|
on South East Asia |
| By: | Muhamad Arif and Yandry Kurniawan |
| Abstract: | Strategic culture plays a significant role in shaping current practices of maritime security in Indonesia. Rooted in the history and experiences of the military and the state itself, Indonesian maritime strategic culture shapes the perceived roles and responsibilities of the Indonesian primary and most capable maritime security agency, the Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut. Albeit institutional, doctrinal reform and weapons modernisation, the navy appears to be reluctant to relinquish its long-standing law enforcement and internal security roles resulting in overlap of roles and responsibilities among the various maritime security agencies in Indonesia. This article argues that the historically shaped strategic culture, particularly the blurred distinction between ‘defence’ or sovereignty protection and ‘security’ or law enforcement, has not allowed the Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut to focus on the increasingly demanding traditional military roles. An understanding of Indonesian strategic history and culture as well as its civil-military relations is thus essential to comprehend this problem. |
| Keywords: | strategic culture, Indonesian navy, coast guard, Bakamla, maritime security |
| Date: | 2017–11–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:appswp:201806&r=sea |
| By: | Ulises Granados |
| Abstract: | The research inquiries into New Delhi's current approaches to Maritime Asia regional security in general and the South China Sea from the perspective of an Indian Act East Policy operating in the East Asian security supercomplex. Shaped by theoretical insights from defensive realism and security studies and based on empirical analysis of India's policy decisions from 2014 to the present, the research evaluates India's reach and limitations over its diplomatic and naval strategic policies with key Southeast Asian and extra regional states, mainly Vietnam, the United States and Japan. While identifying the need to update current India's naval strategy to better protect freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, the analysis finds relevant incentives for a closer India–China cooperative engagement so as to both improve the security architecture in this maritime region and for the sake of India's own security at large. |
| Keywords: | India, Act East Policy, South China Sea, Spratly Islands, Freedom of Navigation |
| Date: | 2018–01–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:appswp:201809&r=sea |
| By: | Hoai-Son Nguyen (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - AgroParisTech - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - CIRAD - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, CleanED - Clean Energy and Sustainable Development Lab - USTH - University of sciences and technologies of hanoi, ABIES Doctoral School); Minh Ha-Duong (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - AgroParisTech - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - CIRAD - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, CleanED - Clean Energy and Sustainable Development Lab - USTH - University of sciences and technologies of hanoi) |
| Abstract: | Household electricity consumption potentially offers economies of scale, since lighting, cooling or cooking can be shared among household members. This idea needs to be tested empirically. Under an increasing block tariff schedule the marginal and average price of electricity increases with total consumption. Does this effect offset economies of scale in the larger families? This paper uses data from Vietnam Household Living Standard Survey (VHLSS) in 2010, 2012 and 2014 to investigate whether there are economies of scale for Vietnam household electricity consumption in that period. The data will be tested formally by an OLS model and checked robustness by visualization of local linear regressions. Estimated results and robustness check confirm that in general, economies of scale do exist for household electricity consumption in Vietnam from 2010-2014. |
| Keywords: | electricity use,increasing block tariffs,household economies of scale |
| Date: | 2018–02–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:wpaper:hal-01714899&r=sea |
| By: | Chandran, B.P. Sarath |
| Abstract: | Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a large trade negotiation among 16 countries of Asia Pacific which aims to cover goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, competition and intellectual property rights among these nations. The 16 RCEP countries include China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and the 10-member ASEAN which represent more than 3.5 billion people and about 40 percent of global GDP. India already implemented a free trade agreement with ASEAN, Japan and South Korea and negotiating similar pacts with Australia and New Zealand. There are apprehensions that RCEP agreement will lead to large-scale import of manufactured goods from developed members of RCEP particularly China which enjoys a trade surplus of more than 50 billion US$ with India. Also, large coverage of items in the tariff reduction programme will lead to an influx of cheaper commodities into India affecting the manufacturing sector. Easy access to burgeoning Indian consumer market may affect a large number of informal players affecting their livelihoods. India’s gain primarily comes from the services sector which needs greater access to the members’ markets. Also, the previous experiences of India’s RTAs did not yield desirable results as India’s import increased rapidly compared to exports. In this context, the paper argues for India’s caution and push for a comprehensive agreement by including services sector where India’s advantage lies. |
