the Distrito Federal) during the period 2000–2010. The results indicate that regional economic growth across Mexican states stems from direct investment in research and development (R&D) in areas with favorable social filters and which can benefit not only from knowledge spillovers, but also from being surrounded by rich neighbors with good social conditions. The results stress that, although Mexican innovation policy has been relatively well targeted in order to generate greater economic growth, its relatively modest size may have undermined the attainment of its main objectives.     

Geographical distribution of ribosomal DNA variation in taro, Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, in eastern Asia

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) at the ribosomal RNA gene loci (rDNA) was investigated in 227 accessions of taro, Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, from China, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Eighteen different restriction fragment patterns of rDNA were observed. The results were largely consistent with a previous classification based on isozyme data. Some rDNA patterns were distributed extensively in the temperate zone from inland China to Japan. On the other hand, some other patterns ranged in coastal and/or insular areas from the tropical zone to the temperate zone (Japan). These geographical distributions may suggest two different routes for the introduction of taro into Japan: one from China,and the other most likely from Southeast Asia, via Taiwan and the Ryukyu Islands (southern Japan). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Immigration,Migration, and State Redistributive Expenditures

The effect of immigration on state and local budgets is a frequent topic of both political and academic conversations. A controversial issue among scholars is whether or not immigration induces outmigration of low income native born residents, a population movement which would potentially have implications for the jurisdictional distribution of immigration's fiscal impact. It is hypothesized here that if interstate poverty migration occurred, it should cause fiscal spillovers by distributing some of the public sector burden of immigration from immigrant “host” states to neighboring states. This paper uses cross‐sectional state data from 1988–1995 to explore the relationship between immigration in neighbor states and state redistributive expenditures. The results suggest that there is a positive relationship between immigration to neighboring states and redistributive expenditures. While most discussion of the fiscal impact of immigration has focused on the effects on host states and localities, the implications of these findings are that there are fiscal spillovers to neighboring states, suggesting that fiscal impacts on host states have been over‐estimated and effects on neighboring states have been underestimated. Additionally, the implications of recent welfare reform, which gives states the opportunity to use citizenship as a criterion for program eligibility, are discussed.     

Identification and validation of a quantitative trait locus associated with wheat yellow mosaic virus pathotype I resistance in a Japanese wheat variety

Yellow mosaic disease, caused by wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV), is one of the most serious diseases of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Japan. The three pathotypes of WYMV are distributed in different geographical areas: pathotype I is found mainly in western and central Japan (Kanto), pathotype II in northern Japan (Tohoku and Hokkaido) and pathotype III on the southern island of Japan (Kyushu). A total of 246 doubled‐haploid (DH) lines, derived from a cross between ‘Yumechikara’ (resistant) and ‘Kitahonami’ (susceptible), were evaluated for 2 years for their resistance to WYMV pathotype I. A single major quantitative trait locus, Q.Ymym, mapping to chromosome 2D was associated with resistance to pathotype I in ‘Yumechikara’. This is the first time a QTL responsible for pathotype I resistance has been identified. Fine mapping of Q.Ymym indicated that it was on a tight linkage block originating from ‘Yumechikara’, and the markers associated with this block will accelerate the development of varieties resistant to WYMV pathotype I.     

Citrus breeding,genetics and genomics in Japan

Citrus is one of the most cultivated fruits in the world, and satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) is a major cultivated citrus in Japan. Many excellent cultivars derived from satsuma mandarin have been released through the improvement of mandarins using a conventional breeding method. The citrus breeding program is a lengthy process owing to the long juvenility, and it is predicted that marker-assisted selection (MAS) will overcome the obstacle and improve the efficiency of conventional breeding methods. To promote citrus molecular breeding in Japan, a genetic mapping was initiated in 1987, and the experimental tools and resources necessary for citrus functional genomics have been developed in relation to the physiological analysis of satsuma mandarin. In this paper, we review the progress of citrus breeding and genome researches in Japan and report the studies on genetic mapping, expression sequence tag cataloguing, and molecular characterization of breeding characteristics, mainly in terms of the metabolism of bio-functional substances as well as factors relating to, for example, fruit quality, disease resistance, polyembryony, and flowering.     

Competitiveness Policy Options: The Technology-Regions Connection

ABSTRACT Competitiveness can be defined as the ability of an economy to maintain stable or increasing market shares in an economic activity while sustaining stable or increasing living shares for those who participate in it. Government policy in all countries has strong effects on competitiveness. With the turn away from a Cold War economy the Clinton Administration has pursued a technology policy explicitly linked to the quest for heightened national competitiveness. It is based on a rejection of Reagan-Bush era analyses of the competitiveness problem, which centered on cost reduction in industry. There are many different forms of technology policy for competitiveness, however. Some center on labor quality, while others center on technological spillovers between industries. An effective policy should promote technological spillovers in the economy. All such policies, moreover, are only effective if they are organized and governed properly. The Clinton-Gore policy has many different programs and methods of governance. This paper argues that it should reinforce the regional level of organization of technology policy formulation and implementation.     

