要旨：This paper presents a new framework for modeling the fine microstructure of knowledge creation dynamics. Our focus is on the creation of working knowledge used in innovation, for example, the knowledge used by a researcher in the economics profession. The framework has been developed to address the following questions: What is the appropriate way to model the operational structure of working knowledge? How are specific new ideas, research papers, and patents created by a research worker or a group of them, based on the current stock of knowledge? What roles do dynamics, heterogeneity of ideas, heterogeneity of researchers, and cities or regions play? Using our framework, first we study how a researcher creates a new literature, choosing new assumptions, models, implications, and observations in each step. Then we suggest how to extend the analysis to the N-person case in multiple cities or regions.

【大阪大学経済学研究会と共催】

【土木計画学国際セミナーと共催】 要旨：Ontario is Canada's largest province in terms of both population and GDP. It accounts for about half of Canada-US trade, which is still the largest bilateral trade relationship in the world. The great majority of trade is in manufactured goods, many of which are intermediate goods moving between production facilities in cross-border supply chains. Border costs have a negative impact on the efficiency of these supply chains and the production systems they support. Costs at the Canada-US border are substantial for a number of reasons. NAFTA is not a customs union, so substantial documentation is required even on goods that cross duty-free. There are inconsistent product regulations and health inspections are often repeated on each side of the border. Geography dictates that crossings are limited to a small number of rivers that connect the Great Lakes, so traffic congestion is common. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 led to heightened security measures that have increased the cost and time of border crossings for both goods and people. This presentation will summarize research on border costs and their economic impacts. It will also review policy initiatives directed at making borders more efficient, with emphasis on reducing border inspections through enhanced supply chain security.