The impact of external debt on total factor productivity and growth in HIPCs: non-linear regression approaches

Purpose The purpose of this study is to provide an empirical analysis of the impact of external debt on total factor productivity (TFP) and growth along with the TFP channel through which external debt affects the growth of heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs). Design/methodology/approach This study uses panel data econometrics; basically, the seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) and alternative non-linear (panel threshold) models. For robustness check, it also uses panel-corrected standard errors, feasible generalized least squares and SUR (using alternative variables). Findings External debt significantly reduces both TFP and growth. Besides, it confirms that the relationship between external debt and TFP and gross domestic product growth is non-linear. Further external debt can affect the growth of HIPCs through the TFP channel. However, the threshold model result reveals weak evidence of threshold values although there are some threshold values of 67 and 54 for TFP and growth models, respectively. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study on most concerned countries (HIPCs) that shows a detailed and complete analysis of the TFP channel and the impact of external debt on growth. Thus, it provides appropriate and sound policies that consider the unique characteristics of the countries. Unlike most previous findings, this study does not support an inverted U-shape relationship between external debt and growth. Further, it provides insights into the relationships among TFP, external debt and growth. Moreover, it considers basic panel econometric tests like cross-sectional dependence, uses a non-linear simultaneous equations model along with the alternative non-linear model and is supported by different robustness checks.

Economies of Scope between Research and Teaching in European Universities

The estimation of economies of scope between research and teaching has been the object of a large literature in economics of education and efficiency analysis, with parametric and non-parametric specifications. The paper contributes to the literature by building a pan-European dataset that integrates official statistics on higher education at country level with bibliometric indicators. The dataset allows a breakdown by scientific and educational field, accounting for the heterogeneity among disciplines. We applied a technique which has not been used for the efficiency estimation of economies of scope in higher education, namely seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) applied to separate input–output equations describing the production of education and research. We found confirmation for economies of scope in some fields and with some specifications, or no relation between the equations. In no case did we find diseconomies of scope between teaching and research.

Exploring the role of service touchpoints on the path to financial, behavioral and relational customer outcomes: insights from a B2B service context

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how and to what extent customer-provider service touchpoints impact business customer perceptions and outcomes in the context of long-term business-to-business (B2B) service relationships. To this end, the authors will assess the chain of effect path for different service touchpoints between business customers and service providers – and the long-term impact both on customer perceptions and financial, behavioral and relational outcomes. Design/methodology/approach Enabled by a five-year panel data set, seemingly unrelated regression model methodology is applied to test the proposed conceptual framework. Data are obtained for a sample of 2,175 B2B insurance service companies between 2013 and 2017. Findings Study results shed light on the significance of the sales force in B2B settings, as one of several key service touchpoints – together with firm expertise, service reliability and excellence – driving robust relationships, profitability and cross-buying. Firm-initiated contacts and tangible touchpoints are proven to be ineffective – even damaging in some instances – in terms of driving business customer perceptions. Originality/value The paper delivers empirical evidence providing insight on how service touchpoints and business customer perceptions have a long-term impact on customer outcomes. This has yet to be addressed in B2B service settings – despite being of vital interest to marketers, as the longitudinal approach of the research aids service firms in gaining a better understanding of company-customer touchpoints and the extent to which different factors have a decisive, lasting impact on B2B customer outcomes.

Consumer attitude and acceptance toward fish fed with insects: a focus on the new generations

Since global demand for aquaculture products is expected to increase dramatically in the near future, policymakers and companies are considering the adoption of insect-based feed, which is more economically viable and environmentally sustainable than fish or vegetable-based meals currently used. Nonetheless, fish farmed with insects are still perceived as innovative products by consumers, and further studies exploring these demand-side concerns must be conducted to make sure a market for such products exists. This study focuses on the factors that can favour the acceptance of farmed fish fed with insects of a sample of young Italians. In particular, within the theoretical framework adopted in this analysis, we let acceptance be expressed by different dimensions, each potentially influenced by individual factors, such as socio-economic characteristics, as the provision of information on the nutritional and environmental benefits of insect-based feed for aquaculture, and as consumer psychometric indicators. In this respect, we use the by-dimensional definition of environmental attitude proposed by environmental psychologists, that considers attitude toward environmental protection and toward nature. In this survey, we reached 482 consumers, aged less than 40, using social networks. A Factor Analysis was performed to identify the different dimensions of the acceptance process. We then applied the Rasch model on consumers’ reported behaviours toward environmental protection or nature to retrieve their environmental attitudes. We performed a Seemingly Unrelated Regression to assess the importance of socio-demographic, information, and psychometric variables on the different dimensions of acceptance. Results indicate that the use of psychometric variables to study the acceptability of an innovative food product seems particularly appropriate. In addition to the role of environmental attitude, acceptance is also explained by some socio-demographic variables, with men and younger consumers being more inclined to accept the product. Acceptance is also higher among informed respondents, confirming the importance of reducing information asymmetries.

