Based on a sample of 1,084 European regions (EU 15) over the period of 1995–2004, we estimate the determinants of regional growth of GDP per capita, allowing for both spatial lag and spatial error dependence. We find that robust LM tests cannot reject the null hypothesis of no spatial...

Let X, Y be random vectors with values in d and 1, respectively, and denote by F(· x) the conditional distribution function of Y given X = x. It is well known that the kernel estimator of the regression functional [theta](x) := T(F(· x)), based on n independent replicates of (X, Y), has...

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has evolved from an allocative towards a dis-tributive policy. Distributive policies aim at correcting market outcomes according to politi-cally determined objectives usually through transferring money from richer to poorer house-holds. We compare the...

The Water Framework Directive requires EU Member States to analyse economic impacts of the Directive's implementation. To reach a "good status", instruments have to be judged according to their cost-effectiveness. We evaluate costs and effects of measures to reduce nitrate emission of Austrian...

Austria was hit by a large-scale flood in 2002. The damage was estimated at € 2.9 billion and the EU Solidarity Fund classified the Austrian flood as a major event. It triggered a vast number of studies analysing the causes of the disaster, and efforts were made to evaluate the measures taken...