| Keywords: | RCEP, Regional Trade Agreement, ASEAN, India, |
| JEL: | F13 F15 F17 |
| Date: | 2018–01–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:84201&r=sea |
| By: | Tipaporn Kanjanarach (Khon Kaen University); Nantawan Panpech (Khon Kaen University); Panaya Chouwajareon (Khon Kaen University); Thanaporn Wisetgeaw (Khon Kaen University) |
| Abstract: | Introduction: Thailand established a policy to promote the use of traditional medical knowledge in the country?s health care system in1977. Research into the safety and efficacy of Thai medicinal plants and Thai traditional drugs was a key strategy. Objective: This scoping review aimed to analyze the types of research articles specific to Thai medicinal plants and Thai traditional drugs. Methods: Research articles were extracted from three data bases: PubMed, Thai-journal citation index centre (TCI) and Thai Thesis Database. The keyword ?Thai traditional*? was used to capture all possible articles. Three reviewers independently screened the search results to exclude the articles published in languages other than Thai or English, or references to other Thai traditional medical practice. Results: Of 1830 articles possibly related to Thai traditional drugs, 408 were finally included for the review. A majority of the articles were about individual Thai herbs. Only 46 (11.3%) were about Thai traditional formulations. Seventy seven articles (18.9%) were on herbs or Thai traditional formulations listed in the national essential drug list. Most of the research reports were in vitro phase (324 articles, 79.4 %) followed by in vivo phase (61 articles, 15.0%), clinical phase I to phase III (10 articles, 2.45%), biological activity (10 articles, 2.45%) and post-marketing studies (3 articles, 0.7%). An increasing trend of the number of publications started to be noticed after 2003. During 2012-2016, the average number of publications per year was 35. Conclusion: The findings suggested that evidence to support the use of Thai medicinal plants and Thai traditional drugs is still lacking. Thailand should review the country?s strategies to support research into Thai medicinal plants and Thai traditional drugs. |
| Keywords: | natural product; herb; traditional medicine; health care policy; Thai |
| JEL: | I18 |
| Date: | 2017–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:5908256&r=sea |
| By: | Aloysius Gunadi Brata (Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University); Henri (H.L.F.) de Groot (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam); Wouter (W.) Zant (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) |
| Abstract: | The survival of firms under changes in the business environment caused by exogenous shocks may be explained using economic Darwinism. Exogenous shocks can cause ‘cleansing effects’ as shocks clean out unproductive firms so that available resources are allocated to the remaining more productive firms. However, shocks may also force out young firms that are potentially highly productive in the future, which will lower the average productivity of industries. This is known as the ‘scarring effect’ of shocks. Therefore, the overall impact of exogenous shocks on the allocation of resources depends on the relative magnitude of cleansing and scarring effects. This paper investigates this natural selection mechanism after the Yogyakarta earthquake in 2006. The study uses data on medium-sized and large manufacturing firms in the Yogyakarta province collected by the Indonesian Statistical Agency. The main finding of this paper is that firms that had higher productivity prior to the earthquake in 2006 were more likely to survive after the earthquake, which suggests the existence of a natural selection mechanism causing cleansing effects. There is no evidence of scarring effects of the earthquake on the new entrants. |
| Keywords: | firm’s survival; exogenous shock; Yogyakarta earthquake; Indonesia |
| JEL: | D22 Q54 R11 |
| Date: | 2018–03–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tin:wpaper:20180021&r=sea |
| By: | Tran, Tuyen; Tran, Anh; Pham, Thai; Vu, Huong |
| Abstract: | Using data from the School-to-Work Transition Surveys 2015 (SWTS 2015), the Enterprise Census data in 2014 (ECD 2014), and the Provincial Competitiveness Index 2014 (PCI 2014), this paper examines for the first time the effect of individual and family characteristics, firm agglomeration, and the quality of labour training (provided by provincial governments) on occupational choice among young people in Vietnam. Interestingly, we find that women are more likely than men to have better jobs, even after controlling for all other variables in the models. Higher levels of education were the most important factor in choosing non-manual jobs, while family background (as measured by the father’s occupation) plays a significant role in explaining young people’s occupational choice. More importantly, it was found that the quality of labour training increases young people’s chances of gaining better jobs. In addition, living in urban areas, the provincial GDP per capita, and firm agglomeration were also found to improve the probability of youth choosing better jobs. |
