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on MENA - Middle East and North Africa |
| By: | Attar, M. Aykut |
| Abstract: | This paper studies a second-generation Schumpeterian model to understand the nature of technological progress and economic growth in Turkey. It identifies some structural parameters numerically and tests whether certain Schumpeterian mechanisms work. Results show that, while horizontal (product) innovation works as determined in theory, vertical (process) innovation does not operate in the long run. Since the paper directly estimates the structural forms originating from the general equilibrium of the model economy, results do not carry any endogeneity bias. The paper also explains, in a quite transparent way, why the Turkish economy did not converge to frontier economies. The most appropriate policy under resource constraints is to strengthen the incumbent firms and support their growth, and the formation of new enterprises is not a policy priority. |
| Keywords: | R & D, entry, process innovation, product innovation, productivity, policy. |
| JEL: | O32 O41 O50 |
| Date: | 2016–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:73255&r=ara |
| By: | Aomar Ibourk |
| Abstract: | The 2015-2030 strategic vision innovates the Moroccan educational system. Unlike previous reforms, this vision addresses problems that have long been ignored. Among these problems is the quality of education. Although educational quality may have been included in previous reform programs, it is considered as one of the priorities in this new vision. The purpose of this Policy Brief is to assess the status of learning achievement, which is an integral part of educational quality, of students in the fourth grade. We rely on the international comparative assessments "Trends in Mathematics and Science Study" (TIMSS) and "Progress In Reading and Literacy Study" (PIRLS) in which Morocco participated. The aim is to highlight the deficits accumulated throughout the years. |
| Keywords: | education, Morocco, eLearning achievement, TIMSS, PIRLS, Learning |
| Date: | 2016–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ocp:ppaper:pb-1614&r=ara |
| By: | Jamal Ibrahim Haidar |
| Abstract: | This paper studies whether export sanctions cause export deflection. Using exporter-level data, I show how two-thirds of Iranian exports were de?ected to non-sanctioning countries, and at what cost. I show that aggregate Iranian exports actually increased after sanctions. Even though sanctions did not reduce Iranian exports, they exercised pressure on Iranian exporters, who incurred welfare losses as they had to reduce prices and increase quantities while exporting to a new destination. |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qsh:wpaper:445126&r=ara |
| By: | Report: Salman Al Ansari; Dr. Majid Rafizadeh |
| Abstract: | The following report highlights and illustrates the most significant operations in which Saudi Intelligence has collaborated with international security agencies to thwart a number of terrorist operations, according to several credible sources. Additionally, the report reveals some of the most important commentary made by world leaders in reaction to the Kingdom's tireless efforts in the fight against terrorism. |
| Date: | 2016–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:qsh:wpaper:445491&r=ara |
| By: | Resul Cesur; Erdal Tekin; Aydogan Ulker |
| Abstract: | There has been a widespread displacement of coal by natural gas as space heating and cooking technology in Turkey in the last two decades, triggered by the deployment of natural gas networks. In this paper, we examine the impact of this development on mortality among adults and the elderly. Our research design exploits the variation in the timing of the deployment and the intensity of expansion of natural gas networks at the provincial level using data from 2001 to 2014. The results indicate that the expansion of natural gas services has caused significant reductions in both the adult and the elderly mortality rates. According to our point estimates, a one-percentage point increase in the rate of subscriptions to natural gas services would lower the overall mortality rate by 1.4 percent, the adult mortality rate by 1.9 percent, and the elderly mortality rate by 1.2 percent. These findings are supported by our auxiliary analysis, which demonstrates that the expansion of natural gas networks has indeed led to a significant improvement in air quality. Furthermore, we show that the mortality gains for both the adult and the elderly populations are primarily driven by reductions in cardio-respiratory deaths, which are more likely to be due to conditions caused or exacerbated by air pollution. Finally, our analysis does not reveal any important gender differences in the estimated relationship between the deployment of natural gas networks and mortality. |
| JEL: | I10 I15 I18 O13 O18 Q42 Q48 Q53 |
| Date: | 2016–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:22522&r=ara |