Luis Rubalcaba, professor at the University of Alcalá de Henares, has carried out the research "Services in the European economy: challenges and implications for economic policy" with the sponsorship of the Rafael del Pino Foundation within the framework of the research agreement signed by the Foundation and the researcher on 23 December 2004. The research has been published by the Foundation in its Economy and Business Collection.
The book is a major contribution to knowledge and understanding of the economics and politics of services. The case of European services is studied in detail, in particular in comparison with the United States. By examining the available empirical evidence, exploring its key dimensions and the associated policy implications, the author investigates the new challenges and prospects facing the European economy in terms of employment, productivity, innovation and competitiveness. On the basis of these challenges, the book analyses existing and potential EU policies on services, incorporating discussions on regulation, competition, internal market and regional policies.
The book argues that the orientation of many of these policies is in its early stages, and Professor Rubalcaba points out that "there is still much to be done in terms of scoping, definition, coordination and design to meet the needs and heterogeneous nature of service activities".
A strong and integrated services market is one of the most important objectives of today's European Union, the achievement of which requires renewed impetus and political ambition. This is a unique work that combines new evidence on the services economy and a wide range of policy implications at the European level.
It will therefore be of interest to researchers, policy makers, service business professionals, students and all those who consider services as a dimension of any economic and business activity.
