Corporate Sector
Recently completed research
Supervisor: Professor Theofanis Mamuneas
The primary goal of the research conducted by the Corporate Sector in 2010 was the evaluation of the business and consumer survey data for Cyprus, and the analysis of the factors explaining productivity in Cyprus.
Business and Consumer Surveys in Cyprus and the Euro Area
This paper undertakes a first evaluation of the business and consumer survey data for Cyprus and discusses various ways, which can be used to present and utilise these series. The paper presents an extensive descriptive exploration of the evolution over time of various survey indicators for Cyprus and the euro area from May 2008, when the Economics Research Centre has taken over the conduct of the surveys for Cyprus, until the end of 2009. The development of output, employment and price expectations in sectors and subsectors of the Cyprus economy is discussed. Confidence indicators for sectors and consumers in Cyprus are graphed and compared to those of the euro area. Moreover, the development of some business and consumer survey variables are compared to that of relevant real variables published by the Statistical Service. Finally, the relation between the ESI and the GDP growth for Cyprus and the euro area is investigated using econometric analysis.
The results of this research are presented in the paper:
Factors Explaining Productivity in Cyprus
There are several theories attempting to explain why some countries grow faster than others. The main determinants of economic growth are increases in production factors (capital and labour) and in total factor productivity. The aim of this project is to study the factors that may contribute to the increase of Total Factor Productivity (TFP) in the Cyprus economy and, also, to identify possible ways through which the government can facilitate productivity growth. The study estimates the effect of the aforementioned factors on the productivity of various sectors and on the economy as a whole, using an econometric analysis, and provides policy recommendations.
The results of this research will be presented in the paper:
Andreou A. and T. Mamuneas, “Factors Explaining Productivity in Cyprus”, Economic Policy Paper, Economics Research Centre, University of Cyprus, Forthcoming.
Current Research
Supervisor: Prof. Theofanis Mamuneas
Information and Communication Technologies, Productivity and Environment
International literature has extensively addressed the impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) on productivity and the findings have been controversial.
This project will investigate: (1) the effect of ICT capital on the structure/level of employment in various economic sectors in EU countries, and (2) the sources of output growth and the effect of ICT capital, compared to other inputs, and particularly energy, on productivity increase.
The above research is expected to produce useful policy conclusions which will be of interest for the Cyprus economy.
Pesticides, Agricultural Production and Optimal Taxation
The protection of human health and the environment is one of the main priorities of the European Union. For this reason, the EU is ensuring the proper use and marketing of pesticides in EU Member States.
This research aims to develop a dynamic model that will contribute to the development of a system of taxation for pesticides, taking into account their negative effects on the health of consumers and farmers, and the environment, and their positive contribution to agricultural production.
In the final stage, data for Cyprus and other EU countries will be collected, and simulations will be carried out for the assessment of the optimal tax rates of pesticides, so that the agricultural sector will internalize the negative impacts of pesticide use.