scholarly journals The impact of entrepreneurship on regional disparities in Romania: A spatial analysis at NUTS3 level

Author(s):  
Mihai Antonia ◽  
Horia Tigau

Abstract Our study contributes to bridging the empirical gap between regional disparities and entrepreneurship, using a spatial panel framework. Regional disparities in Romania increased after the communist period and even more after the EU accession. Using NUTS3 level data provided by The Romanian National Institute of Statistics, for the period 2008-2018, we investigate the impact of entrepreneurship on regional disparities. We have found new details regarding the link between entrepreneurial activity and inequality. Entrepreneurship matters but, most importantly, it matters differently in developed, emerging and low-income countries. The results suggest that entrepreneurship does not have a significant impact on regional disparities in Romania.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osama Aziz

Poverty is one of the main issues faced by countries across the world. Over the last three decades, governments and international organizations such as the World Bank, the IMF, etc. have been trying to reduce poverty. Despite this, today almost 2.5 billion people are still living in poverty. Entrepreneurship is often seen as a way to reduce poverty. Moreover, the role of entrepreneurship facilitators is very important in creating a suitable business environment for entrepreneurs which increases the capacity of entrepreneurial activities. The purpose of this thesis is to provide an insight into how entrepreneurial activity and entrepreneurship facilitators (Government, Incubators, and Financial Institutions) help in improving the business environment in all countries and hence in poverty alleviation, examining the impact in case of high-income, high medium-income, medium-income, low-income countries and, as a result, reduce poverty. To investigate this, the Human Development Index (HDI) has been used to measure poverty. Secondary data for Entrepreneurship (Entrepreneurial Facilitators, Entrepreneurial Activities, and Economic Factors) and Poverty (HDI)) from the period of 2005 to 2016 are used for high-income countries, high medium-income countries, medium-income countries and low-income countries. The study has found that there is a positive and significant relationship between entrepreneurial activity and the changes in Human Development Index (HDI) in all countries studied over the 12 years period. It also finds that the presence of good entrepreneurial facilitators improves the capacity of entrepreneurial activity which reduces poverty as measured by the HDI. It adds to the body of knowledge by using HDI as a new tool to analyze the impact of entrepreneurial activity country wise. It also suggests that governments need to make better business related regulations which will motivate entrepreneurs and create ease of business doing. Finally it suggests that trade openness bring foreign investments in a country which create employment for people.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osama Aziz

Poverty is one of the main issues faced by countries across the world. Over the last three decades, governments and international organizations such as the World Bank, the IMF, etc. have been trying to reduce poverty. Despite this, today almost 2.5 billion people are still living in poverty. Entrepreneurship is often seen as a way to reduce poverty. Moreover, the role of entrepreneurship facilitators is very important in creating a suitable business environment for entrepreneurs which increases the capacity of entrepreneurial activities. The purpose of this thesis is to provide an insight into how entrepreneurial activity and entrepreneurship facilitators (Government, Incubators, and Financial Institutions) help in improving the business environment in all countries and hence in poverty alleviation, examining the impact in case of high-income, high medium-income, medium-income, low-income countries and, as a result, reduce poverty. To investigate this, the Human Development Index (HDI) has been used to measure poverty. Secondary data for Entrepreneurship (Entrepreneurial Facilitators, Entrepreneurial Activities, and Economic Factors) and Poverty (HDI)) from the period of 2005 to 2016 are used for high-income countries, high medium-income countries, medium-income countries and low-income countries. The study has found that there is a positive and significant relationship between entrepreneurial activity and the changes in Human Development Index (HDI) in all countries studied over the 12 years period. It also finds that the presence of good entrepreneurial facilitators improves the capacity of entrepreneurial activity which reduces poverty as measured by the HDI. It adds to the body of knowledge by using HDI as a new tool to analyze the impact of entrepreneurial activity country wise. It also suggests that governments need to make better business related regulations which will motivate entrepreneurs and create ease of business doing. Finally it suggests that trade openness bring foreign investments in a country which create employment for people.