| Keywords: | youth, firm agglomeration, local government, labour training, occupational choice |
| JEL: | D11 D13 D7 D71 I38 |
| Date: | 2017–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:84436&r=sea |
| By: | Zaman, Delfian Rian |
| Abstract: | This study aims to examine the effect of cash ratio, debt to equity ratio, and return on the asset to dividend payout ratio on manufacturing companies listed on Indonesia Stock Exchange with observation period 2010-2014. The sampling technique used is purposive sampling so that the number of samples is 27 companies. The analysis technique used in this research is multiple linear regression and hypothesis test using t-statistic to test partial regression coefficient and f-statistic to test the feasibility of research model with a level of significance 5%. Besides, there is also a classic assumption test that includes normality test, multicollinearity test, heteroscedasticity test and autocorrelation test. The result of the analysis shows that the variable of cash ratio and return on asset have positive and significant influence, while the variable of debt to equity ratio has a negative and significant effect to dividend payout ratio. |
| Keywords: | Cash Ratio, Debt to Equity Ratio, Return On Asset, Dividend Payout Ratio |
| JEL: | G2 G28 |
| Date: | 2018–01–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:84687&r=sea |
| By: | Darunee Jumpatong (Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University) |
| Abstract: | This study aimed to investigate the current state of social studies instructional management of teachers based on the current standard-based National Basic Education Curriculum B.E. 2551 of Thailand, including its obstacles and limitations, and the proposal for further development. It was a mixed-method research: quantitative method consisted of 150 participants obtained by systematic random sampling. They were educational supervisors and teachers teaching in the Social Studies, Religion and Culture Learning Area in public schools. Statistics for data analysis were the percentage, mean, and standard deviation. In the qualitative part, the key informants were 18 social studies teachers and educational supervisors purposively selected for in-depth interviews. The research findings were as follows: (1) the current practice of teachers regarding social studies instructional management was not in accordance with the underlying concepts and expectation as prescribed in the national core curriculum, even though social studies teachers and educational supervisors had high level of comprehension in it. The teachers tended to organize their social studies lesson plans based on guidelines in textbooks published by private publishers rather than compile them based on the curriculum itself; the prevalent method of instruction was the lecturing method while integrated teaching was rarely practiced; also, evaluation of learning outcomes tended to focus on knowledge rather than on thinking skills and performance; (2) the teachers and educational supervisors agreed at the high level with the principles of standard-based curriculum which had been responsive to the present information-based society rather than the former content-based curriculum prescribed by the Ministry of Education as in the past; thus, they were highly satisfied with the national core curriculum in the Social Studies, Religion and Culture Learning Area; (3) the main obstacles and limitations in social studies instructional management were those concerning the curriculum itself, curriculum implementation, roles of educational supervisors and school principals, all of which contributed to the weakening of the school academic system and the relatively poor student achievements; and (4) regarding the guidelines for further development of social studies instruction management, the following points were addressed: (4.1) the schools should seriously and continuously develop the teachers and support them on their teaching performance; and (4.2) the curriculum itself should be reviewed for further development including the continued emphasis on the enhancement of standard-based curriculum, and the reduction of some overlapping contents within and among the learning areas. |
| Keywords: | Instructional management / Social studies, Religion and Culture / National Basic Basic Education Curriculum, B.E. 2551 |
| JEL: | I29 |
| Date: | 2017–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:5907767&r=sea |
| By: | Chakraborty, Lekha (National Institute of Public Finance and Policy); Ingrams, Marian (Harvard Law School post-graduate fellow and Fulbright-Nehru scholar at NIPFP); Singh, Yadawendra (National Institute of Public Finance and Policy) |
