T.M. Swanson - Böcker

The advent of new biotechnologies implies significant changes in the world, both biologically and industrially. Biologically, these new technologies represent changes on a scale never before witnessed in the context of evolutionary systems. How these systems will respond to these changes is uncertain and potentially very significant. The first part of this volume addresses these issues in a series of chapters considering the manner in which societies might analyse and manage these systemic responses to biotechnological changes. The second part of the volume addresses the industrial issues concerning biotechnologies. One of the primary motivations for these changes is to enhance the appropriability of the value of innovation occurring within the life sciences sectors. Changing to a property rights-based system of biotechnology has implications for the nature of research and development within these sectors, and the diffusion and distribution of its benefits across the globe. Another set of chapters in this volume sets out a framework for considering these important industrial issues. The volume is the outcome of a two-year project on the economics of managing biotechnologies in agriculture. It is recommended to academics and policy makers interested in the issues concerning society's options in the management of this process of technological change.

Water resource management is complicated in practice on account of the diverse nature of the resource and its many uses. This volume reports economic research on the theory, practice, and policy of water management. It is distinguished by the number and the range of the applications it considers. Chapters consider problems in the estimation of water demand in residential and agricultural contexts. Efficiency and externality considerations are considered in chapters concerning common aquifers as well as domestic conservation. Management policies are discussed in regard to chemical contamination, reservoir construction, and industrial regulation.

Water resource management is complicated in practice on account of the diverse nature of the resource and its many uses. This volume reports recent economic research on the theory, practice, and policy of water management. It is distinguished by the number and the range of the applications it considers. Chapters consider problems in the estimation of water demand in residential and agricultural contexts. Efficiency and externality considerations are considered in chapters concerning common aquifers as well as domestic conservation. Management policies are discussed in regard to chemical contamination, reservoir construction, and industrial regulation. The volume is intended for resource economists, especially those concerned with the management of water resources. It provides insights into the latest research on the economic issues concerning this important resource.