Spatial Seemingly Unrelated Regression Models for Freight Trip Generation by Vehicle Type: Application to the Chennai Metropolitan Area in India

During the last two decades, there has been substantial interest in developing freight trip generation (FTG) models. Most studies consider only truck trips or convert all freight trips into equivalent truck trips. Freight in several large cities is increasingly being moved by smaller vehicles. This calls for modeling FTG by vehicle type. The present research identifies and compares establishment characteristics affecting FTG by different vehicle types. In this context, spatial correlations among nearby establishments and the error-term correlations between independent models by vehicle type become relevant. Based on the Lagrange-Multiplier (LM) tests, we develop non-spatial seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) models for freight trip production (FTP) and spatial SUR models with a spatial lag in the dependent variable to account for both spatial and error-term correlations for freight trip attraction (FTA). The results show that establishment type and size affect FTG by different vehicle types.

Determinants of Market Orientation and Market Participation: Agricultural Commercialization in Central and North Gondar, Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, agricultural transformation is faced with many challenges such as poor infrastructure especially in rural area where huge agricultural activities are carried out, poor institutional services, lack of awareness of farmers on value addition of goods and so on. To fill this knowledge gap, this study was aimed the determinants of market orientation and market participation in Central and North Gondar Rural Ethiopia separately. The data were collected a sample of 344 households selected using multistage purposive and random sampling techniques. Seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) and Tobit regression models were employed. The SUR model estimation indicated adult equivalent, chemical fertilizer users and tropical livestock unit (TLU) affect both market oriented cash and stable crops positively, while child dependency ratio, cultivated land, the distance to the market and road affect both market oriented cash and stable crops negatively. Level of education (grading), and irrigation users affect market oriented cash and stable crops positively, respectively. The empirical results of Tobit model show that cultivated land, land allocated to staples, off/non-farm income and irrigation user affect crop commercialization positively. Based on the findings, the study suggest that farmers should keep going to employ an additional off-farm income activities, improve rural urban roads, employ agricultural intensification, and the government should be supplied chemical fertilizer in sufficient amount and on time at reasonable price to improve farmers’ crop production.

Creating firm value, overcoming organizational inertia through the marketing value chain

PurposeTechnology may produce disruptive changes and market turbulence in any industry. Organizational inertia becomes relevant as a factor that adversely affects organizational transformation; this study aims to examine how to overcome it and its consequences to firms.Design/methodology/approachThe model estimation with seemingly unrelated regression and two-stage least square. The authors build a data set of years 2015–2019 from the Lima Stock Exchange firms to test the hypotheses.FindingsIn this research, using the evolutionary-ecological theory of Hannan and Freeman, the study shows the consequences of organizational inertia on marketing intensity and subsequently on firms' financial results.Originality/valueThis study presents an inter-functional model that links organizational behavior, marketing and finance functions, through the marketing value chain to overcome organizational inertia and create firm value.

Determinan Kelaparan di Indonesia Tahun 2015-2019

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adalah sebuah perencana aksi berskala global yang disepakati oleh para pemimpin dunia, termasuk Indonesia dengan tujuan mendorong pembangunan sosial, ekonomi dan lingkungan hidup. Salah satu dari 17 tujuan SDGs adalah mengakhiri kelaparan. Berdasarkan data yang dirilis Badan Pusat Statistik, salah satu pendekatan untuk mengukur tingkat kelaparan adalah proporsi penduduk dengan asupan kalori minimum di bawah 1400 kkal/kapita/hari. Proporsi penduduk dengan asupan kalori minimum di bawah 1400 kkal/kapita/hari di Indonesia masih cukup tinggi dan terus mengalami peningkatan dari tahun 2017 hingga 2019. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis bagaimana gambaran umum dari tingkat kelaparan dan variabel-variabel yang diduga mempengaruhinya, serta bagaimana pengaruh variabel-variabel tersebut terhadap tingkat kelaparan di Indonesia tahun 2015-2019. Hasil dari penelitian ini dapat digunakan untuk merumuskan kebijakan-kebijakan guna penuntasan kelaparan di Indonesia. Metode analisis yang digunakan adalah regresi data panel dengan menggunakan fixed effect model yang diestimasi dengan metode Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR). Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa variabel yang berpengaruh signifikan terhadap tingkat kelaparan adalah pengeluaran makanan dan harga beras, sedangkan jumlah penduduk miskin dan pendapatan perkapita tidak berpengaruh signifikan.