Income convergence in India: evidence from nonparametric panel data

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 400-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arfat Ahmad Sofi ◽  
Raja Sethu Durai S.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate convergence hypothesis in a balanced panel of 22 Indian states for the time period of 1980-81 to 2010-11 by applying nonparametric model setting in a panel framework. Design/methodology/approach The present study uses nonparametric and semi-parametric panel data methods to test the absolute and conditional convergence, respectively, and examines the income convergence using nonparametric panel data methods with state specific effects taken into consideration. These models are being estimated by the iterative process for a balanced panel of state wise per capita income and other conditioning variables for the time period of 1980-81 to 2010-11. For removing the fixed effects, the authors follow within transformation procedure according to the feasibility of the problem. Since convergence is estimated by regressing dependent variable on initial level of independent variable (as growth rate of income and per capita income in this case). So using usual transformation for removing the fixed effects is not feasible because by doing so the authors may end up with singular matrices on both sides of the regression model. Findings The results reject the null of parametric specification for both absolute as well as conditional convergence model. As to the outcome of the empirical analysis, the findings reveal that the Indian states are diverging in absolute sense and converging on conditional basis. Convergence happens to be consistent and conditional upon public expenditure, power generation share of primary and tertiary sector to Gross State Domestic Product. Originality/value The originality of the study is in its application of advanced methodology to highlight the model misspecifications while testing the convergence hypothesis in earlier literature.

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 476-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Ejaz Anwer ◽  
Bimal Kishore Sahoo ◽  
Simantini Mohapatra

Purpose Agriculture diversification acts as income enhancing as well as distress mitigating strategy. India has witnessed rise in per-capita income which in turn has increased the demand for food particularly high-valued food items but agricultural production has failed to keep pace with the growing demand. The purpose of this paper is to examine spatio-temporal variations in agricultural diversification (AD) in India. Second, the authors try to identify the determinants of AD. Third, the authors examine the convergence hypothesis with reference to agriculture diversification across Indian states. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on the panel data constituting 20 major states of India during 1990–1991 to 2013–2014. It uses Simpson Diversification Index to measure AD. The heteroskedasticity-corrected panel regression model is applied to find out the determinants of AD. The fixed-effects model is used to examine β-convergence in AD across the sample states. Alternative time series models are applied to examine σ-convergence in AD. Findings The rising per-capita income and urbanization are driving dietary diversity towards high-valued crops and providing ample opportunity for AD. But poor and inadequate cold storage facility and rising cost of cultivation are posing major hindrance to it. Small land holding and road length have negatively influenced AD which is contrary to the traditional wisdom. The study found divergence in diversification and rising inequality in diversification. Research limitations/implications The study is based on secondary data. A primary study to complement this could have been better. It is only based on one country. Social implications Food inflation has serious adverse effect on the society at large. It is necessary to promote AD for controlling food price inflation. Minimum support price provided by the government should be extended to all crops; otherwise, it will fuel inflation. Given the fact fragmentation of land holding is adversely affecting AD, community based farming and consolidation of farm land should be the way forward to improve farmers’ income as well as reduce risk. Originality/value To best of the authors’ study, this is the first study that examines determinants of AD and convergence in AD during the high growth period of India.


Author(s):  
Ş. Mustafa Ersungur ◽  
Aslı Cansın Doker ◽  
Adem Türkmen

Owing to Solow’s neo-classical the convergence hypothesis, which explains underdeveloped and developing countries grew faster than any of these developed countries have acknowledged that captures the level of per capita income, was added to the economic growth and development literature. Despite, theoretically there are two different approaches in convergence analysis; real and conditional, it cannot be said generalizing empirical results for both. Accordingly, 29 transition economies which tried to cross from the planned economic system into liberal economic system, is subjected to this study. Convergence have been analysed on transition economies between 1991 and 2011 using the growth rate of per capita income as variables by cross-sectional data analysis. In this study, additionally to real convergence, obtaining from the KOF index of economics, political and social integration and openness data were included the model as dummy variables for examining conditional convergence. Depending on empirical results on real and conditional convergence analysis, the convergence hypothesis is accepted. It is identified that Cambodia, Vietnam and China especially have caught up with faster growth comparing with other transition economies; however, those countries have shown weaker convergence than others. On the other hand, Kirghizstan and Tajikistan, which are known as mostly having the effects of transition recessions, have negative growth rates, and those countries have been diverging from other countries’ growth performance. From findings obtained within conditional convergence, it is examined while political liberalisation and openness variables have been accepted significantly; the economic and social liberalization variables have no significant effect on convergence.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-139
Author(s):  
I. A. Lakman ◽  
V. M. Timiryanova ◽  
D. V. Popov

