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on MENA - Middle East and North Africa |
| By: | Akçomak, Ibrahim Semih (TEKPOL, Middle East Technical University); Bürken, Serkan (TEKPOL, Middle East Technical University) |
| Abstract: | This paper argues that Turkey has fallen into a middle-technology trap on the borders of a weak innovation system (IS) and strong global value chains (GVCs). Detailed information from a primary R&D and innovation funding agency is used to show that the technological characteristics of the funded automotive R&D and innovation projects remained reasonably stable between 1995 and 2011. This result is cross-validated with two qualitative designs on beneficiary firms and automotive industry experts. The qualitative designs aided in identifying three mechanisms that explain how the Turkish automotive industry has fallen into a middle-technology trap. Analysis at the project, firm, and expert levels indicate that despite extensive upgrading and learning in manufacturing, the automotive industry has failed to build innovation capabilities. Turkey's delegated role in the automotive GVC, the joint venture (JV) structure and the lack of complementarities collectively work in creating a trap that impedes further technological development. |
| Keywords: | Middle-technology trap, automotive industry, technology, innovation, Turkey |
| JEL: | O12 O25 O33 L62 |
| Date: | 2019–03–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unm:unumer:2019006&r=all |
| By: | Harry Anthony Patrinos (The World Bank); George Psacharopoulos (Georgetown University); TAysit Tansel (Middle East Technical University, ERF and IZA) |
| Abstract: | This paper estimates private and social returns to investment in education in Turkey, using the 2017 Household Labor Force Survey and alternative methodologies. The analysis uses the 1997 education reform of increasing compulsory education by three years as an instrument. This results in a private rate of return on the order of 16 percent for higher education and a social return of 10 percent. Using the number of children younger than age 15 in the household as an exclusion restriction, the analysis finds that returns to education for females are higher than those for males. Contrary to many findings in other countries, private returns to those working in the public sector are higher than those in the private sector, and private returns to those who followed the vocational track in secondary education are higher than those in the general academic track. The paper discusses the policy implications of the findings. |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tek:wpaper:2019/2&r=all |
| By: | Syed Zwick, Hélène |
| Abstract: | This study applies the motivation – opportunity – ability (MOA) theoretical framework to study the intention – behaviour gap for asylum seekers and refugees who are currently transiting through Egypt and are intending to leave the country in the short term. Primary data was collected through the narratives of fifteen asylum seekers or refugees, coming from South Sudan, Libya or Syria. Results are threefold: firstly, findings confirm the need to rely on behavioural factors while studying transit migration. Secondly, the respective role of motivational, opportunistic and ability factors is significantly different across our three origin country groups. Lastly, extrinsic motivation, performance experience and societal factors are the most important drivers of transit through Egypt for South Sudanese respondents, while intrinsic motivation plays this crucial role for Syrian and Libyan respondents. |
| Keywords: | refugees, behavioural migration economics, MOA approach, Egypt |
| JEL: | F22 J15 O15 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:93041&r=all |
| By: | Harry Anthony Patrinos (The World Bank); George Psacharopoulos (Georgetown University); Aysit Tansel (Department of Economics, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey) |
| Abstract: | This paper estimates private and social returns to investment in education in Turkey, using the 2017 Household Labor Force Survey and alternative methodologies. The analysis uses the 1997 education reform of increasing compulsory education by three years as an instrument. This results in a private rate of return on the order of 16 percent for higher education and a social return of 10 percent. Using the number of children younger than age 15 in the household as an exclusion restriction, the analysis finds that returns to education for females are higher than those for males. Contrary to many findings in other countries, private returns to those working in the public sector are higher than those in the private sector, and private returns to those who followed the vocational track in secondary education are higher than those in the general academic track. The paper discusses the policy implications of the findings. |
| Keywords: | CEducation, Returns to Education, Turkey |
| JEL: | I21 J24 |
| Date: | 2019–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:met:wpaper:1903&r=all |
| By: | Patrinos, Harry Anthony; Psacharopoulos, George; Tansel, Aysit |
