The aim of this paper is to carry out a sectorial causality analysis between prices and unit labour costs for the Spanish regions. In order to achieve our goal, we have developed our own database for the unit labour costs (ULC). It includes data for Spain and five of its regions: Andalusia,...

This paper studies the relation between inflation and relative price variability (RPV) in Spain during the 1987-2009 period. We find that this relation presents a U-shape profile, and that the optimal annual inflation rate (defined as the one that minimizes RPV) is around 4%, higher than the 2%...

In this paper we examine the effects of the ratio of internal to external public debt on a country's economic growth. These effects are examined through a competitive, decentralized model of endogenous economic growth, which relies on public investments. Our findings show that as the...

According to the relevant literature, monetary policy implications concerning the optimal inflation rate can be derived by examining the relationship between inflation and the Relative Price Variability (RPV). This paper studies this issue for selected Euro Area (EA) countries, using monthly...

In line with the EU strategy on smart and sustainable growth, there has been an increasing attention directed to Research and development activities in the Czech Republic. Gross expenditures on R&D have doubled between 2000 and 2008 and the private R&D sector remains the biggest contributor to...

In line with the EU strategy on smart and sustainable growth, increasing attention has been directed to Research and Development activities in the Czech Republic. Both public and private Gross Expenditures on R&D (GERD) have doubled between 2000 and 2008. Whereas the private sector still...

Developed economies are facing a problem of declining competitiveness on a global scale. The perspectives for sustaining the world economic leadership are associated with stimulating technological progress through innovations and investments to R&D. This is a challenge for the private sector but...