| Abstract: | Gender budgeting is a fiscal approach that seeks to use a country’s national and/or local budget(s) to reduce inequality and promote economic growth and equitable development. While literature has explored the connection between reducing gender inequality and achieving growth and equitable development, more empirical analysis is needed to determine whether gender budgeting really curbs gender inequality. Our study follows the methodology of Stotsky and Zaman (2016) to investigate across Asia Pacific countries the impact of gender budgeting on promoting gender equality, and also increasing fiscal spending on health and education. The study classifies Asia Pacific countries as ‘gender budgeting’ or ‘non-gender budgeting’ according to whether they have formalized gender budgeting initiatives in laws and/or budget call circulars. To measure the effect of gender budgeting on reducing inequality, we measure the correlation between gender budgeting and the Gender Development Index (GDI) and Gender Inequality Index (GII) scores in each country. The data for our gender inequality variables are mainly drawn from the IMF Database on gender indicators and the World Development Indicators (WDI) database, over 1990-2013. Our results show that gender budgeting has significant effect on increasing GDI and small but significant potential to reduce GII. These results strengthen the rationale for employing gender budgeting to promote inclusive development. However, our empirical results show no prioritization for gender budgeting in the fiscal space of health and education sectors in the region. |
| Keywords: | gender budgeting ; fiscal policy ; gender equality ; Asia Pacific |
| JEL: | H00 I3 J1 |
| Date: | 2018–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:npf:wpaper:18/224&r=sea |
| By: | Quan-Hoang Vuong; Manh Tung M.T. Ho; Viet-Phuong La; Van Nhue Dam; Bui Quang Khiem; Nghiem Phu Kien Cuong; Thu-Trang Vuong; Hong Kong Nguyen; Ha Viet Nguyen; Hiep-Hung Pham; Nancy K. Napier |
| Abstract: | Every year, the Vietnamese people reportedly burned about 50,000 tons of joss papers, which took the form of not only bank notes, but iPhones, cars, clothes, even housekeepers, in hope of pleasing the dead. The practice was mistakenly attributed to traditional Buddhist teachings but originated in fact from China, which most Vietnamese were not aware of. In other aspects of life, there were many similar examples of Vietnamese so ready and comfortable with adding new norms, values, and beliefs, even contradictory ones, to their culture. This phenomenon, dubbed "cultural additivity", prompted us to study the co-existence, interaction, and influences among core values and norms of the Three Teachings –Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism–as shown through Vietnamese folktales. By applying Bayesian logistic regression, we evaluated the possibility of whether the key message of a story was dominated by a religion (dependent variables), as affected by the appearance of values and anti-values pertaining to the Three Teachings in the story (independent variables). Our main findings included the existence of the cultural additivity of Confucian and Taoist values. More specifically, empirical results showed that the interaction or addition of the values of Taoism and Confucianism in folktales together helped predict whether the key message of a story was about Confucianism, β{VT ⋅ VC} = 0.86. Meanwhile, there was no such statistical tendency for Buddhism. The results lead to a number of important implications. First, this showed the dominance of Confucianism because the fact that Confucian and Taoist values appeared together in a story led to the story’s key message dominated by Confucianism. Thus, it presented the evidence of Confucian dominance and against liberal interpretations of the concept of the Common Roots of Three Religions ("tam giáo đồng nguyên") as religious unification or unicity. Second, the concept of "cultural additivity" could help explain many interesting socio-cultural phenomena, namely the absence of religious intolerance and extremism in the Vietnamese society, outrageous cases of sophistry in education, the low productivity in creative endeavors like science and technology, the misleading branding strategy in business. We are aware that our results are only preliminary and more studies, both theoretical and empirical, must be carried out to give a full account of the explanatory reach of "cultural additivity". |
| Keywords: | Confucianism; Buddhism; Taoism; Three Religions; cultural additivity; Vietnamese culture; folktales; social norms; values; beliefs; ideals |
| JEL: | A13 M14 |
| Date: | 2018–03–14 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sol:wpaper:2013/268611&r=sea |
| By: | International Monetary Fund; World Bank |
| Keywords: | Finance and Financial Sector Development - Financial Crisis Management & Restructuring Finance and Financial Sector Development - Financial Regulation & Supervision Finance and Financial Sector Development - Financial Structures Finance and Financial Sector Development - Insurance & Risk Mitigation Governance - Governance and the Financial Sector |
| Date: | 2017–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:28391&r=sea |
| By: | Gianna Gayle Herrera Amul and Tikki (Pangestu) Pang |
