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on South East Asia |
| By: | Heibel, Jakob; Dominy, Jonas; Kapeller, Jakob |
| Abstract: | East Asia exhibits remarkable economic heterogeneity, yet debates on the region's development have centered predominantly on the most successful cases, such as Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, all examples of the so-called "developmental state" model, or China's economic upswing. Building on the notion that economic development follows qualitatively different trajectories that give rise to structurally distinct development models across countries, this paper employs a data-driven approach based on a multidimensional cluster analysis of 15 East Asian economies across 12 macroeconomic dimensions for the period 2000-2019 to develop a concise typology of development models in East Asia. In doing so, we find evidence for the presence of four different development models in East Asia: aside from the canonical developmental states (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan), we identify emerging economies (China, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines), financial hubs (Hong Kong, Singapore), and peripheral countries (Indonesia, Mongolia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia). Our results indicate that findings from past studies focusing on specific cases - such as the countries associated with developmental state model or the rise of China - can be embedded in a more general account that also considers the distinct characteristics and complementary characters of alternative development models present in the same region. |
| Keywords: | Development models, developmental state, cluster analysis, path dependence, East Asia |
| JEL: | B5 C38 F63 N15 O10 |
| Date: | 2025 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:ifsowp:331892 |
| By: | Kubitza, Christoph; Eckert, Sandra; Lay, Jann |
| Abstract: | Despite the numerous ‘Western’ initiatives to improve the sustainability of global agricultural supply chains, there is little evidence on whether these initiatives can effectively reduce environmental degradation in tropical cultivation areas at scale. In our study, we analyze patterns in the establishment of oil palm plantations and deforestation on peatlands in Indonesia. We compare plantations established by investors from high-income countries (HIC), many of which are covered by sustainability certification, with plantations established by domestic investors or by investors from other low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Our dataset comprises 386 concessions in Kalimantan and Papua with their investment structure, annual satellite imagery on forest loss and oil palm cultivation, and spatial maps on peatlands. Our results show a divergence in production practices in global agricultural supply chains after 2011, with actors tied to HIC reducing degradation of peatlands within their concessions, while actors from LMIC continued to show no specific protection of these high conservation value areas. While this is good news in terms of the effectiveness of ‘western’ initiatives for sustainable supply chains, companies linked to HIC comprise only 10% of the concession area in the research region compared to companies from LMIC which will limit the overall impact of ‘western’ supply chain initiatives. |
| Keywords: | Environmental Economics and Policy |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae24:344268 |
| By: | Bähr, Tobias; Wollni, Meike |
| Abstract: | Smallholders play an important role as producers of cash-crops in developing countries and are often responsible for land clearing and agricultural expansion into pristine environments where productivity is low. Closing yield-gaps of smallholders to industrial plantations as well as diversifying production systems has been identified as a mean to prevent further environmental degradation. At the same time, developing and emerging economies are beginning to struggle with an ageing farmer population, potentially hindering advances in land productivity. In Indonesia, increased income from oil palm cultivation has led to rapid educational attainments within one generation. While this opens job opportunities for children of oil palm smallholders, it inhibits farm succession and thus contributes to ageing among smallholders. Using primary data from a random sample of 417 oil palm smallholders in Indonesia, we investigate trends of farm succession and test, how these moderate possible effects of ageing on plantation investments and outcomes. Our results suggest, that older farmers are associated with lower productivity levels generally and are less likely to replant mature plots. These trends are moderated by succession plans of households. Succession generally moderates negative effects on productivity – indifferent of the successor’s involvement. Households with a successor are generally more likely to replant. We argue that these results hint towards strategic decision- making in ageing smallholders and that observed trends of lower productivity and technology adoption in ageing farmer populations are likely a mix of both decreasing ability and strategic decisions by the farmer. |
| Keywords: | Community/Rural/Urban Development, Land Economics/Use |
| Date: | 2024–08–27 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae24:344686 |
| By: | La Viña, Enrico Antonio B; Ravanilla, Nico |
