Adaptability of nonlinear equilibrum models to central planning

Linear multisectoral models have for long been applied in the Hungarian national economic planning. Price-quantity correspondences and interaction, however, cannot easily be taken into account in the traditional linear framework. Computable general equilibrium modelers in the West have developed techniques which use extensively price-quantity interdependences. However, since they are usually presented with the controversial strict neoclassical interpretation, the possibility of their adaptation to socialist planning models has been concaled. This paper reflects on some results of a research investigating the possible adaptation of eqailibrium modeling techniques to central planning models.

A intervenção do estado na economia: um estudo de caso do setor elétrico

Estuda-se a intervenção do Estado na economia através da regulação, tendo como objeto de análise o setor elétrico brasileiro. O presente estudo tem como objetivo verificar de que forma o Estado, desde a promulgação da Constituição de 1988, buscou cumprir os princípios estabelecidos na Ordem Econômica constitucional e exercer a sua função de ente regulador, fiscalizador, planejador e indutor do crescimento econômico, no setor elétrico. Analisa-se a reforma do Estado pensada pelo ex-Ministro Bresser Pereira e a inclusão de empresas do setor elétrico no Plano Nacional de Desestatização. Observa-se que o processo de privatização permanece inacabado nos segmentos da geração e da transmissão. Investiga-se a instituição do MAE e a criação do produtor independente de energia elétrica, no contexto de uma reforma que pretendia encaminhar o setor elétrico para o livre mercado. Estuda-se a crise de racionamento e a mudança de estratégia do Governo, cuja prioridade passou a ser um maior planejamento central que garantisse a segurança energética e a expansão da geração e transmissão. Analisa-se as diferenças entre o ACL e o ACR, bem como a formação do preço da energia elétrica em cada um e conclui-se, por meio da leitura de precedentes do CADE, que trata-se do mesmo mercado relevante na dimensão produto. Investiga-se as mudanças trazidas pela MP-579 e de que forma a intervenção do Estado no setor elétrico aumentou, e os impactos que isso trouxe. Conclui-se que, a partir da edição da MP-579, a intervenção do Estado no setor elétrico aumentou com o objetivo de controlar os preços e garantir a segurança energética, mas que as mudanças regulatórias não foram bem sucedidas em manter e a tarifa da energia paga pelo consumidor final em patamares baixos, tampouco em garantir a oferta de energia elétrica suficiente para cobrir a demanda das distribuidoras.

Aggregation-based decomposition for multi-divisional models

The aggregation theory of mathematical programming is used to study decentralization in convex programming models. A two-level organization is considered and a aggregation-disaggregation scheme is applied to such a divisionally organized enterprise. In contrast to the known aggregation techniques, where the decision variables/production planes are aggregated, it is proposed to aggregate resources allocated by the central planning department among the divisions. This approach results in a decomposition procedure, in which the central unit has no optimization problem to solve and should only average local information provided by the divisions.

A reestruturação das instituições de controle das empresas estatais chinesas (1978-2003)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

A Universidade Federal do Pará no processo de modernização da gestão universitária