Tékhne ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-30
Author(s):  
Hanen Ragoubi ◽  
Sana El Harbi

Abstract This paper extends the empirical debate of Ragoubi and El Harbi (2018) on the dynamic relationship between entrepreneurship and income inequality. Using a dynamic spatial panel data analysis for both 33 high-income countries and 39 middle-income and low-income countries over the period 2004–2014, the main empirical findings are summarised as follows. First, the results indicate that entrepreneurship is a spatial and persistent phenomenon. Second, there is strong support for the existence of an inverted U-shaped relationship between entrepreneurship and income inequality espoused by the Kuznets Curve hypothesis for middle-income and low-income countries. Third, the interaction between income inequality and income per capita has a significant negative effect on the entrepreneurial activity for middle-income and low-income countries. Fourth, a significant positive association is found between the interaction variable and entrepreneurship for high-income countries. Fifth, the findings show evidence of significant positive and negative short-run direct effects of income inequality on the entrepreneurial activity for middle-income and low-income countries. Finally, there are significant negative short-run spillover effects of income inequality on the entrepreneurial activity for middle-income and low-income countries.


2021 ◽  
pp. 331-353
Author(s):  
Jakkie Cilliers

AbstractCilliers sheds light on the evolving global aid, investment and remittance landscape and what it means for Africa, with special attention to China’s growing presence on the continent, and compares that with others. Collectively the EU and its member states provide most aid although the USA is Africa’s largest single aid provider. Aid will remain important for low-income countries but its importance is declining in favour of a focus on the need to attract larger volumes of foreign direct investment (FDI). An External Support scenario explores the impact of heightened aid, remittances and FDI on Africa’s development trajectory.


Author(s):  
Giorgia Gon ◽  
Abdunoor M. Kabanywanyi ◽  
Petri Blinkhoff ◽  
Simon Cousens ◽  
Stephanie J. Dancer ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Healthcare associated infections (HAI) are estimated to affect up to 15% of hospital inpatients in low-income countries (LICs). A critical but often neglected aspect of HAI prevention is basic environmental hygiene, particularly surface cleaning and linen management. TEACH CLEAN is an educational intervention aimed at improving environmental hygiene. We evaluated the effectiveness of this intervention in a pilot study in three high-volume maternity and newborn units in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods This study design prospectively evaluated the intervention as a whole, and offered a before-and-after comparison of the impact of the main training. We measured changes in microbiological cleanliness [Aerobic Colony Counts (ACC) and presence of Staphylococcus aureus] using dipslides, and physical cleaning action using gel dots. These were analysed with descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. We used qualitative (focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and semi-structured observation) and quantitative (observation checklist) tools to measure why and how the intervention worked. We describe these findings across the themes of adaptation, fidelity, dose, reach and context. Results Microbiological cleanliness improved during the study period (ACC pre-training: 19%; post-training: 41%). The odds of cleanliness increased on average by 1.33 weekly during the pre-training period (CI = 1.11–1.60), and by 1.08 (CI = 1.03–1.13) during the post-training period. Cleaning action improved only in the pre-training period. Detection of S. aureus on hospital surfaces did not change substantially. The intervention was well received and considered feasible in this context. The major pitfalls in the implementation were the limited number of training sessions at the hospital level and the lack of supportive supervision. A systems barrier to implementation was lack of regular cleaning supplies. Conclusions The evaluation suggests that improvements in microbiological cleanliness are possible using this intervention and can be sustained. Improved microbiological cleanliness is a key step on the pathway to infection prevention in hospitals. Future research should assess whether this bundle is cost-effective in reducing bacterial and viral transmission and infection using a rigorous study design.


2020 ◽  
pp. archdischild-2020-320616
Author(s):  
Matko Marlais ◽  
Tanja Wlodkowski ◽  
Samhar Al-Akash ◽  
Petr Ananin ◽  
Varun Kumar Bandi ◽  
...  

BackgroundChildren are recognised as at lower risk of severe COVID-19 compared with adults, but the impact of immunosuppression is yet to be determined. This study aims to describe the clinical course of COVID-19 in children with kidney disease taking immunosuppressive medication and to assess disease severity.MethodsCross-sectional study hosted by the European Rare Kidney Disease Reference Network and supported by the European, Asian and International paediatric nephrology societies. Anonymised data were submitted online for any child (age <20 years) with COVID-19 taking immunosuppressive medication for a kidney condition. Study recruited for 16 weeks from 15 March 2020 to 05 July 2020. The primary outcome was severity of COVID-19.Results113 children were reported in this study from 30 different countries. Median age: 13 years (49% male). Main underlying reasons for immunosuppressive therapy: kidney transplant (47%), nephrotic syndrome (27%), systemic lupus erythematosus (10%). Immunosuppressive medications used include: glucocorticoids (76%), mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (54%), tacrolimus/ciclosporine A (58%), rituximab/ofatumumab (11%). 78% required no respiratory support during COVID-19 illness, 5% required bi-level positive airway pressure or ventilation. Four children died; all deaths reported were from low-income countries with associated comorbidities. There was no significant difference in severity of COVID-19 based on gender, dialysis status, underlying kidney condition, and type or number of immunosuppressive medications.ConclusionsThis global study shows most children with a kidney disease taking immunosuppressive medication have mild disease with SARS-CoV-2 infection. We therefore suggest that children on immunosuppressive therapy should not be more strictly isolated than children who are not on immunosuppressive therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atif Awad

