|
on MENA - Middle East and North Africa |
| By: | K. Ali Akkemik; Mehmet Bulut; Marcus Dittrich; Koray Göksal; Kristina Leipold; Masao Ogaki |
| Abstract: | In this paper, we examine and compare the impact of cultural differences on intergenerational altruism in Turkish people living in Turkey and in Germany, using the anthropological concept of worldview. Data were gathered from four surveys: nationwide surveys in Turkey and Germany, an online survey of Turkish people living in Germany, and a survey conducted as an experiment in a mosque attended by Turkish people in Germany. We find striking differences in parenting attitudes between Turkish people living in Turkey and those who live in Germany. Turkish people living in Germany tend to resemble German people in their parenting attitudes. We also find that differences in confidence attached to worldview beliefs, differences in religiosity, and the subjective probabilities attached to worldview beliefs (such as “All humans evolved from another living organism†) between Turkish people living in Turkey and those in Germany have statistically significant explanatory power for these differences in parenting attitudes. |
| Keywords: | intergenerational altruism, worldviews, religion, tough love, spoiling love |
| JEL: | Z10 Z12 D64 |
| Date: | 2017 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_6404&r=ara |
| By: | Mesbah Sharaf (University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada); Ahmed Rashad |
| Abstract: | There is substantial evidence that on average, urban children have better health outcomes than rural children. This paper investigates the underlying factors that account for the regional disparities in child malnutrition in three Arab countries, namely; Egypt, Jordan, and Yemen. We use data on a nationally representative sample from the most recent rounds of the Demographic and Health Survey. A Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition analysis is conducted to decompose the rural-urban differences in child nutrition outcomes into two components; one that is explained by regional differences in the level of the determinants (covariate effects), and another component that is explained by differences in the effect of the determinants on the child nutritional status (coefficient effects). Results show that the under-five stunting rates are 20% in Egypt, 46.5 % in Yemen, and 7.7% in Jordan. The rural- urban gap in child malnutrition was minor in the case of Egypt (2.3%) and Jordan (1.5%), while the regional gap was significant in the case of Yemen (17.7%). Results of the Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition show that the covariate effect is dominant in the case of Yemen while the coefficients effect dominates in the case of Jordan. Income inequality between urban and rural households explains most of the malnutrition gap. Results were robust to the different decomposition weighting schemes. By identifying the underlying factors behind the rural- urban health disparities, the findings of this paper help in designing effective intervention measures aimed at reducing regional inequalities and improving population health outcomes. |
| Date: | 2017–12–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:erg:wpaper:1144&r=ara |
| By: | Mehmet Arda |
| Abstract: | Monitoring the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires a considerable amount of data. Regardless of their level of development, most countries’ statistical services demand some adaptation or improvement in an attempt to reduce, to the greatest possible extent, the current lacunae in information. In Turkey, one area that requires particular improvement is data disaggregation, especially according to social groupings, and along a rural-urban distinction that reflects a more functional understanding of this distinction. Administrative data collected during the delivery of governmental services could provide substantial amounts of relevant information; however, at present such collection processes are neither regular nor systematic. Ensuring consistency and continuity in the collection, measurement and definitions of data, as well as promoting improvements in the formulation of survey questions, could go a long way to improving the availability of information in Turkey, both for SDG monitoring and for the general design and implementation of policies and measures. While Turkey intends to follow the SDG Monitoring Road Map being developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), important work by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) on developing a Wellbeing Index is an already significant step forward towards improving the SDG monitoring in Turkey. |
| Keywords: | Turkey, data disaggregation, SDG implementation monitoring, Wellbeing Index, Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) |
