https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/28467 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:38:22 GMT 2026-04-07T15:38:22Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31494 Title: How effective are the regional policies of convergence in the EU? Authors: Rodokanakis, Stavros Abstract: In this paper an attempt is made to examine the impact of the convergence policies on regional development and the economic and social variations inside the EU according to the existing literature. An attempt is also made to look at the outcome of the EU intervention on the administrative and bureaucratic structures in the affected nations. We conclude that despite some advances in administration, monitoring and evaluation, the effect of the convergence policies on growth and efficiency remains restricted. Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31494 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31493 Title: The main determinants of economic growth : an empirical investigation with Granger causality analysis for Greece Authors: Dritsakis, Nikolaos; Varelas, Erotokritos; Adamopoulos, Antonios Abstract: This paper examines empirically the causal relationship among exports, gross capital formation, foreign direct investments and economic growth using a multivariate autoregressive Var model for Greece over the period 1960-2002. The results of cointegration test suggested that there is only one cointegrated vector between the examined variables, while Granger causality tests showed that there is a unidirectional causal relationship between exports and gross fixed capital formation and also there is a unidirectional causal relationship between foreign direct investments and economic growth. Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31493 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31492 Title: Stock markets' integration analysis Authors: Thalassinos, Eleftherios; Thalassinos, Pantelis E. Abstract: Globalization brought increased attention to stock markets throughout the world. As a straightforward consequence of the economic integration between the European country members, the stock markets of these countries are expected to follow a path of steadily increasing integration due to the gradual intensification of the economic and monetary integration. However the establishment of EMU and the introduction of the common currency do not have the same effect on the European stock markets. The members of EMU were at different point of readiness when the final decision had been taken since many countries in EU were already taking part in other kind of integration initiatives. The main aim of this study is to analyze daily data of selected European stock markets in an attempt to point out significant changes in the degree of market integration among different stock markets using different econometric techniques. Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31492 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31491 Title: Stochastic estimation of the raw materials cost and the determination of the mean-expected total product cost : analysis and application Authors: Ananiadis, Ioannis; Kousenidis, Dimitrios V. Abstract: The present paper offers an alternative way of estimating the mean expected cost of raw materials so as to improve the estimation of the expected total productcost without expanding beyond the framework of measuring and controlling the efficiency of the business. Apart from the estimation methodology proposed, the paper also focuses on the implications of the variance between expected and actual raw materials cost. In this respect, the paper is potentially interesting for managers because it offers new information that can help their decision making process in three different ways: first, it may help managers to redefine the targets of their business; second, it offers managers the insights that could help them take the required corrective actions; and third, it helps managers to better analyze the raw-materials variances in a way that the prevailing estimated cost is both realistic and effective. Sun, 01 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/31491 2006-01-01T00:00:00Z