scholarly journals Does e-government control corruption? Evidence from South Asian countries

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ali ◽  
Syed Ali Raza ◽  
Chin Hong Puah ◽  
Tazeen Arsalan
Keyword(s):  
South Asian ◽  
Press Freedom ◽  
Government Control ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Government Effectiveness ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Sample Data ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between e-government and corruption in selected South Asian countries (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka). Design/methodology/approach The sample data were gathered from reliable secondary sources over a sample period of 2003–2018. Additionally, this study incorporated other potential determinants or corruption, such as government effectiveness, press freedom, education and economy. To assess sample data, this study used panel data econometric procedures. Findings Results indicated that e-government had a positive and significant impact on corruption. Similarly, government effectiveness and education had a positive and significant influence on corruption. However, press freedom and the economy showed a negative and insignificant impact on corruption. This study further found the robustness of the results through sensitivity analysis. Overall, it was concluded that e-government plays a significant role to reduce corruption. Originality/value The governments should implement the e-governance system and provide a transparent and accountable environment to eliminate corruption.

scholarly journals Determinants and convergence of government effectiveness in Africa and Asia

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-215
Author(s):  
King C.T. Duho ◽  
Mark Opoku Amankwa ◽  
Justice I. Musah-Surugu
Keyword(s):  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Press Freedom ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Checks And Balances ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Wealth ◽  
Government Effectiveness ◽  
Political Actors ◽  
Sigma Convergence ◽  
Beta Convergence

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants and convergence of government effectiveness in African and Asian countries.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilizes data from 100 countries in Africa and Asia from 2002 to 2018. The panel-corrected standard error regression is used for the regression analysis, while both beta-convergence and sigma-convergence among the countries are tested.FindingsBoth beta-convergence and sigma-convergence exist among African and Asian countries. Asia performs better than Africa across all indicators except for press freedom, and voice and accountability. Corruption perception index, government size, voice and accountability, regulatory quality and economic wealth have a significant positive effect on government effectiveness. Press freedom negatively impacts on government effectiveness, suggesting that freedom is necessary but not sufficient if there are political actors whose actions undermine freedom. Similarly, the political constraint index, as reflected by checks and balances are necessary but not sufficient to enhance government effectiveness, especially in Asia.Practical implicationsThe results reveal that for press freedom and political checks and balances to enhance government effectiveness, there is a need for a different and holistic approach. The results are relevant for policymakers, public sector practitioners and academics.Originality/valueThis study utilizes a new dataset and is premier in exploring the convergence of government effectiveness among African and Asian countries.

A nexus between corruption, money laundering (ML) and inflation: evidence from South Asian countries

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ijaz Hussain Shah ◽  
Kinza Aish
Keyword(s):  
South Asian ◽  
Money Laundering ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corruption Perception ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Many studies of corruption and money laundering (ML) have been conducted throughout the previous few decades. The impact of corruption and ML on economic growth, banking performance and corporate financial performance has been the focus of various research. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between ML, corruption and inflation. Design/methodology/approach This study used the panel data of five South Asian countries from 2013 to 2019 (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal). Further, fixed effect (FE) and random effect (RE) econometric regression models are used to analyze the data. Additionally, generalized methods of moment (GMM) technique is used to check the results robustness. Findings This study discovered that corruption and ML have a significant and positive link with inflation in five South Asian nations using the corruption perception index and the anti-money laundering (AML) index. Practical implications This research advises that government authorities strengthen anti-corruption and AML laws enforcement. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper that explains the linkage between corruption, ML and inflation in five south Asian nations.

scholarly journals Does Foreign Direct Investment Influence Renewable Energy Consumption? Empirical Evidence from South Asian Countries

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 3470
Author(s):  
Xueqing Kang ◽  
Farman Ullah Khan ◽  
Raza Ullah ◽  
Muhammad Arif ◽  
Shams Ur Rehman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Direct Investment ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Ordinary Least Square ◽  
The Relationship