| Abstract: | Singapore has implemented tobacco control policies since the 1970s, more than three decades before it became party to the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control—the first evidence-based global health treaty in 2005. The country's stringent policies have resulted in a 13 per cent adult smoking prevalence rate, one of the lowest in the world. This article reviews how a mix of demand- and supply-reduction measures with extensive regulation and stringent enforcement has contributed to Singapore's reputation as the ‘most hostile environment’ for tobacco companies. Its tobacco control policies can offer lessons for more effective tobacco control among its neighbouring countries. |
| Keywords: | Singapore, tobacco control, public health, smoking, policy |
| Date: | 2018–01–23 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:appswp:201808&r=sea |
| By: | NABABAN, TONGAM SIHOL |
| Abstract: | Abstract - This study aims to measure and to analyze the efficiency level of fuel oil usage in units of PT. PLN generation. The study result shows that until now the PLN is still operating in inefficiency condition, because of foil oil usage. The energy consumption level of fuel oil is less efficient compared with coal energy in generating electricity. Based on the short-term CobbDouglass analysis,the average decrease in oilfuel usage efficiency over the period 2011 – 2015 is 17.21% per year. Allegedly, even though the portion has decreaseddue to the unsustainable supply of non-fuel fuel, it is important to maintain the use of fuel oil.The government is asked to continue evaluate the use of fuel oil inputs, diversify input energy and increase efficiency in producing electricity in Indonesia. |
| Keywords: | efficiency, electrical energy, input, fuel oil, PT. PLN. |
| JEL: | D2 D24 J21 J24 |
| Date: | 2018–02 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:84679&r=sea |
| By: | Geoff Clark, Michael O'Dwyer, Ysanne Chapman and Benjamin Rolfe |
| Abstract: | The Sustainable Development Goal 3 targets aim to ensure that individuals achieve universal health coverage and that the capacity of countries, to identify early warnings, implement risk reduction plans and to respond and manage national and global health risks including emerging infectious diseases outbreaks is strengthened. Funding for the achievement of these outcomes can be erratic and weak healthcare systems do not cope well with the vagaries of fluctuating economies. Universal health coverage is achievable with formulated social health insurance programs that ensure consistent and predictable financial flows. This article deliberates the situation in the Asia Pacific region considering how funding the elimination of infectious diseases (specifically malaria) can facilitate a strengthening of weak health systems, which in turn will build economic potency and health security in the region. |
| Keywords: | universal health coverage, social health insurance, malaria, Asia Pacific, health security |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:appswp:201812&r=sea |
| By: | Alizar Anwar; Maria Salvetti |
| Keywords: | Environment - Water Resources Management Water Resources - Water Policy & Governance Water Supply and Sanitation - Water Supply and Sanitation Economics Water Supply and Sanitation - Water Supply and Sanitation Governance and Institutions Water Supply and Sanitation - Water Supply and Sanitation Policy, Legislation and Regulation |
| Date: | 2017–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:28385&r=sea |
| By: | Kamil Yilmaz (Koc University) |
| Abstract: | This paper presents an analysis of the volatility connectedness of major bank stocks in the South East Asia (SEACEN) region between 2004 and 2016. Applying the Diebold-Yilmaz Connectedness Index (DYCI) framework to daily stock return volatilities of major banks in the region, we obtain results that help us uncover valuable information on the region's static and dynamic bank volatility network. The volatility connectedness increased substantially during the US financial crisis (from 2007 to 2009) and during the European sovereign debt and banking crisis in 2011. The recent increase in the total connectedness has resulted from temporary financial shocks on a global scale. Once included in the analysis, the global systemically important banks (GSIBs) from the U.S. and Europe generate substantial volatility connectedness to SEACEN banks. We also identify country clusters in the banking volatility network. Major Indian, Taiwanese and Chinese banks generate volatility connectedness to their counterparts in other countries of the region. Finally, we show that the region's bank volatility network becomes tighter during systemic events; banks from different countries in the region generate volatility connectedness to the others. |
| Keywords: | Systemic risk, Connectedness, Network, Global Systemically Important Banks, Vector Autoregression, Variance Decomposition, South East Asia. |
| JEL: | C32 G21 |
| Date: | 2018–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:koc:wpaper:1807&r=sea |
| By: | Xiao, Weilin (Zhejiang University); Yu, Jun (School of Economics, Singapore Management University) |
| Abstract: | This paper extends the asymptotic theory for the fractional Vasicek model developed in Xiao and Yu (2018) from the case where H ∈ (1/2, 1) to the case where H ∈ (0, 1/2). It is found that the asymptotic theory of the persistence parameter (k) critically depends on the sign of k. Moreover, if k > 0, the asymptotic distribution for the estimator of k is different when H ∈ (0, 1/2) from that when H ∈ (1/2, 1). |
