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We examine the effect radical institutional change on long-run growth through the case of the partition of Friuli Venezia Giulia in 1947 between Italy and Yugoslavia and the subsequent integration in two distinct institutional regimes. Friuli Venezia Giulia's long-run development trajectory is matched through a novel dataset with other countries on pre-1947 growth and development characteristics, producing a plausibly exogenous source of variation in the absence of the unification. By using the long- run growth and development paths of other countries for the period 1871-2016, we construct a plausible counterfactual scenario, showing pervasive and substantial long-run growth benefits of Italian unification. In the absence of unification, Friuli Venezia Giulia's per capita income would be 41 percent lower and Yugoslav-controlled Littoral would have 32 percent higher per capita income if it had joined Italy. A battery of large- sample placebo distributions and permutation tests confirm the significance of the 1947 border partition for long-run economic growth.
Federico Asta; Lela Mélon; Rok Spruk. Bono Malum Superate: long-run effects of radical institutional change. Journal of Government and Economics 2021, 2, 100008 .
AMA StyleFederico Asta, Lela Mélon, Rok Spruk. Bono Malum Superate: long-run effects of radical institutional change. Journal of Government and Economics. 2021; 2 ():100008.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFederico Asta; Lela Mélon; Rok Spruk. 2021. "Bono Malum Superate: long-run effects of radical institutional change." Journal of Government and Economics 2, no. : 100008.
The present work tackles the crucial issue of global sustainability and the challenge of policy coherence around sustainability, focusing on sustainability reporting in the fashion industry in the EU. As the legislative framework has grown increasingly rigorous, so has the importance of well-formed and carefully focused legislation. By examining non-financial (sustainability) reporting in the fashion industry and its challenges, this paper exposes the most plausible next steps to be taken in terms of requirements for non-financial reporting as well as changes to corporate purpose and behaviour. This paper engages with policy and legal considerations, practical behaviour and their analysis in relation to sustainability science, providing an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary understanding of the sustainability reporting and adjacent framework in the EU.
Lela Mélon. The EU Non-Financial Reporting Directive and corporate narrative disclosure practices: the case of the fashion industry. Documents CIDOB 2021, 1 -20.
AMA StyleLela Mélon. The EU Non-Financial Reporting Directive and corporate narrative disclosure practices: the case of the fashion industry. Documents CIDOB. 2021; ():1-20.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLela Mélon. 2021. "The EU Non-Financial Reporting Directive and corporate narrative disclosure practices: the case of the fashion industry." Documents CIDOB , no. : 1-20.
We live in a time of pressing planetary challenges, many of which threaten catastrophic change to the natural environment and require massive and novel coordinated scientific and societal efforts on an unprecedented scale. Universities and other academic institutions have the opportunity and responsibility to assume a leading role in an era when the destiny of the planet is precisely in the hands of human beings. Drawing on the Planetary Health project promoted by the Rockefeller Foundation and The Lancet, Pompeu Fabra University launched in 2018 the Planetary Wellbeing Initiative, a long-term institutional strategy also animated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Planetary Wellbeing might be defined as the highest attainable standard of wellbeing for human and non-human beings and their social and natural systems. Developing the potential of these new concepts involves a substantial theoretical and empirical effort in many different fields, all of them interrelated by the crosscutting challenges of global complexity, interdisciplinarity, and urgency. Close collaboration of science, humanities, and culture is more desperately needed now than ever before in the history of humankind.
Josep Antó; José Martí; Jaume Casals; Paul Bou-Habib; Paula Casal; Marc Fleurbaey; Howard Frumkin; Manel Jiménez-Morales; Jacint Jordana; Carla Lancelotti; Humberto Llavador; Lela Mélon; Ricard Solé; Francesc Subirada; Andrew Williams. The Planetary Wellbeing Initiative: Pursuing the Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education. Sustainability 2021, 13, 3372 .
AMA StyleJosep Antó, José Martí, Jaume Casals, Paul Bou-Habib, Paula Casal, Marc Fleurbaey, Howard Frumkin, Manel Jiménez-Morales, Jacint Jordana, Carla Lancelotti, Humberto Llavador, Lela Mélon, Ricard Solé, Francesc Subirada, Andrew Williams. The Planetary Wellbeing Initiative: Pursuing the Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (6):3372.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJosep Antó; José Martí; Jaume Casals; Paul Bou-Habib; Paula Casal; Marc Fleurbaey; Howard Frumkin; Manel Jiménez-Morales; Jacint Jordana; Carla Lancelotti; Humberto Llavador; Lela Mélon; Ricard Solé; Francesc Subirada; Andrew Williams. 2021. "The Planetary Wellbeing Initiative: Pursuing the Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education." Sustainability 13, no. 6: 3372.
