Economics: Research Guide

This study advances the economic development scholarship through three key contributions. First, it examines the impact of distributional energy justice (hereafter referred to as energy justice) on inclusive human development (IHDI) in Africa. Second, we investigate how climate readiness moderates the effect of energy justice on IHDI. Third, we explore whether the joint effect of energy justice and climate readiness differs across low- and high-income African countries. We make these contributions using macro data for 36 African countries from 2010 to 2020. The results reveal that energy justice promotes IHDI. The contingency analysis also demonstrates that climate readiness amplifies the po..

This study advances the economic development scholarship through three key contributions. First, it examines the impact of distributional energy justice (hereafter referred to as energy justice) on inclusive human development (IHDI) in Africa. Second, we investigate how climate readiness moderates the effect of energy justice on IHDI. Third, we explore whether the joint effect of energy justice and climate readiness differs across low- and high-income African countries. We make these contributions using macro data for 36 African countries from 2010 to 2020. The results reveal that energy justice promotes IHDI. The contingency analysis also demonstrates that climate readiness amplifies the po..

The primary objective of this paper is to explore the determinants of the level of, and trends over time in, Japan's household saving rate, with emphasis on the impact of the age structure of the population, and to make projections about future trends therein. The paper finds that Japan's household saving rate has not always been high either absolutely or relative to other countries, contrary to popular belief, and that, if we confine ourselves to the postwar period, it was only during the 25-year period from 1961 to 1986 that it exceeded 15%. Past and future trends in Japan's household saving rate can largely be explained by changes in the age structure of her population, but declines in th..

The primary objective of this paper is to explore the determinants of the level of, and trends over time in, Japan's household saving rate, with emphasis on the impact of the age structure of the population, and to make projections about future trends therein. The paper finds that Japan's household saving rate has not always been high either absolutely or relative to other countries, contrary to popular belief, and that, if we confine ourselves to the postwar period, it was only during the 25-year period from 1961 to 1986 that it exceeded 15%. Past and future trends in Japan's household saving rate can largely be explained by changes in the age structure of her population, but declines in th..

Can fiscal autonomy affect per capita income levels? We empirically investigate the impact of fiscal autonomy on per capita income through the proper use of local financial resources. Exploiting a natural experiment in Italy, we compare municipalities in the Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano, which retain and manage almost all their tax revenues, with neighbouring municipalities in Lombardy and Veneto, where only a small fraction of revenues is autonomously managed. Using a spatial fuzzy regression discontinuity design, we estimate the effect of financial fiscal autonomy on per capita income. We address the potential endogeneity of financial fiscal autonomy with a dummy variable ide..

Industrial symbiosis fosters circularity by enabling firms to repurpose residual resources, yet its emergence is constrained by socio-spatial frictions that shape costs, matching opportunities, and market efficiency. Existing models often overlook the interaction between spatial structure, market design, and adaptive firm behavior, limiting our understanding of where and how symbiosis arises. We develop an agent-based model where heterogeneous firms trade byproducts through a spatially embedded double-auction market, with prices and quantities emerging endogenously from local interactions. Leveraging reinforcement learning, firms adapt their bidding strategies to maximize profit while accoun..

This chapter examines how multinational corporations (MNCs) collectively address plastic pollution in emerging economies through meta-organizations. While existing literature highlights the limitations of voluntary corporate action, we analyse how MNCs leverage collective platforms to promote Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and influence regulatory processes. Drawing on five case studies from West Africa and Southeast Asia, we show that subsidiaries of MNCs create meta-organizations that combine corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts with political action. At the inter-organizational level, these platforms support a specific form of mandatory regulation that we define as "hybri..

This paper examines divergent economic trajectories in Latin America between the late nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century through the lens of informal empire, fiscal policy, and institutional development. We construct a country–commodity panel covering the period 1850–1950 to assess the impact of foreign corporations on commodity production in seven Latin American countries—Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela—that experienced economic take-off under an export-led growth model. We find evidence that foreign corporations promoted key commodity exports, although these results are contingent on the inclusion of Venezuela’s oil indus..

This paper investigates the impact of Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) on income inequality across a broad set of European countries from 1995 to 2022, with a particular focus on the core-periphery divide. Applying both time series and panel data methodologies—including Vector Autoregressions (VAR), panel VAR, and local projections—we assess how economic uncertainty influences inequality dynamics. Our findings reveal three key insights. First, uncertainty shocks significantly affect income inequality in nearly all countries, and the effect is time-varying. Second, the effect is heterogenous across countries but varies: uncertainty tends to reduce inequality in core European co..

Health and well-being in mature adulthood are important concerns given the prevalence of individuals aging without children. We exploit two new instruments for childlessness—infertility and the number of childless siblings—and condition our analyses on a rich set of covariates including childhood health and financial status, to investigate the causal relationship between childlessness and health in middle age and older adulthood. Using a nationwide dataset of 1500 Singaporeans aged 50 and above, we show that OLS underestimates the negative effects of childlessness on health. We find that childlessness leads to higher likelihood of poorer self-reported health and mental distress. The resu..