The article presents results of a study on influence of population dynamics, regional characteristics and the type structure of income on consumption. The ability to investigate spatial dependencies and territorial effects over time was made possible by autoregression spatial models built on panel data. The article describes features of such models, sequence of calculations, and also presents modified tests to justify the choice of the model specification.Calculations were made using data from 83 constituent entities of the Russian Federation (cross-sectional observations) for 2010–2019 (10 time periods). The analysis showed that both population income and retail turnover, which largely determine the level and structure of population consumption, have spatial dependencies. The built spatial error model with fixed effects showed a positive influence on population consumption in the neighboring territories. The model also confirmed previously identified relationships: the positive impact of average per capita income and the negative impact of the Gini index on consumption. The built model with fixed effects allowed to isolate the individual effects of the territories, visualized using cartogram. On the basis of these assessments, several groups of territories with common properties and characteristics have been identified.Unlike previously built models, the authors’ spatial error autoregression model, built on panel data, took into account both the geographical heterogeneity and spatial dependence of average per capita income and retail turnover, expanding the existing understanding of the relationship between consumption and income. This, in turn, enables management decisions that take into account previously undetected features and enhance their validity.


2021 ◽  
pp. 097491012110341
Author(s):  
Prakarti Sharma ◽  
Nidhi Sharma

The study intends to examine the convergence of per capita income in emerging market economies (EMEs) toward a steady state for the post reform period (1999–2019). Cross-sectional regression analysis has been performed for unconditional convergence and a panel data regression to find the conditional convergence in EMEs. Sigma convergence has been applied to find the dispersion of income level in EMEs. In addition, to find the impact of global financial crisis on the convergence process of EMEs, unit root test with one structural break has been applied. The findings indicate that there exists unconditional convergence among EMEs toward a common steady state. Further, the results show a significant role of all control variables except education in the growth process but prove the absence of conditional convergence in selected EMEs. The results of sigma convergence find that the dispersion of per capita income is declining in EMEs, showing the sign of sigma convergence in EMEs. However, this study provides further scope to examine per capita income convergence among EMEs by including other variables and their effect on the convergence process of EMEs.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chittaranjan Nayak ◽  
Priyabrata Satpathy

Purpose Despite existence of a constitutional demarcation of functions and finances between the centre and the states, it is alleged that the centre-state funds transfer systems in India have a political bargaining aspect that goes beyond the normative considerations. This paper makes an attempt to investigate if the political system allows to evolve a simple, equitable, objective and rule-based system of transfers. The aim of this paper is to explore the political economic determinants of discretionary fiscal transfers in India. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on a panel data set of 28 Indian states for the period 2001–2014. After diagnostic checking for fixed effects/random effects, the authors prefer to use fixed effects regression with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors and Arellano–Bover/Blundel and Bond system estimation model that uses moment conditions in which lagged first differences of the dependent variable are instruments for the level equation. Findings The findings of this study reveal that fiscal performance, economic capacity and political alliance are significant but some other political determinants such as bargaining power and election years are not significant in influencing discretionary transfers. Originality/value Considering the limited availability of literature on federal finance, the present paper is an addition to the existing research, especially on a crucial issue concerning extra-constitutional fiscal transfers in India. Analysing a balanced panel comprising all the Indian states and examining the role of various political-economic determinants makes this paper topical.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 427-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleh Shahriar ◽  
Sokvibol Kea ◽  
Lu Qian

