Revisiting the Solow growth model: new empirical evidence on the convergence debate

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sedat Alataş
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Growth Model ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Stochastic Convergence ◽  
Club Convergence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Solow Growth Model ◽  
Convergence Clubs ◽  
Penn World Table

PurposeThis paper investigates income convergence using different convergence concepts and methodologies for 72 countries over the period between 1960 and 2010.Design/methodology/approachThis study applies beta (β), sigma (s), stochastic and club convergence approaches. For β-convergence analysis, it derives the cross-country growth regressions of the Solow growth model under the basic and augmented Cobb–Douglass (CD) production functions and estimates them using cross-section and panel data estimators. While it employs both the widely used coefficient of variation and recently developed weak s-convergence approaches for s-convergence, it applies three different unit root tests for stochastic convergence. To test club convergence, it estimates the log-t regression.FindingsThe results reveal that (1) there exists conditional β-convergence, meaning that poorer countries grow faster than richer countries; (2) income per worker is not (weakly) s-converging, and cross-sectional variation does not tend to fall over the years; (3) stochastic convergence is not found and (4) countries in the sample do not converge to the unique equilibrium, and there exist five distinctive convergence clubs.Research limitations/implicationsThe results clearly show that heavily relying on one of the convergence techniques might lead researchers to obtain misleading results regarding the existence of convergence. Therefore, to draw reliable inferences, the results should be checked using different convergence concepts and methodologies.Originality/valueContrary to the previous literature, which is generally restricted to testing the existence of absolute and conditional β-convergence between countries, to the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to consider and compare all originally and recently developed fundamental concepts of convergence altogether. Besides, it uses the Penn World Table (PWT) 9.1 and extends the period to 2010. From this point of view, this study is believed to provide the most up-to-date empirical evidence.

The plights of Eritrean refugees in the Shimelba Refugee Camp, Ethiopia

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natnael Terefe Arega
Keyword(s):  
Military Service ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychosocial Health ◽  
Refugee Camp ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Northern Ethiopia ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Thousands of Eritrean youth flee due to extreme domestic discontent with Eritrean Government. Little research has been done on Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia. The purpose of this paper is to explore the difficulties facing Eritrean refugees in the Shimelba Refugee Camp in northern Ethiopia. The study explores the refugees’ pre-migration experiences as well as their life difficulties in the refugee camp. Design/methodology/approach This study employed a cross-sectional qualitative approach. Relevant data were collected through personal interviews with a sample of 15 refugees. The study was also supplemented by the researcher’s personal observations regarding the living conditions of the refugees in the camp. Findings Gross human rights violations at home forced the Eritreans to flee in to Ethiopia. Refugees reported their experiences of arrest, torture, and abuse, due to their dissenting political and religious opinions. Moreover, they fled Eritrea to escape harsh compulsory conscription into the Eritrean military service. Unemployment and lack of income were also important push factors. Factors identified as threats to the psychosocial health of refugees at the refugee camp include the feeling of isolation, the absolute uncertainty of the future, fears concerning the safety of the family left behind, the strictness of the structure within the camp, and the fear of health-related problems associated with the limited health care facilities. Research limitations/implications Further research investigating the mental health problems of the refugees employing quantitative methods is needed. Also, research about the potential avenues for ameliorating the challenges faced by these refugees is desirable. Originality/value This paper gives an insight to the situation of Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia, which includes the reasons why they flee Eritrea, their experiences during flight, and the conditions in which Eritrean refugees live in the camp from the point of view of the refugees themselves. Understanding the challenges facing the refugees has implications for how short- and long-term policies can be altered to better serve them.

scholarly journals Convergence in condominium prices of major US metropolitan areas

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1113-1126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Apergis ◽  
James E. Payne
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Unit Root ◽  
Structural Breaks ◽  
Metropolitan Areas ◽  
Club Convergence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Convergence Clubs