Household adoption of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems is central to the green energy transition, yet diffusion depends on social influence and behavioral biases, as well as payback economics. This study develops a parsimonious Markovian model in which households move sequentially from being unengaged (“Carbon”) to informed, to planning, and finally to adoption (“Green”). Transition rates are micro-founded by two mechanisms: (i) social contagion/communication, proxied by the current share of adopters, and (ii) economic profitability, proxied by payback time computed from a Net Present Value framework. Novel to this diffusion setting, bounded rationality is introduced via hyperbolic ..

Household adoption of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems is central to the green energy transition, yet diffusion depends on social influence and behavioral biases, as well as payback economics. This study develops a parsimonious Markovian model in which households move sequentially from being unengaged (“Carbon”) to informed, to planning, and finally to adoption (“Green”). Transition rates are micro-founded by two mechanisms: (i) social contagion/communication, proxied by the current share of adopters, and (ii) economic profitability, proxied by payback time computed from a Net Present Value framework. Novel to this diffusion setting, bounded rationality is introduced via hyperbolic ..

Highlights: • We used a national dataset of 500 sites monitored yearly from 2013 to 2018. • We analysed the effects of herbicides on plant margin communities. • Herbicides had a negative effect on richness and nature-value species. • Situations of risk for pesticides drift had a negative effect on margin flora. Abstract: Pesticides are often identified as one of the major causes of biodiversity decline in farmlands. However, our knowledge about this relationship has mostly being inferred from small to landscape-scale studies, or from indirect indicators of agricultural practices at large scales. Here, we used a national network of more than 500 sites monitored yearly from 2013 to 201..

We study how uneven gains from globalization can endogenously generate protectionism as a political equilibrium. Using U.S. data, we document that regions more exposed to import competition display stronger opposition to globalization, especially among households with little financial wealth, and that firms in trade-exposed sectors sharply increase lobbying expenditures. To interpret these patterns, we develop and quantify a general equilibrium Ricardian model with heterogeneous households, input–output linkages, and endogenous trade policy shaped by voting and lobbying. Distributional shocks reallocate political support among voters, while lobbying propagates through production networks, ..

We study how uneven gains from globalization can endogenously generate protectionism as a political equilibrium. Using U.S. data, we document that regions more exposed to import competition display stronger opposition to globalization, especially among households with little financial wealth, and that firms in trade-exposed sectors sharply increase lobbying expenditures. To interpret these patterns, we develop and quantify a general equilibrium Ricardian model with heterogeneous households, input–output linkages, and endogenous trade policy shaped by voting and lobbying. Distributional shocks reallocate political support among voters, while lobbying propagates through production networks, ..

We study how uneven gains from globalization can endogenously generate protectionism as a political equilibrium. Using U.S. data, we document that regions more exposed to import competition display stronger opposition to globalization, especially among households with little financial wealth, and that firms in trade-exposed sectors sharply increase lobbying expenditures. To interpret these patterns, we develop and quantify a general equilibrium Ricardian model with heterogeneous households, input–output linkages, and endogenous trade policy shaped by voting and lobbying. Distributional shocks reallocate political support among voters, while lobbying propagates through production networks, ..

We examine the impact of economic upturns and downturns on subsequent economic performance in Europe over six plus centuries. Instead of utilizing the conventional post-World War II framework, we employ a comprehensive panel of GDP data for England, Holland and Italy spanning more than 600 years. We find consistent evidence in favor of asymmetry. Downturns are followed by statistically significant higher growth rates, while upturns are followed by mildly lower growth rates which are often not statistically significant. Our finding of asymmetry suggests that business cycle properties are consistent with mechanisms similar to Friedman’s plucking hypothesis

Although upstream positions in GVCs are expected to expand unskilled-intensive activities and reduce wage inequality in developing countries, empirical studies based on cross-country analysis have largely failed to provide evidence supporting the theoretical prediction. Employing exogenous industry-level variations and combining industry-level GVC indicators with plant-level detailed panel data, this study empirically analyzes whether upstream positions in GVCs are negatively associated with skilled labor wage share in Chile from 1995 to 2006. The results revealed that upstream positions in GVC were negatively associated with skilled labor wage share, indicating that upstream activities are ..

We examine the impacts arising from net-zero related extraction of metals, mineral and clean energy on indigenous rights and livelihoods in Colombia, and identify policy and social movement responses. A scoping review method combined database searches in SCOPUS, Policy Commons and Overton with a grey literature search. In total, we screened abstracts and titles of 1050 documents, assessed 95 full-text records for eligibility, and included 34 documents for final review. We identified two core themes: green dispossession and renewable energy extraction impacts in La Guajira, sub divided into cultural, socio-political and environmental impacts; and resistance strategies to green extractivism, s..

