Influence of local government on port investment: implications of China’s decentralized port governance system

ABSTRACT

The pursuit of better performance by the local government can influence the investment decision-making related to port expansion. This paper compares the ceilings at which the port enterprise and the local government would stop making investments. To achieve this, the benefits to the port enterprise and the local government are measured over a given time period. An empirical study investigating how a port would respond if a rival port uses a type of capacity investment strategy is conducted for two major ports in Liaoning. The time at which the local government and the port enterprise would stop making investments and the final equilibrium are developed using the data from 2010. From the empirical results, it was found that investment in port capacity contributes greatly to the local government’s performance. Meanwhile, different investment ceilings are discovered for the port enterprise and the local government. This research is meaningful for discussing the institutional relationship between the local government and the port enterprise in China’s current decentralized port governance system.

This paper is a revised and expanded version of a paper entitled ‘Port expansion mechanism in the context of political achievement of local government: a special phenomenon in China’ presented at International Association of Maritime Economists 2012 Taipei Conference during 5th September –8th September.     

Regional fishery management councils and the display of scientific authority

Abstract

Natural resource management entities such as the Regional Fishery Management Councils established by the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 depend heavily on science to inform policymakers and to legitimate the policy process. This paper discusses the importance of fishery science to the council system, contrasts the functions of Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSCs) serving the Pacific Fishery Management Council and the New England Fishery Management Council, and remarks on the implications of differences in the display of scientific authority by these SSCs.     

The U.S. national marine sanctuary program: An analysis of the program's implementation and current issues

Abstract

The U.S. National Marine Sanctuary Program was established in 1972 by Title III of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. §1431 et seq.). In this article, we discuss the development of the sanctuary concept, and the original intent of Congress, and analyze how it was applied by the sanctuary program. Differences in interpretation of the program's purpose are examined, including discussion of the multiple‐use management concept, an important but controversial management technique used in the sanctuaries. The continuing efforts by Congress and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to clarify the program's purpose are investigated. The program's administrative history is explained and the current sanctuaries and active candidates are briefly described. In light of the 1988 reauthorization of the Marine Sanctuary Act, the current issues facing the program are analyzed. Finally, we draw conclusions and make recommendations for the program's future.     

共享单车的外部性分析及发展策略研究

为了厘清共享单车参与各方的权利与义务,更好地发挥市场调节作用,提高资源配置效 率,从共享单车的经济外部性特征入手,运用经济学成本收益理论分析了共享单车的负外部性产 生的原因,论证了共享单车外部成本管理的必要性,最后从外部成本内部化角度,面向政府、企 业和用户分别提出了管理策略,为共享单车的可持续发展提供参考。研究结果表明,共享单车的 正外部性主要体现在促进自行车出行,优化交通结构,促进交通领域节能减排;负外部性主要体 现在挤占道路资源,车辆乱停乱放,安全隐患突出;消减共享单车负外部性的根本手段是控制共 享单车的规模在动态最优投放量附近。在市场价格调节机制失灵的情况下,必须发挥政府的激励 作用,将可持续发展目标、共享单车企业、共享单车使用者紧密联系起来,共同消减共享单车带 来的负外部成本。     

纽约地铁财务困境及对中国轨道交通可持续发展的启示

基于纽约地铁现状及发展情况,总结其面临的主要问题,厘清纽约地铁资金筹措、设施设备更新及运输服务质量间的内在关系,明确巨额资金筹措为纽约地铁陷入困境的关键原因.针对纽约地铁财务困境,基于政府补贴及运营经济性两大维度,从发展初期定位错误、两级政府权责划分不明、日常运营收益滞涨、溢价回收不足等4个方面对其面临的困境原因进行解...     

浅谈政府跟踪审计在重点工程项目建设中的作用

连云港港疏港航道整治工程建设项目审计中突破了常规审计的惯例,采用跟踪审计的模式进行审计监督与服务。该文基于连云港港疏港航道整治工程跟踪审计的实践经验,探讨了政府审计部门在大型基础设施工程建设中的跟踪审计作用。