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on South East Asia |
| By: | Thai Do Manh; Williams, Idongesit |
| Abstract: | Purpose - The paper looks at the formulation of the BMGF-VN project to examine which actors participated in the formulation of this project, how their interests were translated into this project, and what lessons may be drawn for the formulation and implementation of universal service policy in Vietnam in general. Design/methodology/approach - The paper recruits the actor network theory and qualitative analysis to analyse the BMGF-VN project. Findings - the involvement of non-government actors in formulating and implementing the project, the focus not only on the supply side but also demand side are very important in formulating and implementing universal service policy. Originality/value - There have been a few studies applying actor network theory in analysing the formulation of policy, especially in universal service. The paper wants to close this gap. |
| Keywords: | stakeholders,actor-network theory,universal service,telecommunications,Vietnam |
| Date: | 2017 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:itsp17:170490&r=sea |
| By: | Biswa Nath Bhattacharyay; Madhurima Bhattacharyay |
| Abstract: | Asia, particularly its major economies has witnessed slower growth in recent years. To make Asia more economically sustainable and resilient against external shocks to recover from the falling growth, most regional economies need to rebalance their export-oriented (mostly to advanced economies) production and growth towards Asian markets and regional demand, and trade-driven growth through increased intraregional infrastructure connectivity and regional economic integration. In 1992, a pan-Asian transport connectivity was initiated through, Asian Highway Network and Trans-Asian Railways Network. In 2015, an ambitious pan-Asian connectivity initiative, namely “One Belt, One Road†(ancient silk road) initiative has been proposed. This initiative plans to create an economic zone covering Asia, Europe and Africa. To successfully promote and finance greater physical connectivity, at the pan-Asian, sub-regional and national levels, Asia will require a strong and appropriate institutional framework for effective coordination, cooperation and collaboration among national, subregional, and region-wide institutions as well as other stakeholders. This paper discusses the prospects and challenges facing Asian connectivity as well as infrastructure financing needs in Asia. It also examines the nature and characteristics of existing and new institutions and the emerging role of regional and international institutions for enhancing Asian connectivity. Lastly, it proposes an institutional architecture consisting of new “Asian Infrastructure Coordination Facility (AICF)†involving major stakeholders for building a seamless pan-Asian connectivity through bilateral, regional and international cooperation, partnership and collaboration in infrastructure development. |
| Keywords: | Asia, connectivity, hard and soft infrastructure, bilateral, regional and international institutions, inclusive and sustainable infrastructure, infrastructure financing, institutional architecture, financial instruments, bilateral and multilateral development banks |
| JEL: | R10 R40 R42 |
| Date: | 2017 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_6422&r=sea |
| By: | Nguyen, Cuong |
| Abstract: | This study investigates several determinants of children’s education in Vietnam. It finds an important role of living with both parents on. More specifically, children in households without either parent, due to divorce or death of parents, have lower enrollment rates than other children. Importantly, the effect on children of divorce of parents is even higher than the effect of parental death. Children with parents who migrate also have lower enrollment rates compared to children living in households where parents do not migrate. The study also shows correlation between inter-ethnic marriage and children's education. Children in families in which one Kinh parent and one from an ethnic minority group, as well as children of parents from two different ethnic minorities, have higher school attendance rates than children with parents from the same ethnic minority group. |
| Keywords: | Children, Young, Education, Vietnam |
| JEL: | I1 J1 |
| Date: | 2016–08–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:81828&r=sea |
| By: | Gonzalez, Paula (Universidad Pablo de Olavide); Montes-Rojas, Gabriel V. (City University London); Pal, Sarmistha (University of Surrey) |
| Abstract: | Using a simple theoretical model we conjecture that dual practice may increase the number of patients seen but reduce hours spent at public facilities, if public physicians lack motivation and/or if their opportunity costs are very large. Using data from Indonesia, we then test these theoretical conjectures. Our identification strategy relies on a 1997 legislation necessitating health professionals to apply for license for private practice only after three years of graduation. Results using a difference-in-difference regression discontinuity design provides support to our conjectures, identifying the role of weak work discipline, lack of motivation and opportunity costs of public service provision. |
