Ready to leave the ivory tower?: Academic scientists’ appeal to work in the private sector

This study investigates the factors that shape the attitudes of scientists toward starting their own business or working in a private sector firm. The analysis is based on data collected from scientists working in the German Max Planck Society, a research institution devoted to basic science. We find that the scientists’ attractiveness of working in a private sector firm or of starting their own business differ considerably according to their academic discipline and the self-reported commercial potential of their research. The ability to take risks, prior work experience in private firms, and personal experience in cooperating with industry lead to a positive attitude towards switching to private sector employment or entrepreneurship. Strong willingness to freely distribute research findings is related to a low appeal of private sector work.     

How do firms use innovations to hedge against economic and political uncertainty? Evidence from a large sample of nations

The Journal of Technology Transfer - Using data on 135 countries, this paper studies the determinants of process innovation introduction, focusing on the impacts of economic and political...     

How efficient can international compensation regimes be in pollution prevention? A discussion of the case of marine oil spills

This article studies the deterrent effect of the specific liability and compensation regime defined by the CLC and FUND conventions in the field of marine oil pollution, taking into account its voluntary nature. The discussion is based on a model derived from the economic analysis of international environmental agreements, applied to the case of oil pollution damage compensation. We analyse the conditions under which a FUND-like international compensation scheme is self-enforcing. We then discuss the overall impact of a self-enforcing international compensation regime in terms of accidental oil pollution prevention. We show in particular that the deterrent effect of such a compensation regime is a negative function of (i) the number of countries at stake in the field of oil pollution and (ii) the level of financial caps limiting the compensation for damage.     

Can Twitter Add to Performance Evaluation in the Area of Performing Arts? Reflections from La Scala Opera House

ABSTRACT

Social media are continuously diffusing in performing arts organizations. Yet little is known on how social media data can contribute to the performing arts evaluation process. This article addresses this issue by investigating if and how Twitter data can add a valuable source of information to the performance evaluation process. A literature review with an empirical application on the evaluation of the performance Aida at Teatro Alla Scala provides evidence about the type of indicators that can be derived from Twitter and support a discussion about potentialities and pitfalls connected to their adoption for the evaluation of performing arts.     

Fingerprint comparison evidence has been under sustained attack in the United States of America for the last number of years: Is the critique with regard to reliability sufficiently penetrating to warrant the exclusion of this valuable evidence?

The decision in Daubert v Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals 509 US 579 (1993) brought about renewed attention to and scrutiny of fingerprint comparison evidence in the United States of America. In terms of the decision courts were to act as the gatekeepers with respect to the admissibility of scientific expert evidence. This article describes these events and investigates the grounds upon which challenges were made to fingerprint comparison evidence in the courts, as well as the position that was taken by the courts. The article also considers the fundamental test for the admission of expert evidence, and whether the critique pointed out by the defendants in the cases with regard to reliability are sufficiently penetrating to warrant the exclusion of fingerprint comparison evidence.