Which countries protect intellectual property? The case of software piracy

Using data on software piracy, we examine how protection of intellectual property varies across countries. Consistent with other studies, we find that intellectual property receives greater protection in developed economies; high-income countries have lower piracy rates. We also find that protection depends on cultural factors. Countries with an individualist culture have lower piracy rates than do countries with a collectivist culture. Piracy rates are also lower in countries that have strong institutions that enforce contracts and protect property from expropriation. These results suggest that national policies toward intellectual property reflect not only economic concerns but also national culture and institutions.     

Migration and motivation: the migrant's perspective

Migration is often viewed as economically motivated. However, many of the studies on which this is based are a result of either aggregate data or retrospective questioning of migrants. The present study indicates that such approaches may give a distorted view of migrants' motives. The data indicate that nonmonetary career reasons are important instigators of migration among well-educated international migrants. In addition, these factors tend to be major perceived gains from migration. However, choice of destination is strongly influenced by location of friends and/or relatives. Reasons for discrepancies between this and previous studies are noted.