In selected South Asian countries, the study intends to investigate the relationship between urban population (UP), carbon dioxide (CO2), trade openness (TO), gross domestic product (GDP), foreign direct investment (FDI), and renewable energy (RE). Fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) models for estimation were used in the study, which covered yearly data from 1990 to 2019. We used Levin–Lin–Chu, Im–Pesaran–Shin, and Fisher PP tests for the stationarity of the variables. The outcomes of the panel cointegration approach looked at whether there was a long-run equilibrium nexus between selected variables in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. The FMOLS approach was also used to assess the relationship, and the results suggest that there is a significant and negative nexus between FDI and renewable energy in south Asian nations. The study’s findings reveal a strong and favorable relationship between GDP and renewable energy use. In South Asian nations (Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh), the FMOLS and DOLS findings are nearly identical, but the authors used the DOLS model for robustification. According to the findings, policymakers in South Asian economies (Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh) should view GDP and FDI as fundamental policy instruments for environmental sustainability. To reduce reliance on hazardous energy sources, the government should also reassure financial sectors to participate in renewable energy.

COVID-19 vaccination in South Asia: a call for responsible leadership among SAARC countries

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amlan Haque ◽  
Md Shamirul Islam
Keyword(s):  
South Asian ◽  
Regional Cooperation ◽  
Responsible Leadership ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
The South ◽  
Current Crisis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Life Saving ◽  
Regional Leadership ◽  
Future Challenges

Purpose Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has presented an opportunity to set aside traditional regional collaborations and take responsible leadership to overcome difficult times. This paper aims to explore the current COVID-19 vaccination progress and pandemic status for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries and suggests responsible leadership to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and to think beyond. Design/methodology/approach This paper offers a viewpoint of the current COVID-19 vaccination among eight SAARC nations. It scrutinises the recent COVID-19 vaccination statistics for the eight South Asian countries based on Web-based analytics and comparative analysis until 28 August 2021. Findings This paper calls for collaborative decisions and responsible actions for policymakers in the SAARC countries to deal with the COVID-19 vaccination crisis. When South Asian countries are fraught with the increasing number of populations with COVID-19 cases, deaths and acute shortage of life-saving vaccines, it is time for their national and SAARC leaders to strengthen regional cooperations and initiate collaborative actions. The paper demonstrates that implementing responsible leadership can result in favourable outcomes for individuals, organisations, regions and the world. Moreover, this paper suggests SAARC, through responsible actions, has the potentiality to overcome the current crisis of COVID-19 vaccination and enhance the regional sustainability of the South Asian nations. Originality/value This paper delivers information about the present developing situation of COVID-19 vaccination in SAARC countries, how the governments and regional leadership are handling and future challenges that have been raised and can be overcome effectively. This paper can be helpful for the policymakers and SAARC leaders for effective public health interventions in the region and to develop a recovery roadmap for the sustainable economic zone.

Literature review on effect of microfinance institutions on poverty in South Asian countries and their sustainability

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Prashant Kumar Gupta ◽  
Seema Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effect

PurposeThe authors present a systematic literature review on microfinance institutions’ (MFIs) effect on poverty and how they can ensure their sustainability. The purpose of this article is to review the effect of MFIs on poverty in South Asian countries. The analysis and review of the selected corpus of literature also provide avenues for future research.Design/methodology/approachA total of 95 papers from 49 journals in 4 academic libraries and publishers were systematically studied and classified. The authors define the keywords and the inclusion/exclusion criteria for the identification of papers. The review includes an analysis of the selected papers that give insights about publications with respect to themes, number of themes covered in individual publications, nations, scope, methodology, number of methods used and publication trend.FindingsThe literature indicates the positive effect of microfinance on poverty but with a varying degree on various categories of poor. The relation between poverty and microfinance is, however, dependent on the nation under the scanner. While sustainability and outreach co-exist, their trade-off is still a matter of debate.Originality/valueThis is the first systematic literature review on MFIs’ effect on poverty in South Asian nations. Additionally, the authors discuss the literature on the trade-off between sustainability and outreach for MFIs.

