|
on Central and Western Asia |
| By: | Dr. Adya Prasad Pandey, Adya Prasad Pandey |
| Abstract: | Indian sugar industry, second largest agro-based processing industry afte the cotton textiles industry in country, has a lion's share in accelerating industrialization process and bringing socio-economic changes in under developed rural areas. Sugar industry covers around 7.5% of total rural population and provides employment to 5 lakh rural people. About 4.5 crore farmers are engaged in sugarcane cultivation in Inda. Sugar mills (cooperative, private, and public) have been instrumental in initiating a number of entrepreneurial activities in rural India. Present paper is an attempt as to review progress of sugar industry in India, understand it's problems and challenges in context of ongoing liberalization process. Indian sugar industry can be a global leader provided it comes out of the vicious cycle of shortage and surplus of sugarcane, lower sugarcane yield, lower sugar recovery, ever increasing production costs and mounting losses. It needs quality management at all levels of activity to enhance productivity and production. Attention is required on cost minimization and undertaking by product processing activities. |
| Keywords: | Indian Sugar industry ; Sugar ; Adya Prasad Pandey |
| JEL: | A1 A10 |
| Date: | 2007–12–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:6065&r=cwa |
| By: | Konosuke Odaka |
| Abstract: | This essay describes the aims and methods of an internationally linked, academic research project to create an economic database covering most of Asia. Named ASHSTAT, its purpose is to construct long-term, macro economic time series for the Russia, Central Asia, China, Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, using a standardised national accounting framework designed to maximise the compatibility and comparability of the data. The essay also discusses the value of the project, citing several illustrative examples, to show how cross-country comparison as well as time-based analysis may enhance the understanding of national economic development. |
| Date: | 2007–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hst:hstdps:d07-227&r=cwa |
| By: | Dr. Adya Prasad Pandey, Adya Prasad Pandey; Shivesh , Shivesh |
| Abstract: | In a predominantly agricultural country like India, women play distinctive role in rural economic activities in earning a livelihood for the family. Except in the case of rich landowners and the upper castes, women of other categories are engaged in both the production and marketing of products of agriculture and handicrafts, women of these categories also combine household work with these activities. Because of the complexities of the role of women in different types of work, it is very difficult to examine the women’s contribution to family income through available employment statistics. There are almost intractable problems of definition as to what constitutes ‘employment’ and ‘work’ and as to who is as out to be over-simplistic and does not reflect the complexities of the situation. Until employment statistics relating to women are made more refined and meaningful, we are left with no option but to do the best we can with the available ones. In order to examine gender dimensions within and income earnings in India, the context of gendered participation of female labour supplies in its entirety needs to the accounted for. The dimensions affecting pre-entry conditions that influence capabilities, human capital traits and labour supply characteristics; aspects of in-market discriminations and gender biases against women in terms of hiring, promotion, segregation, gender relations and remunerations; and factors influencing women’s work time distribution among paid and unpaid activities, own and hired labour, extended activi8ties of household maintenance, care-giving, socially derived, traditional roles and sexual division of labour that influences the different agents of the labour markets have to be explored to understand the nature of gender-based wage differentials in India. The present paper highlights the wage and income differentials on the basis of gender in the Indian agriculture. |
| Keywords: | wage; Income differential ;gender; india Agriculture income diffrentials |
| JEL: | Q1 |
| Date: | 2007–12–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:6088&r=cwa |
| By: | Sayan, Serdar; Tekin-Koru, Ayca |
| Abstract: | We investigate whether remittances sent to Turkey by Turkish workers living in Germany are countercyclical or procyclical with Turkish and German national outputs and discuss the possible reasons underlying the resulting patterns and their implications. We also take up a previously unexplored issue and discuss poverty alleviation potential of remittances at a macroeconomic level by examining the statistical properties of any co-movements between remittances cycles and cycles in consumption spending on food and durable goods in Turkey. Our results reveal that the real remittance flows from Germany to Turkey move procyclically with the real output in Turkey, and are primarily driven by (largely independent of) the developments in the Turkish economy (German economy). We also find that remittances cycles remain procyclical to the consumption cycles throughout our sample period. This direct co-movement between the two cycles becomes synchronous, however, only after a phase shift occurring around 1992, pointing to the increasing role of the level of economic activity in Turkey as the leading determinant of remittance receipts from Germany and the declining strength of consumption smoothing motive over time. Our results all together point out a low potential for remittances sent from Germany to reduce poverty in Turkey, at least as far as the past fifteen years are concerned. |
| Keywords: | Remittances; International migration; Business cycles and poverty. |
| JEL: | F22 E32 I32 F24 |
| Date: | 2007 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:6029&r=cwa |
| By: | pandey, Adya Prasad |
