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on Central and Western Asia |
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Issue of 2013‒06‒16
eight papers chosen by |
| By: | Elasrag, Hussein |
| Abstract: | Micro, small and medium sized enterprises (M/SMEs) are a dynamic force for sustained economic growth and job creation. They are a valid, crucial component of a vibrant industrial society.M/SMEs stimulate private ownership and entrepreneurial skills; they are flexible and can adapt quickly to changing market demand and supply conditions; they generate employment, help diversify economic activities and make significant contribution to export and trade.Many small projects stalled, especially in light of a great revolution of January 25, 2011. The role of small and medium-sized enterprises in the industrial development of Egypt. |
| Keywords: | small and medium-sized enterprises , the industrial development , Egypt |
| JEL: | E02 L0 L6 M2 |
| Date: | 2013–06–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:47557&r=cwa |
| By: | Owen, Robert F. (Asian Development Bank Institute) |
| Abstract: | This paper assesses the nexus between changes in governance structures—at national and cooperative international levels—and evolutionary processes of economic integration in light of regional policy targets in Asia. The analysis highlights the importance of improved governance as an essential condition for effectively attaining an “Asian Economic Community” while arguing that the experience of the European Union offers valuable insights regarding the process of integration. |
| Keywords: | governance; economic integration; regional integration; asia; regional policy; asian economic community; european union |
| JEL: | F15 P48 |
| Date: | 2013–05–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:adbiwp:0425&r=cwa |
| By: | Wolfgang Drechsler |
| Abstract: | The title of this essay is programmatic: I will attempt to suggest and tentatively conceptualize and that there are (at least) three paradigms of governance and especially public administration (PA). Briefly put, this means that there is not one global best (practice of) PA, but that what we call global PA is actually Western PA . and, today, that means to a large extent Anglo-American PA. If we follow Bouckaertÿs (2011) suggestion that PA has two dimensions, equity (goals) and performance (mechanics), inextricably linked though they may often be, we call this global PA ´good PA¡ if it is both ´working¡ and ´ethical¡. With paradigms, I first of all mean the potentiality and theory . we may also say possible epistemes . rather than reality and practice as we observe it today of forms of what we can call Non-Western PA (NWPA). It is the availability of the potential that, in light of the reality as it exists, may make this topic relevant. |
| Date: | 2013–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tth:wpaper:50&r=cwa |
| By: | Varela, Gonzalo J. |
| Abstract: | This paper examines export diversification along the product and market dimensions for selected countries in the Europe and Central Asia region and, more generally, export performance. While the latter is extraordinary, with average export growth rates above 10 percent, the evidence on diversification is less impressive, and hints at a role played by the interaction of natural resource abundance and the commodity price boom. A cross-country analysis including 171 economies suggests that the region's resource rich countries are less diversified than would be expected given their resource endowments, level of development, and size. The commodity boom period was associated with an increase in concentration for the resource rich along the product dimension: they did not increase the number of products exported and became more reliant on oil and gas. During the same period, the resource poor increased their export product scope while maintaining other concentration indices unchanged. A similar but milder pattern is found for diversification along the destination dimension. |
| Keywords: | Markets and Market Access,Agribusiness&Markets,Water and Industry,Economic Theory&Research,Access to Markets |
| Date: | 2013–06–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6472&r=cwa |
| By: | Wolfgang Pollan (WIFO) |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the question to what extent non-domestic factors provide an explanation of US inflation over the last three decades. Are lagged dependent variables – traditionally interpreted as proxies for inflation expectations – just proxies for oil and commodity prices? To answer this question a simple Phillips curve, which includes energy prices, is estimated for the USA. The results show that crude oil prices, which basically are world market prices, have exerted a strong influence on inflation, while the effects of domestic factors, such as the unemployment rate, have become weaker. These findings help to resolve a puzzle of recent years: given the sharp rise in unemployment, why has inflation not slowed down as much as predicted by the traditional Phillips curve analysis? Furthermore, the empirical results assign a much feebler role to expectations in the inflation process; if indeed inflation is a global phenomenon, the task of controlling inflation expectations by monetary policy may not be as crucial as implied by central banks statements pointing to the importance of anchoring inflation expectations. Are the actions of central banks nothing more than a sideshow? |
| Keywords: | Commodity prices, expectations, inflation, monetary policy, Phillips Curve |
| Date: | 2013–06–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wfo:wpaper:y:2013:i:451&r=cwa |
| By: | Hübler, Michael; Glas, Alexander |
| Abstract: | We examine variations in the South-North ratios (emerging vs. industrialized countries) of energy and labor intensities driven by imports. We use the novel World Input-Output Database (WIOD) that provides bilateral and bisectoral data for 40 countries and 35 sectors for 1995-2009. We find South-North convergence of energy and labor intensities, an energy bias of import-driven convergence and no robust difference between imports of intermediate and investment goods. Accordingly, trade helps emerging economies follow a 'green growth' path, and trade-related policies can enhance this path. However, the effects are economically small and require a long time horizon to become effective. Trade-related policies can become much more effective in selected countries and sectors: China attenuates labor intensity via imports of intermediate goods above average. Brazil reduces energy intensity via imports of intermediate and investment goods above average. Production of machinery as an importing sector in emerging countries can immoderately benefit from trade-related reductions in factor intensities. Electrical equipment as a traded good particularly decreases energy intensity. Machinery particularly dilutes labor intensity. Our main results are statistically highly significant and robust across specifications. -- |
| Keywords: | Energy intensity,labor intensity,trade,technology diffusion,convergence,developing countries |
| JEL: | C23 F18 F21 O13 O33 O47 Q43 |
| Date: | 2013 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:zewdip:13031&r=cwa |
| By: | Erkan Goeren (University of Oldenburg - Department of Economics and Statistics) |
| Abstract: | This paper investigates the economic growth impact of cultural diversity, both domestically and in neighbouring countries, in a balanced panel of 94 countries covering the period 1970 to 2004. The measures of cultural diversity used in this article were derived from a recently developed computer algorithm intended primarily to measure linguistic distances in an automated fashion. The empirical analysis suggests that the degree of cultural diversity in contiguous neighbouring countries has substantial positive effects on domestic per capita income growth, even controlling for a broad set of regional, institutional, religious and other proximate factors of economic growth. The conclusion is that culturally homogeneous countries gain a strategic advantage over their culturally diverse neighbours. |
| Keywords: | cultural diversity, ethnic diversity, economic growth |
| JEL: | O11 O5 |
| Date: | 2013–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zen:wpaper:16&r=cwa |
| By: | Sven M. Laudien (Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg & ZenTra); Joerg Freiling (University of Bremen - Faculty of Business Studies and Economics & ZenTra) |
| Abstract: | What role do regional headquarters (RHQ) play in the process of spreading knowledge in the internal and external network of transnational companies (TNC)? In our paper we approach this topic based on an understanding of TNC as ‘small world’ networks – a concept from the field of social psychology introduced by Milgram (1967). We employ this concept to show that RHQ as knowledge hubs foster knowledge transfer and competence building within TNCs. The main contribution of our paper is that we develop a formalized approach that provides a proof that RHQ can considerably influence information and knowledge transfer processes in TNCs. By doing so, we try to reduce a gap in research on RHQ. |
| Keywords: | Transnational company, formal governance, regional headquarters, knowledge transfer, networks, competence building |
| Date: | 2013–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zen:wpaper:17&r=cwa |