O desafio de encontrar novos meios de administrar as organizações públicas, os quais não estivessem limitados aos indicadores financeiros e contábeis, foi a grande motivação para o surgimento do planejamento estratégico nas instituições de ensino superior, através de um sistema de gestão estratégica que traduz a missão e a estratégia de organizações, análise do ambiente interno e externo a organização. Esta dissertação aborda a questão da modernização da gestão, através de um estudo de caso de caráter descritivo realizado na Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), de como foi implantado o processo para “aprimorar o sistema de planejamento institucional” com vistas a buscar soluções conjuntas aos problemas enfrentados pelo fator negativo - precariedade do sistema de planejamento - diagnosticado no Plano de Desenvolvimento Institucional da UFPA 2001-2010, tendo a Pró-Reitoria de Planejamento e Desenvolvimento Institucional – PROPLAN, como Unidade Central de Planejamento, responsável em desenvolver e implantar instrumentos gerenciais, padronizados, uniformizando as diretrizes gerais oferecendo a todos os segmentos da universidade um eixo comum, norteador das políticas da Universidade, observadas as peculiaridades da sua configuração multicampi. O objetivo principal desta dissertação é identificar as ações estabelecidas no processo para “aprimorar o sistema de planejamento institucional visando reduzir a precariedade do sistema de planejamento na Universidade Federal do Pará”. A metodologia utilizada é a pesquisa qualitativa e como técnica de coleta de dados utilizou-se a pesquisa documental. Os resultados encontrados indicam que a preocupação com estratégias na gestão universitária, são fatos relativamente recentes e que se encontra em profundas transformações, sendo que, no período analisado, a preocupação maior se dá nas unidades acadêmicas. Foi possível observar que as fases do processo de planejamento das ações não se realizam completamente em todas as Unidades e Campi, pois o sistema de acompanhamento do processo de planejamento, praticamente não existiu. Por conseguinte, até então, inexistia uma cultura de planejamento na organização, com a ausência de integração das ações de planejamento entre as Unidades Acadêmicas e a Unidade Central de Planejamento, contribuindo, assim, com a precariedade do Sistema de Planejamento Institucional na UFPA. Conclui-se assim, que houve um avanço nas mudanças planejadas e executadas, tornando a UFPA uma organização isomórfica, as unidades da UFPA que enfrentam as mesmas condições ambientais, foram compelidas a imitarem umas as outras, as características organizacionais foram modificadas consensualmente, através de decisões colegiadas, por meio de uma gestão democrática, tornando, assim, os elementos estruturais isomórficos, consistindo então, conforme a teoria, em estruturas organizacionais que refletem uma realidade socialmente construída. Mas, apesar de ter ocorrido um avanço nas mudanças planejadas e executadas, a universidade utiliza determinados mecanismos não porque acredite que a tornem mais eficaz, mas porque são mecanismos impostos, por pressões externas, a universidade tem que cumprir atos formais, regras, leis e sanções, numa relação de dominação e dependência, configurando-se o isomorfismo institucional coercitivo. Como, também, conclui-se conforme informações coletadas que não ocorreu uma mudança organizacional no sentido amplo, e sim, algumas modificações específicas. Avaliando-se, então, pode-se dizer que a UFPA conseguiu tornar suas Unidades homogêneas nas práticas administrativas, especificamente na prática de planejar, na busca de aperfeiçoar o sistema de planejamento das ações da UFPA – ao se observar que, das vinte e oito Unidades regimentalmente constituídas até 2006, dezenove elaboraram Planos de Gestão para o período de 2002 a 2009, representando que 64% das unidades realizaram as ações planejadas na sua totalidade. E, 36%, nove Unidades não constituíram Planos de Gestão, não utilizaram, instrumentos gerenciais padronizados, uniformizando as diretrizes gerais oferecendo a todos os segmentos da universidade um eixo comum, norteador das políticas da Universidade.

A retomada do debate do cálculo econômico socialista: economia da informação, escolha pública e a crítica austríaca

Este artigo analisa a moderna retomada do debate do cálculo econômico socialista. Mostramos como as modificações no cinturão protetor do programa de pesquisa neoclássico possibilitaram a discussão do problema dos incentivos sob informação assimétrica nas novas propostas de socialismo de mercado. Nessas propostas, o problema do conhecimento tal como desenvolvido por Hayek no debate original será interpretado como um problema de informação. Defendemos a tese de que, embora os modelos tenham sido criticados por economistas afiliados a escola da escolha pública, as novas propostas de socialismo de mercado e seus críticos sofrem dos mesmos problemas apontados por Hayek no debate original.

Chapter 7 Clusters of Modern and Local Industries in Vietnam

Since the introduction of the Doi Moi ('renovation') economic reform in 1986, Vietnam has experienced a transformation of its economic management, from a central planning economy to a market-oriented economy. High economic growth, created by the liberalization of activities in all sectors of the economy, has changed the economic structure of the country, and the once agriculture-based and poverty-stricken land now generates a midlevel income and possesses many industrial bases. Economic growth has also changed the landscape of the country. Business complexes have been built in metropolises like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, and rice fields have been converted into industrial zones. As the number of enterprises increased, areas began to emerge where many enterprises agglomerated. Some of these 'clusters' were groups of cottage industry households, while many others were large-scale industrial clusters. As Porter [1998] argues, industrial clusters are the source of a nation's 'competitive advantage'. McCarty et al. [2005] indicate that in some key industries in Vietnam, some clusters of enterprises have been created, although the degree of agglomeration differs from one industry to another. Using industry census data from 2001, they include dot density maps for the 12 leading manufacturing industries in Vietnam. They show that most of the industries analyzed are clustered either in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City (or both). Among these 12 industries, the garments industry has the greatest tendency to cluster, followed by textile, rice, seafood, and paper industries. The fact that industrial clusters have begun to form in some areas could be a positive sign for Vietnam's future economic development. What is lacking in McCarty et al. [2005], however, is the identification of the participants in the industrial clusters. Some argue for the importance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam's economic development (e.g. Nguyen Tri Thanh [2007], Tran Tien Cuong et al. [2008]), while others stress the impact of foreign direct investments (FDI) (for example, Tuan Bui [2009]). Adding information about the participants in the above cluster study (and in other studies of spatial patterns of location of enterprises) may broaden the scope for analysis of economic development in Vietnam. This study aims to reveal the characteristics of industrial clusters in terms of their participants and locations. The findings of the study may provide basic information for evaluating the effects of agglomeration and the robustness of the effects in the industrial clusters in Vietnam. Section 1 describes the characteristics of economic entities in Vietnam such as ownership, size of enterprise, and location. Section 2 examines qualitative aspects of industrial clusters identified in McCarty et al. [2005] and uses information on the size and ownership of clusters. Three key industries (garments, consumer electronics, and motor vehicle) are selected for the study. Section 3 identifies another type of cluster commonly seen in Vietnam, composed of local industries and called 'craft villages'. Many such villages have been developed since the early 1990s. The study points out that some of these villages have become industrialized (or are becoming industrialized) by introducing modern modes of production and by employing thousands of laborers.