| Abstract: | The small scale sector in India has particularly emerged as a vibrant and dynamic segment of the economy. The strategy of economic development of any country that formulate programmes for removal of poverty by providing large scale employment, education and training, capital formation, effective mobilisation of resources, balanced economic growth, expansion of trade, transport and equitable distribution of national income with effective involvement and participation of all its citizens in the accomplishment of the goal, cannot neglect small scale industrial sector (SSI). The second generation of economic reforms is underway with vigour. Liberalisation of key sectors is gaining momentum with more relaxed regulatory framework to provide further impetus to growth. Over the past decade, Indian economy has undergone transition phase witnessing the challenges of more free and market oriented environment of the Liberalised era. Being one of the major growth drivers of the economy, the biggest challenge before SSI is not only to survive but also to grow and compete on a sustainable basis. This paper compares the performance of SSI in pre and post liberalised period and focuses on policy changes which have opened new opportunities for this sector. Technology development and strenthening of financial infrastructure is needed to boost SSIand thus growth target can be achieved. |
| Keywords: | ssi; globalized world; role of ssi |
| JEL: | F00 |
| Date: | 2007–12–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:965&r=cwa |
| By: | Menon, Sudha Venu |
| Abstract: | Groundwater constitutes about 89% of the total fresh water resources in the planet. But in recent years, due to over exploitation of ground water and erratic nature of monsoon, there has been depletion of ground water across the world. Depletion of ground water has reached to the extent that it is virtually impossible to get the water table back. Even though there is a possibility of recharge of water from the other areas, the process is very slow and may take one year to replenish one meter. In view of this management of ground water has become one of the most significant issues in recent times. Added to it, there are also environmental problems such as aqua for mining, salt water intrusion, stream base flow reduction etc. For several reasons the efficient management of ground water resources through market mechanism has become difficult. Against this context the present article attempts to analyze the need for sustainable ground water management in India. The article also briefly discusses the concept of sustainable ground water management, factors affecting ground water availability, different approaches towards developing and using available ground water with out adversely affecting the hydro-geological balance. Further, the paper highlights strategies for sustainable groundwater management, including development of aquifers, rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge methods. The article offers some relevant policy recommendations for sustainable groundwater management in India. |
| Keywords: | Ground water; India; Water |
| JEL: | Q25 |
| Date: | 2007–10–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:6078&r=cwa |
| By: | Ahuja Vinod; Bhamoriya Vaibhav; Lalit Dipti |
| Abstract: | While India has sustained annual GDP growth rate of over 6 percent over the last more than two decades, the distribution of this growth across various regions of the country has been highly uneven with significant year-to-year variations. Improving agricultural performance is critical to sustaining future economic growth and continued poverty reduction. As the country moves forward towards identifying newer ways of improving farm competitiveness, it is important to recognize that agriculture in India is extremely heterogeneous and the trajectory for agricultural development will be significantly influenced by area specific (i) natural endowments, (ii) access to markets, and (iii) overall policy and institutional environment. In the light of that motivation, this paper examines the differences in above sets of variables across four different categories of states ranked by per capita income and attempts to outline the strategic options to address these constraints. The paper argues that the challenge of accelerating agricultural growth in these poor states can not be met without public investment in irrigation, research and extensions, enhanced credit flow and improved delivery systems for improved seeds. It is further argued that while paying careful attention to public investment in agriculture, it must also be understood that the problems of agriculture will not be solved only through on-farm investment. Non-farm activity is essential for farmer prosperity. Non-farm activities tend to have the greater proportional impact on the income of poorest members of the village. But, this requires adequate social and physical infrastructure to ensure that the rural non-farm sector has the capacity to adjust and modernize in response to conditions brought about by increasing competition, and changing demands from consumers. Broadly, therefore, agricultural growth strategy has to work towards (i) establishing a healthy investment climate to encourage entrepreneurial action in commodities and value chains, (ii) support human resource development through improved quality and access to social services, and (iii) strengthen agricultural technology support services. |
| Date: | 2007–12–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iim:iimawp:2007-12-01&r=cwa |
| By: | Ashlesha Datar; Arkadipta Ghosh; Neeraj Sood |
