Since 2003, the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report has included a country economic profile for Cyprus, based on data that captures the economic situation south of Cyprus' dividing Green Line. Furthermore, the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (TCCC) has for the past 2 years published an annual competitiveness report for the Turkish Cypriot economy , following the same methodology used by the WEF. In the Greek Cypriot community (GCC), the Cyprus College Research Center and the Cyprus Development Bank collaborate with the WEF to undertake the Executive Opinion Survey, findings of which constitute a major component of the WEF”¦s study. Examining the results of both reports, it is striking”Xif not surprising”Xthat the results are similar. Both sides face many of the same challenges to increasing competitiveness. Both need to improve in the following problematic areas:

ƒę Access to financing
ƒę Public sector productivity
ƒę Bureaucracy
ƒę Tax regulation
ƒę Infrastructure limitation
ƒę Education and Training (mismatch between educational curricula and market demand)
ƒę Labor market inefficiencies

This call for paper is launched to encourage debate on these competitiveness issues island-wide, by engaging researchers that can, in collaboration or individually, utilize the statistical and other information available to address key competitiveness issues looking ahead. The list of topics above is illustrative not exhaustive; researchers should feel free to explore any competitiveness related issue that can serve to improve understanding of the economic conditions currently and in anticipation of a settlement to the unresolved political division of the island. This effort is open to researchers from any field and is aimed at promoting cooperation and understanding, while supporting solid research.

It is expected that between five and ten abstracts will be selected from the submissions. The authors of those abstracts will be asked to expand upon them, creating the scholarly papers that will be published in one volume. It is further expected that the resulting competitiveness volume will provide the basis for a conference where authors will be asked to present their findings. If needed, EDGE will consider requests for funding from authors in order to complete the papers and/or participate in the conference.

The overall goal of the volume and the conference is to raise the level of debate on issues of competitiveness in Cyprus. Like all USAID-funded programs in Cyprus, EDGE is aimed at facilitating reunification of the island, including through encouraging responsible and market-driven economic growth.

Abstract submission: Interested researchers should prepare an abstract between 250 and 350 words, in accordance with the Journal of International Management”¦s Style Guide for Authors (available at http://fox.temple.edu/jim/authors.html.). All proposals should include an abstract and the researchers”¦ curriculum vitae in the English Language. Proposals should be submitted electronically by August 1, 2010 to CallForPapers@edge-dcllp.com. Abstracts should be submitted with the understanding that they are original, unpublished works and are not being submitted elsewhere. Please direct any questions regarding the research forum to the same e-mail by July 15, 2010.

An evaluation committee will evaluate the abstracts and select between five and ten abstracts. The authors of selected abstracts will be informed, by e-mail no later than August 31, 2010. The researchers will have until September 7, 2010 to submit funding requests for research that is essential to the paper. Their research results and papers have to be submitted by January 1, 2011. The papers must be between 7000 and 8000 words and must include original data collection and empirical studies that are analyzed using accepted statistical methods. It is expected that the papers will be presented in a conference in February 2011; the exact date and place of the conference will be decided accordingly.