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to examine the long-run convergence properties of condominium prices based on the ripple effect for five major US metropolitan areas (Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco). Specifically, we test for both overall convergence in condominium prices and the possibility of distinct convergence clubs to ascertain the interdependence of geographically dispersed metropolitan condominium markets.Design/methodology/approachOur analysis uses two approaches to identify the convergence properties of condominium prices: the Lee and Strazicich (2003) unit root test with endogenous structural breaks and the Phillips and Sul (2007, 2009) time-varying nonlinear club convergence tests.FindingsThe Lee and Strazicich (2003) unit root tests identify two structural breaks in 2006 and 2008 with the rejection of the null hypothesis of a unit root and long-run convergence in condominium prices in the cases of Boston and New York. The Phillips and Sul (2007, 2009) club convergence test reveals the absence of overall convergence in condominium prices across all metropolitan areas, but the emergence of two distinct convergence clubs with clear geographical segmentation: on the east coast with Boston and New York and the west coast with Los Angeles and San Francisco while Chicago exhibits a non-converging path.Research limitations/implicationsThe results highlight the distinct geographical segmentation of metropolitan condominium markets, which provides useful information to local policymakers, financial institutions, real estate developers and real estate portfolio managers. The limitations of the research are the identification of the underlying sources for the convergence clubs identified due to the availability of monthly data for a number of potential variables.Practical implicationsThe absence of overall convergence in condominium prices, but the emergence of distinct convergence clubs that reflects the geographical segmentation of metropolitan condominium markets raises the potential for portfolio diversification.Originality/valueUnlike previous studies that have focused on single-family housing, this is the first study to examine the convergence of metropolitan area condominium prices.

The intervention of strategic innovation practices in between regulations and sustainable business growth: a holistic perspective for Malaysian SMEs

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariful Islam ◽  
Sazali Abd Wahab
Keyword(s):  
Growth Model ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Business Growth ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Innovation ◽  
Innovation Practices

PurposeSMEs that manage more sustainability focused initiatives into their core business strategy can possibly benefit from lower expenses, reduced threats and new business opportunities, but in Malaysia most of the SMEs are still far off in terms of adapting to a sustainable business growth outline from a holistic point of view. Hence, this study aims to serve deeper understanding about a strategic innovation focused sustainable growth model on basis of multidisciplinary QBL-QHIM theoretical perspectives where strategic innovation practices intervene in between desired growth and government support (regulations).Design/methodology/approachThis conceptual investigation embraces a newly emerged concern of sustainable business growth in SMEs, considering ranges of literature reviews from the disciplines of management and entrepreneurship. The study also systematically explores the concepts of regulations, strategic innovation practices on basis of QBL and QHIM theories to adjust the sustainable business growth model from a holistic angle.FindingsThe outcomes show that multidisciplinary QBL-QHIM conjunction within the interrelationships of the selected constructs holds the potential for innovation focused business growth in a more sustainable, comprehensive and holistic manner. The study also detects that exploitative-explorative innovation practices can possibly mediate in between suitable regulations and sustainable business growth of SMEs, considering supportive external environment.Research limitations/implicationsResearches are encouraged to test the proposed model.Practical implicationsThe study indicates a conceptual configuration for policy makers as well as entrepreneurs to ensure sustainable business growth for SMEs. The outcomes of the study also provide useful direction on decision-making process of owner or manager considering social, economic, environmental and spiritual aspects of daily operations.Social implicationsThe conceptual model may possibly able to generate more social values, considering a holistic angle into business activities.Originality/valueThe conceptualization is a unique attempt, considering developing regions to extend the current understanding of strategic innovation focused sustainable growth process of SMEs from a holistic angle.

