Index numbers of prices and quantities are estimated in the framework of a two-way analysis of variance, based on the ideas of H. Theil and K. Banerjee. Topics include aggregation, multidimensional indices, and non-spherical errors. The method is applied to the commodity exports of developing nations. Copyright (c) 1997 Eric Blankmeyer

Environmental concerns dominate the world scene in the XXI century. The petroleum and its derivatives are a major contributor to the non-renewable sources of energy. However, there are forecasts that in a time near the main sources of petroleum may exhaust. Thus, the search for alternative sources of energy, beside environmental necessity is essential to ensure the well being of all. The minera...

This essay explains how the domestic policy context enabled the Indian software industry to become the largest non-OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) exporter by 2000. The policy context is examined in three phases. Prior to 1984, rigid policy restrictions ensured that there was virtually no software industry. In the second phase (1984 to 1990), the restrictions were ...

The thermal insulation market is dominated by petroleum insulations. A gap has been identified for the manufacture of “green” insulations. These insulations must perform to the same levels of heat transfer resistance as their petroleum based counterparts. Modern petroleum derived insulations can be carcinogenic, toxic to manufacture and release toxins as they degrade. The majority are not envir...

Chemically modifying vegetable oils to produce an alternative to petroleum-based materials is one of the most important emerging industrial research areas today because of the adverse effects of petroleum products on the environment and the shortage of petroleum resources. Biolubricants, bioplasticizers, non-isocyanate polyurethanes, biofuel, coating materials, biocomposites, and other value-ad...

In this paper we use new, detailed and comprehensive linked firm-product data to describe various dimensions of the Chinese export boom from 2000-2007. First, we decompose the total growth in exports into an intensive and extensive margin at both the firm and the product level. We also use this decomposition to analyse the role of processing firms, foreign-owned firms and firms which benefit fr...

Transport connectivity is a crucial determinant of bilateral exports. This paper presents an empirical assessment of the relationship between bilateral maritime liner shipping connectivity and exports in containerizable goods during the period 2006–2013. Making use of probed “gravity” type trade models, the paper incorporates new data on different measurements of maritime distance, as well as a...

This paper examines the effect of innovation on export decision in Chinese high-tech firms during the period of 2005-2007. Using a parametric, instrumental variable approach and a non-parametric matching method, we find that firm-level innovation efforts, measured by R&D spending and new product output, play only a minor role for domestic exporters. Foreign-invested firms dominate the high-tech...

This paper provides two potential explanations for the persistence of zeros in bilateral trade data. The theory predicts that (1) the existence of a fixed entry cost can generate a lower effect of financial development on the creation of new bilateral trade relationships, and that (2) the effect of financial development can be lower in countries with a low initial development of the local finan...