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This book analyses the role of networks in innovation and technology diffusion. It reviews policy initiatives to promote efficient networking in selected OECD countries, and draws the main implications for public policy. It provides both fresh conceptual insights and new factual information on this important mechanism of innovation-led growth.

This yearbook gathers major official insurance statistics for all OECD countries, including extensive data on the number of insurance companies and employees, insurance premiums and investments by insurance companies as well as - this year for the first time -claims, expenses and commissions. The data are broken down under numerous sub-headings and standardised as far as possible to provide internationally comparable indicators and make the characteristics of the national markets more readily comprehensible

This annual publication gathers main official insurance statistics for all OECD countries. Information is provided on the diverse activities of this industry and on international insurance market trends. The data, standardised as far as possible, are broken down under numerous sub-headings, and a series of indicators makes the characteristics of the national markets more readily comprehensible. This 1999 edition provides data for the period 1990-1997.

Intellectual Property Rights can be instrumental for SMEs to protect and build on their innovations; position themselves competitively vis-à-vis larger enterprises in global markets; gain access to revenues; signal current and prospective value to investors, competitors and partners; access knowledge markets and networks; open up new commercial pathways; or segment existing markets.  However, while there is increasing recognition of their significance, as well as  the need for appropriate intellectual asset management for SMEs across OECD countries, there are few regulatory frameworks or specific instruments directed to SMEs. This is in part due the pace of technological innovation, which often exceeds the time it takes for policy makers to create appropriate responses to the changing landscape of intellectual property.   This study explores the relations between SME intellectual asset management, innovation and competitiveness in different national and sectoral contexts. It provides insights on the ability of SMEs to access and utilise the protection systems available to them and identifies key challenges for SMEs in appropriating full value from IPRs. It also investigates effectiveness of regulatory frameworks and policy measures to support SME access to IPRs, identifying best practices and proposing policy recommendations

Global Value Chains (GVCs) have exploded in the past decade and refer to the international dispersion of design, production, assembly, marketing and distribution of services, activities, and products. Different stages in the production process are increasingly located across different economies, and intermediate inputs like parts and components are produced in one country and then exported to other countries for further production and/or assembly into final products. The functional and spatial fragmentation that has occurred within GVCs has significantly reshaped the global economic landscape, thereby raising some new major policy challenges for OECD countries and emerging countries alike: trade policy, competitiveness, upgrading and innovation and the management of global systemic risk.

Driven by technological change, global competition and the ongoing liberalisation of markets, international direct investment plays a key role in the process of global economic integration. Reliable and up-to-date statistics are essential for a meaningful interpretation of investment trends for the purpose of policy analysis and decision. Internationally comparable data makes it possible to measure the degree of economic integration and competitiveness of markets. This volume contains a complete series of foreign direct investment (FDI) statistics in a standardised format combining sectoral and geographical breakdowns for flow and stock data for all OECD countries. Technical notes explain the methodology of data collection used in each country.

Driven by technological change, global competition and the ongoing liberalisation of markets, international direct investment plays a key role in the process of global economic integration. Reliable and up-to-date statistics are essential for a meaningful interpretation of investment trends for the purpose of policy analysis and decision. Internationally comparable data makes it possible to measure the degree of economic integration and competitiveness of markets.This volume contains a complete series of international direct investment statistics in a standardised format combining sectoral and geographical breakdowns for flow and stock data for all OECD countries.Technical notes explain the methodology of data collection used in each country.

Technological change, an ongoing liberalisation of markets and the consequent increase in competition are among the key factors shaping international economic integration. International direct investment is one of the most important processes bringing this development forward. This volume presents a complete series of international direct investment statistics in a standardised format, combining sectoral and geographical breakdowns for flow and stock data for all OECD countries, with the exception of the Slovak Republic.

The International Direct Investment Statistics Yearbook 1992-2003 gathers detailed statistics on international direct investment into and from OECD countries.  Comparative tables and charts complement the information included for individual countries by geographical and sectoral breakdowns for direct investment flows and stocks.  Comparable tables are presented in US Dollars and OECD Country tables are presented in national currency values.  Longer time series of data presented in this book are available in the database version.

In an age of globalising production, the internationalisation of industrial R&D is an increasingly pronounced feature in OECD countries. But just how extensive a phenomenon is it? What proportion of national research is under foreign control, and in which sectors? How much R&D do multinational corporations undertake outside their own home countries? This report also analyses the linkages between the production and R&D activities of foreign affiliates in OECD countries, and of affiliates of domestic firms abroad, on a sectoral level. It highlights the need to reassess each country's potential for R&D and innovation, in the light of what is being done both within and beyond its borders.

Since 1991, Kazakhstan, which is one of the two largest Central Asian republics, had attracted foreign direct investment worth US$4 billion by 1998. Whilst most of this investment has been in the energy and mineral sectors, there are also significant opportunities in other sectors of the economy. The Investment Guide for Kazakhstan has been prepared with three objectives in mind: firstly, to identify areas of opportunity for foreign investors; secondly to provide information about the historical, political, economic, financial and legal framework; and thirdly to help foreign direct investors from OECD Member countries draw balanced conclusions about the investment climate. The overview chapter contains constructive policy suggestions on the future attraction of foreign investment for the attention of the Government of Kazakhstan.

Since 1991, the Kyrgyz Republic has made significant progress in offering an attractive environment to foreign investors. It has a stable political environment, low inflation, recent and projected growth rates of at least 6 per cent per annum, and has made significant improvements in the legal regime regulating foreign investment. The Republic had initially no foreign investments in 1991 but by the end of 1997 these approached $250 million. Substantial further investment is expected in mining, energy production, agri-business, light industry and tourism in the future. The Investment Guide for the Kyrgyz Republic has been prepared with three objectives: firstly, to identify the opportunities which are likely to interest foreign investors; secondly, to provide the investor with relevant information on the historical, political, economic, financial and legal framework, and thirdly to draw attention to areas of policy and legislation where additional measures will further increase its comparative advantages as an investment location.

Since 1991, the Latvian Government has conscientiously instituted a number of reforms which led to an increase in the level of foreign investment. Over 1996, foreign investment rose by 60 per cent, and foreign direct investment stocks amounted to US$ 269 per capita at the start of 1997. This places Latvia among the region's leaders in terms of its ability to attract foreign investment. The Government must, however, continue to improve the business environment. The Investment Guide for Latvia has been prepared with three objectives in mind : firstly, to identify those areas of economic activity which present opportunities for foreign investors; secondly, to provide the investor with comprehensive information relating to the historical, political, economic, financial and legal framework, essential for sound and secured foreign investment; thirdly, to draw on the experiences of the foreign investors in Latvia, and to conclude with an assessment of the business, investment and regulatory environment. This assessment will focus on areas within the legal framework and structure which need greater transparency, predictability and efficiency.

Since 1991, the Lithuanian Government has instituted a number of reforms which led to an increase in the level of foreign investment. The Investment Guide for Lithuania has been prepared with three objectives in mind : firstly, to identify those areas of economic activity which present opportunities for foreign investors; secondly, to provide the investor with comprehensive information relating to the historical, political, economic, financial and legal framework, essential for sound and secured foreign investment; thirdly, to draw on the experiences of the foreign investors in Lithuania, and to assess the business, investment and regulatory environment.

This annual publication provides statistical tables showing steel production, consumption and trade data, as well as other indicators of activity such as employment levels, annual investment expenditures by sector and by country, export prices, domestic prices and indices for certain iron and steel products. Information is included for OECD countries, certain Central and Eastern European countries, and certain New Independent States.