Competitiveness and production efficiency across OECD countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Salas-Velasco
Keyword(s):  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Production Capacity ◽  
Oecd Countries ◽  
Productive Efficiency ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Stage Analysis ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to measure the efficiency of resource utilization across OECD countries aiming to verify that higher levels of competitiveness enhance the production capacity – the maximum possible output of an economy in a given period with the available resources.Design/methodology/approachThe author used a two-stage procedure to first estimate the cross-sectional efficiency scores of 18 OECD economies by data envelopment analysis, and then to assess the impact of contextual variables on efficiency running regressions in the second-stage analysis. In particular, in the second stage, the author examined the effects of competitiveness on the production efficiency of the countries, while controlling for other independent variables.FindingsThe results confirmed that the higher the level of competitiveness, innovation and sophistication factors predominantly, the higher the level of productive efficiency of the countries analyzed.Originality/valueThe paper is novel because it opens the black box of the aggregate process of production of the conversion of resources into a national product. From the social point of view, it is relevant to know if a country could produce more output with the same resources, such as labor and capital and, therefore, could increase per capita income and social welfare.

The impact of self-congruity (symbolic and functional) on the brand hate

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahir Islam ◽  
Saman Attiq ◽  
Zahid Hameed ◽  
Munnawar Naz Khokhar ◽  
Zaryab Sheikh
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Critical Phenomenon ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Congruity Theory ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Brand Hate

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to test the impact of symbolic and functional incongruity on brand hate. According to self-congruity theory, symbolic and functional congruence are a critical phenomenon in consumer buying decisions. Therefore, the present study develops a theoretical framework based on self-congruity theory to examine the key determinants of brand hate.Design/methodology/approachData were collected only in fast-food chain franchises in the capital city territory of Pakistan. Therefore, it is hard to generalize the findings of this research for customers from different cultural backgrounds.FindingsThe results of the study reveal that symbolic and functional incongruence are the primary factors responsible for brand hate among Pakistani fast-food customers. Customers carefully consider both self-image and product attributes when purchasing products.Research limitations/implicationsThe research uses the cross-sectional method, which limits the findings’ usefulness in other sectors.Practical implicationsThe current research helps policymakers understand the key determinants of brand hate, showing that symbolic incongruence is the primary antecedent. Therefore, policymakers and corporate leaders should consider that Pakistan is an Islamic country where consumer choices of food are not only derived from food quality, food hygiene and service quality, but also the symbolic image (i.e. halal food) is a vital determinant of consumption.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by discussing the above issue and presenting quantitative data. This research extends the literature by testing and validating a conceptual model that includes two types of congruence (symbolic and functional) to study brand hate. The proposed conceptual model provides a novel, theoretical, self-congruity point of view on brand hate.

Self-organisation and supply chain agility: empirical evidence from humanitarian relief operations in a developing country

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Mutebi ◽  
Moses Muhwezi ◽  
John C. Kigozi Munene
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Humanitarian Relief ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Supply Chain Agility ◽  
Self Organisation ◽  
Relief Operations ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to establish whether self-organisation and its components matter for supply chain agility in the context of humanitarian relief operations in a developing country, Uganda.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a cross-sectional design to collect data from a sample of 101 humanitarian organisations (HOs) that deliver relief to Bidi-Bidi refugee settlement in Uganda.FindingsBased on the findings, self-organisation explains 56% of the variance in supply chain agility.Research limitations/implicationsSince the study was cross-sectional, changes in the perception of the subject matter could not be established. Hence, a longitudinal approach was recommended for subsequent studies. Data was collected only from HOs that deliver relief services in Bidi-Bidi refugee settlement.Practical implicationsIt is recommended that managers of HOs should ensure that their organisations have flexible, adaptive structures that can affect self-organisation during emergencies so as to increase the speed with which they respond to victims' needs.Originality/valueThis study generates significant empirical evidence on a less studied phenomenon in the humanitarian sector. It vividly highlights the effect of self-organisation on building supply chain agility.