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the major determinants of China’s outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) in the economies along the “Belt & Road” Initiative (BRI afterward). China works on to advance the agenda of the BRI both at home and abroad. The BRI is set up to promote connectivity in five key areas: policy coordination, infrastructure connectivity, trade facilitation, financial cooperation and people-to-people contacts. Design/methodology/approach The existing literature is inconclusive with regards to the motives, patterns and determinants of the Chinese OFDI. The authors are, therefore, motivated to undertake this study to shed some new light on the influencing factors of the Chinese OFDI. The authors have made a unique data set that consists of China and its 64 partnering countries of the BRI over a time period of 12 years spanning from 2004 to 2015. This time period is chosen on the chief consideration of data availability. The authors have a balanced panel, and applied the gravity model in line with the theoretical arguments and econometric developments. Findings The paper assumes that China’s OFDI along the BRI was a function of gross domestic product (GDP), income per capita, distance and WTO. The findings showed that GDP, per capita income and distance were the key determinants of the OFDI. China’s entry into the WTO did not strongly affect the OFDI. China maintained a tradition of historical relationships along the BRI economies. After all, China is relocating its investment resources in line with the consideration of its partnering countries’ economic size, cross-border distance and per capita income. Originality/value This study is the first of its kinds to analyze the determinants of OFDI by means of gravity model. The authors have covered all the countries along the BRI. Hence, this paper aims to make a substantial contribution to the literature, both from a scientific and a policy perspective.


2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 604-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritwik Sasmal ◽  
Joydeb Sasmal

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of public expenditure on economic growth and poverty alleviation in developing countries like India. If poverty and inequality are high, the government may resort to distributive policies at the cost of long-term growth. The distributive policies and poverty alleviation measures fail to achieve success due to lack of good governance, lack of proper targeting and problems in the implementation of such schemes. On the other hand, if the nature of public expenditure is such that it enhances per capita income, it will help reduce poverty. Design/methodology/approach – After analytical digression and construction of hypotheses panel regression has been done using state-level data in the Indian context to empirically verify the above propositions. Both Fixed effects and Random effects models have been used for this purpose. Findings – The results show that in states where ratio of public expenditure on the development of infrastructure such as road, irrigation, power, transport and communication is higher, per capita income is also higher and incidence of poverty is lower indicating that economic growth is important for poverty alleviation and development of infrastructure is necessary for growth. Originality/value – This study demonstrates how public policy and public finance can be used as instruments for removal of poverty.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-151
Author(s):  
Fernanda Andrade de Xavier ◽  
Aparna P. Lolayekar ◽  
Pranab Mukhopadhyay

We study the effect of revenue decentralization (RD) and expenditure decentralization (ED) on sub-national growth in India from 1981–1982 to 2015–2016 for 14 large (non-special-category) states. Our study provides evidence that both RD and ED play a defining role in India’s sub-national growth in this three-and-a-half-decade period. We use a panel data model with fixed effects (FE) and Driscoll and Kraay standard errors that control for heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation and cross-sectional dependence. To test for causality between growth and decentralization, we use the Granger non-causality test. The regression analysis is supplemented with the distribution dynamics approach. We find that: (a) While decentralization Granger-caused economic growth, the reverse causality effect of growth on decentralization was not significant; (b) Economic growth increased significantly after liberalization; (c) Decentralization, capital expenditure and social expenditure had significant positive impacts on economic growth; and (d) States that had high levels of decentralization also had high levels of per capita income, while states that had low decentralization also exhibited low per capita income.


2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 610-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Oladapo Alabede

Purpose This study aims to expand the conventional tax effort model to incorporate relevant economic freedom variables to investigate whether economic freedom fosters tax revenue performance in `sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Design/methodology/approach This study uses data from 42 countries across the four sub-regions of SSA from the period 2005 to 2012 with 252 year-country observations in an unbalanced panel method. The data were statistically treated using feasible generalised least square (FGLS) and panel-corrected standard errors (PCSE) estimate techniques. Findings The findings are twofold. First, the principal finding of the study suggests that economic freedom promotes tax revenue performance. Precisely, the FGLS analysis indicates that property rights freedom, freedom from corruption and investment freedom, as well as the composite economic freedom, exerted positive significant impact on tax revenue performance. This implies that country, which attained high degree of economic freedom, is likely to have higher tax-to-GDP ratio than a country with low level of economic freedom. Secondly, the results of most conventional variables conform to the prediction in the traditional theory except per capita income. Specifically, agriculture share in GDP and per capita income indicate negative significant relationship with tax revenue performance. Originality/value Because little is known empirically about the connection between economic freedom and tax revenue performance, this study extended the conventional tax effort model to incorporate the economic freedom to bridge the knowledge gap due to the absence of empirical evidence on the relationship between economic freedom and tax effort.


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