scholarly journals The Determinants of Export Performance of Firms in Selected MENA Countries: Comparison with CEE Countries, Israel and Turkey

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (49) ◽  
pp. 4-22
Author(s):  
Andrzej Cieślik ◽  
Jan Jakub Michałek ◽  
Alfred Tovias
Keyword(s):  
Export Performance ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Large Degree ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
State Ownership ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
University Graduates ◽  
Mena Countries ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Performance Determinants

Abstract In this paper, we study the export performance determinants of firms in selected MENA countries, both jointly and separately, as well as compare them with the performance of firms from countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The analysis is based on information about individual firms found in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and World Bank Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey (BEEPS) V database, covering the period 2011-2014. We estimate the probability of exports, while controlling for country- and sector-specific effects, using the probit model. We find that, in both groups of countries, similar variables affect firm export performance. Our empirical results obtained for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and CEE countries indicate that the probability of exporting is positively related to the level of productivity, firm size, spending on research and development (R&D), the share of university graduates in productive employment and the internationalization of firms. State ownership and the perception of corruption by firms are mostly not statistically significant. The results obtained for the two groups of countries are statistically not very different, but enough to have some policy implications, while results for particular countries and subgroups of countries reveal a large degree of heterogeneity.

scholarly journals Financial and Non-Financial Obstacles to Innovation: Empirical Evidence at the Firm Level in the MENA Region

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Mohamed Oudgou
Keyword(s):  
Small Firms ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Probit Regression ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Mena Countries ◽  
Product And Process ◽  
The Impact

Innovation, in all its forms, has become a central activity in companies. Moreover, innovation is considered as the engine of growth in several countries. The main objective of this paper is to study the determinants of innovation (product and process) in firms in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region via concentrating on the impact of financial and non-financial obstacles. The empirical study refers to row data collected by the World Bank’s Survey of Enterprises (WBES) between 2013 and 2020 in 10 MENA countries. The empirical results of the probit model estimation show that international quality certification, women’s participation in ownership, and investment in research and development (R&D) have a positive impact on all types of innovation. Nevertheless, small firms, sole proprietorships, and firms managed by women are found to be less innovative. The problem of endogeneity between innovation and financial obstacles is controlled thanks to the use of the instrumental regression method (IV-probit). The results confirm that the variable measuring the financial obstacles is endogenous, and it impacts all types of innovation negatively. The results of the IV-probit regression show that the non-financial obstacles related to the business environment which negatively affect innovation are: business licensing and permits, corruption, access to electricity, labor regulations, political instability, and the practices of competitors in the informal sector.

scholarly journals Which are determinants of firm innovation in Vietnam? A micro analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (03) ◽  
pp. 45-65
Author(s):  
Bich Le Thi Ngoc ◽  
Phong Vu Trong ◽  
Diep Le Thi Ngoc
Keyword(s):  
Technology Innovation ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
State Ownership ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Marginal Effect ◽  
Business Climate ◽  
Firm Innovation ◽  
The Impact

This study sets out to investigate the factors influencing Vietnam firms’ innovation in various sectors by using World Bank (2015) enterprise survey of 996 firms across the country. We employ ordinary least squares (OLS), probit model, and marginal effect to estimate the impact of firm characteristics, industry characteristics, and business climate on different facets of innovation, including technology and non- technology. Quantitatively, we find that direct exporters, firm size, state ownership, email using, and competition increase the probability of technology innovation. Meanwhile, foreign ownership impacts negatively on innovation in all aspects, technology and non-technology innovation. Firm age and bribery are not influential factors to innovation in all cases. From the findings of analysis, a few policy implications regarding the studied factors are drawn for better environment for firm innovation.

scholarly journals COVID-19: From health crises to food security anxiety and policy implications

AMBIO ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 794-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linley Chiwona-Karltun ◽  
Franklin Amuakwa-Mensah ◽  
Caroline Wamala-Larsson ◽  
Salome Amuakwa-Mensah ◽  
Assem Abu Hatab ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Economic ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Economic Impact ◽  
Probit Model ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Use Of Data ◽  
Local Spread

AbstractLike the rest of the world, African countries are reeling from the health, economic and social effects of COVID-19. The continent’s governments have responded by imposing rigorous lockdowns to limit the spread of the virus. The various lockdown measures are undermining food security, because stay at home orders have among others, threatened food production for a continent that relies heavily on agriculture as the bedrock of the economy. This article draws on quantitative data collected by the GeoPoll, and, from these data, assesses the effect of concern about the local spread and economic impact of COVID-19 on food worries. Qualitative data comprising 12 countries south of the Sahara reveal that lockdowns have created anxiety over food security as a health, economic and human rights/well-being issue. By applying a probit model, we find that concern about the local spread of COVID-19 and economic impact of the virus increases the probability of food worries. Governments have responded with various efforts to support the neediest. By evaluating the various policies rolled out we advocate for a feminist economics approach that necessitates greater use of data analytics to predict the likely impacts of intended regulatory relief responses during the recovery process and post-COVID-19.

