Performance comparison of state-owned enterprises versus private firms in selected emerging Asian countries

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thai-Ha Le ◽  
Donghyun Park ◽  
Cynthia Castillejos-Petalcorin
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Private Firms ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Government Regulations ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Policy Paper ◽  
Innovation Product ◽  
Cross Country

PurposeThis policy paper compares the performance of state-owned enterprise (SOEs) versus private firms in selected emerging economies in Asia, focusing on a number of performance indicators. The indicators are internationally recognized quality innovation, product and/or service innovation, financing of operations, dealing with government regulations and labor performance. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there has been no such comparative study for these indicators between SOEs and private firms and across countries. Most studies of SOEs have been national case studies. As such, they give us little knowledge of how a country compares with other countries at similar stages of economic development. A cross-country comparative analysis can help us identify broader trends and patterns.Design/methodology/approach The authors compare and discuss the performance of SOEs versus private firms in a number of emerging Asian countries, namely China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. To do so, the authors use data from the 2018 World Bank Enterprise Survey (which is the latest available) for the period 2012–2015. The authors focus on a number of key performance indicators, namely internationally recognized quality innovation, product and/or service innovation, financing of operations, dealing with government regulations and labor performance.Findings The comparative analysis uncovers some interesting differences between the two types of firms. For example, somewhat surprisingly, SOEs tend to innovate more than private firms. However, the single most significant pattern the authors find is that in middle-income Asia both types of firms face formidable challenges with respect to doing business – e.g. scarcity of relevant training programs for employees. Therefore, the priority of policymakers must be to improve the overall business environment for all firms, regardless of their ownership structure.Research limitations/implicationsThe nature of this paper is a policy paper. This is because the data used in this study is survey data, conducted every four–five years (or more) for each country in the study and available for very few countries. As the data are not available for a continuous period of time, The authors could not conduct empirical research for this topic and thus made it a policy paper that presents a comparison across Asian countries as case studies.Originality/valueThe five selected Asian countries are interesting case studies for a comparative analysis since they are middle-income countries where SOEs play a significant role in the economy. Furthermore, state ownership is an important institutional dimension in emerging markets, and strong ties with the government can influence the performance of SOEs through various market and non-market channels. Despite the potential importance of the research theme, there is very little existing research on cross-country comparisons of the performance of SOEs vis-à-vis private firms. This could be explained by scarce data availability. With this in mind, the study attempts to shed some light on SOEs' performance and add to the rather limited literature.

An enhanced framework for assessing the operational performance of public-private partnership school projects

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Mohammed Saeed ◽  
Colin Duffield ◽  
Felix Kin Peng Hui
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Public Private Partnership ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Private Partnership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Measurement Framework ◽  
Ex Post

Purpose A study of the current practices for evaluating the ex-post performance of public-private partnership (PPP) school projects in Australia via literature review and qualitative case studies has found that no consistent approach exists for evaluating operational performance. A detailed critique of international PPP audits and practices has identified existing gaps in ex-post performance evaluation. Through a process of comparative analysis and industry confirmation, a performance analysis technique aligned with international practice has been developed that can be utilised by the educational departments across Australia to evaluate the ex-post performance of PPP projects (PPPs). The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This paper opted for qualitative archival analysis of case studies using pattern matching, explanation building, time series, and comparative analysis. The data used for document analysis included value reports, project summaries, and contract documents, as well as local and international audit guidelines. Findings This paper reviewed current practices, identified a range of processes, and reported the best practices. However, consideration of the approaches taken in the UK and Australia for evaluating operational performance indicates that current techniques lack consistency. Research limitations/implications The developed ex-post performance measurement framework is limited to Australian PPP school projects and, at this stage, cannot be generalised to other social PPP projects. Practical implications The paper includes implications for the development of better performance evaluation practices and audits. Social implications An enhanced framework for measuring operational performance will increase the accountability of taxpayers in the content of their utilisation by the government. Originality/value This paper presents an enhanced ex-post performance measurement framework for education departments across Australia.