The impact of R&D and knowledge spillovers on the economic growth of Russian regions

Russia presents an interesting case of a country which has strived to implement innovation policies since the transition period but so far has achieved mixed results. This study aims to analyze the impact of knowledge production and knowledge spillovers on regional growth in Russia within a framework of endogenous growth models. Applying GMM and spatial error panel modeling techniques to Rosstat data for 80 Russian regions from 2005 to 2013, the authors test the hypothesis about the relevance of R&D and expenditure on technological innovations (H1) and the hypothesis about the relevance of knowledge spillovers (H2) on the growth rates of GRP per capita. Hypothesis 1 was confirmed while Hypothesis 2 was rejected, indicating the absorptive capacities of innovatively lagging regions were not high enough for effective adaptation of new technologies from technologically innovative regions. Inclusion of indicators related to additional channels of knowledge diffusion in regressions resulted in the relevance of FDI and imports of goods and services for regional growth. Results of the study could form the basis for developing innovation policies for the Russian regions.     

Variations of the vascular bundle system in Asian rice cultivars

Summary The capacity of vascular bundle system transporting assimilates from source to sink is one of the limiting factors for rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield. Genetic variation in vascular bundle system should be investigated for improvement of transporting efficiency. A total of 531 Asian rice cultivars were studied for vascular bundles in the peduncle and its relation to spike morphology. A few difference was detected for the number of primary rachis branches of the spike among the cultivars from various countries. However, the number of vascular bundles significantly differed among the cultivars; those from Nepal, Bangladesh and India bore more vascular bundles than those from Japan. Therefore, the ratio of vascular bundles to rachis branches (V/R ratio) was nearly 1.0 in cultivars from Japan, while those from Nepal, Bangladesh and India ranged from 1.3 to 2.2. Chinese and Indonesian cultivars incuded two types of high and low V/R ratios. Cultivars with high V/R ratio showed positive reactions to the phenol solution, while those with low V/R ratio were negative reactions, suggesting that the former cultivars are of Indica type and the latter of Japonica type. It was concluded that the relationship between vascular bundles and rachis branches differentiated among the ecotypes of Asian cultivated rice.     

基于支付意愿法的建筑物化环境影响量化研究

以建筑的物化环境影响分析为出发点,对该过程所消耗的资源、能源及有毒物质所造成的环境影响进行定量研究。论文界定了建筑物化环境影响内涵,根据国际环境毒理和化学学会环境评价体系确定12种环境影响要素,依据BEES（Building for Environment and Economic Sustainability）软件计算出建筑全生命周期的环境影响清单,基于支付意愿理论构建了建筑物化环境影响量化模型,并确定江苏地区各环境影响要素的货币值。最后,计算出江苏省某住宅建筑单位面积上环境影响货币值。     

FDI in Space Revisited: The Role of Spillovers on Foreign Direct Investment within the European Union

We estimate a spatial econometric interaction model for bilateral aggregate FDI stock data between 25 European Union member countries in 2010. We find evidence for spatial spillovers of foreign direct investment for three different types of spatial dependence. Our results document FDI spillovers between neighboring countries of FDI origin countries, neighboring countries of FDI destination countries as well as between neighboring countries of both FDI origin and destination countries. Relying on recently developed methods, we provide the first model‐consistent interpretation of marginal effects of market size (measured by GDP) as well as GDP per capita on bilateral FDI activity. Our research highlights the importance of taking into account spatial lags when estimating bilateral FDI gravity models.     

Current status of tropical fruit breeding and genetics for three tropical fruit species cultivated in Japan: pineapple,mango, and papaya

Tropical fruit crops are predominantly produced in tropical and subtropical developing countries, but some are now grown in southern Japan. Pineapple (Ananas comosus), mango (Mangifera indica) and papaya (Carica papaya) are major tropical fruits cultivated in Japan. Modern, well-organized breeding systems have not yet been developed for most tropical fruit species. Most parts of Japan are in the temperate climate zone, but some southern areas such as the Ryukyu Islands, which stretch from Kyushu to Taiwan, are at the northern limits for tropical fruit production without artificial heating. In this review, we describe the current status of tropical fruit breeding, genetics, genomics, and biotechnology of three main tropical fruits (pineapple, mango, and papaya) that are cultivated and consumed in Japan. More than ten new elite cultivars of pineapple have been released with improved fruit quality and suitability for consumption as fresh fruit. New challenges and perspectives for obtaining high fruit quality are discussed in the context of breeding programs for pineapple.