Tilburg University

About: Tilburg University is a education organization based out in Tilburg, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 5550 authors who have published 22330 publications receiving 791335 citations.

Sample-path solution of stochastic variational inequalities

Abstract: Sample-path optimization is a simulation-based method for solving optimization problems that arise in the study of complex stochastic systems. In this paper we broaden its applicability to include the solution of stochastic variational inequalities. This formulation can model equilibrium phenomena in physics, economics, and operations research. We describe the method, provide general conditions for convergence, and present numerical results of an application of the method to a stochastic economic equilibrium model of the European natural gas market. We also point out some current limitations of the method and indicate areas in which research might help to remove those limitations.

Bank Financing for SMEs: Evidence Across Countries and Bank Ownership Types

Abstract: Using data for 91 large banks from 45 countries, this paper finds that foreign, domestic private, and government-owned banks use different lending technologies and organizational structures for SME financing. The extent, type, and pricing of SME loans, however, is not strongly correlated with lending technologies and organizational structures, suggesting that SME financing need not be based only on “relationship lending”. Consistent with these results, we find few significant differences in the extent, type, and pricing of SME loans across bank types. Instead, we find significant differences across developed and developing countries, driven by differences in the institutional and legal environment.

General Resilience to Cope with Extreme Events

Abstract: Resilience to specified kinds of disasters is an active area of research and practice. However, rare or unprecedented disturbances that are unusually intense or extensive require a more broad-spectrum type of resilience. General resilience is the capacity of social-ecological systems to adapt or transform in response to unfamiliar, unexpected and extreme shocks. Conditions that enable general resilience include diversity, modularity, openness, reserves, feedbacks, nestedness, monitoring, leadership, and trust. Processes for building general resilience are an emerging and crucially important area of research.