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the long-run impact of selected foreign capital inflows, including aid, remittances, foreign direct investment (FDI), trade and debt, on the economic growth of 21 low-income countries in the Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) region, during the period 1990–2018. Design/methodology/approach To obtain this objective and for robust analysis, a parametric approach, which was dynamic ordinary least squares, and a non-parametric technique, which was fully modified ordinary least squares, were used. Findings The results of both models confirmed that, in the long run, trade and aid affected the growth rate of the per capita income in these countries in a positive way. However, external debt seemed to have an adverse influence on such growth. Originality/value First, this is the initial study that has addressed this matter across a homogenous group of countries in the SSA region. Second, while most of the previous studies regarding capital inflows into the SSA region have focused on the impact of only one or two aspects of such foreign capital inflows on growth, the present study, instead, examined the impact of five types of foreign capital inflows (aid, remittances, FDI, trade and debt).


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Delabouglise ◽  
Nguyen Thi Le Thanh ◽  
Huynh Thi Ai Xuyen ◽  
Benjamin Nguyen-Van-Yen ◽  
Phung Ngoc Tuyet ◽  
...  

AbstractAvian influenza outbreaks have been occurring on smallholder poultry farms in Asia for two decades. Farmer responses to these outbreaks can slow down or accelerate virus transmission. We used a longitudinal survey of 53 small-scale chicken farms in southern Vietnam to investigate the impact of outbreaks with disease-induced mortality on harvest rate, vaccination, and disinfection behaviors. We found that in small broiler flocks (≤16 birds/flock) the estimated probability of harvest was 56% higher when an outbreak occurred, and 214% higher if an outbreak with sudden deaths occurred in the same month. Vaccination and disinfection were strongly positively correlated with flock size and farm size, respectively. Small-scale farmers – the overwhelming majority of poultry producers in low-income countries – tend to rely on rapid sale of birds to mitigate losses from diseases. As depopulated birds are sent to markets or trading networks, this reactive behavior has the potential to enhance onward transmission.One sentence summaryA cohort study of fifty three small-scale poultry farms in southern Vietnam reveals that when outbreaks occur with symptoms similar to highly pathogenic avian influenza, farmers respond by sending their chickens to market early, potentially exacerbating the effects of the outbreak.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilson Mupfururirwa ◽  
Victoria Nembaware ◽  
Jack Morrice ◽  
Khuthala Mnika ◽  
Gaston Kuzamunu Mazandu ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The impact of mobile phones and their applications in healthcare (mobile health) is well established for a range of diseases and cross-cutting complications, such as pain. While numerous mobile health (mHealth) pain interventions have been established, an evaluation of their prevalence, adequacy and distribution remains limited. OBJECTIVE This study aims at reviewing and comparing current pain management mHealth tools in high- versus low-income countries. METHODS A literature and application (app) store search was conducted in May 2021 using combinations of the following keywords: “pain management”, “pain”, “mobile health”, “telemedicine”, and “app”. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Review Library, and Google scholar. App store searches were conducted in Google Play and Apple App Store. Data characteristics descriptive analysis was performed using R software to summarize different datasets and compute p-values (P) for testing the significance of different hypotheses with the significance level set to 0.05. RESULTS The search identified 40 publications (literature search) and 230 mHealth applications (app store search), revealing a non uniform distribution of search categories (χ2= 133.7, P < 0.004) with a ratio approximating 1:6 (OR = 5.730, 95%CI:3.745-8.909, P < 0.004). About 86.7% of these 270 applications (apps) are from high-income countries, showing a statistically significant non uniform distribution of country categories: high- and low-income (χ2= 145.2, P < 0.004) approximating the theoretical distribution of a 7:1 ratio (OR = 6.476, 95%CI:4.180-10.222, P < 0.004). Moreover, there is no significant difference in the proportion of search categories between country categories ( χ2= 0.113, P = 0.737) and the difference in pain app prevalence in high- versus low-income countries is not statistically significant. Finally, we have observed that pain-tracking apps are significantly more prevalent in developed countries in comparison to low-income countries. CONCLUSIONS As expected, pain management app prevalence is higher in high-income countries. However, more research is required to readily comprehend the effectiveness of these apps.


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