Analysing ICT Economic Impact in Vietnam

This article applied the input-out table (IO) analysis to estimate the linkages of ICT sectors to the Vietnam economy. In this article, the shared output requirement of ICT sectors is analysed to the multiplier effect, inter-sector feedback effect, and spillover effect. The research also examines the induced increase of ICT's output to the final demand of ICT sectors and non-ICT sectors. The results show that although the impact of the domestic ICT sectors in the Vietnam economy increases through time, it is generally not outstanding in comparison with other sectors. The ICT manufacturing sector is rather self-sufficient, stimulating import rather than added value for the domestic economy. From both the intermediate and final demand inducement, ICT media, content and ICT services sectors reveal their significant diffusion and critical inter-sector relationship with other ICT and non-ICT sectors in the economy. The paper also provides policy implications for the future development of ICT in Vietnam.

SOCIO-ETHICAL ISSUES SURROUNDING CAESAREAN SECTION BIRTHS IN AFRICA

In the last decade, a number of studies have questioned the practice of caesarean section birth in obstetrical practices in Africa. Medical sociologists and anthropologists have considered caesarean section as a medicalization of social events. We are not assuming that it is true of false. The transformation of social events into medical indications rises ethical issues in the provision of healthcare in Africa. In this paper, we especially used the case of caesarean section birth to explore the transformation of social events into medical indications in Africa. Caesarean sections by choice interrogates the obstetrical practices. This paper examines the socio-ethical issues in caesarean section in Africa. We considered some underlying factors: medicalization of the society, informed consent, biotechnology, demand inducement, consumer-inducement demand and the health market-driven economy. This was desk-based study. A review of secondary data and literatures relative to caesarean section births in Africa were used for discussion. Findings from literatures revealed that a number of considerations have to be taken such as: demand inducement and information asymmetry, defensive and corporate medicine, medical power, consumer induced demand and health market driven economy. The findings informed health regulators on demand and supply sides of caesarean sections.

Does the Market Punish Aggressive Experts? Evidence from Cesarean Sections

In many credence goods markets, a seller simultaneously diagnoses a problem and offers a recommendation to fix it. One might wonder what prevents these sellers from always exaggerating their customer’s needs. In this paper, we offer a simple explanation, namely, consumers may spurn sellers who have a reputation for such “demand inducement.” We test this explanation by examining patient choice of obstetrician in Florida. In most of the counties that we study, we find that maternity patients are significantly less likely to choose obstetricians who perform more than the expected number of cesarean sections. We address simultaneity by instrumenting for “inducement propensity” using information about the obstetrician's training. Although the instrument is weak, a series of robustness tests suggests that our findings are plausible while ruling out alternative explanations.