| Keywords: | dual practice of health professionals, Ministry of Health Regulation, weak monitoring, motivation, opportunity costs of public service, Indonesia |
| JEL: | I18 J2 J44 J45 O1 |
| Date: | 2017–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp11038&r=sea |
| By: | Korth, Paula.; Richter, Patricia. |
| Abstract: | The main purpose of this report is to share the experience from Asia and the Pacific and open the eyes of the stakeholders as to where the financial industry stands these days. In doing so, this report also proposes an engagement agenda for the industry and calls on the DFIs from Asia and the Pacific and the ILO to continue the collaboration to increase the social capacity of development finance on the continent and beyond. |
| Keywords: | social finance, aid financing, development aid, social development, sustainable development, role of ILO, Asia, Pacific |
| Date: | 2016 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ilo:ilowps:994898083402676&r=sea |
| By: | Leonardo Baccini; Giammario Impullitti; Edmund J. Malesky |
| Abstract: | What do state-owned enterprises (SOEs) do? How do they respond to market incentives? Can we expect substantial efficiency gains from trade liberalization in economies with a strong presence of SOEs? Using a new dataset of Vietnamese firms we document a set of empirical regularities distinguishing SOEs from private firms. We embed some of these features characterizing SOEs operations in a model of trade with firm heterogeneity and show that they can hinder the selection effects of openness and tame the aggregate productivity gains from trade. We empirically test these predictions analyzing the response of Vietnamese firms to the 2007 WTO accession. Our result show that WTO accession is associated with higher probability of exit, lower markups, and substantial increases in productivity for private firms but not for SOEs. Domestic barriers to entry and preferential access to credit are key drivers of the different response of SOEs to trade liberalization. Our estimates suggest that the overall productivity gains would have been about 66% larger in a counterfactual Vietnamese economy without SOEs. |
| Keywords: | state capitalism, state-owned enterprises, trade liberalization, heterogeneous firms, gains from trade, WTO, Vietnam |
| JEL: | F12 F13 F14 P31 P33 |
| Date: | 2017 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_6618&r=sea |
| By: | Axelsson, Tobias (Department of Economic History, Lund University); Palacio, Andrés (Department of Economic History, Lund University) |
| Abstract: | Since 1968, Indonesia has been among the few developing countries able to sustain per capita income growth over 5%. However, poverty and surplus labor are still main features of the economy. We ask to what extent the dual nature of growth has stimulated structural change, or just rewarded a particular sector or region. We find that the emblematic State support to agriculture has not untapped the potential growth in labour reallocation. Despite the income diversification within and outside agriculture, the linkages between sectors and regions remain weak. For catching up, the integration of the outer regions into the economy must still go through agriculture, investment in human capital, infrastructure, social policies and local capabilities. |
| Keywords: | agriculture; regional structural change; growth; stagnation; shrinking; Indonesia |
| JEL: | O47 R11 |
| Date: | 2017–10–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:luekhi:0164&r=sea |
| By: | Dan Pirjol; Jing Wang; Lingjiong Zhu |
| Abstract: | We study the short maturity asymptotics for prices of forward start Asian options under the assumption that the underlying asset follows a local volatility model. We obtain asymptotics for the cases of out-of-the-money, in-the-money, and at-the-money, considering both fixed strike and floating Asian options. The exponential decay of the price of an out-of-the-money forward start Asian option is handled using large deviations theory, and is controlled by a rate function which is given by a double-layer optimization problem. In the Black-Scholes model, the calculation of the rate function is simplified further to the solution of a non-linear equation. We obtain closed form for the rate function, as well as its asymptotic behaviors when the strike is extremely large, small, or close to the initial price of the underlying asset. |
| Date: | 2017–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:1710.03160&r=sea |
| By: | Supriyatno, Bambang |
