scholarly journals Are Trade Liberalization and Democracy Driving Development in Central Africa Region? Empirical Lessons

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 131-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tchouassi Tchouassi
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Trade Liberalization ◽  
Regional Integration ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Least Square ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Development Indicators ◽  
Positive Effect

This paper documents that trade liberalization and democracy contribute positively to economic development. A panel of 11 Central Africa countries with 176 observations from 1995 to 2010 was used to econometrically verify this assertion. Estimation using the general least square (GLS) with the overall R-square (R2 = 0.0325) shows that there is a relationship between the economic development captured here with Human development indicators (HDI), democracy, importations, exportations, inflation and regional integration. Inflation and exports negatively affect the well-being of the population. An increase in inflation rate causes a reduction in purchasing power. An increased in exports commodities tends to decrease the quantity of goods available for the country of origin. Imports have a positive effect on HDI probably because this variable tends to increase the quantity of goods available. Imports and democracy have a positive effect on the level of development among Central African countries. The paper’s findings are important to Central Africa policy makers towards creation and increasing trade within, between and with other democratic countries.

scholarly journals Buffer Stock Operations and Well-Being: The Case of Smallholder Farmers in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Abokyi ◽  
Dirk Strijker ◽  
Kofi Fred Asiedu ◽  
Michiel N. Daams
Keyword(s):  
Stock Price ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Buffer Stock ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Stabilization Policy ◽  
Environmental Aspects ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Aid Policy

AbstractThis study investigates the possible causal relationship between buffer stock operations in Ghanaian agriculture and the well-being of smallholder farmers in a developing world setting. We analyze the differences in the objective and subjective well-being of smallholder farmers who do or do not participate in a buffer stock price stabilization policy initiative, using self-reported assessments of 507 farmers. We adopt a two-stage least square instrumental variable estimation to account for possible endogeneity. Our results provide evidence that participation in buffer stock operations improves the objective and subjective well-being of smallholder farmers by 20% and 15%, respectively. Also, with estimated coefficient of 1.033, we find a significant and robust relationship between objective well-being and subjective well-being among smallholder farmers. This relationship implies that improving objective well-being enhances the subjective well-being of the farmers. We also find that the activities of intermediaries decrease both the objective and subjective well-being of farmers. This study demonstrates that economic, social, and environmental aspects of agricultural life could constitute priorities for public policy in improving well-being, given their strong correlation with the well-being of farmers. Based on the results of this study, we provide a better understanding, which may aid policy-makers, that public buffer stockholding operations policy is a viable tool for improving the well-being of smallholder farmers in a developing country.

scholarly journals Level of Repression in Altai Regions between 1935 and 1937: An Attempt at Using Statistical and GIS Methods

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 87-103
Author(s):  
Ekaterina M. Mishina ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Development Indicators ◽  
Altai Region ◽  
Spatial Factor ◽  
Socio Economic Development ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Gis Methods ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Individual Cluster

This article focuses on the analysis of the impact of socio-economic development indicators of Altai region and Oyrot autonomous region on the eve of the Great Purge (1935 — first half of 1937) on the regional intensity of repression. Employing statistical methods (regression analysis), the author verifies the hypothesis that in the areas with the highest level of well-being of the population, the level of repression was also higher. It is established that the turnover and expenditures per capita compared with other economic indicators had the greatest influence on repression levels in Altai and Oyrotia regions. Based on the results of the analysis of regional statistics, the author of the article puts forward a theory that the thesis proclaimed by the Bolsheviks to justify the failure of economic development by the actions of the “enemies” in practice seems untenable, since economically lagging regions were characterised by a relatively low level of repression. In the second part of the article, the author presents a typology of districts of Altai and Oyrotia regions based on the results of cluster analysis of various groups of socio-economic development indicators. Additionally, she substantiates the hypothesis about the influence of the spatial factor on the intensity of repression: the groups of regions of each individual cluster consist mainly of adjacent regions.

The Role of Technology to Achieve Sustainable Economic Development in Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 30-41
Author(s):  
Sally M. Farid
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Potential Growth ◽  
Annual Series ◽  
Development Indicators ◽  
Telecommunications Infrastructure ◽  
Sustainable Economic Development ◽  
The World

Objective - The purpose of this paper is to study how the technological innovation can achieve and promote sustainable development particularly in Africa. It considers forms of innovation technology that could enhance sustainable development. Methodology/Technique - The data used in this paper includes 54 African countries and the study period is from 2000 to 2014, using data on IT that measures the stock of telecommunications infrastructure as telecommunications investment. The GDP series represents annual real GDP in the prices of 2000. Annual series for IT and GDP were collected from the World Development Indicators of the World Bank database in 2015. Findings - The paper presents the concept and strategies of Sustainable Economic Development, discusses existing technologies in sustainable development, shows the role of technology in sustainable development, and presents the information and communication technology to promote economic development in Africa and the obstacles to set up policies for innovation technology in Africa. Novelty - The results have major implications. Firstly, the access to telecommunications services contributes towards economic growth. Secondly, an appropriate regulatory environment is necessary to realize the potential growth in telecommunications demand generated by increased income. Type of Paper - Empirical Keywords: Technology; Sustainable Economic Development; ICT in Africa.

