In this paper, we draw the key linkages between future biofuels growth on agricultural commodity prices, and highlight some of the key uncertainties over OECD fuel and energy policies, and their implications for global agricultural markets and the world food situation. Our results show some of the implications that biofuels expansion has on crop area expansion in regions where environmental con...

BACKGROUND As part of efforts to inform the development of a global human resources for health (HRH) strategy, a comprehensive methodology for estimating HRH supply and requirements was described in a companion paper. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the application of that methodology, using data publicly available online, to simulate the supply of and requirements for midwives, nur...

measures of population health-health expectancies in particular-have become a standard for quantifying and monitoring population health. To date, cross-national comparability of health expectancies is limited, except within the European Union (EU). To advance international comparability, the European Joint Action on Healthy Life Years (JA: EHLEIS) set up an international working group. The work...

In this paper, we rely on vertical differentiation models (Falvey-Kierzkowski type) to study the effects of differences in factor endowments on vertical intra-industry specialization. These effects can vary depending on the relative position of each country in terms of both its specialization in high or low qualities and its technological (dis)advantage. We focus on the Spanish intra-industry t...

Many writers have claimed that research and development (R&D) has two faces. In addition to the conventional role of stimulating innovation, R&D enhances technology transfer (absorptive capacity). We explore this idea empirically using a panel of industries across twelve OECD countries. We find R&D to be statistically and economically important in both technological catch-up and innovation. Hum...

Laboratories with a quality system accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard have a definite advantage, compared to non-accredited laboratories, when preparing their facilities for the implementation of the principles of good laboratory practice (GLP) of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Accredited laboratories have an established quality system covering the admi...

We suggest a possible explanation for cross-country differences in total factor productivity. Many technologies used by LDCs are developed in OECD economies, and as such, are designed to make optimal use of the skills of these richer countries' workforces. Due to differences in the supply of skills, some of the tasks performed by skilled workers in richer economies will be carried out by unskil...

Empirical tests of the relationship between international competitiveness and the severity of environmental regulations are hampered by the lack of pollution abatement cost data for nonU.S. countries. The theory of the firm suggests that environmental stringency can be measured by the difference between a polluting input’s shadow price and its market price. We make a first attempt at quantifyin...

Greece is undertaking important reforms with the aim of making the budget a more modern strategic policy document. This article examines Greece’s recent economic and fiscal performance and the developments that led to the launch of the programme budgeting pilot in 2008. The article discusses the budget formulation process, the role of Parliament, and various aspects of budget implementation and...