An Anatomy of Failure – Wind Power Development in China
PublicationArticle (with peer review)
Grafström, J. (2021). An Anatomy of Failure – Wind Power Development in China. Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics, 24(2), 317-347.
Grafström, J. (2021). An Anatomy of Failure – Wind Power Development in China. Quarterly Journal of Austrian Economics, 24(2), 317-347.
China is currently the world’s largest installer of wind power. However, with twice the installed wind capacity compared to the United States in 2015, the Chinese produce less power. The question is: Why is this the case? This article shows that Chinese grid connectivity is low, Chinese firms have few international patents, and that export is low even though production capacity far exceeds domestic production needs. Using the tools of Austrian economics, China’s wind power development from 1980 to 2016 is documented and analyzed from three angles: (a) planning and knowledge problems, (b) unproductive entrepreneurship, and (c) bureaucracy and government policy. From a theoretical standpoint, both a planning problem and an entrepreneurial problem are evident where governmental policies create misallocation of resources and a hampering of technological development.
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In this chapter, the relationship between economic freedom and environmental performance is scrutinized. The analysis relies on comparing countries’ standing in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) of the Yale Centre for Environmental Law & Policy with two indexes of economic freedom, one developed by the Fraser Institute (Economic Freedom of the World index), and the other by the Heritage Foundation (Index of Economic Freedom). Whether economic freedom is good or bad for the environment depends on how it affects incentives, productive efforts, and effective resource use. Greater economic freedom can both harm and help environmental performance. It is a complicated relationship, but high economic freedom generally goes hand in hand with high scores in the EPI.
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The Journal of Technology Transfer
The ongoing debate among economists regarding the presence of economic convergence or divergence has been reignited. This paper aims to dissect the extent of technological divergence or convergence among European Union member states, evaluating the effectiveness of the EU’s pronounced goals for convergence. Defining a countries technological level is not straightforward, this study examines six key indicators: (a) scientific journal publications, (b) total patents, (c) high tech exports, (d) Gross domestic expenditure on R&D, (e) government budget on R&D, and (f) human resources in science and technology as a share of the active population. Employing both time-series and longitudinal methodologies, the analysis spans from 2000 to 2019. The findings reveal a gradual catching-up trend in the inventive capabilities across the EU. This modest pace of convergence necessitates a critical reassessment by policymakers of the current EU convergence strategies to ensure they effectively foster technological parity among member states.
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Ratio Working Paper Series.
This report examines preferences for remote work among office workers in Sweden, based on age, geography, and gender. The report is based on a survey of over 1,000 working individuals identified as office workers. The survey was conducted in April 2022. The number of remote workdays varies with age; the youngest group (18–25 years) works remotely 1.2 days a week, and the oldest group (49–64 years) works 2 days. There are significant geographical differences in home working days, with a difference of up to 0.7 days per week depending on location. 4 out of 10 would decline a job offer where remote work is not an option.
The results indicate significant differences in remote work preferences among workers, suggesting that employers should consider individual preferences and create flexible work models to accommodate various needs and wishes. A diversity of working methods can be advantageous for promoting a positive work environment and productivity regardless of age.
