https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/71013 2026-04-20T01:05:08Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/71362 Title: Space matters : reconstructing a local-scale Okun's law for Italy Authors: Salvati, Luca Abstract: The present study develops a local-scale analysis of Okun's law for short-term changes in district product and unemployment rate in 686 labour market areas in Italy (2004-2005) based on a Geographical Weighted Regression (GWR) model. The relationship between changes in district product and unemployment rate was poorly significant using both parametric and non-parametric (a-spatial) techniques being more intense when space is incorporated in the model. The GWR results pointed out the spatial patterns characterizing the Okun's law at the local scale. The elasticity of district income to unemployment rate showed important spatial variations being higher in dynamic rural districts around metropolitan areas. The highest model performance was found in specific areas of both northern and southern Italy. However, the classical Okun negative relationship between district product and unemployment rate was mainly observed in northern Italy while the reverse pattern was identified primarily in southern Italian districts. While providing a novel approach shedding light on the spatially-varied income-employment dynamics, GWR models allow evaluating the complex geography of economic growth in Italy. The use of local-scale data and spatial approaches may inform policies regulating job markets on the base of their territorial specificity. 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/71361 Title: A note on nano-photovoltaic panels emergence in energy market Authors: Filipe, José António; Chavaglia Neto, José; Ferreira, Manuel Alberto M. Abstract: Nanotechnology may work as a powerful weapon to be used for creating competitive advantages in the energy market. Through the use of photovoltaic nano-panels, which may reduce considerably production costs and simultaneously meet socioenvironmental requirements demanded by law. It is a way to produce clean energy in innovative terms. Moreover, today the adoption of nanotechnology in energy production can in turn make this kind of energy quite interesting through time. Nanotechnology may be responsible for considerable economic and environmental gains. 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/71354 Title: Conclusion of a probabilistic model to evaluate motorcars recycling and dismantling process in a scarce oil environment Authors: Ferreira, Manuel Alberto M. Abstract: The M|G|∞ queue system, at which customers arrive according to a Poisson process at rate λ, is considered in this study. Using this tool it is built a model to analyse a situation in which motorcars arrive at the system when getting idle, in a scarce conventional energy ambience, and leave it as soon as they are recycled or dismantled. Both situations are modelled with the same purpose. The model allows concluding that when the rhythm of dismantling and recycling of motorcars is greater than the rate at which they become idle, the system has a tendency to get balanced. 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/71353 Title: Loan products and credit scoring by commercial banks (India) Authors: Itoo, Rais Ahmad; Selvarasu, A.; Filipe, José António Abstract: This study describes the loan products offered by commercial banks and credit scoring techniques used for classifying risks and granting credit to applicants in India. Loan products offered by commercial banks are from several kinds, since housing loans, personal loans, business loans until education loans or vehicle loans, among many other types. All loan products are categorized either as secured or unsecured loans. Credit scoring techniques used for both secured and unsecured loans are broadly divided into two categories: Advanced Statistical Methods and Traditional Statistical Methods. Some methodologies are presented to discuss Indian situation and understand the different kind on retail loans offered by banks and the different credit scoring methods for personal finance used by commercial banks in India. 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z