| Abstract: | Corn is one of the main commodities that are cultivated by many people, especially in Indonesia. The amount of maize produced by the community is not enough to meet the market demand because there are still many people who do not know about how to cultivate the right corn and good and the land or land for corn crops have been converted to many functions as buildings and others. Corn yield can also be influenced by several factors that are not yet optimal distribution of superior variety in the community, improper use of fertilizer, application of technology and improved beam cultivation method. Efforts to increase the production of maize crops are to improve the livelihood of farmers and meet market needs, it is necessary to increase the production of maize that meets the standards of both the quality and quantity of corn produced but in doing so need to know or understand the characteristics of corn crops to be planted such as morphology, physiology and agroecology needed by corn crops so as to increase maize production in Indonesia. Many uses of corn plants other than as food but corn can be used as flour, corn on the cob, roast corn and others so as to increase the demand for corn crops. The more market demand will increase the number of requests so that the production of plants or goods will decrease as the stock of goods thins and increases the price. . |
| Keywords: | fertilizer, increase, price, quality |
| JEL: | Q1 Q14 |
| Date: | 2017 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:82053&r=sea |
| By: | David Lander; David Gunawan; William Griffiths; Duangkamon Chotikapanich |
| Abstract: | We introduce a Bayesian approach for assessing Lorenz and stochastic dominance. For two income distributions, say X and Y, estimated via Markov chain Monte Carlo, we describe how to compute posterior probabilities for (i) X dominates Y, (ii) Y dominates X, and (iii) neither Y nor X is dominant. The proposed approach is applied to Indonesian income distributions using mixtures of gamma densities that ensure flexible modelling. Probability curves depicting the probability of dominance at each population proportion are used to explain changes in dominance probabilities over restricted ranges relevant for poverty orderings. They also explain some seemingly contradictory outcomes from the p-values of some sampling theory tests. |
| Keywords: | Dominance probabilities, poverty comparisons, MCMC, gamma mixture. |
| JEL: | C11 C12 D31 I32 |
| Date: | 2017 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:msh:ebswps:2017-15&r=sea |
| By: | Nguyen, Cuong |
| Abstract: | The aging index of Viet Nam's population increased during the past 35 years. In 2014, the aging index was 43.8% for the population from 60 years and older and 30.3% for the population aged 65 and older. In addition, there is a growing trend of elderly people living alone in Viet Nam. In 2014 rural areas had a higher ratio of single elderly people than in urban areas. Women were more likely to live alone than men, and the rate of single elderly people living alone was lower among people who graduated from college or university. Up to 32.4% of the elderly aged 80 years or older in the group of low living conditions were living alone in 2014. This proportion in the group of elderly aged 80 years or older with high living conditions was only 3.1%. Thus there was a large difference in the proportion of elderly people living alone in urban and rural areas and in households with different economic conditions. |
| Keywords: | Elderly, Ageing Trending, Population Census, Vietnam. |
| JEL: | J1 J11 |
| Date: | 2016–11–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:81825&r=sea |
| By: | Schiff, Maurice; Wang, Yanling |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the impact of education, governance and North-South trade- and distance-related technology diffusion on TFP in the South, focusing on South America (SA), Mexico, Latin America (LA) and East Asia for the 32-year period preceding the Great Recession (1976-2007) in a new model that integrates models of trade-related and distance-related international technology diffusion. Our model’s explanatory power is 38% (62%) greater than that of the main trade-related (distance-related) model. Findings are: i) TFP increases with education, trade, governance (ETG) and imports’ R&D content, and declines with distance to the North; ii) an increase in LA’s ETG to East Asia’s level raises LA’s TFP by some 100% and accounts for about 75% of its TFP gap with East Asia; iii) raising LA’s education to East Asia’s level has a larger impact on TFP and on the TFP gap than raising governance or openness; iv) the TFP impact on South America relative to Mexico due to its greater distance to US-Canada (Europe)(Japan) is −18.9 (−2.13) (−9.78)%, with an overall impact of −12.4%. |
| Keywords: | Education,Governance,Trade,Distance,Technology Diffusion,Productivity Impact,Latin America,East Asia |
| JEL: | F13 I25 O19 O47 |
| Date: | 2017 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:glodps:126&r=sea |
