The European regional policy and the socio-economic diversity of European regions: A multivariate analysis

There are significant differences among the European Union regions, which have been heightened due to the most recent enlargement in 2004. This paper aims to analyse this diversity and to propose a classification of European regions that is adjusted to the different axes of socio-economic development and, simultaneously, is useful for European regional policy purposes. Multivariate statistical techniques allow the identification of clusters of socio-economic similarity, which are contrasted with the classes considered in the financial proposal of the European Commission (EC) for the period 2007–2013.     

Iterative approximation of a solution of multi-valued variational-like inclusion in Banach spaces: A P-η-proximal-point mapping approach

In this paper, we introduce a class of P-η-accretive mappings, an extension of η-m-accretive mappings [C.E. Chidume, K.R. Kazmi, H. Zegeye, Iterative approximation of a solution of a general variational-like inclusion in Banach spaces, Int. J. Math. Math. Sci. 22 (2004) 1159-1168] and P-accretive mappings [Y.-P. Fang, N.-J. Huang, H-accretive operators and resolvent operator technique for solving variational inclusions in Banach spaces, Appl. Math. Lett. 17 (2004) 647-653], in real Banach spaces. We prove some properties of P-η-accretive mappings and give the notion of proximal-point mapping, termed as P-η-proximal-point mapping, associated with P-η-accretive mapping. Further, using P-η-proximal-point mapping technique, we prove the existence of solution and discuss the convergence analysis of iterative algorithm, for multi-valued variational-like inclusions in real Banach space. The theorems presented in this paper extend and improve many known results in the literature.     

Doubly singular boundary value problems with derivative dependent source function: A fast‐converging iterative approach

In this paper, a fast‐converging recursive scheme is presented to approximate the solution of a class of derivative dependent doubly singular boundary value problems (DDSBVP). First, the original problem is reformulated as an equivalent integral equation. The resulting integral equation is then efficiently tackled by an improved homotopy analysis method (IHAM). This method contains a parameter, which greatly accelerates the convergence of the series solution. The convergence of the method is carried out. To illustrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed recursive approach, we consider three nonlinear examples, including one physical model problem, which describes stress distribution on a rotationally shallow membrane cap. Results show that our method excels over the existing methods.     

Comparative evaluation of performance of national R&D programs with heterogeneous objectives: A DEA approach

The strategic importance of performance evaluation of national R&D programs is highlighted as the resource allocation draws more attention in R&D policy agenda. Due to the heterogeneity of national R&D programs’ objectives, however, it is intractably difficult to relatively evaluate multiple programs and, consequently, few studies have been conducted on the performance comparison of the R&D programs. This study measures and compares the performance of national R&D programs using data envelopment analysis (DEA). Since DEA allows each DMU to choose the optimal weights of inputs and outputs which maximize its efficiency, it can mirror R&D programs’ unique characteristics by assigning relatively high weights to the variables in which each program has strength. Every project in every R&D program is evaluated together based on the DEA model for comparison of efficiency among different systems. Kruskal–Wallis test with a post hoc Mann–Whitney U test is then run to compare performance of R&D programs. Two alternative approaches to incorporating the importance of variables, the AR model and output integration, are also introduced. The results are expected to provide policy implications for effectively formulating and implementing national R&D programs.