The Impact of the Business Environment on the Formalization of Informal Firms. The Case of Kosovo

Südosteuropa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 505-529
Author(s):  
Kujtim Zylfijaj ◽  
Dimitar Nikoloski ◽  
Nadine Tournois
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Tax Reforms ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Characteristics Analysis ◽  
Significant Negative Impact ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe research presented here investigates the impact of the business environment on the formalization of informal firms, using firm-level data for 243 informal firms in Kosovo. The findings indicate that business-environment variables such as limited access to financing, the cost of financing, the unavailability of subsidies, tax rates, and corruption have a significant negative impact on the formalization of informal firms. In addition, firm-level characteristics analysis suggests that the age of the firm also exercises a significant negative impact, whereas sales volume exerts a significant positive impact on the formalization of informal firms. These findings have important policy implications and suggest that the abolition of barriers preventing access to financing, as well as tax reforms and a consistent struggle against corruption may have a positive influence on the formalization of informal firms. On the other hand, firm owners should consider formalization to be a means to help them have greater opportunities for survival and growth.

A bibliometric review of International Marketing Review (IMR): past, present, and future

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naveen Donthu ◽  
Satish Kumar ◽  
Debidutta Pattnaik ◽  
Neeraj Pandey
Keyword(s):  
Export Performance ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
International Marketing ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Global Business ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bibliographic Data ◽  
Bibliometric Review

PurposeThe primary objective of this endeavour is to form a retrospective overview of the International Marketing Review (IMR) and map its way forward.Design/methodology/approachA range of bibliometric techniques has been employed to analyse the performance of IMR and its stakeholders, map the evolution of its thematic and intellectual structures and analyse the factors driving IMR's academic influence and impactFindingsIMR's academic contributions, influence and impact have grown progressively. The thematic structure of the journal has evolved into six clusters. Simultaneously, its research fronts have submerged to six bibliographic clusters, noted as marketing channels, cross-cultural impact on emerging markets, export performance, country of origin (COO), online consumers and global business environment. Among these, the first four are still evolving, suggesting scope for future submissions.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of this endeavour largely arises from its selection of bibliographic data being confined to Scopus.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first objective assessment of the journal, useful to its authors, readers, reviewers and editorial board.

Interagency collaboration for graduate employment opportunities in Uganda

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-291
Author(s):  
Peter Ntale ◽  
Jude Ssempebwa ◽  
Badiru Musisi ◽  
Muhammed Ngoma ◽  
Gyaviira Musoke Genza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Civil Society Organizations ◽  
Future Research ◽  
University Graduates ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Employment Opportunities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Graduate Employment

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to identify gaps in the structure of organizations that hinder collaboration of organizations involved in the creation of graduate employment opportunities in Uganda.Design/methodology/approachData was collected from staff and leaders of 14 organizations that were purposely selected to represent government, private, and civil society organizations. These organizations were selected based on their mandates, which touch on the employability of university graduates in the country in very direct ways. This was a cross-sectional survey design—based on a self-administered questionnaire, key informant interviews, and documentary analysis.FindingsOrganizations were found to have “Tell”/directive decision-making, high power distance between employees, and jobs were not coded in a way that gives employees freedoms to interact and build collaborative relationships. Finally, rules and regulations were very restrictive, disorienting employee's abilities to collaborate.Research limitations/implicationThis research concentrated on the gaps that exist in the structure of organizations from which the results point to inadequate relational, interactional, inclusive, and democratic space among different stakeholders. It would be useful for future research to examine the extent to which the structure of organizations not only impacts collaboration but also measures the level to which it affects organizational performance.Practical implicationsThe knowledge economy of the twenty-first century demands for collaborative engagements with different stakeholders if they are to survive the competitive business environment. Collaborative engagement helps in the sharing of knowledge, expertise, and resources, development of more coherent services, facilitation of innovation and evaluation, avoiding duplication of work, and minimizing conflicts and competition while creating synergy among partners.Originality/valueUnlike previous studies, which have examined employability of graduates from a supply side perspective, this study investigates organizations from both the supply and demand perspectives and identifies synergy that is as a result of bringing organizations to work together.

scholarly journals Examining banking productivity drivers in MENA banks after financial liberalisation in 1990s

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-74
Author(s):  
Hatem Elfeituri
Keyword(s):  
Commercial Banks ◽  
Technological Progress ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
State Ownership ◽  
Scale Efficiency ◽  
Efficiency Change ◽  
Mena Countries ◽  
Financial Liberalisation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Banking Productivity

The paper investigates whether deregulation and economic reforms have transformed the MENA banking sector into a more productive and efficient sector. This is the first study to cover a large sample of 11 MENA countries for an extended and recent period (1999-2012). Initially, this paper estimates the productivity and efficiency of MENA commercial banks using Malmquist DEA to estimate productivity (TFP), technological and technical efficiency, and scale efficiency change in order to investigate to what extent banking productivity in MENA economies has improved during the study period. Then, Tobit model is employed to examine the impact of bank and macroeconomic variables on the total factor productivity of MENA commercial banks. The obtained MPI results suggest that commercial banks operating in the Gulf countries have exhibited productivity progress mostly due to the technological progress rather than efficiency change. Results also suggest that expenses preference behaviour would help banks to enhance their productivity in the examined period and MENA countries. Whilst banking productivity is improved by financial reforms and technological progress, such findings overall do not indicate that foreign participation or state ownership lead to enhance productivity of banks, whilst suggesting that a number of sound policies should be implemented taking into account the characteristics of banking sector in MENA countries.

