scholarly journals The Size and Growth Potential of the Digital Economy in ODA-eligible Countries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Herbert ◽  
Lucas Loudon
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Telecommunications Industry ◽  
Digital Economy ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
National Accounts ◽  
Business Interests ◽  
The Uk

This rapid review synthesises evidence on the current size of the digital market, the countries promoting development of digital business and their approach through Trade Policies or Incentive Frameworks, and the current and potential size of the market with the UK / China / US / other significant countries. It draws on a variety of sources, including reports by international organisations (such as the World Bank and OECD), grey literature produced by think tanks and the private sector, and peer reviewed academic papers. A high proportion of estimates of the size of the digital economy come from research conducted by or for corporations and industry bodies, such as Google and the GSMA (which represents the telecommunications industry). Their research may be influenced by their business interests, the methodologies and data sources they utilise are often opaque, and the information required to critically assess findings is sometimes missing. Given this, the estimates presented in this review are best seen as ballpark figures rather than precise measurements. A limitation of this rapid evidence review stems from the lack of consistent methodologies for estimating the size of the digital economy. The OECD is attempting to develop a standard approach to measuring the digital economy across the national accounts of the G20, but this has not yet been finalised. This makes comparing the results of different studies very challenging. The problem is particularly stark in low income countries, where there are frequently huge gaps in the relevant data.

scholarly journals What have we learned about COVID-19 volunteering in the UK? A rapid review of the literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guanlan Mao ◽  
Maria Fernandes-Jesus ◽  
Evangelos Ntontis ◽  
John Drury
Keyword(s):  
Community Engagement ◽  
Social Trust ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
National Level ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Public Institutions ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Mutual Aid ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Background Community engagement and volunteering are essential for the public response to COVID-19. Since March 2020 a large number of people in the UK have been regularly doing unpaid activities to benefit others besides their close relatives. Although most mutual aid groups emerged from local neighbourhoods and communities, official public institutions also fostered community volunteering, namely through the community champions scheme. By considering a broad definition of COVID-19 volunteering, this article describes a systematic review of the literature focused on one broad question: What have we learned about COVID-19 volunteering both at the UK national level and the more local community level? Methods A rapid review of the literature in peer-reviewed databases and grey literature was applied in our search, following the PRISMA principles. The search was conducted from 10 to 16 of October 2020, and sources were included on the basis of having been published between January and October 2020, focusing on COVID-19 and addressing community groups, volunteering groups, volunteers, or community champions in the UK. Results After initial screening, a total of 40 relevant sources were identified. From these, 27 were considered eligible. Findings suggest that food shopping and emotional support were the most common activities, but there were diverse models of organisation and coordination in COVID-19 volunteering. Additionally, community support groups seem to be adjusting their activities and scope of action to current needs and challenges. Volunteers were mostly women, middle-class, highly educated, and working-age people. Social networks and connections, local knowledge, and social trust were key dimensions associated with community organising and volunteering. Furthermore, despite the efforts of a few official public institutions and councils, there has been limited community engagement and collaboration with volunteering groups and other community-based organisations. Conclusions We identified important factors for fostering community engagement and COVID-19 volunteering as well as gaps in the current literature. We suggest that future research should be directed towards deepening knowledge on sustaining community engagement, collaboration and community participation over time, during and beyond this pandemic.

scholarly journals Enhancing resilience to coastal flooding from severe storms in the USA: international lessons

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 1357-1373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darren M. Lumbroso ◽  
Natalie R. Suckall ◽  
Robert J. Nicholls ◽  
Kathleen D. White
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Coastal Flooding ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Coastal Hazards ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Order Of Magnitude

Abstract. Recent events in the USA have highlighted a lack of resilience in the coastal population to coastal flooding, especially amongst disadvantaged and isolated communities. Some low-income countries, such as Cuba and Bangladesh, have made significant progress towards transformed societies that are more resilient to the impacts of cyclones and coastal flooding. To understand how this has come about, a systematic review of the peer-reviewed and grey literature related to resilience of communities to coastal flooding was undertaken in both countries. In both Cuba and Bangladesh the trust between national and local authorities, community leaders and civil society is high. As a consequence evacuation warnings are generally followed and communities are well prepared. As a result over the past 25 years in Bangladesh the number of deaths directly related to cyclones and coastal flooding has decreased, despite an increase of almost 50 % in the number of people exposed to these hazards. In Cuba, over the course of eight hurricanes between 2003 and 2011, the normalized number of deaths related to cyclones and coastal floods was an order of magnitude less than in the USA. In low-income countries, warning systems and effective shelter/evacuation systems, combined with high levels of disaster risk-reduction education and social cohesion, coupled with trust between government authorities and vulnerable communities can help to increase resilience to coastal hazards and tropical cyclones. In the USA, transferable lessons include improving communication and the awareness of the risk posed by coastal surges, mainstreaming disaster risk reduction into the education system and building trusted community networks to help isolated and disadvantaged communities, and improve community resilience.