The Chinese economy in ... /

Mode of access: Internet.

Re: new Newark, a continuing ten-year program.

Fold. map attached to p. [3] of cover.

Pedagogiken i tiden : Om framväxten av nya undervisningsformer under tidigt 2000-tal – exemplet Kunskapsskolan

The study concerns the new educational activities that emerge within the deregulated school system at the beginning of the 21st century. Which ideas guide the work? How is the activity formed? What does one hope to achieve? The aim of the thesis is to explore these educational practices in one of the larges independent schools in Sweden – Kunskapsskolan. The study was based upon a sociocultural perspective on learning and on twenty situated interviews with seven principals. Tools central for the activity in Kunskapsskolan were used as basis for the interviews. A qualitative analysis has been used; one of the methods for analysis applied is phenomenography. The study shows how the school, with the help of centrally developed tools, organised the teaching and the environments for learning that were implemented in all schools of the company. Individually organised teaching is the foundation for all teaching, where the students are expected to be self-regulated and self-correcting and use the tools provided for their learning. With regards to the students’ learning, the teachers’ role is mainly related to individual tutorial conversations. Thereby the tools intended to create freedom and control for the students, also create problems and obstacles. Students who do not learn to use the tools have difficulties in managing their studies. The new tools also affect the teachers’ work. In comparison with other schools, the teachers are expected to submit to the educational model and a centrally controlled planning. The teaching is centrally planned in subject specific stages or subject integrated courses. Teachers can influence the central planning by working collaboratively in teacher teams but not individually. The main commission of the teachers is to follow the educational model decided by the company. In comparison with the traditional school, both teachers and students are given new roles. When learning is individually organised for the students, the teachers are expected to develop their knowledge collectively. According to the results, both students and teachers have different approaches to the system – they can submit to the system or approach it in a more independent and reflective way.

From transferred technology to technological capability:a framework for examining the acquisition of technological capability by Chinese enterprises

This paper conceptualises the enhancement of technological capability by firms, following international technology transfer, as an evolutionary process. During this process, the existing technological, managerial and other complementary resources may require restructuring. Since China is in transition from central planning to market orientation, the organisational and managerial practices of Chinese firms are different from those of international technology suppliers. Resourcebased and evolutionary theories of the firm, which provide insights into the evolution of structures, mechanisms, skills, experiences and technical know-how, have been applied to outline the processes of acquiring technological capability. Selected case studies have been used to illustrate the issues and the framework provides guide for further empirical work.

Private higher education policy in Ohio, 1980--2006: A case study demonstrating the usefulness of Zumeta's public policy posture model

This study describes the case of private higher education in Ohio between 1980 and 2006 using Zumeta's (1996) model of state policy and private higher education. More specifically, this study used case study methodology and multiple sources to demonstrate the usefulness of Zumeta's model and illustrate its limitations. Ohio served as the subject state and data for 67 private, 4-year, degree-granting, Higher Learning Commission-accredited institutions were collected. Data sources for this study included the National Center for Education Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Data System as well as database information and documents from various state agencies in Ohio, including the Ohio Board of Regents. ^ The findings of this study indicated that the general state context for higher education in Ohio during the study time period was shaped by deteriorating economic factors, stagnating population growth coupled with a rapidly aging society, fluctuating state income and increasing expenditures in areas such as corrections, transportation and social services. However, private higher education experienced consistent enrollment growth, an increase in the number of institutions, widening involvement in state-wide planning for higher education, and greater fiscal support from the state in a variety of forms such as the Ohio Choice Grant. This study also demonstrated that private higher education in Ohio benefited because of its inclusion in state-wide planning and the state's decision to grant state aid directly to students. ^ Taken together, this study supported Zumeta's (1996) classification of Ohio as having a hybrid market-competitive/central-planning policy posture toward private higher education. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that Zumeta's model is a useful tool for both policy makers and researchers for understanding a state's relationship to its private higher education sector. However, this study also demonstrated that Zumeta's model is less useful when applied over an extended time period. Additionally, this study identifies a further limitation of Zumeta's model resulting from his failure to define "state mandate" and the "level of state mandates" that allows for inconsistent analysis of this component. ^