| By: | Schiff, Maurice (World Bank); Wang, Yanling (Carleton University) |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the impact of education, governance and North-South trade- and distance-related technology diffusion on TFP in the South, focusing on South America (SA), Mexico, Latin America (LA) and East Asia for the 32-year period preceding the Great Recession (1976–2007) in a new model that integrates models of trade-related and distance-related international technology diffusion. Our model's explanatory power is 38% (62%) greater than that of the main trade-related (distance-related) model. Findings are: i) TFP increases with education, trade, governance (ETG) and imports' R&D content, and declines with distance to the North; ii) an increase in LA's ETG to East Asia's level raises LA's TFP by some 100% and accounts for about 75% of its TFP gap with East Asia; iii) raising LA's education to East Asia's level has a larger impact on TFP and on the TFP gap than raising governance or openness; iv) the TFP impact on South America relative to Mexico due to its greater distance to US-Canada (Europe) (Japan) is -18.9 (-2.13) (-9.78)%, with an overall impact of -12.4%. |
| Keywords: | education, governance, trade, distance, technology diffusion, productivity impact, Latin America, East Asia |
| JEL: | F13 I25 O19 O47 |
| Date: | 2017–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp11049&r=sea |
| By: | Debapriya Bhattacharya |
| Abstract: | Inadequate regional provisions have been one of the weak links in the global monitoring of, and accountability for, implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). As a result, the question now is how does the regional monitoring and review process need to improve as a more demanding post-2015 development agenda is introduced? To address this question, the paper follows three analytical approaches. First, by reviewing various global-level inputs channelled towards articulating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it teases out the implications of the new agenda for a Regional Monitoring and Review Mechanism (RMRM). Second, by revisiting the experiences of various existing frameworks for a regional mechanism, it highlights the strengths and weaknesses of their varying approaches and instruments. Third, the paper tries to identify the critical attributes of the institutional structure and modalities that have to characterise such a mechanism in the new context. In conclusion, the paper underscores the need to bolster regional statistical capacity, particularly in the field of regional public goods and the proposed regional indicators of the sustainable development goals. It also proposes elements of a possible mechanism, building on the existing practices of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). |
| Keywords: | SDG implementation, Regional Monitoring and Review Mechanism (RMRM), statistical capacity |
| Date: | 2016–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:svo:opaper:28&r=sea |
| By: | Eoin McGuirk; Nathaniel Hilger; Nicholas Miller |
| Abstract: | Why do wars occur? We exploit a natural experiment to test the longstanding hypothesis that leaders declare war because they fail to internalize the associated costs. We test this moral hazard theory of conflict by compiling data on the family composition of 3,693 US legislators who served in the U.S. Congress during the four conscription-era wars of the 20th century: World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. We test for agency problems by comparing the voting behavior of congressmen with draft-age sons versus draft-age daughters. We estimate that having a draft-age son reduces legislator support for pro-conscription bills by 10-17%. Legislators with draft-age sons are also more likely to win reelection, suggesting that support for conscription is punished by voters. Our results provide new evidence that agency problems contribute to political violence, and that elected officials can be influenced by changing private incentives. |
| JEL: | N42 |
| Date: | 2017–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:23904&r=sea |
| By: | Alicia Garcia-Herrero (Adjunct Professor, Department of Economics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Institute for Emerging Market Studies, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Chief Economist for Asia Pacific at NATIXIS); Jianwei Xu (Associate Professor, Beijing Normal University) |
| Abstract: | Alicia Garcia-Herrero, HKUST IEMS Faculty Associate and Chief Economist for the Asia Pacific at NATIXIS, asks how Xi Jinping’s One Belt One Road initiative will affect EU trade. The colossal infrastructure project is set to upturn trade relationships across Eurasia, yet the examination of its effects is still “embryonic”. Who will be the major winners and losers in trade? How would FTAs between China and OBOR nations affect the EU? In this latest IEMS Thought Leadership Brief, Prof García-Herrero makes the case for why it is time for the EU to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. The study was conducted at Bruegel Research Institute with colleague Jianwei Xu. |
