Abstract
In ecological economics the debate on formalism and formalization has been addressed in the context of a lively discussion on ecological economics as a 'post-normal' (versus 'normal') science. Using ecological economics (EE) as a 'seed' journal and applying bibliometric techniques to all (2533) the articles published in EE from January 1989 to December 2009, we analyze the evolution of the field of ecological economics aiming to shed light on this debate. We observe the predominance (and increased relevance) of certain research topics: 'Methodological issues', 'Policies, governance and institutions' and 'Valuation'. Moreover, 'Collective action', 'Technical change and the environment' and 'Values' stand as emergent themes of research. Finally, we note that ecological economics experienced an 'empirical turn' reflected in a shift away from exclusively formalized papers towards exclusively empirical and, to a larger extent, 'formal and empirical' ones. The combination of the prominent and emergent topics and the 'empirical turn' mirrors the increasing awareness among researchers in the field of the need to address a key specificity of ecological economics - the interdependence of the economic, biophysical and social spheres. On this basis, we argue that at least through the lens of EE, ecological economics has evolved towards a post-normal science.

Abstract
Neo-Schumpeterian streams of research emphasize the close relationship between changes in economic structure in favor of high-skill and high-tech branches and rapid economic growth. They identify the emergence of a new technological paradigm in the 1970s, strongly based on the application of information and communication technologies (ICTs), arguing that in such periods of transition and emergence of new techno-economic paradigms, the intermediate development countries and the countries which are not at the technological frontier have higher opportunities to catch-up. Although this debate is theoretically well documented, the empirics seem to lag behind the theory. In this article, we contribute to this literature by adding enlightening evidence on the issue. More precisely, we relate the growth experiences of countries which had relatively similar economic structures in the late 1970s, with changes occurring in these countries' structures between 1979 and 2003. The results reveal a robust relationship between structure and (labor) productivity growth, and lend support to the view that producing (though not user) ICT-related industries are strategic branches of economic activity.

Abstract
Despite the vitality and dynamism that the field of entrepreneurship has experienced in the last decade, the issue of whether it comprises an effective network of (in)formal communication linkages among the most influential scholars within the area has yet to be examined in depth. This study follows a formal selection procedure to delimit the 'relational environment' of the field of entrepreneurship and to analyze the existence and characterization of (in)visible college(s) based on a theoretically well-grounded framework, thus offering a comprehensive and up-to-date empirical analysis of entrepreneurship research. Based on more than a 1,000 papers published between 2005 and 2010 in seven core entrepreneurship journals and the corresponding (85,000) citations, we found that entrepreneurship is an (increasingly) autonomous, legitimate and cohesive (in)visible college, fine tuned through the increasing visibility of certain subject specialties (e.g., family business, innovation, technology and policy). Moreover, the rather dense formal links that characterize the entrepreneurship (in)visible college are accompanied by a reasonably solid network of informal relations maintained and sustained by the mobility of 'stars' and highly influential scholars. The limited internationalization of the entrepreneurship community, reflected in the almost total absence of non-English-speaking authors/studies/outlets, stands as a major quest for the field.

Abstract
Studies on the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on the Chinese economy have essentially focused on the relationship between FDI, productivity and economic growth, revealing a tendency toward sectoral, regional and macroeconomic empirical studies. This work aims to complement these approaches and contribute to the rather limited literature on the relationship between FDI, Human Capital and Innovation at a corporate level. Based on a set of large and innovative firms (national and foreign capital) located in China, we have concluded that (1) the direct impact of foreign capital on the level of human capital in firms is negative, that is no evidence was found suggesting that FDI has a positive influence on their human capital and (ii) in indirect terms, by means of investment in R&D (research and development) activities, FDI has a positive impact on general human capital (i.e. formal education). These results suggest that for China to benefit from FDI, it is necessary to implement a selective policy to attract FDI, taking into account more technologically advanced, R&D-based projects.

Abstract
The impact of human capital on foreign direct investment has been assessed in an essentially descriptive manner. Most quantitative studies focus on the macroeconomic level. Microeconomic studies are scarce internationally and even more so in the case of China. Based on a survey of innovative firms located in China, this study assesses the importance of human capital in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to China. Using a sample of 77 innovative firms, and logistic estimation techniques, we concluded that even though human capital does not constitute a direct factor in attracting FDI to China, it is a positive indirect factor through firms' R&D efforts. Moreover, we found that connections with universities have a positive impact on the attraction of FDI, although the impact of human capital on the attraction of FDI is not sustained on the basis of additional contacts with universities. Evidence gathered suggests that it is important that public authorities recognize the interconnections between education and innovation policies and the implementation of FDI policies - human capital is only capable of attracting innovative foreign capital when associated with high levels of R&D.

Abstract
Research on indicators related to the state of child well-being is a growing field that has experienced several changes over time. The growing supply of data on children, as well as the need to facilitate conclusions and to track trends, has led researchers to develop a number of child well-being indexes. This paper critically reviews the most recent and relevant child well-being indexes, i.e., the Index of Child and Youth Well-Being in the United States, the Child Well-being Index for the European Union, the Microdata Child Well-being Index, and the Deprivation Index. The study focuses primarily on the contributions and innovations the indexes have brought to the field, making a critical assessment of the methods used in the construction of the indexes and identifying their main limitations.