CURRENT TOPICS
| Published date | 01 October 1956 |
| Date | 01 October 1956 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9485.1956.tb01178.x |
CURRENT
TOPICS
THE
programme arranged for the sixth annual conference
of
the
economists of the Scottish Universities at ‘The Burn’, Edzell. from
17th to 19th September, included papers by Mr.
J.
H. Smith (Aber-
deen)
on
agricultural policy, Mr.
J.
R.
Parkinson (Glasgow)
on
monetary theory and practicc, and Professor
D.
F.
Macdonald (St.
Andrews)
on
employers’ associations.
A
discussion
on
the current
economic situation was opcned by Profcssor
J.
W.
Nisbet (St.
Andrews).
Research
in
progress
in
applied economics
in
the University of
Edinburgh includes
a
study
of
industrial development
in
the Forth
basin since 1945-the establishment of new and branch firms, the
reasons for their choice
of
location, the problems that have arisen
and the ways
in
which these have been overcome. Other subjects
of
current research are
:
technological change and adaptation
in
thc
electronics industry
;
the industrial structure of the Grangemouth
area and of the hosiery industry
in
Hawick
;
the organisation of the
inspection function in industry
:
an analysis of normative factors
in
wage incentives
:
industrial relations
in
the fuel and powcr industries
;
and the structure of the Swedish labour market.
In theoretical economics, work is being done on the theory of
international trade and on the theory of corporate price.
In
agricultural economics the subjects bcing studied are
:
the
economics of livestock marketing
in
South-east Scotland
:
the
establishment of input-output standards
for
the critical examination
of the farm as a business
:
and the general problems of labour on
the farm. The economic geographers are working on the pattern
of
internal migration
in
Scotland
in
1851, 1901 and 1951, as well as on
some geographical aspects of trade
in
primary products.
Earlier notes
on
research
in
progress which have bcen published
in
the
Journal
have stimulated enquiries, particularly from foreign
countries, and the exchange of information. Anyone who wishes
to
correspond with individual research workers
in
any of the subjects
mentioned should write to the Secretary, The Scottish Economic
Society. King’s College, Aberdeen.
At the time of going
to
press full details
of
the winter programme
of
the Society’s local branches were not available, but information on
mee!ings
so
far arranged
is
printed below. Local secretaries
(to
whom
246
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