Re-examining the twin deficit hypothesis for major South Asian economies

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-287
Author(s):  
Shruti Shastri
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Exchange Rate ◽  
Interest Rate ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Current Account ◽  
Transmission Mechanism ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Run

Purpose The purpose of this study is to revisit the twin deficit hypothesis (TDH) and provide insights into the transmission mechanism connecting budget deficits and current account deficits for five major South Asian countries, namely, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan Sri Lanka and Nepal for the period 1985-2016. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a multivariate framework including real interest rate, real exchange rate and real gross domestic product to avoid the possibility of incorrect inferences caused by omission of relevant mediating variables. The long-run relationship and causality are investigated through the autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing approach and Toda Yamamoto approach, respectively, for each individual country. The robustness of the results is assessed with the help of Westerlund’s cointegration test and group mean fully modified ordinary least squares (GM-FMOLS), group mean dynamic ordinary least square (GM-DOLS) and common correlated effect mean group (CCEMG) estimators in the panel framework. Findings Both time series and panel evidences indicate long-run relationship between budget balance (BB) and current account balance (CAB) together with the mediating variables. The results indicate bi-directional causation between the two balances for India and Bangladesh, TDH for Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the reverse causation from CAB to BB for Nepal. Regarding the transmission mechanism, the results indicate the absence of the causal chain postulated by Mundell–Fleming, which predicts that BB causes CAB via interest rate and exchange rate. A CCEMG estimate of the import demand function reveals a positive government spending elasticity of imports suggesting that BB affects CAB by direct impact through demand. Originality/value This study augments the twin deficit literature on South Asian countries by providing insights into the transmission mechanism connecting the BB and CAB. Moreover, the study provides robust evidences on the TDH by using both time series and panel data techniques.

Factors affecting level of unemployment in South Asia

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aiza Shabbir ◽  
Shazia kousar ◽  
Muhammad Zubair Alam
Keyword(s):  
South Asian ◽  
Unemployment Rate ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Economic Variables ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Short Run ◽  
The Government

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the short-run and long-run relationship between economic variables and the unemployment rate in South Asian countries.Design/methodology/approachA panel Vector Error Correction (VECM) model is used to establish the long-run and the short-run relationship between unemployment rate and selected economic variables. Data were collected from WDI, WGI and FDSD for the year's 1994–2016.FindingsThe finding of the study showed a negative and significant relationship at the 5% level of significance among governance, internet users, mobile cellular subscriptions, fixed broadband subscriptions and human capital with an unemployment rate of South Asian economies. On the other hand, financial activity (credit) and population growth have a positive and significant relationship with the unemployment rate.Research limitations/implicationsIn the light of our findings clear that employment problems can only be created if the government does not put in place adequate measures to control the population and allocate resources equitably, giving a sense of belonging to all citizens. Therefore, to provide the controlled population with the necessary employment opportunities, it is necessary to allocate resources efficiently and to launch projects aimed at creating jobs.Practical implicationsTransparency or merit is the basis of good governance and the very first step to achieving the goal of good governance is to fight against corruption. It provides a complete justification for providing good quality management records, financial controlling and managerial systems.Originality/valueThe connections between governance and unemployment are complex and need to be studied in a detailed manner. There is the absence of literature that strongly interfaces good governance to unemployment; the fundamental work in this regard is Farid (2015). They locate a solid relationship between good governance and improving external debt situation by in Pakistan a time series analysis. But there is no research in the context of South Asian countries between governance and unemployment.

Reassessing the contents and context of governance in Asia: recognizing achievements

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Shafiqul Huque
Keyword(s):  
Good Governance ◽  
Primary Sources ◽  
Political Systems ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Ranking Countries

