Digital trade facilitation and bilateral trade in selected Asian countries

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Normaz Wana Ismail

Purpose Digital technology is gaining attention among many scholars as a way to facilitate trade. This study aims to investigate three important digital dimensions (DD), namely, digital infrastructure, digital usage and digital security on trade using selected Asian countries and 20 selected trade partners. Digital infrastructure focussed on the availability and accessibility of digital infrastructure in exporting and importing countries. The second dimension, digital usage, highlights the importance of household usage of mobile phones, broadband data and the internet. Finally, the third dimension focusses on digital security as many online transactions occur across the globe. Design/methodology/approach The study uses the gravity model to investigate the impact of DD as tools to facilitate trade in selected Asian countries with selected trading partners between 2003 and 2017. The Hausman test is used to determine whether to use the random effect model or fixed effect model. However, for robustness, the Hausman and Taylor estimation is used to allow the time-invariant model to be included and at the same time to remove correlations between the error terms. Findings The result of this study confirmed that having digital infrastructure is not sufficient for trade facilitation, but it must be supported with an intensity of use by businesses and consumers and be accompanied by strong internet security for trade. The study also revealed that a narrowing digital divide in terms internet users and security will be a benefit to both trade partners in a transaction through better and efficient trade facilitation. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature in three ways. First, the classification of DD is used to identify which dimensions need to be addressed for policymakers. Most studies focussed on the first two dimensions without including security dimensions. Second, the authors estimate digital trade facilitation variables for both exporters and importers to ensure unbiased results between two trade partners. Finally, this study introduces new variables in the analysis of the digital user gap and the digital security gap as indicators for the digital divide.

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 652-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bee Hui Koh ◽  
Wai Peng Wong ◽  
Chor Foon Tang ◽  
Ming K. Lim

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erhan Akkas ◽  
Hazem Al Samman

Purpose This paper aims to investigate and provide an objective appraisal of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on Islamic and conventional financial institutions and Islamic windows in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Design/methodology/approach The panel data techniques are conducted country-wise in each financial institution type: random-effect model, fixed-effect model and Hausman test. Findings The results of the first phase analysis that extends from 1 January 2020 to 30 October 2020 show that Islamic financial institutions are less exposed to the repercussions of the COVID-19 outbreak than the conventional and Islamic window financial institutions in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE. Moreover, the Islamic financial institutions in Saudi Arabia and Oman have not been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. The second phase analysis for the COVID-19 outbreak that extends from 1 November 2020 to 17 March 2021 confirms the disappearance of the negative impact of COVID-19 on Islamic financial institutions in Bahrain and Oman. Practical implications The findings present that Islamic banks are not as resilient in the COVID-19 pandemic as in the 2008 financial crisis. It can be suggested that regulatory authorities, financial institutions and other key policymakers in the GCC countries should focus on implementing regulatory reforms related to human capital, innovative products, research and development to further develop individuals, societies and institutions within the framework of Islamic ontology to be more resilient in such crises. Originality/value This paper provides a different perspective from existing literature on the pandemics and financial institutions by comparing the stock prices in Islamic and conventional financial institutions and Islamic windows in GCC countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this paper should be considered as a contribution to filling a gap in the literature.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 629-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sundas Sohail ◽  
Farhat Rasul ◽  
Ummara Fatima

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore how governance mechanisms (internal and external) enhance the performance of the return on asset (ROA), return on equity (ROE), earning per share (EPS) and dividend payout ratios (DP) of the banks of Pakistan. The study incorporates not only the internal factors of governance (board size, out-ratio, annual general meeting, managerial ownership, institutional ownership, block holder stock ownership and financial transparency) but also the external factors (legal infrastructure and protection of minority shareholders, and the market for corporate control). Design/methodology/approach The sample size of the study consists of 30 banks (public, private and specialized) listed at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSE) for the period 2008-2014. The panel data techniques (fixed or random effect model) have been used for the empirical analysis after verification by Hausman (1978) test. Findings The results revealed that not only do the internal mechanisms of governance enhance the performance of the banking sector of Pakistan but external governance also plays a substantial role in enriching the performance. The findings conclude that for a good governance structure, both internal and external mechanisms are equally important, to accelerate the performance of the banking sector. Research limitations/implications Internal and external mechanisms of corporate governance can also be checked by adding some more variables (ownership i.e. foreign, female and family as internal and auditor as external), but they are not added in this work due to data unavailability. Practical implications The study contributes to the literature and could be useful for the policy makers who need to force banks to mandate codes of governance through which they can create an efficient board structure and augment the performance. The investments from different forms of ownership can be accelerated if they follow the codes properly. Social implications The study facilitates the bankers in incorporating sound codes of corporate governance to enhance the performance of the banks. Originality/value This work is unique as no one has explored the impact of external mechanism of governance on the performance of the banking sector of Pakistan.


