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on Heterodox Microeconomics |
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Issue of 2016‒04‒30
ten papers chosen by Carlo D’Ippoliti Università degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza” |
| By: | Kieran, Caitlin; Sproule, Kathryn; Doss, Cheryl; Quisumbing, Agnes; Kim, Sung |
| Abstract: | A broad consensus has emerged that strengthening women’s property rights is crucial for reducing poverty and achieving equitable growth. Despite its importance, few nationally representative data exist on women’s property rights in Asia, hindering formulation of appropriate policies to reduce gender gaps in land rights. This paper reviews existing micro-level, large sample data on men’s and women’s control of land, using this information to assess gaps in land rights. Utilizing nationally representative individual- and plot-level data from Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste, we calculate five indicators: incidence of landownership and distribution of landownership by sex, and distribution of plots owned, mean plot size, and distribution of land area, all by sex of owner. The results reveal large gender gaps in landownership across countries. However, the limited information on joint and individual ownership are among the most critical data gaps and are an important area for future data collection and analysis. |
| Keywords: | Gender, Land rights, Property ownership, Bundles of rights, Asia, Agricultural and Food Policy, Land Economics/Use, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:211848&r=hme |
| By: | Dominique, C-Rene |
| Abstract: | A modern market economy is an exceedingly complex, infinite-dimensional, stochastic dynamical system. The failure of mainstream economists to characterize its dynamics may well be due to its intractability. This paper argues that the characterization of its dynamics becomes almost trivial when it is analyzed from the perspective of information production. Whether its Jacobian matrix is specifiable or not, a Lyapunov spectrum can be constructed from which the potential Kolmogorov-Sinai or Shannon entropy can be assessed. But, a self-organized equilibrium must first obtain, and for that a suitable policy must be operational. |
| Keywords: | Complexity, Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy, Shannon entropy, Lyapunov spectrum, Lyapunov dimension, Efficient policy, Self-organized equilibrium. |
| JEL: | B4 B41 C6 C61 |
| Date: | 2016–04–13 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:70725&r=hme |
| By: | Paula Rodrigues (Lusiada University); Hélder Oliveira (Lusiada University) |
| Abstract: | This study aims to examine the relationship between individual cultural values and consumers’ perceptions about practices of social responsibility in Portugal and Greece. Data collection was undertaken using a structured questionnaire both in Portugal and Greece. Two theoretical models of structural equations that establish the relationship between cultural values and perceptions of consumers about practices of social responsibility were estimated. The results suggest that individual cultural values of Portuguese consumers influencing the perception of CSR practices are masculinity (MAS), tradition (TRD) and prudence (PRU). In the case of Greece consumers, individual cultural values influencing perception of CSR practices are interdependence (INT), independence (IND), gender equality (GEQ) and prudence (PRU). This paper demonstrates the importance of the subject, since consumers assume different perspectives and value different aspects of CSR practices, and companies must be aware of these differences if they want to effectively reach consumers. |
| Keywords: | individual cultural values, corporate social responsibility, cross-cultural studies, consumer behaviour, structural equation models. |
| JEL: | M00 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:ibmpro:3405970&r=hme |
| By: | Jedrzej Bialkowski (University of Canterbury); Laura T. Starks |
| Abstract: | We provide evidence that investor demand for socially responsible or sustainable and responsible (SRI) mutual funds differs from that of conventional funds in that flows to SRI funds have shown greater growth and more persistence than flows to conventional funds. More importantly, using a differences-in-differences approach we provide evidence that these attributes appear to result from investors’ nonfinancial considerations. However, as these funds have become more mainstream, there has been convergence in investor resilience. We also find a high level of persistence in SRI funds’ ESG profiles, which are generally different from those of conventional funds, consistent with their charters. |
| Keywords: | Socially responsible investment funds, Mutual fund flows, Investor clienteles, Investment screens, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing |
| JEL: | G10 G12 G23 |
| Date: | 2016–03–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cbt:econwp:16/11&r=hme |
| By: | Huong Le Thu HOANG; SATO Kiyotaka |
| Abstract: | This study proposes a new empirical approach to the exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) in Japanese imports using input-output (IO) analysis. We analyze how exchange rate changes are transmitted from import prices to domestic producer prices through numerous stages of production by employing the Japanese IO tables of 2000, 2005, and 2011. Specifically, calculating input coefficients among 108 industries at numerous production stages, we demonstrate that, contrary to the stylized fact, the extent of ERPT to domestic producer prices should be significantly higher than empirical results of the conventional ERPT analysis. Conducting a panel estimation of ERPT determinants, we show that a large dependence on intermediate input imports tends to increase the extent of ERPT. More importantly, we reveal that if the manufacturing sectors tend not only to import intermediate inputs from abroad but also to export their products to foreign countries, the degree of import pass-through to producer prices increases significantly. Thus, growing international production sharing will have a positive impact on ERPT to domestic producer prices. |
| Date: | 2016–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eti:dpaper:16034&r=hme |
| By: | Philip Mirowski (University of Notre Dame) |