Purpose Good governance has been declared as the key target of most Asian governments, but it appears to be an unattainable objective. The purpose of this paper is to explore the potentials for establishing governance across Asian countries. Drawing upon the literature and experience of Asian countries, the study argues that governance represents an unclear state that is rooted more in perception than reality. An extensive review of the indicators of governance reveals the anomaly and unorganized efforts to measure it, and points to the need for recognizing accomplishments in areas that are not directly or indirectly covered in the existing schemes of assessment. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a broad review of the literature on governance and political systems in Asian countries. Existing arrangements for assessing governance are critically reviewed to point out the risks in a perception-dependent approach. Secondary sources and insight obtained from relevant research constitute the data analyzed in the paper. Findings The paper finds that the target of good governance cannot be fully achieved due to the significant diversity across Asian countries as well as varied perceptions held by assessors. Stakeholders have different perceptions about the requirements and ideal of governance and existing tools for measuring governance are inadequate. Most importantly, assessment frameworks do not recognize contextual dimensions that are relevant to Asian countries. Furthermore, it is important to recognize efforts that are aimed at improving conditions instead of working toward an absolute outcome of governance. Recognition of small successes will contribute to the improvement of circumstances rather than ranking countries on the basis of a limited number of perception-based indicators and listing them on international indices. Research limitations/implications The paper does not draw upon primary sources of information and is limited to an assessment of existing arrangements. Practical implications The paper will help draw attention to the limitations of existing arrangements of assessing countries and ranking them for the quality of governance. It will also encourage researchers to think about alternative tools for assessing governance and recognizing progress in Asian countries. Social implications The paper will encourage governments to identify obstacles to good governance and adopt policies to overcome them. Originality/value The paper contributes to the literature presenting a critical view for encouraging alternative approach to governance, incorporating perceptions of diverse stakeholders and highlights the need to recognize progress, however limited, in all areas.

Harmony-oriented retail innovations and financial performance

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mónika Anetta Alt ◽  
Zombor Berezvai ◽  
Irma Agárdi
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Sales Growth ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Human Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Innovation Outcomes

PurposeRecently, a growing need for harmony has been observed worldwide. Harmony is a universal value in both Western and Asian countries. This paper aims to study how the concept of harmony is reflected in the innovation of European multinational grocery retailers and how harmony-related innovations affect the financial performance of the retailers.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on a multisource database including innovation outcomes and financial performance indicators of 17 European multinational grocery retailers in the period of 2011–2018. In sum, 1,399 innovations were identified by content analysis. The relationship between innovation outcomes and financial performance was measured by panel regression analysis.FindingsResults indicate that retailers differ in launching harmony-oriented innovations. Moreover, 40% more innovations are related to harmony with people as those related to harmony with nature. Finally, harmony-with-people innovations have a significantly positive effect on retailers' sales growth.Practical implicationsBased on the research findings, retailers can improve their sales growth by launching innovations that focus on harmony in human relationships.Originality/valueThis paper extended the concept of harmony to the field of innovations. First, the research showed how the value of harmony appears in the innovations of multinational retailers. Second, the study differentiated between harmony-with-people and harmony-with-nature innovations. Third, the findings revealed that harmony-oriented innovations contribute to retailers' financial performance.

The double-edge resource-based view of logistics performance and governance in Asian countries

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 652-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bee Hui Koh ◽  
Wai Peng Wong ◽  
Chor Foon Tang ◽  
Ming K. Lim
Keyword(s):  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Dark Side ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Trade Facilitation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effect Model ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeAsia has been transformed into a well-regulated dynamic platform for trade and is today world’s fastest-developing economic region. However, the increasing cross-border economic activities create new opportunities for corruption. The purpose of this paper is to assess the impact of corruption on trade facilitation using logistics performance index (LPI). This paper also examines the moderating effect of governance or government effectiveness (GE) on the relationship between corruption and LPI within Asian countries.Design/methodology/approachA panel of time-series data from year 2007 to 2014 of 26 Asian countries was collected for analysis. Static linear panel models which comprised of pooled ordinary least squares, fixed-effect model and random-effect model were utilised to analyse the panel data.FindingsThe findings show that corruption significantly affects LPI and each of the six dimensions in LPI. The results also show that governance or GE has a moderating effect on the relationship between corruption and LPI.Practical implicationsThis study benefits Asian governments to gain a better understanding on influences of corruption on trade facilitation and triggering suggestions of a government role in the relationship. Practically, the results could be used as a guideline in improving national LPI. Besides, the findings could be used to support policy decision to modify corruption regulations at the national and regional levels.Originality/valueThis study reveals that the optimistic view of sands in the wheel overcomes the dark side of the grease in the wheel practices. To be corrupt free or less corrupt is a rare and inimitable resource capability that makes nations logistically competitive.

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