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Byline: Panagiotis G. Liargovas (1), Georgios Fotopoulos (2) Keywords: Socioeconomic indicators; Convergence; Quality of life; Greece Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to use socioeconomic indicators for analyzing convergence within Greece at regional (NUTS II) and prefecture levels (NUTS III) since 1960. We use two alternative approaches. The first one is based on the coefficient of variation and the second one on quality of life rankings. We confirm the decline of regional inequalities in Greece, with the exclusion of the 1980s. Regions with increased tourist and trade activity are also regions with high quality of life. Border regions are usually the laggards of social and economic development. Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Economics, School of Economics and Management, University of Peloponnese, Tripolis, Greece (2) Department of Economics, University of Patras, Patras, Greece Article History: Registration Date: 25/08/2008 Received Date: 09/12/2007 Accepted Date: 25/08/2008 Online Date: 12/09/2008

This paper seeks to explain the causes of turbulence in foreign exchange markets in selected transition economies (Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine) over the period 1995-2006. It uses a set of categorical regression (CATREG) models . It considers the influence of macroeconomic, social development, institutional and external variables, based on first, second or third generation previously released theoretical models, bringing a new innovative and wider approach to the field. It finds that the insights developed by second and third generation models complement rather than substitute for the explanation provided by first generation models in the case of transition economies. Keywords: currency crisis, transition economies, Eastern European countries JEL Classification Codes: F41, P33, One of the biggest desires of policy makers around the world is to develop a warning system of currency crisis. Such a task requires their ability to analyze potential causes [...]

In a recent paper, Ott, Belova, and Dolgopolov (2003) examined the effects of partisan politics on monetary policy for the United States and the United Kingdom (UK). They actually tested [...]

A study conducted to quantify the economic potential, and socio-economic growth of Russia after the break-up of the Soviet Union, is presented.

A method for evaluating economic and environmental situation in the European Union is provided. The relation between growth and environment is studied.

Byline: Nikolina Kosteletou (1), Panagiotis Liargovas (2) Keywords: FDI; real exchange rate Abstract: This paper examines theoretically and empirically the relationship between Foreign Direct Investment and the real exchange rate. It is found that in large countries with freely floating currencies, such as the USA, the UK and Japan, causality runs from the real exchange rate to FDI. These results are consistent with the predictions of models of financial behavior. Causality runs both ways in small countries with fixed or 'quasi' fixed currencies, such as the EU countries. These results are consistent with models, which emphasize on trade integration. It is shown that a weaker euro will not have uniform effects on FDI inflows across the unified Europe. Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Economics, University of Athens, Greece (2) Department of International and European Economic Studies, Athens University of Economics and Business, Greece Article History: Registration Date: 09/10/2004

Byline: Panagiotis Liargovas (1) Abstract: This paper makes an assessment of the homo-genous approach and policy measures towards SMEs, adopted by the White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment and by national policies in Greece. It is demonstrated that there is a key distinction between the structure of competitive, high-tech, highly-specialized SMEs in advanced countries, whose size is determined by the size of the international niche market where they compete, on the one hand and on the other, SMEs in Greece or in other less developed member-states, whose (micro) size is determined by the local markets they serve, while in most cases they do not have the marketing skills/approach to address export markets. Copying successful instruments for SMEs in advanced countries can thus be most dangerous for the less developed countries, since the industrial organization of the typical SME is very different from those SMEs in Northern Europe. Therefore, the effects of policy measures, without further modifications, will be different from those envisioned by the EU policy-makers. Increasing the utilization of assistance by SMEs in less developed member-states is likely to be more effective if the assistance focuses on incentives and services, which support cooperative action in local and foreign markets, rather than on direct SME financing. Author Affiliation: (1) Department of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Athens, Athens, Greece Article History: Registration Date: 06/10/2004

Byline: Panagiotis G. Liargovas, Konstantinos S. Skandalis Foreign market entry can play a very important role in a nation's economic prosperity. This study concentrates on the evaluation of specific characteristics of the export decision process and is focused on factors that stimulate firms to export or inhibit them from doing so. The analysis is accomplished by using a sample of 40 listed firms on the Athens Stock Exchange involved in making exports to four South-Eastern European (SEE) countries (the Balkans): Albania, Bulgaria, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Romania. The research is based on a questionnaire which has provided several insights into export motivations and barriers. It uses the principal component factor analysis technique in order to investigate common factors that might explain the underlying beliefs about the perceived variables.