| Keywords: | Least squares; Roughness; Strong consistency; Asymptotic distribution |
| JEL: | C15 C22 C32 |
| Date: | 2018–03–19 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:smuesw:2018_007&r=sea |
| By: | Dalton, Patricio (Tilburg University, Center For Economic Research); Rüschenpöhler, Julius (Tilburg University, Center For Economic Research); Zia, Bilal |
| Abstract: | Small-scale entrepreneurs are ubiquitous in developing countries, yet very few graduate to become larger businesses. We ask whether such entrepreneurs even aspire to grow, and if so on which dimensions of the business? Among a representative sample of retail shop owners in Jakarta, we find that the average business has strong short- and long-term aspirations for growth in shop size, number of employees, number of customers, and sales. Yet, there is pronounced heterogeneity with more than half the businesses reporting no aspirations for growth in the next 12 months, and 16 percent failing to imagine an ideal business over the long-term. We find that entrepreneurs with low profits, business skills, and agency beliefs, as well as those who are older, female, and less educated have significantly lower aspirations. We also show that aspirations predict future-oriented behaviors such as savings, credit use, business expansion, and innovation, even after controlling for business practices. These results have important implications for the design and targeting of business growth programs and policies. |
| Keywords: | aspirations; micro-enterprises; innovation; small business growth; firm performance; technology adoption; self-efficacy; locus of control |
| JEL: | O12 L26 M20 O17 M50 |
| Date: | 2018 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tiu:tiucen:5208b11c-cf81-45bc-9dd7-e7f81d2ea9b8&r=sea |
| By: | Jaime DE MELO (Ferdi); Jean-marc SOLLEDER (Université de Genève) |
| Abstract: | An open world trading system with low barriers to trade in Environmental Goods (EGs) and Environmental Services (ESs) accompanied by corrective SPS and TBT measures is necessary for the World Trading System to be compatible with the environmental objectives in the SDGs. So far, the political process and technical difficulties in defining EGs and ESs have plagued multilateral negotiations under the Doha Round and those under the Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) resulting in lists of EGs and ESs with many weaknesses.The chapter explores differences in policy measures across broad categories of EGs and ESs. Comparisons of EG and non-EG groups reveal that applied tariffs are lower for EGs for all countries and group of countries regardless of the selected EG list. On average, descriptive indices of NTMs are quite similar for EG and non-EG product lists revealing few robust differences between EGs and non-EGs and across countries. However, the regulatory distance is less among ASEAN membership than among EGA membership, suggesting more favourable prospects for fruitful negotiations in the ASEAN group. The paper closes with gravity-based panel estimates of bilateral trade. Two results stand out: on average, NTMs restrict bilateral trade by about 20 percent, but not differently for EGs than for non-EGs or for ASEAN countries as a group relative to other countries. The chapter concludes with suggestions for reduction in tariffs for suitably defined EGs and more open regulatory measures for ESs. |
| Keywords: | NTM, non tariff measures |
| Date: | 2017–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fdi:wpaper:4095&r=sea |
| By: | Jaime DE MELO (Ferdi); Jean-marc SOLLEDER (University of Geneva) |
| Abstract: | An open world trading system with low barriers to trade in Environmental Goods (EGs) and Environmental Services (ESs) accompanied by corrective SPS and TBT measures is necessary for the World Trading System to be compatible with the environmental objectives in the SDGs. So far, the political process and technical difficulties in defining EGs and ESs have plagued multilateral negotiations under the Doha Round and those under the Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) resulting in lists of EGs and ESs with many weaknesses.The chapter explores differences in policy measures across broad categories of EGs and ESs. Comparisons of EG and non-EG groups reveal that applied tariffs are lower for EGs for all countries and group of countries regardless of the selected EG list. On average, descriptive indices of NTMs are quite similar for EG and non-EG product lists revealing few robust differences between EGs and non-EGs and across countries. However, the regulatory distance is less among ASEAN membership than among EGA membership, suggesting more favourable prospects for fruitful negotiations in the ASEAN group. The paper closes with gravity-based panel estimates of bilateral trade. Two results stand out: on average, NTMs restrict bilateral trade by about 20 percent, but not differently for EGs than for non-EGs or for ASEAN countries as a group relative to other countries. The chapter concludes with suggestions for reduction in tariffs for suitably defined EGs and more open regulatory measures for ESs. |
| Keywords: | NTM, non tariff measures |
| Date: | 2017–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fdi:wpaper:4096&r=sea |
| By: | Gianna Gayle Herrera Amul and Tikki (Pangestu) Pang |