2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 765-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sena Kimm Gnangnon

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the empirical literature of the macroeconomic effect of trade facilitation reforms by examining the impact of the latter on tax revenue in both developed and developing countries. The relevance of the topic lies on the fact that at the Bali Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2013, Trade Ministers agreed for the first time since the creation of the WTO (in 1995) on an Agreement to facilitate trade around the world, dubbed Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The study considers both at-the-border and behind-the border measures of Trade Facilitation. Design/methodology/approach To conduct this study, the authors rely on the literature related to the structural factors that explain tax revenue mobilization. The authors mainly use within fixed effects estimator. The analysis relies on 102 countries (of which 23 industrial countries) over the period 2004-2007 (based on data availability). A focus has also been made on African countries, within the sample of developing countries. Findings The empirical analysis suggests evidence of a positive and significant effect of trade facilitation reforms on non-resources tax revenue, irrespective of the sample of countries considered in the analysis. Research limitations/implications This finding should contribute to dampening the fear of policymakers in developing countries, including Africa that the implementation of the TFA would entail higher costs, without necessarily being associated with higher benefits. An avenue for future research would be to extend the period of the study when data would be available. Originality/value To the best of the authors knowledge, this study had not been performed in the literature of the determinants of tax revenue mobilization, although fact-based analysis was performed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-211
Author(s):  
Fiky Nila Mustika ◽  
Eni Setyowati ◽  
Azhar Alam

This study investigated the impact of ZIS (Zakat, Infaq, and Sadaqah) Gross Regional Domestic Products, Regional Minimum Wages, and Inflation on Poverty Levels in Indonesia during the 2012-2016 period. .This paper used secondary data in the panel data form. This research conducted a quantitative approach using panel data regression. Based on the results of the panel data testing, the best model chosen is the Random Effect Model (REM). Variables of gross regional domestic products and regional minimum wages have a significant effect on poverty levels in Indonesia while the variables of zakat, infaq, and shadaqah (ZIS) and inflation do not influence the level of poverty in Indonesia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 275 ◽  
pp. 01004
Author(s):  
Liu Ran

In this paper, using the panel data of the National Bureau of Statistics database from 2010 to 2019, and using the random effect model, we studied the impact of agricultural infrastructure investment on economic growth. The empirical results show that the investment in agricultural infrastructure can significantly improve the national economy, among which the investment in new infrastructure promotes the economic growth to a certain extent. After comparing the eastern, central and western regions, it is found that the investment in agricultural infrastructure in the western region contributes more to the economic growth, and the statistical results are more significant. Based on the analysis of the role of agricultural infrastructure investment in promoting economic growth, this paper will further discuss the relevant suggestions of the “two new and one heavy” policy in the agricultural field, and promote the adjustment of agricultural industrial structure with the improvement of agricultural infrastructure, and promote the formation of a new development pattern of “double circulation”.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-41
Author(s):  
Yetty Yetty ◽  
Abdurrahman Senuk ◽  
Chairullah Amin

The local development approach based on islands is different with the developing of land area. The natural limitations possessed by the islands region that constrained by some characteristics such as isolation, smallness, boundless, and fragmentation. The study analyzes the impact of port connectivity to the local economic development by taking the case in the island province (North Maluku) in east Indonesia. The analysis method using the panel data model of 9 residences in period 2010-2016 in which the indicators that used are GDP, roadway, port throughput, economic density, and also container port, sea-tollway as the dummy variables. According to the common effect, model shows that all independent variables have a significant influence on the GDP except roadway. While based on Hausman test suggest that random effect model is more appropriated than FEM of which the result shows that container port and sea-tollway have not a significant impact on the GDP. These results implied that the policy of port connectivity within sea-tollway is not effective to improve the local economic development in particular in the islands based on region.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan-pei Kuang ◽  
Jia-li Yang ◽  
Meseret-Chanie Abate

