Economic and Social Research Institute

About: Economic and Social Research Institute is a nonprofit organization based out in Dublin, Ireland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & European union. The organization has 425 authors who have published 1530 publications receiving 41567 citations.

The Outsourcing of Research and Development in Global Markets: Evidence from France

Abstract: The pace of technological change, the increasing need for multidisciplinary competences and the rising costs of innovation have contributed to the global expansion of technological activities, including the international outsourcing of research and development (R&D). This paper shows that firms involved in international outsourcing of R&D are of a particular kind: they are highly outward oriented, more productive and R&D intensive. Furthermore, firms with patents are more intensely involved in this activity. Our results also suggest that the outsourcing of R&D in global markets by French firms is motivated by technology sourcing rather than cost-saving interests.

Determinants of water connection type and ownership of water-using appliances in Ireland

Abstract: Developing optimal policies on management of water resources, investment in relevant infrastructure and the protection of the environment requires data on the current and likely future demand for water services. In jurisdictions without water metering, information on the factors influencing demand tends to be limited. Microdata from household surveys can provide some relevant information. Domestic water demand is influenced both by the number of households and their characteristics, in particular the extent to which they employ water-using appliances. This paper focuses on domestic ownership of water-using appliances in the Republic of Ireland, a country where rapid economic and demographic change have put pressure on water and sewerage infrastructure but where there is little domestic metering. Using a large household micro-dataset, we use regression analysis to examine the determinants of the water and sewage mains connection status of Irish homes and to identify the characteristics of households that are associated with having larger or smaller numbers of appliances. Our empirical results suggest that Ireland will have a rising share of mains water and sewerage connections in the future. Household income, house price, dwelling types other than ‘detached’, younger dwellings, and urban location are all positively associated with having a mains connection. The number of types of water-using appliance in a household is positively associated with income, house price, number of residents, owner-occupation, having children (or, to a lesser extent, multiple people) in the household, having a detached house, being located in a rural area and living in a dwelling built after 1997.

The effect of wind on electricity CO2 emissions: The case of Ireland

Abstract: This paper evaluates the effect of wind generation on CO2 emissions using 2008-2012 historical data for the Irish Single Electricity Market. Wind generation decreases CO2 emissions, but by less than the average system emissions. When we evaluate the results by technology, we find that wind generation has the same cumulative effect on emissions from both CCGT and coal plants, but displaces more generation from CCGTs than from coal for every MWh of wind. This result is driven by the high number of CCGT plants on the system, their flexibility and position in the merit order. Moreover, as wind displaces CCGTs, it also pushes them to generate less efficiently, displacing somewhat fewer CO2 emissions. Finally wind displaces about 5% fewer emissions when the pumped storage plants are on outage, suggesting that wind is more effective in more flexible systems. Corresponding Author: laura.malaguzzivaleri@esri.ie ESRI working papers represent un-refereed work-in-progress by researchers who are solely responsible for the content and any views expressed therein. Any comments on these papers will be welcome and should be sent to the author(s) by email. Papers may be downloaded for personal use only. Working Paper No. 493

Effectiveness and Transmission Mechanisms of Japan's Quantitative Monetary Easing Policy

Abstract: This study analyzes the overall economic impact and transmission mechanisms of Japan's quantitative monetary easing policy (QMEP) based on Honda, Kuroki, and Tachibana (2007). A vector auto regression (VAR) model analysis has led to the following four observations. First, an increase of base money raises aggregate output. Second, the impact of the QMEP is primarily transmitted through the channels of asset prices and bank balance sheets. Not verified are the transmission channels of the bank's information production, exchange rate, or the policy duration effect. These findings confirm the results of Honda, Kuroki, and Tachibana (2007). but the identification of bank balance sheets as a transmission channel represents a new finding. Additionally, these channels were reaffirmed even when subject to more rigorous analysis. Third, the QMEP raises interest rates in the long term, which raises doubt about the validity of the policy duration effect and, in particular, the signaling effect. Fourth, even during th...

Religious Diversity and Schooling in Ireland

Abstract: During recent decades, many European societies have become increasingly culturally diverse. Local neighbourhoods now include people from different ethnic, linguistic and religious backgrounds. The extent to which different communities integrate has implications for social cohesion in the receiving countries. In addition, schools across Europe face growing pressures to respond to immigration and adopt more inclusive practices (Faas, 2010). It is generally accepted that schools play an important role in the integration of ethnic minority2 students and in promoting their feeling of inclusion through involvement in the academic and social spheres (Darmody et al., forthcoming). The importance of integration is evident in the rhetoric on multicultural and intercultural education in various policy documents across Europe (see, for example, European Commission, 2008). Some sources have referred to various barriers to integration at school (Caulfield et al., 2005; Devine and Kelly, 2006). One of the areas where potential tensions may arise is in relation to the provision of religious education and to the broader religious ethos of the school.