| Abstract: | Using a tobacco control framework that combines demand-reduction and selected supply-reduction measures according to a health system's building blocks, this article aims to assess the state of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control implementation in ASEAN countries from a health systems perspective. Results show that more ASEAN member states are showing leadership in adopting effective policies in the MPOWER suite of interventions such as raising taxes on tobacco, establishing smoke-free areas and implementing graphic health warnings. However, effective enforcement of these policies is hampered by the lack of policies to protect public health measures from tobacco industry interference. ASEAN faces three challenges to control and reduce tobacco use: tackling the increasing burden of disease from tobacco use, tobacco industry interference and the need for better governance based on stronger political will and commitment. ASEAN member states need to further invest and innovate on tobacco control and promoting healthy lifestyles in order to achieve the SDG target on tobacco control. |
| Keywords: | tobacco control, ASEAN, FCTC, Southeast Asia, health policy, health system |
| Date: | 2018–01–21 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:een:appswp:201804&r=sea |
| By: | Charles Wild (University of Hertfordshire) |
| Abstract: | Student cohorts within UK Higher Education (HE) institutions have becomes increasingly diverse over the past decade. This has presented the HE sector with a number of challenges, including the need to evaluate whether the delivery of degree programmes, traditionally targeted at a predominantly white student cohort, are fit-for-purpose when programme cohorts are becoming increasingly culturally diverse and white students account for only the second or third largest ethnic group. For example, in this case study, 75.7% of the student cohort is classed as Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME), with the largest ethnic group being Asian at 32.4%. The National Union of Students (NUS, 2009) observed that ?Black students are less likely to be satisfied with their educational experience and to attain first-class degrees in comparison to their White peers?, going on to note that ?a simple explanation for the attainment and satisfaction gap of Black students does not exist?. Furthermore, Berry & Loke (2011) note that differences between Black and White students centre on the ?rate of retention / withdrawal and achievement?. In addition, the National Union of Students (2009) reported that a significant minority of BME students viewed their teaching and learning environment negatively, often speaking of alienation, exclusion and feeling invisible to lecturers. Whilst Pewewardy (2008) highlights the fact that BAME students differ in the ways they learn and communicate, Morgan (2010) suggests that such students only differ "from what a given culture considers appropriate or normal." Consequently, the author asserts it is time for HE institutions to re-evaluate the concept of ?appropriate or normal? to one based on BAME students rather than that of a predominantly white one. This case study examines the use of a refined flipped-classroom model across an entire undergraduate programme may prove the key to an increase in the rates of retention and progression of BAME students on undergraduate programmes. This paper examines the use of a refined flipped-classroom model across an entire undergraduate programme which has resulted in a significant increase in the retention of BAME students. Pioneered by Bergmann and Sams, the traditional flipped-classroom allows students to review lectures at times and in locations that suit them. It also provides students with a library of information to refer back to, proving invaluable in the lead-up to assessments. In this regard, a significant improvement in the progression of Home/EU BAME students may be noted during the period 2013/14 to 2014/15. |
| Keywords: | Refined flipped classroom; BAME students; Student retention; Student progression |
| JEL: | I23 I24 |
| Date: | 2017–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:5907143&r=sea |
| By: | World Bank |
| Keywords: | Education - Primary Education Education - Education For All Education - Early Childhood Development Education - Education Reform and Management Education - Effective Schools and Teachers |
| Date: | 2016–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:25867&r=sea |
| By: | Li, Yong (Renmin University of China); Yu, Jun (School of Economics, Singapore Management University); Zeng, Tao (Zhejiang University) |
| Abstract: | Deviance information criterion (DIC) has been widely used for Bayesian model comparison, especially after Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is used to estimate candidate models. This paper studies the problem of using DIC to compare latent variable models after the models are estimated by MCMC together with the data augmentation technique. Our contributions are twofold. First, we show that when MCMC is used with data augmentation, it undermines theoretical underpinnings of DIC. As a result, by treating latent variables as parameters, the widely used way of constructing DIC based on the conditional likelihood, although facilitating computation, should not be used. Second, we propose two versions of integrated DIC (IDIC) to compare latent variable models without treating latent variables as parameters. The large sample properties of IDIC are studied and an asymptotic justi fication of IDIC is provided. Some popular algorithms such as the EM, Kalman and particle filtering algorithms are introduced to compute IDIC for latent variable models. IDIC is illustrated using asset pricing models, dynamic factor models, and stochastic volatility models. |