| Abstract: | This paper examines whether increased background mortality risks induce households to make differential health investments in their high- versus low-endowment children. We argue that increases in background mortality risks may disproportionately affect the survival of the low-endowment sibling, consequently increasing the mortality gap between the high- and low-endowment siblings. This increase in mortality gap may induce households to investment more in their high endowment children. We test this hypothesis using nationally representative data from rural India. We use birth size as a measure of initial health endowment, immunization & breastfeeding as measures of childhood investments and infant mortality rate in the child’s village as a measure of mortality risks. We find that in villages with high mortality risks, small-at-birth children in a family are 6 - 17 percent less likely to be breastfed or immunized compared to their large-at-birth siblings. In contrast, we find no significant within family differences in investments in villages with low mortality risks. |
| JEL: | D11 I12 J13 |
| Date: | 2007–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:13649&r=cwa |
| By: | Dr. Adya Prasad Pandey, Adya Prasad Pandey |
| Abstract: | The singular contribution of SMEs is on account of their unique characteristics .Their role in economic activity is manifest in both tangible and intangible ways. If this contribution is to be sustained, then their uniqueness needs to be nurtured in an overt and explicit manner. The Indian experience has shown that it is possible to design targeted interventions, be they area specific like in clusters or be they sector/Sub- sector or product specific. Other countries, be they Asian or OCED, also have policies which aim at similar support. The need of the hour is for us to learn from each other , drawing upon experiences and identify “best practice policies”. These in turn have to meet local conditions and circumstance. A “one size fits all” approach will not work. Nevertheless , there can be no two opinions about the priority that SME policies deserve for achieving the socio justice, along with the individual’s aspirations. * Reader , Department of Economics , Banaras Hindu University ,Varanasi 221005 ** B-Tech, M.B.A. |
| Keywords: | sme; india ;adya prasad pandey ;indian smes |
| JEL: | G00 |
| Date: | 2007–12–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:6086&r=cwa |
| By: | Adaman, Fikret; Ardic, Oya Pinar; Erus, Burcay; Tuzemen, Didem |
| Abstract: | This paper analyzes the patient characteristics that affect the choice between public and private health care providers in Istanbul, Turkey. In addition to socioeconomic variables, such as insurance status or income, which have often been considered in the previous literature, we also focus on another factor, the availability of social networks, which might determine ease of access to hospital services in developing countries. The analysis is based on data from a household survey conducted in Istanbul. The econometric results indicate that potential social ties play an important role in choosing public health care centers over private ones for minor health problems. As public facilities have long been characterized by long waiting lines even for appointments for medical exams, this finding indicates that households who possess higher levels of social networks might be using those in easing access to public facilities. |
| Keywords: | Public vs. Private Health Care Providers; Hospital Choice; Social Networks; Household Survey; Turkey. |
| JEL: | D12 Z13 C25 I10 |
| Date: | 2007–10–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:6093&r=cwa |
| By: | Ardic, Oya Pinar; Yuzereroglu, Uygar |
| Abstract: | This paper uses a multinomial probit model to analyze individuals' choice of banks based on the types of banking services they use, their own characteristics, and their own perceptions about important factors in banking. Previous studies on this topic, which are limited in number, concentrate on the U.S. where financial markets are deep. This analysis uses a unique individual level data set from a nation-wide survey implemented after the 2001 crisis in Turkey, of which one major component was bank failures. Hence, it provides the first set of evidence on the topic in an emerging market context. The study groups banks into three categories: public banks, large private banks and small private banks, among which the latter is perceived to be the potentially risky group. Investigating individuals' choice among these three types, the paper uncovers that while individuals tend to prefer small private banks on the basis of high interest rates, they tend to avoid them on the basis of trust. However, higher branch density and closeness negatively affect the choice of small private banks. Additionally, individual's choice of public banks as opposed to large private banks seems to have been positively influenced mostly by being older, being retired, receiving salary/pension, and valuing special services for farmers and craftsmen while it seems to have been negatively influenced by the use of certain services, valuing friendliness of the staff, and living in more developed regions where there is variety in terms of the financial institutions. |
| Keywords: | Multinomial probit; banking sector; bank choice; household survey; Turkey |
| JEL: | D12 C25 G21 |
| Date: | 2007–11–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:6096&r=cwa |
| By: | Dr. Adya Prasad Pandey , Dr |
| Abstract: | In the rapid programme of industrial development of India, trade unions have come to occupy a critical position in the success of industrial relations in the country. Trade Unionism in India has been undergoing rapid changes due to socio-economic transformation. The term industrial relation or labour – management relation, refers to industry and relations, ‘industry’ means ‘any productive activity in which an individual is engaged’ and ‘relations’ means ‘the relations that exist in the industry between the employer and his workmen’. The concept of industrial relation is a developing and dynamic concept and does not limit itself merely to the complex of relations between the unions and management but also refers to the general web of relationship normally obtaining between employees. A web is much more complex than the simple concept of labour capital conflict. