Paradigms and paradoxes: the futures of growth and degrowth

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (11/12) ◽  
pp. 1133-1146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Udo Pesch

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce three storylines that address the relation between economic growth, technical innovation and environmental impact. The paper assesses if and how these storylines as guiding visions increase our range of future orientations. Design/methodology/approach The paper first explains its general outline and then explores different strands of literature to arrive at its analytical conclusions. Findings Pursuing the three storylines in a paradigmatic articulation creates paradoxes. The growth paradigm focuses on economic growth as its main goal. To overcome environmental degradation, products have to be substituted by environmentally friendly alternatives, but the continuous substitution of finite resources seems unlikely possible. The storyline of innovation sees technological development as a driver of economic progress, and holds that innovations allow the decoupling of economic growth from environmental impact, a claim that is compromised by the occurrence of rebound effects. The degrowth storyline holds that economic growth has to be stopped altogether, but is unclear how this can be done. Originality/value By articulating paradigmatic perspectives as storylines, a new understanding on how these perspectives can be figured as a constructive repertoire of guiding visions and not as mere theory-based descriptions.

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walid Ali ◽  
Ali Mna

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to show how foreign direct investment (FDI) affects domestic investment and economic growth. This study empirically examines this question in the case of three developing countries (Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco).Design/methodology/approachUsing the GMM estimator technique, the authors constructed a system with simultaneous equations by three endogenous variables: economic growth (GDP), FDI and domestic investment (DI).FindingsThe study was a nuance, its results, at the role of investment–growth relationship, are of paramount importance though subtle and slightly different.Originality/valueThe authors used data from international institutions such as the IMF, UNCTAD, OECD and the World Bank for macroeconomic aggregates. However, the interest rate variables are derived from the central banks of the three countries in the sample. The analysis covers the period from 1980 to 2014.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanweer Ali

Purpose The purpose of this study is to present the book Education, Economy and Society, edited by Salim Vally and Enver Motala (UNISA Press, Pretoria, 2014), which highlights the main concepts introduced and discussed. Design/methodology/approach The study primarily summarizes the critique of human capital theory (HCT) which is developed in the book. This is done using different approaches and is comprehensive in scope. The study also introduces some of the alternative visions of education as presented by the contributing authors. The author of the review also draws on other literature which addresses the same fields. Findings HCT dominates the discourse on the role of education in society, but the concept is hard to measure and evidence of its importance is scant. Despite the criticism of this theory, it continues to dominate the mainstream economic theory. Research limitations/implications The main premise merits more systematic study, ideally drawing on more extensive literature, and extending beyond the confines of any one country. As a review, this study aimed to maintain a focus on this one important collection. Social implications HCT tends to promote a view of education as a tool of material economic progress. This excludes a discussion of social justice and de-emphasizes the role of education in advancing individual fulfilment and in strengthening democratic values. A view of useful human activity outside of production within a corporate environment is also ignored. This book covers all of these ideas. Originality/value This study draws attention to an important book which discusses the proper role of education in economic development and critiques policy making in South Africa. The book is broad enough in scope to be of relevance to educators, academics and policy makers in the developing and developed worlds.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Boadi ◽  
Daniel Osarfo ◽  
Perpetual Boadi

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relative impact of bank-based and market-based financial developments on economic growth from 1984 to 2015, using 60countries. Design/methodology/approach This study uses fixed effect and generalized method of moments (GMM) to investigate the relative impact of bank-based and market-based financial developments on economic growth from 1984 to 2015, using 60 countries. The study further controls regional effects and the Asian crisis, as well as the global economic crisis. Findings The empirical results of the study revealed that market-based development positively affects economic growth. Besides, market-based financial development indirectly promotes investment, which has the potential to strongly enhance growth. The findings of this study, therefore, provide more support to pro-market-based financial development policies in these regions. Interestingly, bank-based development has no direct impact on development, but indirectly encourages investment, which also promotes growth. Originality/value This paper is the first of its kind to empirically examine fixed effect and GMM to investigate the relative impact of bank-based and market-based financial developments on economic growth from 1984 to 2015, using 60 countries.


2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 1065-1082 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Laurindo de Almeida ◽  
Helder Ferreira de Mendonça

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the empirical literature that analyzes the effect of the core infrastructure (telecommunication, electricity and transportation) and indirect taxation on economic growth. Design/methodology/approach The authors present empirical evidence through panel data analysis based on a comprehensive sample of countries (96) over a long period of time (1976 to 2014). Findings The findings confirm the assumption that the core of infrastructure is essential to promote economic growth. Furthermore, indirect taxation is not a tool capable of stimulating growth. In particular, new sectors of the core of infrastructure, such as the internet and mobile telephony, are capable of expanding the effect of infrastructure on growth. Originality/value Based on a sample of 74 countries, we include new infrastructure sectors into the analysis (transportation, fixed telephony, mobile telephony and internet), and verify changes from the 1990s.