| Keywords: | AIC; DIC; Latent variable models; Markov Chain Monte Carlo. |
| JEL: | C11 C12 G12 |
| Date: | 2018–02–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:smuesw:2018_006&r=sea |
| By: | Mfon Akpan (Faculty of Accountancy & Management, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Sungai Long Campus, Malaysia); Peter Wanke (COPPEAD Graduate Business School; Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil); Jorge Junio Moreira Antunes (COPPEAD Graduate Business School; Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil); Rangan Gupta (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa) |
| Abstract: | There is a growing literature on how the beneficial impacts of horizontal mergers and acquisitions (M&A) should be measured. Thus far, however, there have been few studies addressing endogeneity between technical efficiency and value creation: they tend to present a bidirectional and simultaneous relationship. This research contributes to the debate by investigating the impact of voluntary horizontal M&A on these metrics in Nigeria between 1995 and 2012, in light of the individual performance of bidders, targets, and the resulting corporate companies. First, technical efficiency, technology gap ratio, and returns-to-scale estimates were computed based on a meta-frontier DEA approach, together with a set of contextual variables that encompass performance indicators which reflect the value creation process. Then, robust regressions were used to discriminate these efficiency estimates in terms of such business-related variables, correcting for endogeneity and controlling for industry and trend effects. The results reveal that these contextual variables significantly impact virtual efficiency and returns-to-scale levels, and that there is a tradeoff between efficiency and value creation at some point in the merging process. Managerial implications are derived. |
| Keywords: | Mergers and acquisitions, Nigeria, technical efficiency, value-creation, endogeneity |
| Date: | 2018–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pre:wpaper:201821&r=sea |
| By: | Innocents EDOUN (Tshwane University of Technology); Hews KGaphola (TUT Business School) |
| Abstract: | Past and current studies indicate that, India is one of the fastest growing and most attractive economies in the world and has emerged as a desirable destination for Foreign Investment. Since 1991 India has been operating under strict policies which restricted the economy from an International trade, this drove more protectionism than open market trade. Indian government since 1991 introduced economic reform measures, to stimulate the economy. These reform measures in fiscal, reduction on the level of tariffs based on a large number of imports, exchange rate, the use of the exchange rate as the instrument for export promotion and trade policies. However, the reforms that were implemented in the Indian were not very different from the reforms undertaken by developing countries, the only alteration would be the swiftness with which they are implemented. India has one of the advantages which is the stability of its political climate. The current government and party that is in power have held the political landscape in place under control and this is providing the investor-friendly environment. India has gained influence within the global economy, this is demonstrated by India position in the international institutions like (G-8, G-20) and the free trade arrears with ASEAN, EU. This is also reflected by the by India's willingness to adopt international best practices in the production of the range of goods and services. India has attracted U$195bn in FDI over the past 5 years. ?India?s GDP for 2013, valued at US$ 1.9 trillion at current prices is the 10th largest in the world". The Indian government has a target of 8 per cent during the current Five Year Plan (2012-2017), for their economic growth, this is based on the demonstrated ability to sustain national economic growth.?This paper will elaborate more on the rationale to explore trade in India. Economic theory and empirical evidence have clearly established the links between Trade, Productivity, and Economic growth. Countries that have large internal markets have also benefited by integrating themselves into the world economy, and thus opening up their economies like South Africa and India as one of the BRICS countries. India is projected to be the fastest-growing economy in the world over the next several decades. Trading with different countries respectively has made India what it is regarded as trading hub of today after China in the BRICS Countries. |
| Keywords: | India, foreign Investment, economic growth, economic theory, trade |
| JEL: | F30 A10 F10 |
| Date: | 2017–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sek:iacpro:5907962&r=sea |