Although each statistical unit on which measurements are taken is unique typically there is not enough information available to account totally for its uniqueness. Therefore heterogeneity among units has to be limited by structural assumptions. One classical approach is to use random effects models, which assume that heterogeneity can be described by distributional assumptions. However, inferen...

In this paper, to estimate the impact of FDI on economic growth in host countries, we propose a new semiparametric quantile panel data model with correlated random effects, in which some of the coefficients are allowed to depend on some smooth economic variables while other coefficients remain constant. A three-stage estimation procedure based on quasi-maximum (local) likelihood estimation (QML...

Our paper analyzes the causal links between human capital accumulation and growth in total factor productivity (TFP). In particular, it tests the NelsonPhelps hypothesis that human capital is crucial in enabling the imitation of technologies developed at the frontier. To this end we calculate TFP for a sample of 86 heterogeneous countries over the period 1960-1990 and investigate whether there ...

This study is intended to underline the importance of the role played by the cross-industry allocation of R&D resources, as indicated by several indices measuring R&D inequality, within the manufacturing industries of each country, and how it determines cross-country productivity growth. In other words, the main debate is whether national R&D policies for promoting productivity growth should be...

The European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals proposes a tiered approach for the ecological risk assessment of endocrine disruptors, integrating exposure and hazard (effects) characterization. Exposure assessment for endocrine disruptors should direct specific tests for wildlife species, placing hazard data into a risk assessment context. Supplementing the suite of mammalian...