| Date: | 2016–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:svo:opaper:38&r=ara |
| By: | Halit Yanikkaya (Department of Economics, Gebze Technical University); Zeynep Aktas Koral (Department of Economics, Gebze Technical University) |
| Abstract: | Growing world trade puts forward the importance of trade liberalization and facilitation issues. As trade liberalization efforts of both governments and international organizations have mostly been successful, the importance of bureaucratic and informal impediments to international trade has been increased. An important part of these impediments is generally composed of complicated customs procedures and documentation requirements that generate the principal part of customs-related transaction costs. In this study, we examine the role of several factors in the determination of customs-related transaction costs, especially the waiting time to clear the cargo already in some Turkish ports. We find that customs-clearance line, customs personnel, institutions other than customs offices and information technology structure of the country are the principal factors having important roles in determination of these costs. However, there are several important factors affecting these costs through the customs clearance lines such as simplified procedures, frequency of operations, firm size, country of origin, type of the goods and some other risk factors. |
| Keywords: | transaction costs, customs procedures, in-depth interview, Turkey |
| JEL: | C93 D23 F10 |
| Date: | 2017–08–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:geb:wpaper:2017-02&r=ara |
| By: | Gil-Alana, Luis A. (University of Navarra); Ozdemir, Zeynel Abidin (Gazi University); Tansel, Aysit (Middle East Technical University) |
| Abstract: | In this paper we have examined the unemployment rate series in Turkey by using long memory models and in particular employing fractionally integrated techniques. Our results suggest that unemployment in Turkey is highly persistent, with orders of integration equal to or higher than 1 in most cases. This implies lack of mean reversion and permanence of the shocks. We found evidence in favor of mean reversion in the case of female unemployment and this happens for all the groups of non-agricultural, rural, urban and youth unemployment series. The possibility of non-linearities are observed only in the case of female unemployment and the degree of persistence is higher in the cases of female and youth unemployment series. Important policy implications emerge from our empirical results. Labor and macroeconomic policies will most likely have long lasting effects on the unemployment rates. |
| Keywords: | unemployment, hysteresis, NAIRU, fractional integration, Turkey |
| JEL: | C22 E24 |
| Date: | 2017–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp11053&r=ara |
| By: | Gil-Alana, Luis A.; Ozdemir, Zeynel Abidin; Tansel, Aysit |
| Abstract: | In this paper we have examined the unemployment rate series in Turkey by using long memory models and in particular employing fractionally integrated techniques. Our results suggest that unemployment in Turkey is highly persistent, with orders of integration equal to or higher than 1 in most cases. This implies lack of mean reversion and permanence of the shocks. We found evidence in favor of mean reversion in the case of female unemployment and this happens for all the groups of non-agricultural, rural, urban and youth unemployment series. The possibility of non-linearities are observed only in the case of female unemployment and the degree of persistence is higher in the cases of female and youth unemployment series. Important policy implications emerge from our empirical results. Labor and macroeconomic policies will most likely have long lasting effects on the unemployment rates. |
| Keywords: | Unemployment,hysteresis,NAIRU,fractional integration,Turkey |
| JEL: | C22 E24 |
| Date: | 2017 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:glodps:123&r=ara |
| By: | Türkcan, Kemal; Saygili, Hülya |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the role of vertical differentiation linked with global production networks in increasing the chance of export survival using highly disaggregated machinery exports data from Turkey for the 1998-2013 period. Results obtained from the descriptive statistics analysis suggest that the duration of Turkey's machinery exports is remarkably short with a median duration of merely one year. In addition, the likelihood of the survival of exports varies widely across total machinery, finished and parts and components as well as across trade types (horizontally and vertically differentiated products). Based on discrete-time duration models, the empirical results demonstrate that vertical differentiation together with product and market diversification are associated with a higher export survival rate, particularly for parts and components. The evidence hence supports the hypothesis that global production sharing activities greatly increase the chances of survival in export markets. |