| Abstract: | This paper estimates private and social returns to investment in education in Turkey, using the 2017 Household Labor Force Survey and alternative methodologies. The analysis uses the 1997 education reform of increasing compulsory education by three years as an instrument. This results in a private rate of return on the order of 16 percent for higher education and a social return of 10 percent. Using the number of children younger than age 15 in the household as an exclusion restriction, the analysis finds that returns to education for females are higher than those for males. Contrary to many findings in other countries, private returns to those working in the public sector are higher than those in the private sector, and private returns to those who followed the vocational track in secondary education are higher than those in the general academic track. The paper discusses the policy implications of the findings. |
| Keywords: | Education,Returns to Education,Turkey |
| JEL: | I21 J24 |
| Date: | 2019 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:glodps:335&r=all |
| By: | Bendra, Imane |
| Abstract: | Reinforced security at the European Union borders led many migrants from sub-Saharan countries to settle in Morocco. For years, Morocco’s migration policy has adopted a security approach towards irregular migration through the containment, mistreatment and deportation of migrants. However, on 9 September 2013 the government announced a new National Strategy for Immigration and Asylum (NSIA) whereby a more human approach to migration would be adopted. The NSIA aimed to ensure equal opportunities for the migrants, improve their access to economic, cultural and political rights, and change the perception of migration in society. The article looks at the reasons behind the change in Morocco’s migration policy. It further explores, through migrants’ and Non-governmental organisation perceptions, how migrants’ status (illegality/legality) and the socio-political conditions within the country affect their potential integration or/and exclusion. This paper concludes with policy recommendations to improve the migration policy and migrants’ living conditions. |
| Keywords: | migrants; migration; Morocco |
| Date: | 2019–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iob:wpaper:201901&r=all |
| By: | Ghassan, Hassan; Alhajhoj, Hassan R.; Balli, Faruk |
| Abstract: | The paper aims to explore the impacts of bi-demographic structure on the current account and growth. Using a SVAR modeling, we track the dynamic impacts between these underlying variables. New insights have been developed about the dynamic interrelation between population growth, current account and economic growth. The long-run net impact on economic growth of the domestic working population growth and demand labor for emigrants is positive, due to the predominant contribution of skilled emigrant workers. Besides, the positive long-run contribution of emigrant workers to the current account growth largely compensates the negative contribution from the native population, because of the predominance of skilled compared to unskilled workforce. We find that a positive shock in demand labor for emigrant workers leads to an increasing effect on native active age ratio. Thus, the emigrants appear to be more complements than substitutes for native workers. |
| Keywords: | Hybrid population, Current account, Growth, Structural modeling, Saudi Arabia |
| JEL: | C51 F22 F41 J15 J23 |
| Date: | 2018–03–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:93013&r=all |
| By: | International Monetary Fund |
| Abstract: | The Statistics Department (STA) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been working with Bank Al-Maghrib (BAM) over the last 10 years on establishing standardized report forms (SRFs)-based monetary and financial statistics (MFS) for Morocco. Under the SRF framework, MFS are presented in a standardized format. Standardization makes the statistics comparable across countries/territories, permitting international and regional analysis by minimizing the use of different terminologies, concepts, and definitions. |
| Date: | 2019–03–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfscr:19/76&r=all |
| By: | Luca, Davide; Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés |
| Abstract: | A growing amount of research explores how the allocation of regional development monies follows electoral reasons. Yet, the existing literature on distributive politics provides different and contrasting expectations on which geographical areas will be targeted. We focus on proportional representation (PR) systems. While in such settings governments have incentives to target core districts and punish foes', we suggest that when incumbents attempt to build a state-party image they may broaden the territorial allocation of benefits and even target opposition out-groups. We exploit data on Turkey's public transport investment for the period 2003-2014 and in-depth interviews to provide results in support of our hypothesis. |
| Keywords: | distributive politics; politics of development; Public investment; Transport Infrastructure; Turkey |
| JEL: | D72 H70 O18 O43 |
| Date: | 2019–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:13621&r=all |