Purpose Because of the renewed interest in public purchasing and the strategic use of public funds under the requirements of sustainable development, the question arose once again as to how to curb the fall of institutional quality once criteria other than price are inserted into the decision-making in public purchasing. E-procurement has been repeatedly named as one of the most efficient tools to that effect and the present paper sets out to discover whether the implementation of e-procurement in a particular country per se entails also higher institutional quality, allowing for a wider implementation of green and sustainable procurement at the national, regional and municipal level without the fear of worsening the country’s institutional quality. By analyzing the implementation of e-procurement in Denmark, the Netherlands and in Portugal, this paper aims to verify the hypothesis that the implementation of e-procurement implies better institutions in terms of public purchasing. As such, the conclusions will be used in further research on the prerequisites for a successful implementation of green public procurement across the European Union. Design/methodology/approach Gathering data on institutional quality of three early e-procurement adopters (Denmark, the Netherlands and Portugal) allows for comparison of institutional quality pre- and post-e-procurement implementation. By using difference-in-differences comparison the paper seeks to answer the question how doesmandatory e-procurement influence institutional quality on the national level. Findings The paper finds that the reform is generally associated with a relatively stronger control of corruption in the Netherlands and Denmark, while a similar reform in Portugal failed to translate into a stronger control of corruption. Furthermore, while using the quality of regulation as a dependent variable, a positive and robust effect on the quality of regulation in Denmark was shown, while the quality of reputation in the Netherlands and Portugal declined in the post-reform period, with the drop in the quality of regulation in Portugal being considerably greater, a two-fold higher amount than the estimated drop in the Netherlands. The paper suggests that in spite of the same aims, the reform yielded substantially different or even opposing effects compared to Denmark. Research limitations/implications By examining three examples of early adopters, further research with broader impact is needed to deduce general implications for e-procurement implementation. Furthermore, implementation of e-procurement at the regional or local level can also yield distinct results. Social implications Understanding the actual impact of e-procurement on institutional quality is indispensable for further study on the matter. The present study argues that e-procurement needs to be accompanied by additional measures or variables to yield a positive impact on institutional quality in public procurement. Originality/value As to originality, the present paper uses a law and economics approach, originating or better said drawing motivation from green public procurement concerns, trying to provide an insight in terms of tools that can be used to eliminate concerns regarding institutional quality when implementing green public procurement practices.
Lela Mélon; Rok Spruk. The impact of e-procurement on institutional quality. Journal of Public Procurement 2020, 20, 333 -375.
AMA StyleLela Mélon, Rok Spruk. The impact of e-procurement on institutional quality. Journal of Public Procurement. 2020; 20 (4):333-375.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLela Mélon; Rok Spruk. 2020. "The impact of e-procurement on institutional quality." Journal of Public Procurement 20, no. 4: 333-375.
Public procurement amounts to about 16 per cent of the EU Member States’ GDP. A major contribution to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals is possible by enhancing sustainable procurement practices. The 2014 EU Public Procurement Directives (Directives 2014/23/EU, 2014/24/EU and 2014/25/EU) have largely clarified the scope for permissible sustainable procurement decisions, but the adoption of Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) is still limited. The rules could be more permissive and thoroughly take into account all the different aspects of sustainability. Even more urgent and essential is to push for behavioural and organisational changes in the ways contracting authorities perform their buying functions to maximise positive, sustainable impacts. It is critical to change procurement management practices so that the sustainability demanded in contracts is properly verified along the entire supply chain and remedial actions are taken where non-compliance is detected.Solution: We make three main proposals:1. That the EU invest significantly in the professionalisation of contracting officials, procurement strategists and financial auditors by (a) encouraging the institution of SPP knowledge centres at the EU, national and regional levels following the model already provided by various Central Purchasing Bodies; (b) creating a network of knowledge centres working closely together in developing and disseminating best practices on SPP, including through training materials, and in collecting information and data on the adoption of SPP and the difficulties encountered in applying the relevant EU rules, and (c) providing financial and technical assistance targeted to specific SPP formation for ground-level contracting officials.2. That the EU make it mandatory for contracting authorities to map and monitor their supply chains for risks of breaches of environmental and social rules, including those protecting human rights. That the EU take those breaches seriously, mandating the exclusion from award procedures of those found in violation and appropriate remedial actions in case of violations during contract performance. That the EU make it easier for contracting authorities to know about economic operators that have breached environmental and social rules, including those protecting human rights.3. That the EU make the legislative environment more ‘SPP friendly’. Contracting authorities must be allowed to require suppliers to have effective sustainability policies in place. A shift is needed from enabling the Member States to pursue SPP to requiring them to buy sustainably by increasing the amount of mandatory sectoral legislation and by requiring contracting authority to take into account the life-cycle costs associated with their purchases.Non-solution: Simply relying on the goodwill of individual procurement officers or policy makers without providing training and networking opportunities on SPP and information and communication tools; leaving the regulatory burden of pushing SPP forward on the shoulders of Member States.Instruments: The Commission, including DG Devco in its procurement activities in Official Development Assistance (ODA), and other EU institutions should lead by example concerning the professionalisation of procurement officials and the creation of competence centres. The Commission should act as a catalyst for the network of competence centres, and adequate funds should be released to fund the actions recommended under solution point 1 above. The Commission, possibly together with OECD, should collect data on breaches of environmental and social rules, including those protecting human rights, and make that data available to contracting authorities. The other solutions under points 2 and 3 mainly require amendments to Directives 2014/23/EU, 2014/24/EU and 2014/25/EU. Ad hoc rules need to be adopted to enact further sectoral mandatory legislation.