| Abstract: | Why does public support for mano dura policies, once implemented, either sustain or erode? This study examines the Philippine war on drugs. Using municipal-level vote shares from the 2019 elections—three years into Rodrigo Duterte’s presidency—we measure support for mano dura by analyzing votes for senatorial candidates who backed or opposed the drug war. Pairing this data with municipal-level crime and violence reports from Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project (ACLED) and police blotters, we construct a panel of candidate-municipality observations and employ fixed effects for candidates and municipalities to identify the effects of targeted crimes and state violence on public support. We find that increases in targeted crimes, particularly drug-related offenses, bolster public support for mano dura, while state violence, especially by police, erodes it. These findings reveal a fragile balance between public safety concerns and the costs of repressive governance. |
| Keywords: | Social and Behavioral Sciences, Elections, crime, repression, justice, law, public safety, state violence, human rights |
| Date: | 2025–08–25 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:globco:qt3644639k |
| By: | Tho, Le Canh Bich; Umetsu, Chieko |
| Abstract: | The Vietnamese government has developed a strategy for rice production with the goal of reducing export volumes and concentrating on the quality of aromatic and high-quality rice. There are approximately 1 million hectares of aromatic paddy cultivation in the Mekong Delta (MKD) provinces each year, which accounts for about 25% of the total paddy area. Understanding the overall efficiency of aromatic rice in VMKD becomes essential due to the potential development of both domestic and export markets for aromatic rice. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to examine how MKD's farmers produce aromatic rice and determine the factors determining its production efficiency. Primary data were collected through a survey of 247 aromatic rice cultivators. The non-radial data envelopment analysis, a slack-based measure (SBM), was employed to consider the overall efficiency and agrochemical overutilization of each rice farm. In general, aromatic rice production in the MKD achieved an overall efficiency of 63%. In this regard, the RVT variety has the highest SBM score at 0.72, while Jasmine 85 has the lowest SBM score at 0.61. The factors that contribute to household efficiency include obtaining a larger farm size, participating in cooperatives, and practicing eco friendly farming. In addition, aromatic rice producers still use much more than the required amount of inputs for production. The aromatic rice sector should follow climate-smart agricultural practices in order to comply with export standards. This includes a significant reduction in the use of seeds, agrochemicals, and water. |
| Keywords: | Farm Management, Production Economics, Productivity Analysis |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae24:344329 |
| By: | YAHATA, Tomonori; NAKATANI, Tomoaki; NAKASHIMA, Yasuhiro; SENDA, Tetsuji; FUJIE, Takeshi |
| Abstract: | The objective of this article is to analyze total factor productivity (TFP) change and its components of paddy farming that produces multiple outputs under policies controlling the production of food rice in Japan from 2004 to 2014. Using a parametric estimation technique of the Malmquist productivity index with a stochastic input distance function and farm-level panel data, we measure TFP change and decompose it into technical changes, a technical efficiency change, and scale efficiency changes. Results show that the TFP of paddy farming in Japan stagnated through the period, with moderate technological progress offset by deteriorating technical efficiency. The existence of technological progress and technical inefficiency is also confirmed by statistical testing. Technical change has some bias toward changing the output mix. Moreover, scale efficiency is also deteriorating, but all the farms produce under increasing returns to scale technology. Our results suggest that technical efficiency improvement and exploitation of scale economies are essential, as well as keeping an expansion of the technological frontier for Japanese paddy farming to recover its productivity growth. A historical process of Japanese agriculture would provide beneficial insights for other Monsoon Asian countries likely to experience social and economic transitions similar to those in Japan. |
| Keywords: | Productivity Analysis |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae24:344326 |
| By: | Nancy Birdsall (Center for Global Development) |
| Abstract: | The 1993 publication of a World Bank book on the East Asian Miracle explained the extraordinarily rapid growth of Japan and seven other economies of East Asia (at 5 percent a year) between 1965 and 1990 as grounded in those economies’ adherence to market “fundamentals”—sound macro management, “shared” growth policies, investment in human capital—combined with an “export push” which fostered the technological learning that drove those countries’ high total factor productivity growth. The World Bank authors dismissed “industrial policy” as central to their growth and cautioned against other developing countries adopting industrial policy in the absence of strong government institutions. Was that caution too much a product of its post-Soviet, neoliberal era? Considering what we know now about the state of governance in developing countries, might industrial policy help boost growth in at least some developing countries? |
| Date: | 2025–11–24 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cgd:wpaper:736 |
| By: | Goeb, Joseph; Minten, Bart; Aung, Nilar; Aung, Zin Wai; Zu, A Myint; Htar, May Thet |