| Keywords: | export duration,survival analysis,vertical differentiation,global production networks |
| JEL: | F10 F14 C41 |
| Date: | 2017 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:ifwedp:201781&r=ara |
| By: | Assaad, Ragui (University of Minnesota); Krafft, Caroline (St. Catherine University); Yassin, Shaimaa (University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne) |
| Abstract: | There is potential for measurement problems in both retrospective and panel microdata. In this paper we compare results on basic indicators related to labor markets and their dynamics from retrospective and panel survey data in Egypt, in order to determine the conditions under which results are similar or different. Specifically, we (1) assess the consistency of reporting of time-invariant characteristics in different waves of the panel, (2) compare the retrospective and panel data results on past labor market statuses, (3) assess the consistency of estimates of labor market transition rates across two specific dates by comparing panel and retrospective data, (4) assess the consistency of estimates of the level and trends of annual labor market transition rates across retrospective data from different waves of the survey, and (5) assess whether retrospective data can provide accurate trends of labor market aggregates, such as unemployment rates. We find that it is possible to garner useful information on labor market dynamics from retrospective data, but one must be cautious about which information to trust and at what level of detail. We conclude with a discussion of implications for future research as well as future survey design. |
| Keywords: | panel data, retrospective data, survey data, measurement error, labor markets, Egypt |
| JEL: | C83 C81 J01 J62 J64 |
| Date: | 2017–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp11052&r=ara |
| By: | Mahdi Ghodsi (The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw); Richard Grieveson (The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw); Julia Grübler (The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw); Oliver Reiter (The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw) |
| Abstract: | Graph of the month Turkey Exchange rate Turkish lira vs. US dollar, 2007-2017; Foreign tourist arrivals 1987-2017, % change year on year (p. 1) Opinion corner What does the Turkish referendum result mean for the economy? (by Richard Grieveson; pp. 2-5) Aggregating import tariff rates a review of methodological approaches (by Oliver Reiter; pp. 7-11) Trade effects of non-tariff measures the ‘chlorinated chicken’ case (by Julia Grübler; pp. 12-18) EU trade regulations and the WTO dispute settlement on hygienic poultry (by Mahdi Ghodsi; pp. 19-23) Recommended reading (p. 24) Statistical Annex Monthly and quarterly statistics for Central, East and Southeast Europe (pp. 25-46) |
| Keywords: | exchange rate, foreign tourist arrivals, constitutional referendum, policy implications, import tariffs, meat and poultry trade, non-tariff measures, poultry trade, WTO dispute settlement |
| Date: | 2017–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wii:mpaper:mr:2017-04&r=ara |
| By: | Clemens, Michael A. (Center for Global Development) |
| Abstract: | Despite the large individual benefits of guest work by the poor in rich countries, agencies charged with global poverty reduction do little to facilitate guest work. This may be because guest work is viewed as a repugnant transaction – one whose harmful side-effects might cause third parties to discourage it. This paper sets out six criteria for a transaction to be repugnant in consequentialist terms, and conducts uncommon tests for repugnance: It uses these criteria to formulate several empirical tests for the repugnance of guest work by Indian construction workers in the United Arab Emirates. It separates the effects of guest work from the correlates of guest work using a natural experiment that quasi-exogenously allocated guest work among a group of several thousand job applicants. The effects offer little evidence that guest work in this setting is typically the cause of repugnant consequences. |
| Keywords: | migration, guestwork, temporary, Gulf, Dubai, UAE, rights, abuse, exploitation, migrant, immigrant, labor, mobility, scheme, visa, construction, seasonal, repugnant, externality, regret, behavioral |
| JEL: | F22 J6 O12 O16 O19 |
| Date: | 2017–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp11061&r=ara |
| By: | Zakane, Ahmed |