scholarly journals Understanding International Variation in Cancer-Specific 'Access to Diagnostics' Data and Steps Toward Cohesive Cancer Intelligence Frameworks: An International Cancer Benchmarking Partnership (ICBP) Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 68s-68s
Author(s):  
I. Reguilon ◽  
D. Robinson ◽  
J. Butler ◽  
S. Harrison ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Service Planning ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Cancer Outcomes ◽  
Diagnostic Data ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Data Collections

Background: Robust and accurate data underpins cancer research, planning, control and comparisons; it shapes the policies and structures of health systems internationally. Access to diagnostics is crucial for timely cancer diagnosis and treatment planning as previous evidence has shown that delays in diagnosis can impact cancer outcomes. It is possible that differences in cancer outcomes internationally are a consequence of differing levels of access to diagnostic tests. By better understanding variation in this access, this relationship can be further explored. However, diagnostic data availability is not currently well documented. Aim: The primary goal of this exercise was to identify already existing routine or national datasets exploring 'access' variables relating to diagnostics for imaging and endoscopy tests. These access variables included capacity, use, workforce, location and financial factors, and where possible specific to the cancer population. Secondly, to address what high-income countries need to improve to fulfill the existing criteria for 'cancer intelligence frameworks', such as those set out by the National Health Service in England. Methods: Mixed methods including online searches and discussion with local contacts were used to explore key diagnostic data variables across the seven participating countries of ICBP phase 2 (Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway and the UK). Results: Gaps and inconsistencies in diagnostics data were identified in each country. These key issues make comparisons within and between countries challenging: inconsistent definitions, collection at different levels within a health system, and queries about the coverage, reliability, and linkage of data (especially for cancer) were raised. The usage and allocation of workforce is also poorly documented, and a lack of appropriate infrastructure raised as a key barrier to better collection of data. Currently, most countries do not have a centralised data collection organization, and there are no international or standardized definitions for the diagnostic data that should be collected and could be compared. Conclusion: Health data are disparately collected internationally, with little diagnostics data that can be linked to cancer populations. The data sources and gaps identified add weight to existing efforts to improve data collections and health service planning. International agreement on the key performance indicators, their definitions and how best to organize collected data are required to address gaps and enable robust comparisons. These definitions and an understanding of best practice will be useful for middle- and low-income countries who want to develop or start collecting cancer-specific data. Existing 'cancer intelligence' frameworks could be adapted for international use, but rely on the agreement and adoption of standardized definitions and metrics for the cancer population.

Medical electives in the UK for students from low income countries

BMJ ◽  
2013 ◽  
pp. f7135
Author(s):  
Beatrice Dyer ◽  
Louisa Pollock ◽  
Isaac Jabang ◽  
Beate Kampmann
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
The Uk

scholarly journals Assessing the nature of asthma in African epidemiological studies: a scoping review protocol

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vuyelwa Ndlovu ◽  
Moses John Chimbari ◽  
Elopy Sibanda
Keyword(s):  
Scoping Review ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Open Science ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Premature Deaths ◽  
Science Framework ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

Abstract Background Asthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory conditions in the world and is increasing in prevalence, particularly in Africa and other low-income countries. The disproportionately high numbers of premature deaths and severe or uncontrolled cases in many African countries are indicative of their inability to cope with a costly disease like asthma. Progress has, however, been made in understanding the complex and heterogeneous nature of the disease. The objective of this study will be to summarise the epidemiological literature on the nature of asthma in African countries. Methods We registered a study protocol for a scoping review. The review was designed following the Arksey and O’Malley framework. We will search PubMed/MEDLINE, African Journals Online (AJOL) and relevant grey literature (e.g. Google Scholar, EBSCOhost) from January 1990 onwards. Only primary epidemiological studies of asthma (e.g. frequency, disease mechanisms, associated risk factors and comorbidities) written in English and conducted in Africa will be included. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles and abstract data. Potential conflicts will be resolved through discussion. Findings will be reported using narrative synthesis and tabulation of the summaries. Discussion This scoping review will capture the state of the current epidemiological literature on asthma in African countries. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. We anticipate this review will identify gaps and make recommendations for future areas of study. Scoping review registration Open Science Framework http://osf.io/n2p87/

Genesis of Development Macroeconomics and National Accounts in Developing Countries

2020 ◽  
pp. 127-138
Author(s):  
Giovanni Andrea Cornia
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Economic Performance ◽  
Informal Economy ◽  
Public Policies ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Fiscal Policies ◽  
Demand Side ◽  
National Accounts ◽  
The Impact