AFRICAN COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD TRADING SYSTEM: INTERNATIONAL TRADE, DOMESTIC INSTITUTIONS AND THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW

2012 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melaku Geboye Desta ◽  
Moshe Hirsch
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
International Law ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Regional Integration ◽  
Policy Instruments ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Value Chain Analysis ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Foreign Markets ◽  
Local Actors

AbstractThis article addresses an important and complex subject relating to the link between international law and economic development. There is broad agreement that trade liberalization and participation in foreign markets play an important role in economic development. Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have generally pursued a liberalization route over the past two decades, but their economic performance has been deeply disappointing. In this article, we look at seven countries in the Horn of Africa and examine, from legal and institutional perspectives, the central question of why these countries have failed to translate their comparative advantage, particularly in the livestock sector, into meaningful trade-led economic growth. In order to answer this question, we have reviewed the relevant legal and policy instruments and the literature, visited five of the seven countries, and interviewed different players in the livestock value chain. Analysis of the evidence reveals that the main impediments to trade relate to rising sanitary import requirements in foreign markets and weak institutional capacity within the Horn. The limited technical and financial resources available to these countries also reduce their capacity to meet these standards. Meaningful institutional change requires substantial involvement of local actors and it takes place incrementally and over the long term. International law can play a role in this process by promoting the rule of law and tackling corruption, facilitating capacity-building, and encouraging regional integration.

scholarly journals Healthcare Expenditure and Life Expectancy in Africa: A Panel Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Salami Abdulganiyu ◽  
Mamman Tijjani
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Healthcare Expenditure ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Healthcare Spending ◽  
Fixed Effect ◽  
Least Square ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Negative Predictor ◽  
Effect Method

Objective of the Study: The study examined the nature of relationship between healthcare expenditure and life expectancy in a panel of 45 African Countries, disaggregated into different sub-regions in the continent. Methodology: The study used fixed effect method and two-stage least square technique to investigate the relationship between life expectancy and life expectancy in the selected African countries, from 2000 to 2015. Aside from the major variables of interest, GDP per capita, basic sanitation and urban population were used as control variables. The choice of countries and time frame were based on availability of data. The data used was sourced from World Bank website, and analyzed using STATA software. Main Findings: The fixed effect method found that healthcare spending is an important predictor of life expectancy in Africa. It was found to positively and significantly influence life expectancy in West Africa, but significantly and negatively influences life expectancy in Central and Southern regions of Africa. Contrariwise, the two-stage least square shows that healthcare spending is a negative predictor of life expectancy in Central Africa, but not a significant predictor in Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Africa. Conclusion: Conclusions from the study are two-fold. It can be concluded that fixed effect method is not a suitable estimation technique for models with endogeneity and reversed causation issues, and that healthcare expenditure is significant negative predictor of life expectancy in Central Africa; but not a significant predictor of life expectancy in Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western regions of Africa.

Socio-Economic Impact of Foreign Direct Investment in Developing Countries

2018 ◽  
pp. 66-81
Author(s):  
Christopher Boachie ◽  
Eunice Adu-Darko
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Direct Investment ◽  
Direct Investment ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Private Investment ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Development Indicators ◽  
Domestic Credit ◽  
Socio Economic Impact ◽  
Using Data

The purpose of this chapter is to empirically examine the impact of socio-economic determinate of foreign direct investment in developing economies. FDI is an important part of the massive private investment that is driving economic growth around the world, particularly in the past two decades. This was achieved by examining 10 African countries using data from world development indicators on FDI and socio-economic parameters ranging from 1990 to 2015. A panel regression model was applied to 260 samples. The results showed openness, exchange rate, domestic credit to private sector, and regulatory quality have a significant effect on FDI. Policy makers in African countries need to adopt institutional reforms that could contribute to improving their state of governance, promote their investment climate, and help in attracting more FDI.

Tourism intensity impact on satisfaction with life of German residents

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 1315-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oksana Tokarchuk ◽  
Roberto Gabriele ◽  
Oswin Maurer
Keyword(s):  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Tourism Impact ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Spillover Theory ◽  
Tourism Destinations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Effect

Tourism researchers as well as policy makers are interested in knowing the impact of tourism on residents’ life. Recent studies address this issue by looking at residents’ quality of life measures. These studies, however, are based on convenience sample with investigation that is usually limited to one single destination at a given point of time. Socioeconomic characteristics of individuals have strong effect on the perception of tourism impact. In the present study, we investigate the impact of tourism intensity on residents’ satisfaction with life using the theoretical framework of the bottom-up spillover theory. The analysis is based on a representative socioeconomic panel of German households over a period from 2000 to 2011. The analysis conducted involves the whole country distinguishing tourism destinations at administrative districts level. The empirical models suggest that tourism intensity and well-being of employed and unemployed residents present nonlinear U-shaped relationship. For low tourism intensities, residents’ well-being is weakly affected while for higher intensities, the positive effect is stronger.