| Abstract: | Why do so many people who should know better argue that Neoliberalism 'does not exist'? In this paper I examine the disinclination to treat the Neoliberal political project as a serious intellectual project motivating a series of successes in the public sphere. Economists seem especially remiss in this regard. |
| Keywords: | Neoliberalism, Angus Burgin, Leo Strauss, Friedrich Hayek, Mont Pelerin, classical liberalism. |
| Date: | 2014–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:thk:wpaper:23&r=hme |
| By: | Fecher, Benedikt (DIW Berlin); Fräßdorf, Mathis (DIW Berlin); Wagner, Gert G. (DIW Berlin) |
| Abstract: | We live in a time of increasing publication rates and specialization of scientific disciplines. More and more, the research community is facing the challenge of assuring the quality of research and maintaining trust in the scientific enterprise. Replication studies are necessary to detect erroneous research. Thus, the replicability of research is considered a hallmark of good scientific practice and it has lately become a key concern for research communities and science policy makers alike. In this case study we analyze perceptions and practices regarding replication studies in the social and behavioral sciences. Our analyses are based on a survey of almost 300 researchers that use data from the German Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP), a multidisciplinary longitudinal multi-cohort study. We find that more than two thirds of respondents disagree with the statement that replications are not worthwhile, because major mistakes will be found at some point anyway. Nevertheless, most respondents are not willing to spend their time to conduct replication studies. This situation can be characterized as a "tragedy of the commons": everybody knows that replications are useful, but almost everybody counts on others to conduct them. Our most important finding concerning practical consequences is that among the few replications that are reported, a large majority is conducted in the context of teaching. In our view, this is a promising detail: in order to foster replicability, one avenue may be to make replication studies a mandatory part of curricula as well as of doctoral theses. Furthermore, we argue that replication studies need to be more attractive for researchers. For example, successful replications could be listed in the publication lists of replicated authors. Vice versa, data sharing needs to receive more recognition, for example by considering data production and subsequent data sharing as scientific output. |
| Keywords: | theory of science, replication, survey, SOEP |
| JEL: | A14 C80 Z13 |
| Date: | 2016–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp9896&r=hme |
| By: | Muriithi, Beatrice |
| Abstract: | Commercialization of agriculture is often associated with decline in women control even for previously women-managed crops such as vegetables. This study utilizes survey data of over 300 smallholder vegetable producers in selected regions in Kenya to access the gender roles in horticultural commercialization, identify determinants of women participation in vegetable markets and evaluate the impact of women control over production and revenues derived from vegetables on household well-being. Women have limited access to vegetable production and marketing training, extension services, agricultural credit and membership in farmer groups compared to men. Empirical results indicate that female participation in commercialization of vegetables is positively related to their membership in farmer groups, younger age, education, large number of female adults in the household, female ownership of assets and access to business. Female management of vegetable plots relates negatively to households’ food, clothing, school fees and health care expenditures. |
| Keywords: | Consumer/Household Economics, Labor and Human Capital, |
| Date: | 2015 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae15:212516&r=hme |
| By: | Tiago Neves Sequeira (Departamento de Gesta˜o e Economia and CEFAGE-UBI. Universidade da Beira Interior.); Pedro Mazeda Gil (University of Porto, Faculty of Economics, and CEF.UP); Oscar Afonso (University of Porto, Faculty of Economics) |
| Abstract: | We eliminate scale effects in the Balanced Growth Path of an expanding-variety endogenous growth model using the concept of entropy as a complexity effect. This allows us to gradually diminish scale effects as the economy develops along the transitional dynamics, which conciliates evidence of the existence of scale effects long ago in history with evidence for no scale effects in today’s economies. We show that empirical evidence supports entropy as a stylized form of the complexity effect. Then we show that the model can replicate well the take-off after the industrial revolution. Finally, we show that a model with both network effects (as spillovers in R&D) and entropy (as complexity effects) can replicate the main facts of the very long-run evolution of the economy since A.D. 1. Future scenarios may help to explain (part of) the growth crises affecting the current generation. |
| Keywords: | Endogenous economic growth, network effects, complexity effects, entropy. |
| JEL: | O10 O30 O40 E22 |
| Date: | 2016–04 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:por:fepwps:575&r=hme |
| By: | KURIMOTO Akira |
| Abstract: | This paper examines co-operatives' challenges in advancing the third sector in Japan, referring to the results of the study on the management capacity of the third sector organizations and reforms of public services. The notion of the third sector largely varies between the United States and Europe; the former identifies it with the nonprofit sector whereas the latter equates it to the "social economy" that includes co-operatives as major components. Why do the Japanese co-operatives have such low visibility despite their world class size, and why did the United Nations' declaration of 2012 as the International Year of Co-operatives not provide an impact in Japan? This paper points to the weak identity of the co-operative sector since co-operatives have evolved quite differently due to a divided legal system and public policies. Finally, it proposes some recommendations for co-operatives to contribute to the third sector in Japan. |
| Date: | 2016–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eti:rdpsjp:16038&r=hme |