Cross-country income variations and inclusive financing

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Nabeel Safdar ◽  
Tian Lin ◽  
Saba Amin
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
High Income ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low And Middle Income

Purpose This study, a symposium, aims to explore the determinants of financial inclusion, impact of cross-country income-variations on financial inclusion, do high-income countries really uplift the financial inclusion and does the higher financial inclusion index indicate the larger economy? Design/methodology/approach This study adopts the panel data model to investigate the impact of high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries on financial inclusion. However, this study further adopts the principal component analysis rather than Sarma’s approach to calculate the financial inclusion index. Findings Based on the Data of World Bank, United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Development Indicators, this study concludes that there is no nexus between income variations and financial inclusion, as the study reveals that some low- and middle-income countries have greater financial inclusion index such as Thailand (2.8538FII), Brazil (1.9526FII) and Turkey (0.8582FII). In low- and middle-income countries, the gross domestic product per capita, information technology and communication, the rule of law, age dependency ratio and urbanization have a noteworthy impact on financial inclusion that accumulatively describe the 83% of the model. Whereas, in high-income countries, merely, information technology and urbanization have a substantial influence on the growth of financial revolution and financial inclusion that describes the 70% of the total. Research limitations/implications The biggest limitation is the availability of data from different countries. Originality/value The originality of this paper is its technique, which is used in this paper to calculate the financial inclusion index. Furthermore, this study contributes to 40 different countries based on income, which could help to boost financial inclusion, and ultimately, it leads them toward economic growth.

Combating corruption in six Asian countries: a comparative analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 244-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon S.T. Quah
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
The Other ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Political Will ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brunei Darussalam ◽  
Different Levels

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare the experiences of the six Asian countries covered in this special issue and explain their different levels of effectiveness in combating corruption. Design/methodology/approach – This paper analyses the policy contexts in these countries, their perceived extent and causes of corruption, and evaluates the effectiveness of their anti-corruption agencies (ACAs). Findings – Brunei Darussalam is less corrupt because it is the smallest, least populated and richest country, without being embroiled in conflict compared to the other five larger countries, which are more populous but poorer and adversely affected by conflict. The Sultan’s political will in combating corruption is reflected in the better staffed and funded Anti-Corruption Bureau, which has prosecuted and convicted more corrupt offenders. By contrast, the lack of political will of the governments in the other five countries is manifested in their ineffective ACAs, which are not independent, lack capacity and resources, and are used against political opponents. Originality/value – This paper will be useful for those scholars, policy-makers and anti-corruption practitioners interested in how effective these six Asian countries are in combating corruption and the reasons for their different levels of effectiveness.

scholarly journals Analysis of the impact of information communication technology on economic growth: empirical evidence from Asian countries

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meta Ayu Kurniawati
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
High Income ◽  
Information Communication ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Ict Infrastructure

PurposeThis study examines the causal relationship between information communication technology (ICT) and economic growth in high-income and middle-income Asian countries.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilises a high-quality data from 25 Asian countries from 2000 to 2018. This study presents the robustness results by employing panel cointegration and estimation procedures to account for the endogeneity and cross-sectional dependence issues.FindingsThe results illustrate that high-income Asian countries have achieved positive and significant economic development from high Internet penetration. Additionally, the middle-income countries have started to benefit from ICT Internet. The findings show that the telephone line and mobile phone penetration is highly capable of promoting economic growth in middle-income Asian countries.Practical implicationsIn high-income Asia countries, an appropriate ICT infrastructure policy will support feasible ICT penetration, which may drive the processes of economic development and innovation that contribute to economic growth. Moreover, in middle-income Asian countries, the establishment of better-quality ICT service and infrastructure is more critical. Policymakers should accommodate sufficient support to establish the ICT infrastructure and expand ICT penetration.Originality/valueThis study reveals that high-income Asian countries have been more proactive and effective than middle-income countries in embracing ICT to foster economic growth. Examining the case of high-income and middle-income Asian countries provides comprehensive insight for policymakers regarding the relevance of ICT in boosting economic growth through the advantages of technology expansion.

Combating police corruption in five Asian countries: a comparative analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-216
Author(s):  
Jon S.T. Quah
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Police Corruption ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Red Tape ◽  
Contextual Differences

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the contextual differences and causes of police corruption in Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan and to assess their governments’ effectiveness in minimising this problem. Design/methodology/approach The paper begins by identifying the contextual differences in the five countries before analysing their major causes of police corruption and their governments’ effectiveness in minimising it. Findings Police corruption is a more serious problem in Indonesia and the Philippines because of their more difficult governance environments, low salaries of police officers, red tape, lack of meritocracy in recruitment and promotion, and lack of accountability of police officers. By contrast, the perceived extent of police corruption has declined in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan in recent years because of the improvement in the salaries of their police officers and the implementation of various police reforms. Originality/value This comparative analysis of combating police corruption in five Asian countries will be of interest to policy makers and scholars concerned with minimising this problem.