scholarly journals A Wrinkle in Time: Circadian biology in pulmonary vascular health and disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J Bryant ◽  
Elnaz Ebrahimi ◽  
Amy Nguyen ◽  
Christopher A Wolff ◽  
Michelle L Gumz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Large Degree ◽  
Systemic Hypertension ◽  
Pulmonary Vascular Disease ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
The Core ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Circadian Biology

An often over looked element of pulmonary vascular disease is time. Cellular responses to time, which are regulated directly by the core circadian clock, have only recently been elucidated. Despite an extensive collection of data regarding the role of rhythmic contribution to disease pathogenesis (such as systemic hypertension, coronary artery and renal disease), the roles of key circadian transcription factors in pulmonary hypertension remain under-studied. This is despite a large degree of overlap in the pulmonary hypertension and circadian rhythm fields, including not only shared signaling pathways, but also cell-specific effects of the core clock that are known to result in both protective and adverse lung vessel changes. Therefore, the goal of this review is to summarize the current dialogue regarding common pathways in circadian biology, with a specific emphasis on its implications in the progression of pulmonary hypertension. In this work, we emphasize specific proteins involved in the regulation of the core molecular clock while noting the circadian cell-specific changes relevant to vascular remodeling. Finally, we apply this knowledge to the optimization of medical therapy, with a focus on sleep hygiene and the role of chronopharmacology in patients with this disease. In dissecting the unique relationship between time and cellular biology, we aim to provide valuable insight into the practical implications of considering time as a therapeutic variable. Armed with this information, physicians will be positioned to more efficiently utilize the full four dimensions of patient care, resulting in improved morbidity and mortality of pulmonary hypertension patients.

How does bank liquidity creation affect non-performing loans in the MENA region?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anas Alaoui Mdaghri
Keyword(s):  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Balance Sheet ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mena Countries ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Conventional Banks

PurposeThe study aims to empirically examine the effect of bank liquidity creation on non-performing loans (NPLs) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.Design/methodology/approachBerger and Bouwman's (2009) three-step methodology was employed to calculate the level of liquidity creation of a selected sample of 111 commercial banks in ten MENA countries from 2010–2017. Next, the two-step system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator was used to investigate the linkage between bank liquidity creation and NPLs.FindingsThe results demonstrated a significant negative effect of bank liquidity creation on NPLs in the short and long term, implying that liquidity creation through both on- and off-balance sheet activities decreases NPLs. These findings accord with the “economic-enhancing” view. Furthermore, regression analysis investigated whether this relationship remained similar for Islamic and conventional banks. The results showed that liquidity creation diminishes Islamic and conventional bank NPLs.Research limitations/implicationsThe empirical findings raise several significant policy implications. Bank liquidity creation may decrease rather than increase NPLs, although the process of liquidity creation is viewed as risky by rendering banks more illiquid. Therefore, policy-makers should encourage bank liquidity creation to stimulate the economy. In a robust economy, borrowers are more likely to repay their debts, consequently diminishing banks' NPLs.Originality/valueTo the best of the author's knowledge, the current study is the first to provide empirical evidence on the effect of bank liquidity creation on NPLs in MENA countries.

Basel III liquidity regulatory framework and bank liquidity creation in MENA countries

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anas Alaoui Mdaghri ◽  
Lahsen Oubdi
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Basel Iii ◽  
Bank Capital ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dynamic Panel Model ◽  
Mena Countries ◽  
Coverage Ratio

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the potential impact of the Basel III liquidity requirements, namely, the net stable funding ratio (NSFR) and the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR), on bank liquidity creation. Design/methodology/approach The authors developed a dynamic panel model using the Quasi-Maximum Likelihood estimation on an unbalanced panel dataset of 129 commercial banks operating in 10 Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries from 2009 to 2017. Findings The results show that the NSFR significantly negatively affects liquidity creation. Similarly, the LCR exerts a substantial negative impact on the liquidity creation of the sampled MENA banks. These findings suggest that complying with both liquidity requirements tends to curtail liquidity creation. Moreover, further regression analysis of large and small bank sub-samples uncovered results similar to the overall MENA sample. Research limitations/implications The findings raise interesting policy implications and suggest a trade-off between the benefits of the financial resiliency induced by implementing liquidity requirements and the creation of liquidity essential for promoting economic growth in the region. Originality/value Most empirical research focuses on the relationship between bank capital and liquidity creation. To the knowledge, this paper is the first to provide empirical evidence on the effect of both the NSFR and LCR regulatory liquidity standards on bank liquidity creation in the MENA region.

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