Trapped in the gender stereotype? The image of science among secondary school students and teachers

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Makarova ◽  
Walter Herzog
Keyword(s):  
Science Teachers ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Gender Stereotype ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Teachers Perspectives ◽  
Mathematics And Physics

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the gender stereotype of science by analysing the semantic attributes of gender in relation to three science subjects – chemistry, mathematics, and physics – among students and their science teachers. Design/methodology/approach – This cross-sectional study applied a survey of 3,045 students and 123 teachers in secondary schools. The gendered image of science was assessed using a semantic differential consisting of 25 pairs of adjectives with semantically opposite meanings. Findings – In summary, the results of the study demonstrate that from the female students’ perspective mathematics and physics are negatively related to female gender, whereas chemistry is neither significantly related to the male nor to the female profile. From the male students’ point of view mathematics is negatively related to the female gender, whereas chemistry and physics are positively related to the male gender. In the science teachers’ perception chemistry and physics combine feminine and masculine attributes, whereas the teachers’ perception of mathematics matches only with the male, but not with the female gender. Originality/value – In contrast to previous research, the study is the first to analyse the gender stereotype of chemistry as well as to assess the gender image of three science subjects from students’ and teachers’ perspectives.

Intellectual capital of SMEs in Thailand: an employee behavioural measurement instrument

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khahan Na-Nan ◽  
Suteeluck N. Kanthong ◽  
Kattikamat Khummueng ◽  
Auemporn Dhienhirun
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Research Performance ◽  
Measurement Instrument ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Concepts

Purpose Intellectual capital (IC) is an important factor to push and drive organisations to achieve competitive advantages and growth. This study aims to develop and test an instrument to measure IC for employee behaviour in the context of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Design/methodology/approach The measurement instrument was designed after assessing literature reviews on IC that provided a strong theoretical support for application of a specific set of items in the SME context. Instrument validity and reliability were tested for item-objective congruence by five experts. The results ranged between 0.8 and 1.0, with a reliability coefficient of 0.950. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to confirm construct validity between theoretical and empirical evidence. Data were collected from 240 hairdressers employed by SMEs in Thailand. Findings The results revealed that IC can be classified into two groups as human capital and relational capital. Constructs between theoretical concepts and empirical evidence gave values of χ2 = 42.336, df = 35, p = 0.184, χ2/df = 1.210, GFI = 0.972, AGFI = 0.938, RMSEA = 0.030 and SRMR = 0.018. Research limitations/implications Empirical findings were derived from a sample of 240 hairdressers. However, validation and reliability of the instruments require confirmation in various other contexts with a larger number of samples. This cross-sectional study identified the effects of IC in SMEs, thereby contributing to the ongoing debate regarding the determinants of research performance. Originality/value The IC instrument was determined as valid and fulfilled the knowledge gap concerning SMEs by facilitating future studies on boundaries with IC assessment spanning SME contexts. This instrumental support will assist researchers and academics to develop a more comprehensive understanding of IC and explore its potential in future research areas.

Economic crisis as a driver of management accounting change

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Endenich
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Management Accounting ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Accountants ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Statistical Sense

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate change processes within German and Spanish management accounting which are induced by the recent economic crisis. To illuminate these changes, a particular emphasis is put on budgeting processes and the role of management accountants. Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional field study that mainly builds on interviews with senior management accounting executives in nine German and nine Spanish companies was conducted. The German and Spanish companies were matched in terms of industry and size to assure comparability of the two national samples. Findings – The most recent economic crisis represents a crucial driver of management accounting change in the companies comprising my sample. Whereas budgeting is increasingly performed continuously, the empirical evidence suggests that opportunities are continually evolving that might result in a more powerful position of management accountants within corporate decision-making processes and an improved image of management accountants. Research limitations/implications – The findings of this study should not be generalised in a statistical sense. However, the results may be used as the basis for qualitative and quantitative follow-up studies. Practical implications – The paper provides several examples which demonstrate, that management accountants can improve their image and their influence on corporate decision making in times of economic crisis. Originality/value – This paper contributes to the literature by providing both theoretical refinement of and empirical evidence on propositions on the influence of the economic crisis on management accounting.

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