A unified framework for the estimation of intra and inter country food purchasing power parities

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amita Majumder ◽  
Ranjan Ray ◽  
Kompal Sinha
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Purchasing Power ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Unified Framework ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Food Expenditures ◽  
Country Food ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
Purchasing Power Parities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to extend the methodology proposed in Majumder et al. (2012) for the estimation of the item-specific purchasing power parities (PPPs) within countries, to the cross-country context. It estimates item-specific intra-country PPPs (i.e. spatial prices) and inter-country PPPs in a unified framework using unit records of household food expenditures from three Asian countries: India, Indonesia and Vietnam, covering contemporaneous time periods. The study addresses a key limitation of the International Comparison Program (ICP) exercise, namely, that it treats all countries, large and small, as homogeneous entities. Moreover, it directly calculates bilateral PPPs between countries based on their expenditure patterns and prices alone and directly estimates the price-level indices (PLI) and their standard errors, allowing formal tests of the hypothesis of PLI being unity. The usefulness of the estimated PPPs is illustrated by applying them to comparisons of real food expenditures between the three countries, and benchmarking the comparisons with those using the ICP PPPs. Design/methodology/approach The methodology is based on the fact that a spatial price index can be viewed as a true cost of living index (TCLI). Using a general cost function underlying the Rank 3 quadratic logarithmic systems, the TCLI is calculated for a reference utility level. Findings The study provides formal statistical tests of the hypothesis of item invariance of the PPPs. The usefulness of the proposed methodology is illustrated by applying the estimated PPPs in comparisons of food expenditures between subgroups in the three countries. The sensitivity of the expenditure comparisons to the use of item-wise PPPs underlines the need to provide price information on highly disaggregated PPPs to a much greater extent than the ICP has done to date. Research limitations/implications The choice of these three Asian countries was dictated by the fact that, though comparability of items between them remains an issue as with all cross-country comparisons. Also, in the absence of price data, this study followed the practice in Majumder et al. (2012, 2015a, 2015b) in using as proxies the raw unit values of the food items, but adjusted for quality and demographic factors using the procedure introduced by Cox and Wohlgenant (1986) and extended by Hoang (2009). Practical implications It addresses some limitations of the ICP, namely, ICP treats all countries as single entities with the purchasing power of the country’s currency assumed to be the same in all regions within the country, ICP uses the US dollar as the numeraire (this ignores the fact that the PPPs required in bilateral welfare comparisons between developing countries with vastly different consumption habits from the “international norm” are quite different from the ICP PPPs) and ICP uses distribution invariant prices to calculate PPPs, which overlooks the fact that the poor pay different prices from the “representative” individual. Social implications This study highlights the importance of estimating and using item-specific PPPs in cross-country comparisons by formally testing and rejecting the assumption of item invariant PPPs and by providing empirical evidence that they do make a difference to the welfare comparisons between countries. This study provides PPPs based on food items only, which may be more relevant for poverty comparisons. Originality/value It introduces, for the first time, the concept of item-specific PPPs between countries as estimable parameters and operationalizes this concept by using them in cross-country welfare comparisons.

How do government regulations and policies respond to the growing online-enabled transportation service (OETS) in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Taiwan?

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 419-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dyah Mutiarin ◽  
Achmad Nurmandi ◽  
Hazel Jovita ◽  
Mukti Fajar ◽  
Yao-Nan Lien
Keyword(s):  
Sharing Economy ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
High Income ◽  
Income Country ◽  
High Income Country ◽  
Government Regulations ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transportation Sector ◽  
Transportation Service

Purpose This paper aims to explore the dynamic context of the sharing economy in the transportation sector. This paper looks into the development of government regulations on the growing business of transportation network companies in Indonesia, the Philippines (represented as middle-income countries) and Taiwan (high-income country). How do government regulations and policies respond to the growing online-enabled transportation service (OETS) in Indonesia, the Philippines and Taiwan? Design/methodology/approach This study is qualitative-comparative research. Data on the transportation sector of each country have been gathered from reputable online sources. Findings Authors found evidence that the policy responses made by the Governments of Indonesia, Philippines and Taiwan to the sharing economy in the transportation sector are incremental and trial-error based policies. Research limitations This paper has not addressed the policy issues’ relationship between driver and platform companies. Practical implications The future of the relationship between sharing firms and local governments suggests that the focus should be on stronger consumer protections, deeper economic redistribution and achievement of other policy aims (Rauch and Schleicher, 2015). Originality/value This is a comparative study on different levels of economy, particularly between low- or middle-income and high-income country.

scholarly journals Enterprise and entrepreneurship education: towards a comparative analysis

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Jones ◽  
Norma Iredale
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Entrepreneurship Education ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Project Outcomes ◽  
Enterprise Education ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
Cultural Requirements ◽  
The Uk