Marta Andhov; Roberto Caranta; Tim Stoffel; Jolien Grandia; Willem A. Janssen; Roxana Vornicu; Jason J. Czarnezki; Adam Gromnica; Kristin Tallbo; Olga Martin-Ortega; Lela Mélon; Åsa Edman; Pauline Göthberg; Peter Nohrstedt; Anja Wiesbrock. Sustainability Through Public Procurement: The Way Forward – Reform Proposals. SSRN Electronic Journal 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleMarta Andhov, Roberto Caranta, Tim Stoffel, Jolien Grandia, Willem A. Janssen, Roxana Vornicu, Jason J. Czarnezki, Adam Gromnica, Kristin Tallbo, Olga Martin-Ortega, Lela Mélon, Åsa Edman, Pauline Göthberg, Peter Nohrstedt, Anja Wiesbrock. Sustainability Through Public Procurement: The Way Forward – Reform Proposals. SSRN Electronic Journal. 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarta Andhov; Roberto Caranta; Tim Stoffel; Jolien Grandia; Willem A. Janssen; Roxana Vornicu; Jason J. Czarnezki; Adam Gromnica; Kristin Tallbo; Olga Martin-Ortega; Lela Mélon; Åsa Edman; Pauline Göthberg; Peter Nohrstedt; Anja Wiesbrock. 2020. "Sustainability Through Public Procurement: The Way Forward – Reform Proposals." SSRN Electronic Journal , no. : 1.
The present research paper analyses the EU general and mandatory sectoral legal framework on public procurement, arguing for its inhibiting effect on the EU-wide uptake of green public procurement. It explores de jure and de facto barriers to green public procurement, motivated by the need for a change in the business world towards more sustainable practices through preferably mandatory legal changes of EU corporate law. As the public procurement represents a strong nudge for a qualitative change in private market demand, accounting for a minimum of 12% of the national gross domestic product, it should become environmentally sustainable itself and guide markets through the qualitative and quantitative changes on the demand side. Given the complexity of the current legal framework and the novelty of the approach to public procurement as a strategic tool for the achievement of sustainable production and consumption, a better defined and clear legislative approach is called for, possibly in a mandatory form, clarifying the obligation of public procurers to account for sustainability in their practices, especially as regards incorporating environmental concerns in their purchasing activities. In its current form, the EU legislative public procurement framework entails a seemingly permissive attitude towards green public procurement, hampered in practice by the existing legal institutes in the field, which hamper the strategic use of public procurement and thereby its influence on sustainability on the private markets.
Lela Mélon. More Than a Nudge? Arguments and Tools for Mandating Green Public Procurement in the EU. Sustainability 2020, 12, 988 .
AMA StyleLela Mélon. More Than a Nudge? Arguments and Tools for Mandating Green Public Procurement in the EU. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (3):988.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLela Mélon. 2020. "More Than a Nudge? Arguments and Tools for Mandating Green Public Procurement in the EU." Sustainability 12, no. 3: 988.
Lela Mélon. Sustainable Public Procurement Best Practices at Sub-National Level:. European Procurement & Public Private Partnership Law Review 2020, 15, 138 -161.
AMA StyleLela Mélon. Sustainable Public Procurement Best Practices at Sub-National Level:. European Procurement & Public Private Partnership Law Review. 2020; 15 (2):138-161.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLela Mélon. 2020. "Sustainable Public Procurement Best Practices at Sub-National Level:." European Procurement & Public Private Partnership Law Review 15, no. 2: 138-161.
