1 OCTOBER 2011

HIGHLIGHTS

The quality of patent filings has fallen dramatically over the past two decades and the rush to protect even minor improvements in products or services is overburdening patent offices, says OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard 2011: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Global agricultural support at historic lows, says Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2011: OECD Countries and Emerging Economies: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Investments in well-designed, multi-purpose local education facilities serve as a visible commitment to the community and a cost-effective way to revitalise local economies, says Designing for Education: Compendium of Exemplary Educational Facilities 2011: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD PUBLISHING NEWS

OECD Subscription Prices for 2012: Price list

OECD Key Publications Catalogue, May 2011: Catalogue

OECD iLibrary: Brochure

OECD publications will be on exhibit at the following events in the coming months:

• Bio Japan 2011 World Business Forum, 5-7 October 2011, Yokohama Japan
• Frankfurt Book Fair, 12-16 October 2011, Frankfurt, Germany
  
• Österreichischer Bibliothekartag, 18-21 October, Innsbruck, Austria
• Guadalajara International Book Fair, 26 November 26 to 4 December 2011, Guadalajara, México
• London Online, 29 Nov-1 Dec 2011, London, UK
• Asian-Pacific Conference on Measuring Well-Being and Fostering the Progress of Societies, 5-6 December 2011, Tokyo, Japan
• Allied Social Sciences Association (American Economics Association): 6-8 January 2012, Chicago, IL USA
• American Library Association Midwinter Meeting, 20-24 January 2012, Dallas, TX USA
  

AGRICULTURE/FOOD/FISHERIES

Global support at historic lows, says Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2011: OECD Countries and Emerging Economies: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming
-Evaluation of Agricultural Policy Reforms in the European Union: Book listing
-Evaluation of Agricultural Policy Reforms in Turkey: Book listing
-OECD Green Growth Studies: Food and Agriculture: Book listing
-Fisheries and Aquaculture Certification: Book listing

BUSINESS & MARKETS

Financial Market Trends, Volume 2011 Issue 1 includes articles on long-term investment and growth, global SIFIs and derivatives, guarantee arrangements, impact of low interest rates on pension funds, and government debt management and bond markets: Subscribe to OECD Journal | Issue on OECD iLibrary

The Role of Guarantees in Defined Contribution Pensions: Working paper

The Exercise of Shareholder Rights: Country Comparison of Turnout and Dissent: Working paper

Competitive Neutrality and State-Owned Enterprises in Australia: Review of Practices and their Relevance for Other Countries: Working paper

The Size and Composition of the SOE Sector in OECD Countries: Working paper

Bank Competition and Financial Stability: Preliminary edition (PDF - 1 mb. Final edition to come in at the end of October)

Forthcoming
-OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, 2011 edition: Book listing
-Corporate Governance in Estonia 2011: Book listing
-Corporate Governance of Listed Companies in China: Self-Assessment by the China Securities Regulatory Commission: Book listing

DEVELOPMENT

International Engagement in Fragile States: Can't We Do Better? Book announcement | Preliminary Version on Main Web Site (final version to come in November)

More aid for poor countries, but is it better aid, asks Aid Effectiveness 2005-2010: Book announcement

Trade for Aid: OECD Observer article

Sovereign Wealth Funds as Investors in Africa: Working paper

Forthcoming
-Development in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine: Book listing
-Better Policies for Development: Recommendations for Policy Coherence: Book listing
-Investing in Security: A Global Assessment of Armed Violence Reduction Initiatives: Book listing
-Aid Effectiveness 2011: A Progress Report on Implementing the Paris Declaration: Book listing
-Development Co-operation Report 2011: Book listing
-Better Policies for Development: Recommendations for Policy Coherence: Book listing
-International Engagement in Fragile States: Can't We Do Better? Book listing

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS

Future Global Shocks: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Economics Department Working Papers
-No. 891: Ensuring a Sustainable and Efficient Fishery in Iceland
-No. 892: Has Deregulation Increased Investment in Infrastructure?
-No. 893: Green Growth and Climate Change Policies in New Zealand
-No. 894: Greener Growth in the Belgian Federation
-No. 895: Reforming Austria’s Highly Regarded but Costly Health System

Forthcoming

-OECD Economic Surveys: Ireland 2011: Book listing
-OECD Economic Surveys: Brazil 2011: Book listing

ECONOMIC STATISTICS

Unit labour costs for OECD area continue to rise in the second quarter of 2011: Press release

Forthcoming:
-How's Life? Measuring Well-Being: Book listing
-OECD Factbook 2012: Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics

EDUCATION

Investments in well-designed, multi-purpose local education facilities serve as a visible commitment to the community and a cost-effective way to revitalise local economies, says Designing for Education: Compendium of Exemplary Educational Facilities 2011: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