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) “Industrial relations deals with either the relationship between the state, employers' and workers organization or the relation between the occupational organization themselves.” Modern industrialism has not been an unmixed but has created a yawning gulf between management and labour because of the absence of workers ownership of the means of production. Power is concentrated in the hands of a few entrepreneurs, while the majority has been relegated to the insignificant position of merge wage-earners. The workers have now come to realize that most of their demands can be satisfied if they resort to concerted and collective action; while the employers are aware of the fact that they can resist these demands. This denial or refusal to meet their genuine demands has often led to dissatisfaction on the part of the workers, to their distress, and even to violent activities on their part, which have hindered production and harmed both the workers and the employees. In order to analyse the cause of labour – management relations we have to go into the various aspects related with industrial production and productivity. Hence in the present paper the researcher adopted the random sampling technique for the purpose and interviewed with the help of questionnaire. The whole universe has been classified into three groups, - viz. workers, executives and trade union leaders/office bearers of Bokaro Steel Plant. The research proposed to select nearly 160 workers, 70 executives and 70 trade union office bearers/leaders of Bokaro Steel Plant. Thus a total of 300 respondents in all were selected for study. The present study has been divided in IV parts Ist part is introductory whereas the IInd part deals with various segments of labourmanagement relations. The IIIrd part analyses the various aspects of the industrial relations concerning to trade unions on the basis of primary datas of Bokaro Steel Plant. The last partconcludes the study. |
| Keywords: | Labour Management; Industrial Peace; Radical Deal ; Adya Prasad Pandey |
| JEL: | A10 |
| Date: | 2007–12–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:6085&r=cwa |
| By: | Wasim Shahid Malik (Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad.) |
| Abstract: | The Taylor rule (1993) focuses only on two objectives: output and inflation. In practice, the central bank’s loss function (especially in developing countries) contains objectives other than these two, like the interest rate smoothing, exchange rate stabilisation, etc. In this study, the monetary policy reaction function has been estimated, including five objectives for monetary policy as well as controlling for the effect of three other factors. Whereas the results confirm the counter-cyclical response of monetary policy to the factors in the loss function, the response of interest rate to changes in the foreign exchange reserves and the government borrowing has been negative. Variance decomposition shows that most of the variation in the interest rate is explained by its own lagged values. Other variables, in explaining variation in the interest rate, can be ranked as inflation, government borrowing, exchange rate, output gap, trade deficit, and, finally, the foreign exchange reserves. |
| Keywords: | Monetary Policy Objectives, Variance Decomposition, Call Money Rate |
| JEL: | E52 E52 E58 |
| Date: | 2007 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pid:wpaper:2007:35&r=cwa |
| By: | Gehl Sampath, Padmashree (UNU-MERIT) |
| Abstract: | The global pharmaceutical sector is highly patent intensive, and firms rely on product, process and formulation patents to protect their innovations. Intellectual property rights on pharmaceutical products, as contained in the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (hereafter, the TRIPS Agreement) have been defended on grounds of extensive R&D investments required to discover and develop new drugs. But at the same time, grant of uniform pharmaceutical patents in all developing and least developed countries that are members of the World Trade Organization in accordance with the TRIPS Agreement, raises a range of issues for access to medicines. These issues can be framed under three broad areas: the restriction of reverse engineering possibilities for firms in developing countries and its implications for catch-up in this sector, higher prices of drugs and access to medicines as well as access to technologies due to patents on upstream technologies. The transitional arrangements under the TRIPS Agreement specifically mandated that all developing countries that are members to the WTO enact national laws that are TRIPS-compliant by 2005. As a result, from 2005 onwards, several countries like India, which played an important role as producers and exporters of generic copies of brand name products patented outside the country, can no longer produce such drugs due to the introduction of TRIPS-compliant patent regimes in their countries. Least developed countries have an extension until 2016 to implement the pharmaceutical patent provisions of the TRIPS Agreement under the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health. However, such legal flexibility is quite meaningless for least developed countries in the absence of local technological capabilities to produce generic drugs amongst least developed countries. Bangladesh, although a least developed country, is an exception in this regard with thriving domestic processing sectors that are actively engaged in producing textiles and ready made garments (RMGs), processed food products and generic drugs. Therefore, the question that looms large in the global access to medicines debate is whether Bangladesh's pharmaceutical sector can gradually evolve to provide low-cost substitutes of important patented drugs to other developing and least developed countries? This study is an original empirical investigation into issues of innovative capacity and competitiveness of the local pharmaceutical sector in Bangladesh. |
| Keywords: | Bangladesh, WTO, TRIPs, Intellectual Property Rights, Pharmaceutical Industry, Public Health |
| JEL: | O34 O31 O24 F13 I18 |
| Date: | 2007 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dgr:unumer:2007031&r=cwa |