| Keywords: | Belt & Road, china, China-EU Trade, infrastructure, international economic system, International Trade, One Belt One Road |
| Date: | 2016–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hku:briefs:201614&r=sea |
| By: | Sheung-Chi Chow (Research Institute of Business, Hang Seng Management College); Rangan Gupta (University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa); Tahir Suleman (School of Economics and Finance, Victoria University of Wellington and School of Business, Wellington Institute of Technology); Wing-Keung Wong (Department of Finance, Asia University and Department of Economics, Lingnan University) |
| Abstract: | This study bridges the gap in the literature to examine co-movement and predictability of Bond Spread of BRICS and PIIGS with respect to political risk (PR), financial risk (FR), and economic risk (ER). Our cointegration results conclude that there is strong long run co-movement between the various risks and bond spread for both BRICS and PIIGS. However, both linear and nonlinear Granger causality tests show that not all risks strongly predict bond spread for both BRICS and PIIGS. Our linear Granger causality findings imply that PR is the most important risk in predicting bond spread, followed by ER in both BRICS and in PIIGS, while FR is only weakly useful in predicting bond spread in BRICS but not in PIIGS. Our nonlinear individual causality results infer that ER is the most important risk in predicting bond spread, followed by FR, and PR. In this paper, we make a conjecture that linear and nonlinear causality are independent and our findings support this, and thus, we recommend academics and practitioners conduct both linear and nonlinear causality analysis in their work. The outcomes of this paper are useful for portfolio managers, investors in fixed income market and government agencies. |
| Keywords: | Country Risk, Bond Spread, Linear and Nonlinear Granger Causality |
| JEL: | C33 C58 G10 G24 |
| Date: | 2017–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pre:wpaper:201773&r=sea |
| By: | Xiuli Sun; Haizheng Li; Vivek Ghosal |
| Abstract: | Understanding the factors that may produce a sustained rate of innovation is important for promoting economic development and growth. In this paper, we examine the role of human capital in firms’ innovation by using a large sample of manufacturing firms from China. We use two firm-level datasets from China: one from metropolitan cities, and one from provincial small and medium sized cities. Patent applications are used as the measure of innovation. Human capital indicators used include skilled human capital (number of highly educated workers), general manager’s education and tenure, and management team’s education and age. We find that skilled human capital has a significant positive effect on firms’ innovation, while the management team’s age has a significant negative effect on innovation. The General Manager’s tenure plays a significant positive role in firm innovation in metropolitan cities, while it is the General Manager’s education that has a positive and significant effect on firms’ innovation in small and middle cities. We also find that the effect of R&D on patents is insignificant for firms in large cities, but it is positive and significant in the smaller and medium sized cities. We conclude by noting some policy issues for promoting innovation in developing economies. |
| Keywords: | human capital, education, innovation, patents, R&D, economic development, Asia, China |
| JEL: | J24 I25 D21 D22 L13 O32 O33 |
| Date: | 2017 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ces:ceswps:_6370&r=sea |
| By: | von Grebmer, Klaus; Bernstein, Jill; Hossain, Naomi; Brown, Tracy; Prasai, Nilam; Yohannes, Yisehac; Patterson, Fraser; Sonntag, Andrea; Zimmerman, Sophia-Maria; Towey, Olive; Foley, Connell |
| Abstract: | The 2017 Global Hunger Index (GHI) report—the twelfth in an annual series—presents a multidimensional measure of hunger at the global, regional, and national levels. It shows that the world has made progress in reducing hunger since 2000, but that this progress has been uneven, with levels of hunger still serious or alarming in 51 countries and extremely alarming in one country. This year’s report shines a light on the inequalities underlying hunger—including geographic, income, and gender inequality—and the inequalities of social, political, and economic power in which they are rooted. |
| Keywords: | Americas; South America; Europe; Asia; Africa South of Sahara; Africa; hunger; nutrition; health; malnutrition; gender; women; income; economic development; food policies; food security; nutrition security; inequality |
| Date: | 2017 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:synops:9780896292758&r=sea |