The chapter discusses the reasons whycKeynesian policies and development macroeconomics in low-income countries received any attention relatively late, as well as the factors that led to a gradual acceptance of demand-side measures. It also discusses the data, conceptual, and accounting problems encountered when measuring economic performance in low-income countries, including the importance of self-consumption, barter, unilateral transactions, and unrecorded monetary transactions in the informal economy. All this reduces the impact of monetary and fiscal policies and underline the importance of structural policies. The chapter also discusses the accounting conventions and practices used to overcome such problems, and the impact all this has on the estimates of the main macroeconomic aggregates and the evaluation of the impact of public policies.

scholarly journals Understanding ‘The Essential Fact about Capitalism’: Markets, Competition and Creative Destruction

2001 ◽  
Vol 175 ◽  
pp. 67-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Carlin ◽  
Jonathan Haskel ◽  
Paul Seabright
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Productivity Growth ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Poor Countries ◽  
Market Shares ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
The Business Cycle ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
The Uk

This paper examines two ways in which competition works in modern capitalist economies to improve productivity. The first is through incentives: encouraging improvements in technology, organisation and effort on the part of existing establishments and firms. The second is through selection: replacing less-productive with more productive establishments and firms, whether smoothly via the transfer of market shares from less to more productive firms, or roughly through the exit of some firms and the entry of others. We report evidence from the UK suggesting that selection is responsible for a large proportion of aggregate productivity growth in manufacturing, and that much of this is due in turn to selection between plants belonging to multi-plant firms. We also investigate whether the nature of the selection process varies across the business cycle and report evidence suggesting that it is less effective in booms and recessions. Finally, although in principle productivity catch-up by low-income countries ought to be easier than innovation at the frontier, in the absence of a well functioning competitive infrastructure (a predicament that characterises many poor countries), selection may be associated with much more turbulence and a lower rate of productivity growth than in relatively prosperous societies. We report results of a survey of firms in transition economies suggesting that, particularly in the former Soviet states (excluding the Baltic states), poor output and productivity performance has not been due to an unwillingness on the part of firms to change and adapt. On the contrary, there has been a great deal of restructuring, much new entry and large reallocations of output between firms; but such activity has been much more weakly associated with improved performance than we would expect in established market economies.

scholarly journals Reevaluating Agricultural Productivity Gaps with Longitudinal Microdata

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Hamory ◽  
Marieke Kleemans ◽  
Nicholas Y Li ◽  
Edward Miguel
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
National Accounts ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Rural And Urban Areas

Abstract Recent research has pointed to large gaps in labor productivity between the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors in low-income countries, as well as between workers in rural and urban areas. Most estimates are based on national accounts or repeated cross-sections of microsurvey data, and as a result typically struggle to account for individual selection between sectors. This paper uses long-run individual-level panel data from two low-income countries (Indonesia and Kenya) to explore these gaps. Accounting for individual fixed effects leads to much smaller estimated productivity gains from moving into the non-agricultural sector (or urban areas), reducing estimated gaps by roughly 67%–92%. Furthermore, gaps do not emerge up to 5 years after a move between sectors. We evaluate whether these findings imply a re-assessment of the conventional wisdom regarding sectoral gaps, discuss how to reconcile them with existing cross-sectional estimates, and consider implications for the desirability of sectoral reallocation of labor.

scholarly journals Impact of maternal antibodies and microbiota development on the immunogenicity of oral rotavirus vaccine in African, Indian, and European infants

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward P. K. Parker ◽  
Christina Bronowski ◽  
Kulandaipalayam Natarajan C. Sindhu ◽  
Sudhir Babji ◽  
Blossom Benny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Maternal Antibodies ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Rotavirus Vaccine ◽  
Specific Antibodies ◽  
Environmental Enteric Dysfunction ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Antibody Levels ◽  
Microbiota Diversity

AbstractIdentifying risk factors for impaired oral rotavirus vaccine (ORV) efficacy in low-income countries may lead to improvements in vaccine design and delivery. In this prospective cohort study, we measure maternal rotavirus antibodies, environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), and bacterial gut microbiota development among infants receiving two doses of Rotarix in India (n = 307), Malawi (n = 119), and the UK (n = 60), using standardised methods across cohorts. We observe ORV shedding and seroconversion rates to be significantly lower in Malawi and India than the UK. Maternal rotavirus-specific antibodies in serum and breastmilk are negatively correlated with ORV response in India and Malawi, mediated partly by a reduction in ORV shedding. In the UK, ORV shedding is not inhibited despite comparable maternal antibody levels to the other cohorts. In both India and Malawi, increased microbiota diversity is negatively correlated with ORV immunogenicity, suggesting that high early-life microbial exposure may contribute to impaired vaccine efficacy.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document