2010 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 305-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aino Kianto ◽  
Pia Hurmelinna‐Laukkanen ◽  
Paavo Ritala

PurposeAs service companies are occupying an increasingly significant place as drivers of economic growth, there is a pressing need to understand their peculiarities in order to facilitate their effective management and governance. One important area in which this kind of understanding is lacking is intellectual capital (IC) and knowledge management. Although intellectual capital has become the key value driver for all types of organizations, there is a lack of systematic research on whether there are fundamental differences in the IC of service‐oriented versus product‐oriented companies. In an attempt to bridge this gap the paper aims to examine the main differences in IC stocks, creation, management and protection mechanisms between service‐oriented and product‐oriented companies.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based on empirical evidence collected from 418 respondents representing HR and R&D functions in 335 Finnish companies.FindingsThe results demonstrate that service‐oriented companies possess more human capital and renewal capital, and focus more on IC creation than product‐oriented companies. In addition, IC protection is stronger in product‐oriented companies. As companies move towards a service orientation they need to change their approach to IC stocks and management, and in this acknowledging the differences between a service and a product orientation is the first step.Originality/valueThe results presented in this study shed new light on the differences between service‐oriented and product‐oriented companies in terms of the possession, management, creation and protection of intellectual capital.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 174-189
Author(s):  
Kolawole Ogundari ◽  
Adebayo Aromolaran

Purpose This study aims to investigate the causal relationship between nutrition and economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa. Design/methodology/approach A dynamic panel causality test based on the Blundell-Bond’s system generalized methods-of-moment was used. To make efficient inference for the estimates, the authors check for the panel unit root and co-integration relationship amongst the variables. Findings The variables were found to be non-stationary at level, stationary after first difference and co-integrated. The results of the causality tests reveal evidence of long and short-run bidirectional causality between nutrition and economic growth, which implies that nutritional improvement is a cause and consequence of economic growth and vice versa. Originality/value This is the first study to consider causality between nutrition and economic growth in the region.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 152-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norlia Ahmad

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to offer a renewed perspective on the intersections of Islam and marketing. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on Islamic marketing literature, Islam’s view on human and economic progress, insights from other marketing disciplines and phenomena that focus on treating consumers as “individuals” instead of merely target markets. It consists of an inclusive approach guided by a notion that Islamic marketing debates should not merely attempt to “see” (understand) Muslim consumers or Islamic markets but to also enhance efforts to “see” and (re)discover Islam. Findings This paper reiterates a view of Islam as both a faith and activity; it argues that this view should be the basis of critical analysis on the intersections of Islam and marketing. It also highlights the overlap between Islamic marketing and humanistic marketing, thus offers more inclusive approach to Islamic marketing debates. Based on the arguments of Islam as a deen and marketing as part of human activity, it provides further directions for critical and continuous efforts to explore the questions of “what, why and how” Islam can contribute to the advancement of marketing theory and practice. Originality/value This paper presents a renewed perspective to current debates on Islamic marketing; it stresses on the importance of building a case in which Islam has something to commit to contemporary marketing issues and problems.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Françoise Okah-Efogo ◽  
Gaëlle Tatiana Timba

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to supplement the literature on the effect of female entrepreneurship on economic growth by bringing new evidence for the case of SMEs owned by women in Cameroon. Design/methodology/approach – Effects of female entrepreneurship on Cameroonian economic growth are analyzed through a simple statistical analysis. Findings – Our results reveal that there is a growing female entrepreneurship in Cameroon, localized in many different sectors of activity. Moreover, these SMEs are opportunity entrepreneurship which contributes to economic growth by considerably reducing unemployment particularly for women, generating revenues for government and enhancing human capital skills. Research limitations/implications – The study suggests an investment in SMEs owned by women and an investment in education and skills of those women in order to positively affect economic growth. Originality/value – Many studies have focussed their attention on the relationship between SMEs and economic growth, but few attempted to evaluate the theoretical assumptions in case studies and in a gender perspective.


Subject Impacts and investment needs of South-east Asian urbanisation. Significance Urbanisation, driven by regional economic integration and social and technological development, is straining South-east Asian housing, socio-economic infrastructure and basic services. Impacts A spending backlog for infrastructure and essential services is threatening economic growth targets. Cities' growth could see land rights concerns and ecological difficulties. Governments need to close skills gaps to keep up with growing services demand as urbanisation expands. Changing demographics will change urban and rural voting patterns.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahla Seifi

PurposeThis study aims to introduce the journal and its purpose.Design/methodology/approachThis study reviews a variety of issues to show the kind of research which is relevant to the journal and the approaches which can be used.FindingsThis study shows the great need for research in the ways in which technological development is needed in order to address the issues of sustainability.Practical implicationsThese can be many and diverse.Originality/valueAs the introductory chapter for this new journal its purpose is unique.


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