In the context of growing public interest in sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has not brought about the expected improvement in terms of sustainable business. Self-regulation has been unable to provide appropriate answers for unsustainable business frameworks, despite empirical proof that sustainable behaviour is entirely in corporate enlightened self-interest. The lack of success of the soft law approach suggests that hard law regulation may be needed after all. This book discusses these options, alongside the issue of shareholder primacy and its externalities in corporate, social, and natural environment. To escape the "prisoner’s dilemma" European corporations and their global counterparts have found themselves in, help is needed in the form of EU hard law to advocate sustainability through mandatory rules. This book argues that the necessity of these laws is based on the first-mover’s advantage of such corporate law approach towards sustainable development. In the current EU law environment, where codification of corporate law is sought for, forming and defining a general EU policy could not only help corporations embrace this self-enlightened behaviour but could also build the necessary "EU corporate citizenship" atmosphere. Considering the developments in the field of CSR as attempts to mitigate negative externalities resulting from inappropriate shareholder primacy use, the book is centred around a discussion of the shareholder primacy paradigm, its legal position and its (un)suitability for modern global business. Going beyond solely legal analysis, juxtaposing legal principles and argumentation with economic theoretic approaches and, more importantly, real-life examples, this book is accessible to both professionals and academics working within the fields of business, economics, corporate governance and corporate law. In the context of growing public interest in sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has not brought about the expected improvement in terms of sustainable business. Self-regulation has been unable to provide appropriate answers for unsustainable business frameworks, despite empirical proof that sustainable behaviour is entirely in corporate enlightened self-interest. The lack of success of the soft law approach suggests that hard law regulation may be needed after all. This book discusses these options, alongside the issue of shareholder primacy and its externalities in corporate, social, and natural environment. To escape the "prisoner’s dilemma" European corporations and their global counterparts have found themselves in, help is needed in the form of EU hard law to advocate sustainability through mandatory rules. This book argues that the necessity of these laws is based on the first-mover’s advantage of such corporate law approach towards sustainable development. In the current EU law environment, where codification of corporate law is sought for, forming and defining a general EU policy could not only help corporations embrace this self-enlightened behaviour but could also build the necessary "EU corporate citizenship" atmosphere. Considering the developments in the field of CSR as attempts to mitigate negative externalities resulting from inappropriate shareholder primacy use, the book is centred around a discussion of the shareholder primacy paradigm, its legal position and its (un)suitability for modern global business. Going beyond solely legal analysis, juxtaposing legal principles and argumentation with economic theoretic approaches and, more importantly, real-life examples, this book is accessible to both professionals and academics working within the fields of business, economics, corporate governance and corporate law. In the context of growing public interest in sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has not brought about the expected improvement in terms of sustainable business. Self-regulation has been unable to provide appropriate answers for unsustainable business frameworks, despite empirical proof that sustainable behaviour is entirely in corporate enlightened self-interest. The lack of success of the soft law approach suggests that hard law regulation may be needed after all. This book discusses these options, alongside the issue of shareholder primacy and its externalities in corporate, social, and natural environment. To escape the "prisoner’s dilemma" European corporations and their global counterparts have found themselves in, help is needed in the form of EU hard law to advocate sustainability through mandatory rules. This book argues that the necessity of these laws is based on the first-mover’s advantage of such corporate law approach towards sustainable development. In the current EU law environment, where codification of corporate law is sought for, forming and defining a general EU policy could not only help corporations embrace this self-enlightened behaviour but could also build the necessary "EU corporate citizenship" atmosphere. Considering the developments in the field of CSR as attempts to mitigate negative externalities resulting from inappropriate shareholder primacy use, the book is centred around a discussion of the shareholder primacy paradigm, its legal position and its (un)suitability for modern global business. Going beyond solely legal analysis, juxtaposing legal principles and argumentation with economic theoretic approaches and, more importantly, real-life examples, this book is accessible to both professionals and academics working within the fields of business, economics, corporate governance and corporate law. In the context of growing public interest in sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has not brought about the expected improvement in terms of sustainable business. Self-regulation has been unable to provide appropriate answers for unsustainable business frameworks, despite empirical proof that...
Lela Mélon. Shareholder Primacy and Global Business. Shareholder Primacy and Global Business 2019, 1 .
AMA StyleLela Mélon. Shareholder Primacy and Global Business. Shareholder Primacy and Global Business. 2019; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLela Mélon. 2019. "Shareholder Primacy and Global Business." Shareholder Primacy and Global Business , no. : 1.
Nuno Garoupa; Carlos Gómez Ligüerre; Lela Mélon. Legal Origins and the Efficiency Dilemma. Legal Origins and the Efficiency Dilemma 2016, 1 .
AMA StyleNuno Garoupa, Carlos Gómez Ligüerre, Lela Mélon. Legal Origins and the Efficiency Dilemma. Legal Origins and the Efficiency Dilemma. 2016; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNuno Garoupa; Carlos Gómez Ligüerre; Lela Mélon. 2016. "Legal Origins and the Efficiency Dilemma." Legal Origins and the Efficiency Dilemma , no. : 1.