| Abstract: | In numerous low- and middle-income countries, agricultural value chains (AVC) are undergoing rapid transformation, yet scant evidence exists regarding such changes in fragile and conflict- affected settings, and little is known about inclusivity in this transformation. This study focuses on changes in Myanmar's rice value chain - using unique large-scale primary data - from 2013 to 2022, during an economic boom and subsequent political upheaval and conflict. We document remarkable shifts, including a fourfold increase in rice exports, propelling Myanmar to the world's fifth-largest rice exporter. Concurrently, domestic market conditions improved, and there was modernization in the ‘hidden middle’ of the value chain including increased investments in modern milling equipment and drying methods. At the farm level we note greater adoption of modern inputs (e.g., improved seed) and harvest/post-harvest technologies and increased reliance on modern specialized service providers. The transformation was not everywhere inclusive, and modernization in some areas decelerated due to conflict. Mills and farms in insecure and conflict-affected areas, as well as remote millers and smallholders, participated to a lesser extent, and the gaps widened during the crisis years. The rapid modernization in Myanmar’s rice value chain from 2013 to 2019 highlights the positive impacts of stable governance, infrastructure investment, and liberalization on AVC transformation while the observed variations in modernization inclusivity across different segments of the value chain underscore the complex interplay between governance, conflict, and AVC transformation. |
| Keywords: | Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae24:344305 |
| By: | Moreira, Thiago; Batista, Rodrigo |
| Abstract: | This paper explores the complex interconnections between education, human capital formation, and cultural contexts in shaping economic transformation processes. Building on both classical and contemporary theories of human capital, the study argues that education is not only a driver of productivity and innovation but also a social institution deeply embedded in cultural and institutional frameworks. Using a mixed-methods approach, the analysis combines cross-country statistical data with comparative case studies of Finland, South Korea, Vietnam, and Ghana to examine how cultural values and governance structures mediate the outcomes of educational investment. The results reveal that the effectiveness of education in driving transformation depends on its alignment with societal values and institutional capacity. Countries where education systems reflect shared cultural norms—such as discipline, equality, and respect for knowledge—demonstrate higher returns in innovation and structural diversification. Conversely, nations where formal education remains detached from local contexts experience limited developmental impact, even when resources are substantial. The study concludes that education-led transformation requires cultural adaptability, institutional integrity, and long-term policy coherence. By integrating economic, cultural, and institutional dimensions, this research contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of how education functions as both a catalyst for growth and a mechanism of social cohesion in the process of economic transformation. |
| Keywords: | Education and development; human capital; cultural context; institutional governance; economic transformation; social cohesion; comparative analysis; policy adaptation. |
| JEL: | O1 |
| Date: | 2025–10–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:126818 |
| By: | Takeshima, Hiroyuki; Kishore, Avinash; Kumar, Anjani |
| Abstract: | The fertilizer response of yield has been one of the major indicators of agricultural productivity in both developed and developing countries. Filling the evidence gap remains vital regarding fertilizer response in Asia, particularly in South Asia, given the evolution and emergence of new challenges, including intensifying climate shocks. We aim to partly fill this knowledge gap by investigating the associations between climate shocks and fertilizer response in Bangladeshi rice production. Using three rounds of nationally representative farm household panel data with plot- level information, we assess fertilizer response functions regarding rice yield and how the shapes of these response functions are heterogeneous in relation to anomalies in temperatures, droughts, and rainfall. We find robust evidence that climate anomalies have adverse effects on fertilizer responses, including higher temperatures for the Boro and the Aman irrigated systems and higher temperatures and droughts for the Aman rainfed systems. These findings hold robustly under various fertilizer response function forms, i.e., polynomial function and stochastic Linear Response Plateau. Furthermore, results for stochastic Linear Response Plateau are also consistent for both switching regression type models and Bayesian regression models. |
| Keywords: | Crop Production/Industries, Farm Management, Production Economics |
| Date: | 2024–08–07 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ags:iaae24:344280 |
| By: | Kwan Ok Lee; So Young Lee |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the measurement of self-containment and disparities in Singapore’s neighborhoods, exploring the '15-minute city' model, which promotes proximity to urban amenities. The study investigates the influence of land use diversity and accessibility to jobs and urban amenities on mobility changes using a dynamic DID and event study model, identifying key factors contributing to self-containment. It includes a long-term analysis of mobility pattern changes across four COVID-19 phases, capturing persistent behavior shifts in the new normal. The findings show that neighborhoods with greater accessibility to retail, food establishments, and leisure facilities experienced the most significant decreases in traffic volumes during weekends and weekday evenings, a trend that persisted into the endemic era. In contrast, the job-housing ratio had a lesser impact on morning traffic volume changes. The study provides insights for planning resilient neighborhoods based on the concept of self-containment. |