scholarly journals The Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on the Export Performance: Empirical Evidence for Western Balkan Countries

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 57
Author(s):  
Dr.Sc. Nasir Selimi ◽  
Dr.Sc. Luljeta Sadiku ◽  
MA. Kushtrim Reçi
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Export Performance ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Foreign Direct Investments ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Dummy Variable ◽  
Balkan Countries ◽  
Regression Techniques ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Effect

Recently there are many authors that have studied and analyzed the impact of foreign direct investments (FDI) on the export performance. They have different opinions about the effect of foreign direct investments on the export performance. Some of them in their papers conclude that FDI have positive effect on the export performance and some not. There are also findings that FDI do not have any impact on the export performance. Of course for economic benefit of host country it is not important only the amount of FDI, but also their structure. To measure the effect of FDI on the export performance is not easy.Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to analyze empirically the foreign direct investments and exports performance during the period of 1996-2013 in Western Balkan countries. The paper also investigates for the fixed effects and individual heterogeneity across countries and years. Based on the panel regression techniques and Least Square Dummy Variable (LSDV) regression method, FDI positively affect export performance in the sample countries in various model specifications.The results and conclusions of this paper we hope that will help everybody who are interested and studying this matter, especially the policy makers.  The last ones have the obligation to facilitate and promote the export if they award confirm that FDI contribute on developing their economy.   

Financial inclusion in Africa: does it promote entrepreneurship?

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 687-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Folorunsho M. Ajide
Keyword(s):  
World Bank ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Least Square ◽  
African Region ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Indicators ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Financial inclusion policy focuses on bringing the less privileged groups into the formal financial system. Financial inclusion has a lot of benefits in the society. It can reduce the level of poverty, inequality and encourage business startup. This study aims to examine the impact of financial inclusion on entrepreneurship in selected African countries. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines how financial inclusion impacts entrepreneurship in 13 selected African countries using data from World Bank Development Indicators, IMF’s International Financial Statistics, doing business and World Bank Entrepreneurship Survey for the period of 2005-2016. It uses panel data regression techniques such as random effect, IV estimation and robust least square. Findings The results show that financial inclusion has a significant and positive effect on entrepreneurship in Africa. This result is robust to both alternative measures of financial inclusion and alternative estimators. Originality/value The possible relationship between financial inclusion and entrepreneurial development has been an ongoing debate in other developing countries. However, this issue has been neglected in the African region. There are little or no evidence to support the possible relationship in Africa. This paper makes an important contribution in this respect and further provides insightful information in the ongoing debate.

scholarly journals What positives can be taken from the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Cornell ◽  
Brooke Nickel ◽  
Erin Cvejic ◽  
Carissa Bonner ◽  
Kirsten J McCaffery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Daily Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Pandemic Preparedness ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Family Time ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
Positive Effect

Objective: To investigate whether Australians have experienced any positive effects during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the disruption to society and daily life. Methods: National online longitudinal survey. As part of a June 2020 survey, participants (n=1370) were asked "In your life, have you experienced any positive effects from the COVID-19 pandemic" (yes/no), with a free-text explanation if yes, and also completed the WHO-Five well-being index. Differences were explored by demographic variables. Free-text responses were thematically coded. Results: 960 participants (70%) reported experiencing at least one positive effect during the COVID-19 pandemic. Living with others (p=.045) and employment situation (p<.001) at baseline (April), were associated with experiencing positive effects. Individuals working for pay from home were more likely to experience positive effects compared to those who were not working for pay (aOR=0.45, 95%CI: 0.32, 0.63, p<.001), or who were working for pay outside the home (aOR=0.40, 95%CI: 0.28, 0.58, p<.001). Age and education were not associated with positive effects when controlling for employment and household numbers. There was an overall effect of gender (p=.001), where those identifying as female were more likely than males (aOR=1.62, 95%CI: 1.25, 2.09) to report experiencing a positive effect. 54.2% of participants reported a sufficient level of wellbeing, 23.2% low wellbeing and a further 22.6% very low wellbeing. Of those experiencing positives, 945/960 (98%) provided an explanation. The three most common themes were "Family time" (33%), "Work flexibility" (29%), and "Calmer life" (19%). Conclusion: A large proportion of surveyed Australians reported positive effects resulting from changes to daily life due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Enhancing these aspects may build community resilience to cope with future pandemic responses. The needs of people living alone, and of those having to work outside the home or who are unemployed, should be considered by health policy makers and employers in future pandemic preparedness efforts, as these groups were least likely to report positive experiences and may be more vulnerable.

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