nep-ara New Economics Papers
on Arab World
Issue of 2012‒06‒13
five papers chosen by
Quentin Wodon
World Bank

  1. Spoilt for Choice: Explaining the location choice of Turkish Transnationals By Kayam, Saime S.; Hisarcıklılar, Mehtap; Kayalıca, Özgür
  2. Macroeconomic Effects of Information and Communication Technologies in Turkey and Other OECD Member Countries By Burak Karagöl; Erkan Erdil
  3. Bölgesel Dayaniklilik (Resilience): Türkiye Düzey 2 Bölgeleri Üzerine Bir Uygulama By Nese Kumral; Mehmet Güclü; Gizem Umut Dogan
  4. الأمن الغذائى العربى By Elasrag, Hussein
  5. The Jordan education initiative : a multi-stakeholder partnership model to support education reform By Bannayan, Haif; Guaqueta, Juliana; Obeidat, Osama; Patrinos, Harry Anthony; Porta, Emilio

  1. By: Kayam, Saime S.; Hisarcıklılar, Mehtap; Kayalıca, Özgür
    Abstract: The investments of Turkish entrepreneurs to other countries increased in the 1990s. This paper explores Turkish FDI abroad focusing on the factors influencing the FDI decision and location choice, using micro data collected from investor firms. A micro level data set for the Turkish FDI abroad is constructed using the information gathered through questionnaires conducted at some selected firms, which have engaged in FDI abroad. The data is explored using statistical and econometric techniques by grouping the countries based on their geographical location. Among the factors that determine the location choice of investors access to consumers and suppliers, market penetration; the presence of Turkish firms and Turkish population, and similarity to Turkey; trade opportunities and preferential trade agreements; together with labour costs and availability of skilled workers affect the location choice of Turkish transnationals. Key words: outward foreign direct investment, location choice, Turkey
    Keywords: outward foreign direct investment; location choice; Turkey
    JEL: F23 C25
    Date: 2011
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:39150&r=ara
  2. By: Burak Karagöl (Ministry of Development Republic of Turkey); Erkan Erdil (Department of Economics, Middle East Technical University)
    Abstract: This paper investigates the effects of ICT on economic growth in Turkey and other OECD member countries. After discussing the theoretical relationships between ICT usage and economic growth, we test the positive impact of ICT revolution on economic growth econometrically. In the empirical part of the study, we perform panel data analyses by employing data sets that belong to 30 OECD member countries for 1999-2008 period as well as carrying out time series analyses for only Turkey by using data between 1980 and 2009. We find out that ICT usage and production have a positive significant effect on economic growth in OECD case. However, due to some methodological difficulties and insufficiency of critical mass regarding ICT area and complementary physical and social infrastructures in Turkey, we cannot find any significant relationship between ICT and economic growth for Turkish case.
    Keywords: ICT, economic growth, Turkey, OECD
    Date: 2012–05
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:met:stpswp:1205&r=ara
  3. By: Nese Kumral (Department of Economics, Ege University); Mehmet Güclü (Department of Economics, Ege University); Gizem Umut Dogan (Turkish Statistical Institute)
    Abstract: (This paper is in Turkish) This study aims to analyze the resilience (sensitivity) of the NUTS-2 Regions of Turkey to the recessionary shocks in 1994 and 1999 as well as the degree of recovery of regional economies from the shocks. The main four findings are as follows: i) the sensitivity to the shocks is noticeably different across the regions ii) the degree of the recovery is considerably different across the regions iii) there is not a significant correlation between the sensitivity of a region and the degree of recovery of that region iv) The sensitivity and degree of recovery of the regions change over time.
    Keywords: Bölgesel Ekonomik Büyüme, Resesyonist Soklar, Direnc
    Date: 2012–02
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ege:wpaper:1202&r=ara
  4. By: Elasrag, Hussein
    Abstract: As a result of climatic conditions such as dry climate, limited arable land and scarce water resources,the Arab region is import dependent for most food commodities. There is a continuously rising discrepancy between food production and food consumption.This makes the region more and more dependent on world markets, which have become increasingly volatile in recent times.This paper aims to shed light on the obstacles and challenges that face the Arab Food Security.
    Keywords: Food security;Arab world;food commodities
    JEL: H56 Q18
    Date: 2012–06–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:39180&r=ara
  5. By: Bannayan, Haif; Guaqueta, Juliana; Obeidat, Osama; Patrinos, Harry Anthony; Porta, Emilio
    Abstract: The Jordan Education Initiative, launched in 2003 under the umbrella of the World Economic Forum, is a public-private partnership, or multi-stakeholder partnership, that integrates information and communication technologies into the education process as a tool for teaching and learning in grades 1-12. This initiative fits within the ongoing reform of the education system in Jordan that began in the 1990s. The Jordan Education Initiative's main objective is to help Jordanian students develop critical knowledge economy skills crucial for competitiveness and economic growth. The Initiative also seeks to build the capacity of the local information technology industry for the development of innovative learning solutions, and to build a sustainable model of reform supported by the private sector that could be scaled nationally and replicated in other developing countries.
    Keywords: Tertiary Education,Teaching and Learning,Primary Education,Education For All,Secondary Education
    Date: 2012–06–01
    URL: http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6079&r=ara

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