ICT and Initial Teacher Education: Working paper

Bridging the classroom divide: OECD Observer article

Register now for the OECD/IMHE International Seminar on Collaboration between Vocational and University Education: Building: Partnerships for Regional Development, to be held 17-18 October 2011 in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain. Announcement

educationtoday: OECD’s blog on global perspectives on education: Blog

Forthcoming
-Strong Performers and Successful Reformers in Education: Lessons from PISA for Japan: Book listing
-Building a High-Quality Teaching Profession: Lessons from around the World: Book listing
-School Leadership: The creation of a common school culture: Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS 2008 Data thematic report): Book listing

EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL AFFAIRS

OECD and ILO heads call for employment action at G20 Labour Ministerial: Press release

Good Job? Web article

Unemployment still high with long-term unemployment a particular concern: OECD Observer article

Does part-time work pay? OECD Observer article

Forthcoming
-Job Tasks, Work Skills and the Labour Market: Book listing
-OECD Reviews of Labour Market and Social Policies: Russian Federation 2011: Book listing
-The Causes of Growing Inequalities in OECD Countries: Book listing
-Mental Health and Work: Evidence, Challenges and Policy Directions: Book listing

ENERGY

Advantage Energy:  Emerging Economies, Developing Countriesand the Private-Public Sector Interface: Working paper

Firm commitments to carbon capture and storage are needed from governments and industry says IEA Deputy Executive Director: Press release

Carbon capture and storage has great potential in industrial applications says Carbon Capture and Storage in Indusrial Applications: Press release | Report (PDF - 1.96 mb)

IEA, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agree to strengthen co-operation: Press release

Forthcoming
-IEA Scoreboard 2011: Implementing Energy Efficiency Policy: Progress and challenges in IEA member countries: Book listing
-Medium-Term Oil and Gas Markets 2011
-OECD Green Growth Studies: Energy
-World Energy Outlook 2011: Book listing

ENVIRONMENT

Invention and Transfer of Environmental Technologies: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

The OECD Green Growth Strategy: OECD Observer Article

Forthcoming
-OECD Green Growth Studies: Energy
-OECD Green Growth Studies: Food and Agriculture: Book listing
-Water Governance in OECD Countries: A Multilevel Approach: Book listing
-OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Slovak Republic 2011: Book listing
-OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Israel 2011: Book listing
-OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050: Book listing

HEALTH

Medical Tourism: Treatments, Markets and Health System Implications: A scoping review: Report (PDF - 617 kb)

Forthcoming:
-A System of Health Accounts: Book listing
-OECD Reviews of Health Systems: Switzerland 2011: Book listing
-Health Reform: Meeting the Challenge of Ageing and Multiple Morbidities: Book listing
-Health at a Glance 2011: OECD Indicators: Book listing

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

The Role of Internet Intermediaries in Advancing Public Policy Objectives: Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

NUCLEAR ENERGY

International Symposium on Decontamination to be held in Fukushima, Japan: Announcement

PUBLIC MANAGEMENT

Governance: Openness and Transparency - Pillars for Democracy, Trust and Progress: Web site article

Forthcoming:
-Lobbyists, Governments and Public Trust, Volume 2: Promoting Integrity through Self-regulation: Book listing
-M-Government: Mobile Technologies for Responsive Governments and Connected Societies: Book listing
-Corporate Governance in Estonia 2011: Book listing
-Water Governance in OECD Countries: A Multilevel Approach: Book listing
-OECD Territorial Reviews: Slovenia 2011: Book listing
-OECD Territorial Reviews: The Gauteng City-Region, South Africa 2011: Book listing
-OECD Regional Outlook 2011: Book listing
-Regulatory Policy and Governance: Supporting Economic Growth and Serving the Public Interest: Book listing
-Ministerial Advisors: Role, Influence and Management: Book listing

SCIENCE , TECHNOLOGY & INDUSTRY

The quality of patent filings has fallen dramatically over the past two decades and the rush to protect even minor improvements in products or services is overburdening patent offices, says OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard 2011: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Invention and Transfer of Environmental Technologies: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Future Prospects for Industrial Biotechnology: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Public Research Institutions: Mapping Sector Trends: Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming:
-Business Innovation Policies: Selected Country Comparisons: Book listing

SMEs & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Forthcoming:
-OECD Studies on SMEs and Entrepreneurship Thailand: Key Issues and Policies

TAXATION

The income taxes you still pay: OECD Observer article

Forthcoming:
-Taxation and Employment: Book listing
Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes: Peer Review Reports
--Brunei Darussalam 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing
--Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing
--Gibraltar 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing
--Hong Kong, China 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing
--Indonesia 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing
--Jersey 2011: Combined Phase 1 and Phase 2: Book listing
--Macao, China 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing
--Malaysia 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing
--Spain 2011: Combined: Phase 1 + Phase 2: Book listing
--Uruguay 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing
--Vanuatu 2011: Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book listing

