Informing
Policy
for Progress

Allocating Security Expenditures under Knightian Uncertainty: an Info-Gap Approach

In this paper we demonstrate a methodology aimed at coping with resource allocation under Knightian (non-probabilistic) uncertainty by focusing on the example of competing security measures. The results of this application to security resource allocation also allow us to postulate a possible positivist explanation for the way governments are allocating these expenditures today. We explore […]

Environmental technologies – the green future

The field of environmental technology development includes a very wide range of activities. In the study, which is conducted jointly by the Samuel Neaman Institute, Globes Research and Kesselman & Kesselman, we show that there are very large opportunities in the new market and that the government must take a series of actions realize these […]

Liquidity Constraints on the Attainment of Tertiary Education in Israel

This study examines the effect of a family’s economic background on the chances of a twelfth grade high school student to obtain a first (bachelor) degree. The study analyses the marks obtained in the matriculation certificate by twelfth grade students in 1992-97, together with their parents’ demographic and social data taken from the 1995 census, […]

Energy Forum 4: Solar energy for the production of heat

Introduction The Samuel Neaman Institute for Advanced Research in Science and Technology, within the framework of its activity in the energy field, conducts meetings of the Energy Forum, devoted to discussions and debate over energy related issues of national importace. The Energy Forum holds focused discussions regarding specified themes, and teams of subject-matter experts are […]

Investment Policies in Defense R&D Programs

Investment in advanced defense technologies is a prominent characteristic of modern armed forces. The paper examines the optimal investment policy in developing such technologies, accounting for their S-shaped progress profile and the stochastic nature of the R&D process. We show that the optimal investment is a discontinuous function of the available budget, and that its […]

A National Plan for the Chemical Industry in Israel

The National Plan for the Chemical Industry in Israel is a large project that the Samuel Neaman Institute has been leading since 2004. The project analyzes past and present chemistry and pharmaceutical branches produced in Israel, present alternatives and demonstrates new industry branches in this field. This project compares this industry with other global markets […]