PurposeThe multidimensional effects of farmland transfer in China have been profoundly unstudied. The purpose of this paper is to provide insights on the effects of the intermediary role of agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) of farmland transfer on agricultural economic growth in China.Design/methodology/approachBased on the agricultural data of 30 provinces in China over the period 2005–2018, this paper uses the intermediary effect model to test the relationship between farmland transfer, agricultural TFP and agricultural economic growth. This paper employed an intermediary effect test model to investigate the intermediary role of agricultural TFP in the influence of farmland transfer on agricultural economic growth.FindingsThe findings indicated that farmland transfer has a significant effect on promoting agricultural economic growth. There is a significant “inverted U-shaped” relationship between farmland transfer and agricultural TFP. The sample value of 84.3% of farmland transfers in China is still within the TFP promoting effect range. In addition, farmland transfer has an indirect impact on agricultural economic growth through the channel of agricultural TFP. Agricultural TFP plays a significant intermediary role, but the effect is relatively lowOriginality/valueThis paper is the first to provide fundamental evidence on the impact of farmland transfers on agricultural economic growth in China, driven by agricultural TFP as an intermediary factor. Agricultural TFP can reduce the involution effect of farmland transfer and promote an indirect effect on agricultural economic growth.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-357
Author(s):  
Papar Kananurak ◽  
Aeggarchat Sirisankanan

Purpose There are several different factors that can influence self-employment. However, there is little evidence stemming from direct examination of the impact of financial development (FD) on self-employment. This study aims to formulate empirical specification models to examine the effect of FD on self-employment. Design/methodology/approach Panel data analysis of 136 sample countries was performed during the period from 2000 to 2017. This study initially implemented the new financial index developed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to examine the impact of FD on self-employment. Panel data analysis including the pooled model, fixed effect and random effect model has been carried out. Findings The empirical results show that the financial institutions index has a negative significant impact on self-employment by a considerable magnitude, whereas the financial markets index does not show any statistical significance. The results also find that the government effectiveness index is negative and statistically significant on self-employment. Originality/value There are several different factors which can influence self-employment. Nevertheless, there is little evidence for the direct examination of the impact of FD on self-employment. This study investigated the impact of FD on self-employment by using the new FD index created by the IMF. The finding may help policymakers to implement FD along with other institutional policies to control self-employment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 1775-1782
Author(s):  
Nanyang Liu ◽  
Jiahui Sun ◽  
Xiyuan Wang ◽  
Ming Zhao ◽  
Qianqian Huang ◽  
...  

Background: The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought large challenges to dementia patients. We reviewed the existing literature on COVID-19 to assess the incidence and mortality of dementia comorbidities in COVID-19 patients. Objective: To investigate the impact of pre-existing dementia comorbidities on COVID-19. Methods: We searched the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases for patients with preexisting dementia who were diagnosed with COVID-19. The statistical data on the prevalence and mortality of dementia comorbidities were examined. A fixed-or random-effect model was used to calculate the overall pooled risk estimates. Forest plots were generated to show the summarized results. Results: A total of 265 articles were retrieved from the three databases. After removing duplicates and performing two screenings, 10 articles were selected for meta-analysis, including 119,218 participants. Overall, the meta-analysis of the 10 studies showed that the incidence of dementia in COVID-19 patients was (R: 9%, [95% CI: 6% to 13%]). Moreover, the meta-analysis of 9 studies showed that the mortality rate of individuals with dementia after being infected with COVID-19 was higher than that of individuals with no dementia (OR: 5.17 [95% CI: 2.31 to 11.59]). Substantial heterogeneity was observed in this meta-analysis. Significant publication bias was also found. Conclusion: Emerging literature shows that dementia comorbidities are a high risk factor for the prevalence and mortality of COVID-19. Our results should have an impact on preventive interventions and encourage more targeted approaches to prioritize older people with specific risk factors, such as dementia.


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