Purpose – This paper states the case for adopting a comparative method of analysis to the study of enterprise education. Adopting a comparative approach can provide fresh insights and opportunities for researching from different perspectives. It develops understanding of the concept by reexamining its origins and history. By default its purpose, development operation and rationale are also briefly discussed through reference to literature and policy. Design/methodology/approach – This paper draws on the literature around enterprise and entrepreneurship education. It argues that comparative analysis of enterprise education is an important methodological tool that can enrich, deepen and inform research processes, findings and outcomes. Comparative analysis can take a number of forms and can include within country, cross-country, historical, temporal, longitudinal, spatial, pedagogical, policy or other types of comparison. Findings – This paper unpacks and teases out some of the points of difference and similarity between enterprise education concepts, policies and practices; and the way they are introduced to, applied and operate in different contexts. The main focus and point for comparison is the UK. Enterprise education is distinct from and should not be confused with business and economics. Teacher training in the techniques of enterprise education and resources designed to suit social and cultural requirements is crucial to achieve successful project outcomes. Originality/value – The comparative analysis of enterprise education programmes and policies advocated here adds value and provides additional insight to these concepts and practices.

scholarly journals Barriers to the use of property taxation in municipal finance

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Grover ◽  
Marek Walacik ◽  
Olga Buzu ◽  
Tugba Gunes ◽  
Marija Raskovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Property Taxes ◽  
Municipal Finance ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transaction Prices ◽  
External Pressures

Purpose This study aims to present the findings from a series of case studies that examine the problems faced by countries seeking to introduce value-based recurrent property taxes to replace the ones levied on the basis of area or inventory value. It identifies that two of the most significant barriers are the absence of comprehensive list of taxable properties and inadequate data on transaction prices. Both of these can be overcome with sufficient resources, but this raises the question as to why governments are reluctant to do so, in spite of the advantages of such a change. Design/methodology/approach The paper makes particular use of case studies of Moldova, Poland, Serbia and Turkey, which have explored the potential of introducing value-based recurrent property taxes and the issues they have faced. The case studies have been produced by participant observers who have had the opportunity to examine developments over long periods of time. The case studies are set against a wider statistical analysis of the role of recurrent property taxes in tax systems. Findings Putting in place comprehensive systems for registering properties and recording their characteristics and systematically collecting data on transaction prices require significant investment over a long period of time. This requires commitment on behalf of governments. Governments may be reluctant to support this because of the opposition such reforms can face unless confronted with compelling fiscal or external pressures to act. Research limitations/implications The issues identified are the ones that many countries seeking to introduce value-based recurrent property taxes will face and puts forward how they can be tackled. The case study countries are middle-income ones with relatively well-developed infrastructure, which low-income countries may lack. Practical implications The solutions to overcoming the barriers to value-based recurrent property taxes encountered in the case study countries are the ones that are applicable to many other countries, who can learn from their experience. Originality/value The paper provides a perspective on overcoming the issues encountered in introducing value-based property taxes from the viewpoint of those who have been involved in working out ways of overcoming them and so provides insight that is a useful addition to the literature.

scholarly journals Some twins are not alike: FDI premia in the former Soviet states

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 451-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Gattai ◽  
Rajssa Mechelli ◽  
Piergiovanna Natale
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Causality Analysis ◽  
Outward Fdi ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Advanced Economies ◽  
Paper Document ◽  
Cross Country

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to estimate foreign direct investment (FDI) premia in the former Soviet states.Design/methodology/approachThe authors follow an empirical approach. Using Orbis data for a sample of more than 3,000 companies, the authors characterize FDI involvement and FDI premia of firms from three distinctive groups of former Soviet states, designated “upper-middle”-income, “lower-middle”-income and “high”-income countries. This yields interesting within-group and between-group results on the effects of outward FDI (OFDI) and inward FDI (IFDI) on firm-level innovation.FindingsThe authors unveil new facts about innovation and FDI in the former Soviet states. FDI firms innovate more than non-FDI firms and OFDI firms innovate more than IFDI firms. The innovation effect of OFDI is the largest for firms from the “lower-middle” countries, followed by the “high” and “upper-middle” countries. The innovation effect of IFDI is the largest for firms from the “lower-middle” countries, followed by the “upper-middle” and “high” countries. FDI to and from Europe has the largest impact on innovation; this holds across country groups.Research limitations/implicationsThe estimates of this paper document robust FDI premia, i.e., a positive and significant correlation between firm-level innovation and FDI. However, the cross-sectional nature of the data does not permit a proper causality analysis.Originality/valueThe paper contributes to the literature on FDI premia by: considering IFDI and OFDI in a unified empirical framework; dissecting IFDI and OFDI by location; measuring firm-level productivity in terms of innovation; and providing cross-country comparable evidence on both emerging and advanced economies. At the same time, the paper contributes to the literature on FDI from emerging economies by: taking a firm-level quantitative approach; focusing on a relatively unexplored set of countries; and providing comparable cross-country evidence on both emerging and advanced economies.

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