TRADE

OECD head calls on emerging economies to join export credit work: Press release

Smart Rules for Fair Trade: 50 years of Export Credits: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Trade for Aid: OECD Observer article

Latest export credits news: Webpage

TRANSPORTATION

Transport is Critical for Green Growth says Carole Coune, new Executive Director of the World Road Congress in Mexico: Speech

Forthcoming
-Strategic Transport Infrastructure Needs to 2030

FROM THE OECD INSIGHTS BLOG

Chavs, chulitos and the pursuit of happiness
Next time you see her pouting, arms crossed,  brow furrowed as the knot of nasty grows bigger and bigger inside her little tummy because you got her the 16GB version and she’d specifically asked for the 64GB, remember, she’s miserable,  especially if she’s British. Well, according to Unicef anyway, in a study on the role of inequality and materialism in children’s happiness. Unicef UK commissioned Ipsos Mori and Dr Agnes Nairn to do some qualitative research after the organisation’s Report Card 7 said the UK was the worst place for a child to grow up in of the 21 developed countries covered. They asked Dr Nairn to try to find out what lies behind the statistics and to compare the situation with Spain and Sweden, countries that scored higher. Researchers interviewed hundreds of children in the three countries, using an approach that’s similar in philosophy to the OECD’s award-winning Better Life Index: they asked the kids what was important for them and what made them happy. Read more

China’s spoilt brats and America’s disappearing middle class
A recent afternoon brought one of those classes that all lecturers dread: Glazed eyes from one side of the room to the other, and mouths opening and closing in syncopated yawning. Time to tear up the lesson plan and throw out a question: “Hey, did you see the story about the rich kid who beat up that nice couple?” Dull eyes sharpen, slack jaws tighten. Yes, the students have heard about it and, what’s more, they have something to say. In case you missed the story, here’s what happened: On a recent evening, a middle-class couple was driving home in Beijing. Quite reasonably, they slowed to take a corner, forcing a couple of cars behind them to stop. Incensed, the drivers of the two following cars got out and beat them up. Road rage, but that was only the half of it: It turned out that one of the drivers was just 15 years old, which meant he was driving his car – a BMW – illegally. Not only that, he warned onlookers against intervening: “Who dares to call the police?” he supposedly shouted. His cockiness can probably be explained by his family connections: The boy is the son of a celebrity army general, Li Shuangjiang, who shows up regularly on TV to sing patriotic ditties. Read more

Setting the bar high for the G20 development agenda
Yesterday I had the opportunity to address the G20 Working Group on Development and to thank its representatives for the contribution they have made to a new global consensus on development. The Government of Korea deserves much credit for insisting on development as a crucial component of any formula to ensure global economic stability, and for promoting the Seoul Development Consensus—an ambitious effort to place development high on the agenda of the world’s economic powers. An important upcoming event on this agenda is the High Level Forum in Busan later this year. This will be the fourth in a series of forums convened to look at urgent issues of development flows and their value for money. Earlier forums set forth what are now widely recognized principles of aid effectiveness. The principles were based on an accumulating body of evidence that increased development resources were not necessarily translating into enhanced performance—and a keen awareness that improvement was needed. While the same concerns are still with us today, the dynamic for the Busan forum is entirely different. While earlier forums were donor-driven, today, developing countries are setting the agenda and are active and essential parties to the process. And they have high expectations from their development partners. Read more

OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard: Innovation and Growth in Knowledge Economies
When the Reverend William Whewell invented the term “scientist” in 1834, a natural philosopher could probably have read everything published in his (or very rarely her) field and would have known most if not all of the other researchers. There were only 100 or so scientific journals and even by the turn of the century there were only 10 physics PhDs awarded a year in the US (“physicist” was another of Whewell’s neologisms). Today, Pubmed alone has 21 million articles, adding an average of one every minute, and as Duncan Hull points out, it concentrates on biomedical literature so a huge number of physics, mathematics, chemistry, engineering and computer science papers are indexed elsewhere, perhaps around 50 million in all. The latest OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard uses an index of how this mass of information is cited to explore trends in where research is being done and what impact it has. Read more

The Sun has got his hat on, hip-hip-hip hurray!
In a new report that may force a major rethink of the entire field of well-being studies, researchers have discovered that people are happier at the weekend.
Writing in this week’s edition of Science magazine, Scott A. Golder and Michael W. Macy, sociologists (in case you hadn’t guessed) at Cornell University also claim their results suggest “that people awaken later on weekends”.
They analysed 500 million tweets in English (lol) from 2.4 million people in 84 countries looking for keywords that indicated mood and a positive or negative attitude. They also found that positive attitudes peak just after getting up and dip a few hours later, weekend or not, so it’s not just because you have to deal with the stresses of getting to work and earning your living. Circadian rhythms are important too. Read more