MENA Countries Face the Challenge of the Knowledge-Based Economy

The growing interest in the knowledge economy raises many questions about its effect on economic growth. The study aims to position a set of MENA countries in the context of the knowledge economy compared to developed countries. It also detects theoretically and empirically the knowledge effect on economic growth. To do this, the authors have estimated an endogenous growth model, using the dynamic panel data technique, for a sample of 16 MENA countries over 1995-2014. The results show that, despite the significant improvements that have registered in the knowledge economy pillars, the selected countries are still lagging compared to developed countries. Far from international comparisons, the internal effects of these knowledge pillars (education, innovation, ICT, institutional regime) on growth are positive and highly significant.

The Rise of the Machines: Automation, Horizontal Innovation, and Income Inequality

We build an endogenous growth model with automation (the replacement of low-skill workers with machines) and horizontal innovation (the creation of new products). Over time, the share of automation innovations endogenously increases through an increase in low-skill wages, leading to an increase in the skill premium and a decline in the labor share. We calibrate the model to the US economy and show that it quantitatively replicates the paths of the skill premium, the labor share, and labor productivity. Our model offers a new perspective on recent trends in the income distribution by showing that they can be explained endogenously. (JEL D31, E25, J24, J31, O33, O41)

Knowledge Diffusion, Trade, and Innovation across Countries and Sectors

This paper provides a unified framework for quantifying the cross-country and cross-sector interactions among trade, innovation, and knowledge diffusion. This framework is used to study the effect of trade liberalization in an endogenous growth model in which comparative advantage and the stock of knowledge are determined by innovation and diffusion. The model is calibrated to match observed cross-country and cross-sector heterogeneity in production, innovation efficiency, and knowledge spillovers. The counterfactual analysis shows that a reduction in trade costs induces a reallocation of R&D and comparative advantage across sectors. Heterogeneous knowledge diffusion amplifies the specialization effects of trade-induced R&D reallocation, becoming an important source of welfare. (JEL F12, F14, O33, O34, O41)

Equilibrium dynamics in a model of growth and spatial agglomeration

We present a multiregional endogenous growth model in which forward-looking agents choose their regions to live in, in addition to consumption and capital accumulation paths. The spatial distribution of economic activity is determined by the interplay between production spillover effects and urban congestion effects. We characterize the global stability of the spatial equilibrium states in terms of economic primitives such as agents’ time preference and intra- and interregional spillovers. We also study how macroeconomic variables at the stable equilibrium state behave according to the structure of the spillover network.

The Effects of New Entries on Economic Growth: a Story on Advanced and Laggard Sectors

<p>The main goal of this thesis is to construct a theoretical model that provides an explanation for the relationship between growth and new entry that is consistent with empirical evidence. The model is a four sector endogenous growth model in which there is a technologically advanced and a technologically laggard consumption goods which are imperfect substitutes. The production of each good requires its own stock of human capital and physical capital. The accumulation of physical capital and human capital in each industry is modelled by a Cobb-Douglas production function. The main result of the model is that new entries have a positive effect on the fraction of the existing stock of human capital devoted to the accumulation of human capital in both the advanced and laggard sectors. However, this effect is stronger in the advanced sectors than in the laggard sectors. This result is consistent with empirical evidence.</p>

Islamic finance and economic growth: the Turkish experiment

PurposeThis study aims to empirically investigate the connection between Islamic finance and economic growth in Turkey using the endogenous growth model.Design/methodology/approachIt applies quantile regression with the Markov chain marginal bootstrap resampling technique by adopting total Islamic financing as the main exogenous explanatory factor in the endogenous growth model, while the gross domestic product (GDP) is employed as a measure of economic growth. The sample consists of all full-fledged participation (Islamic) banks operating in Turkey spanning from 2013Q4 until 2019Q4. The study uses academic literature, official financial reports from the Participation Banks Association of Turkey, REDmoney Group, Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) database.FindingsThe results show that Islamic finance is promoting economic growth in Turkey, which mirrors the success of the New Turkish Economy Program (2019–2021) which aims at boosting economic growth by enhancing the Islamic finance share in the Turkish banking sector and the global market.Research limitations/implicationsTurkey has a dual banking system (conventional and participation (Islamic)) and both can influence the country's real economy. This study is limited to the influence of Islamic banking on Turkish economic growth. The study also restricts its size and coverage from 2013Q4 to 2019Q4, to cover the years over which data for all variables included in the research are available.Practical implicationsThis paper suggests the adoption of the Turkish successful experiment as a path to reach economic growth by increasing the Islamic finance share in the banking industry for countries that seek to promote economic growth by Islamic finance, as the findings of this paper support.Originality/valueThis study is the first that examines the influence of Islamic finance on economic growth under a new theoretical framework of the endogenous growth model in Turkey using a robust non-parametric approach.

The Effects of New Entries on Economic Growth: a Story on Advanced and Laggard Sectors

<p>The main goal of this thesis is to construct a theoretical model that provides an explanation for the relationship between growth and new entry that is consistent with empirical evidence. The model is a four sector endogenous growth model in which there is a technologically advanced and a technologically laggard consumption goods which are imperfect substitutes. The production of each good requires its own stock of human capital and physical capital. The accumulation of physical capital and human capital in each industry is modelled by a Cobb-Douglas production function. The main result of the model is that new entries have a positive effect on the fraction of the existing stock of human capital devoted to the accumulation of human capital in both the advanced and laggard sectors. However, this effect is stronger in the advanced sectors than in the laggard sectors. This result is consistent with empirical evidence.</p>

PHASES OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN AN ENDOGENOUS GROWTH MODEL WITH INNOVATION AND EDUCATION

This paper analyzes the transitional dynamics of an endogenous growth model with physical capital, human capital and R&D in which both human capital and innovation drives long run growth. The model suggests that the developing economy follows different stages of development. The first phase is characterized by physical capital accumulation. At the second stage, human capital accumulation represents the main engine of long run growth. The third phase is identified by an increasing variety of intermediate good originating from innovation. However, innovation is not assured for poor economies. In this case, permanent support for innovation can lead a sustainable exit from poverty trap.

Islamic finance and economic growth nexus: an empirical evidence from Southeast Asia using dynamic panel one-step system GMM analysis

Purpose This paper aims to empirically explore the nexus between Islamic finance and economic growth across Southeast Asia based on the perception of the endogenous growth model. Design/methodology/approach This paper applied the dynamic panel one-step system GMM as an optimum estimation approach to study the influence of Islamic finance on economic growth in Southeast Asia from 2013Q4 to 2019Q4. This paper used total Islamic financing as the major exogenous explanatory factor inside the endogenous growth model, whereas the gross domestic product was used as the measurement of economic growth. The sample consisted of all complete Islamic banks operating in Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia). Findings The findings demonstrated that Islamic finance is promoting economic growth in Southeast Asia, which reflects the weighty role of Islamic finance as an energetic contributor to economic growth. Practical implications This paper would enrich the literature by studying the nexus between Islamic finance and economic growth in Southeast Asia based on the perception of endogenous growth model, as the results of this paper assist as an attendant for financial scholars, decision-makers and policymakers to expand Islamic finance globally as an alternative funding source for the best involvement to economic growth. Originality/value Despite the existing studies on the nexus between Islamic finance and economic growth, this paper is the first that explores empirically the nexus between Islamic finance and economic growth in Southeast Asia based on the theoretical background of the endogenous growth model to obtain solid information on this nexus.