| Keywords: | 15-minute city; COVID-19; mobility pattern; Self-containment |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2025–01–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2025_59 |
| By: | Roland-Holst, David; Singru, Sana; Heft-Neal, Samuel; Chang, Jonathan; Cheung, Wai Julia |
| Abstract: | This paper provides an overview of risks and control measures for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) related to the livestock sector in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). Globally, the diffusion of antimicrobial use (AMU) has expanded dramatically over recent decades, remains unequally distributed (especially between developed and developing countries), but is growing most rapidly in emerging economies like those of the GMS. At the same time, these regions exhibit the highest growth rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), indicating that they should be primary candidates for more determined domestic and transboundary disease risk management and control measures. This review is intended to support greater public awareness and policy activism in addressing AMU/AMR risk, promoting expansion of cattle and other agrifood trade between CMS countries and the PRC. Based on a global review of AMR risk, we offer recommendations for risk mitigation in GMS livestock husbandry and marketing practice, particularly in a transbondary context. The report also supports a larger One Health initiative for advancing public health and food safety in the region. |
| Keywords: | Social and Behavioral Sciences, Livestock, Antimicrobial |
| Date: | 2025–10–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cdl:agrebk:qt6qh2h4f8 |
| By: | Siming Chen |
| Abstract: | As China’s real estate market faces a significant downturn, understanding and forecasting the dynamics of housing prices and real estate companies’ stock performance has become increasingly critical. This study explores the relationship between housing price trends and public sentiment, using quantitative analyses to uncover the intricate interplay of these factors. By leveraging housing price data from China’s top 50 cities and sentiment analysis of comments on social media, and further scoring public sentiment using SnowNLP and Maximum Information Coefficient (MIC) to identify the correlation between sentiment score and housing prices. The results indicate that some of the cities have significant correlation between sentiment score and housing price. This research offers novel insights into how public sentiment influences the real estate market, providing evidence and reference for further study in not only Chinese social media but also other languages’ social media regarding real estate market. |
| Keywords: | Correlation; real estate; Sentiment; Social Media |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2025–01–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2025_238 |
| By: | Bhattarai, Pramesh |
| Abstract: | The 2024 Nepal floods provided a context to examine the effectiveness and challenges of social media–based disaster response among young adults. Utilizing survey responses from 50 Nepali youth residing primarily in Kathmandu and surrounding areas, this study explores (a) frequency of use, (b) value added across platforms, (c) contributions including information sharing and collective action, and (d) barriers to participation. Findings indicate high engagement with social media, with older participants showing higher usage levels (p = .006). Platform use was function-specific: Instagram and Facebook facilitated broad information sharing, while WhatsApp supported tactical grassroots organizing such as donation coordination. Despite widespread participation (64% shared verified information), efforts were undermined by rumours and a lack of two-way engagement with formal disaster agencies. These results have theoretical implications for understanding heterogeneity among digital natives in crisis contexts and practical implications for developing integrated communication protocols and digital literacy programs to strengthen community resilience. |
| Date: | 2025–11–18 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:4p2jv_v1 |
| By: | Peddy Lai |
| Abstract: | The development of digital technology has increased the demand for smart home. No matter the private sector or public sector are actively promoting smart home. The number of applications for smart building credit in Taiwan is increasing year by year, but consumers are not very familiar with these smart devices. Those consumers have a high willingness to use smart homes when purchasing homes. This research use questionnaire investigation and uses the technology acceptance model (TAM) to do the test variables including: self-efficacy, perceptual usefulness, perceptual ease of use, usage attitude and willingness to use. There were 510 respondents after survey. The analysis methods included descriptive statistics, cross-analysis and structural equation model(SEM). The empirical results show that gender and annual income will affect the ability to use smart homes. Women and with an annual income of NT$310, 000 to 500, 000 are more likely to agree that they have the ability to use smart homes. The respondent's willingness to use smart homes will be positively affected by usage ability, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and attitude towards use. That is to say, the respondents agree that they have the ability to use smart homes. Increased usage ability will bring about Benefits of use and ease of learning affect perceptions of smart homes and increase willingness to use smart homes. |
| Keywords: | Green Building; Smart Home; Structural Equation Model(SEM); technology acceptance model |
| JEL: | R3 |
| Date: | 2025–01–01 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arz:wpaper:eres2025_57 |