| Abstract: | This paper attempts to give an overview of the human capital's contribution to the growth of the Algerian economy. The author considers, as a starting point, the work on the endogenous growth provided by the theoretical constributions of Lucas (1988) and Romer (1990) in addition to the empirical results of Benhabib and Speigel (1994), Mankiw, Romer and Weil (1992). In the case of Algeria, the application of a simple augmented Solow model combining the human capital and the workforce (labor) shows the latter variable gives a better explanation to the contribution of the human capital in initiating a sustainable, self-sustaining growth process. |
| Keywords: | Croissance économique, Capital humain, Capital physique, Technologie. |
| JEL: | F43 J24 O47 |
| Date: | 2017–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:81983&r=ara |
| By: | Serge REY; Sofiane HAZEM |
| Abstract: | On s’intéresse à l’impact de la productivité sur la dynamique de la croissance économique en Algérie sur la période 1984-2015. Le premier objectif de cet article a été de mesurer cette productivité à la fois pour l’ensemble de l’économie et pour différents secteurs. On a ensuite procédé à des estimations originales du stock de capital en s’appuyant sur la méthode de l’inventaire permanent, ce qui a permis de déduire les évolutions de la productivité globale des facteurs. A partir de ces estimations, on montre que si globalement l’économie algérienne a connu d’assez bonnes performances en matière de croissance économique, cela a été plus le résultat d’une augmentation des facteurs de productions, essentiellement de la main d’oeuvre, que de la croissance de la productivité du travail qui a été très limitée. Ce résultat reflète en partie les faibles performances du secteur des hydrocarbures qui a connu une diminution de la productivité du travail depuis le début des années 2000, tandis que d’autres secteurs comme l’agriculture ont connu à l’inverse de forts gains de productivité. This paper addresses the empirical question of whether the productivity can help explain economic growth dynamics in Algeria over the 1984-2015 period. The first objective of this article is to measure productivity for both the economy as a whole and for different sectors. Then original estimates of the capital stock are made using the permanent inventory method, which led to inferring evolutions in total factor productivity. On the basis of these estimates, it is shown that while the Algerian economy as a whole has performed fairly well in terms of economic growth, this was more the result of an increase in production factors, i.e. labor force, than of labor productivity growth, which was very limited. This partly reflects the weak performance of the hydrocarbons sector, which has experienced a decline in labor productivity since the early 2000s, while other sectors such as agriculture have experienced strong productivity gains. |
| Keywords: | Growth rate, Algeria, hydrocarbons, labor productivity, TFP |
| JEL: | D24 O14 |
| Date: | 2017–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tac:wpaper:2017-2018_2&r=ara |
| By: | Shaker, Saber Adly |
| Abstract: | The main aim of this paper is to discuss the cultural dimensions of international trade in case of AGADIR agreement countries. The main finding is that although there is a weak correlation between genetic distance as an indicator of cultural distance and both of total visible exports and cultural goods exports. But Egypt is in the first rank in the degree of correlation. Thus, the paper analyzed the impact of cultural distance on the Egyptian exports of both total visible exports and cultural goods exports with the major trade partners which categorized into income criterion. The main results are: first, genetic distance as an indicator of cultural distance has a negative significant impact in the case of low-income partners. Second, the Egyptian exports increase with Islamic countries. |
| Keywords: | Cultural goods – Ginatic distance – AGADIR agreement |
| JEL: | F10 F15 F19 Z1 |
| Date: | 2017 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:81761&r=ara |
| By: | Karluk, S. Rıdvan; Unal, Umut |
| Abstract: | Bu çalışmanın ana amacı yoksulluk, yolsuzluk ve gelir dağılımı arasında bir ilişkinin olup olmadığını belirlemektir. Bu amaçla literatürde ilk defa Gini katsayısı ve yolsuzluk algı endeksi arasındaki korelasyona, başta Türkiye olmak üzere, verilerin elde edilebilir olduğu ülkeler için bakılmıştır. Sonuçlar Gini katsayısı ve yolsuzluk algı endeksi arasında, Arjantin ve Kolombiya haricindeki ülkeler için, negatif bir ilişki olduğunu göstermiştir. Bu, “gelir dağılımı ne kadar adilse yolsuzluk o kadar azdır” veya “yolsuzluğun fazla olduğu ülkelerde gelir dağılımı daha adaletsizdir” şeklinde yorumlanmaktadır. Analizin yapıldığı ülkeler arasında bahsi geçen negatif ilişkinin en güçlü olduğu ülkenin Türkiye olması dikkat çekmektedir. |
| Keywords: | Gelir Dağılımı, Yolsuzluk, Yoksulluk, Gini Katsayısı |
| JEL: | D3 D30 |
| Date: | 2017–05–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:70118&r=ara |