We examine the impacts arising from net-zero related extraction of metals, mineral and clean energy on indigenous rights and livelihoods in Colombia, and identify policy and social movement responses. A scoping review method combined database searches in SCOPUS, Policy Commons and Overton with a grey literature search. In total, we screened abstracts and titles of 1050 documents, assessed 95 full-text records for eligibility, and included 34 documents for final review. We identified two core themes: green dispossession and renewable energy extraction impacts in La Guajira, sub divided into cultural, socio-political and environmental impacts; and resistance strategies to green extractivism, s..

We use a newly assembled dataset covering all Egyptian corporations, their founders, and political officeholders, to demonstrate the differential impact of political connections on firm performance across two distinctive political and economic contexts. Before Egypt’s independence in 1922, political connections reduced firm profitability, as connected firms were perceived to be aligned with the anti-colonial, nationalist movement, unsettling investors. After independence, connections improved firm outcomes by granting preferential access to incorporation and shielding connected companies from competition. These dynamics reflect the shift from a laissez-faire colonial regime to a nationalis..

We use a newly assembled dataset covering all Egyptian corporations, their founders, and political officeholders, to demonstrate the differential impact of political connections on firm performance across two distinctive political and economic contexts. Before Egypt’s independence in 1922, political connections reduced firm profitability, as connected firms were perceived to be aligned with the anti-colonial, nationalist movement, unsettling investors. After independence, connections improved firm outcomes by granting preferential access to incorporation and shielding connected companies from competition. These dynamics reflect the shift from a laissez-faire colonial regime to a nationalis..

The financing of long-term care services and supports (LTSS) relies heavily on self-insurance in the form of housing or financial wealth. Exploiting both local market variation in housing prices and individual-level variation in stock market wealth from 1996 to 2016, we show that exogenous wealth shocks significantly reduce the probability of LTCI coverage, without altering Medicaid eligibility among people with housing and financial assets. The effect of shocks to liquid wealth strongly dominates the effect of housing wealth changes. A $100 K increase in housing (financial) wealth reduces the likelihood of LTCI coverage by 1.24 (3.22) percentage points.

" Objective - This study aims to analyze crime dynamics in Chicago by examining the predictive relationship between crime categories and arrest frequencies using regression analysis. Methodology - A quantitative research design was applied using secondary data from the Chicago Data Portal. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate how crime categories predict arrest patterns. Findings - The results reveal a strong, positive, and statistically significant relationship between crime categories and arrest frequencies (R² = 0.613, β = 0.783, p

"Objective - An educator-oriented Serious Game (SG) authoring tool is designed to enable educators to create SGs without expertise in game development, using educator-friendly features such as a no-code programming approach. Methodology - The effectiveness of such a tool should be measured by its usability and by the effectiveness of the games it produces. We have developed the ARQS tool, which is suitable for educators, based on prior usability studies. Findings - In this paper, we present an experimental study comparing games designed by an educator and quiz applications. Novelty - Findings from the study showed that the games led to greater learning gains, motivation, emotional engagement..

" Objective - The Fourth Industrial Revolution has reshaped digital marketing by positioning social media influencers (SMIs) as key drivers of consumer engagement and brand promotion. Although businesses worldwide increasingly rely on SMIs, limited research has examined how their credibility, specifically attractiveness, trustworthiness, and expertise, influences consumer behaviour in Malaysia. Methodology/Technique - This study addresses this gap by investigating the relationships between SMI credibility, brand attitude, electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM), and purchase intention among Malaysian social media users. Using purposive sampling, a total of 200 valid responses were collected and anal..

" Objective - This study examines the impact of the Road Traffic Safety Management System (RTSMS) ISO 39001:2013 on changing the cognitive and behavioural patterns of road users within an institutional setting. Methodology - Using a case study of a national occupational safety agency in Malaysia, the research investigates whether the implementation of RTSMS significantly influences cognitive awareness and road-user behaviour. Data were collected from 57 respondents across 17 regional offices using an adapted Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) and Driver Skill Inventory (DSI). Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was applied to test three hypotheses. Findings - The analysis confirmed all hyp..

"Objective - An educator-oriented Serious Game (SG) authoring tool is designed to enable educators to create SGs without expertise in game development, using educator-friendly features such as a no-code programming approach. Methodology - The effectiveness of such a tool should be measured by its usability and by the effectiveness of the games it produces. We have developed the ARQS tool, which is suitable for educators, based on prior usability studies. Findings - In this paper, we present an experimental study comparing games designed by an educator and quiz applications. Novelty - Findings from the study showed that the games led to greater learning gains, motivation, emotional engagement..

" Objective - This study examines the impact of the Road Traffic Safety Management System (RTSMS) ISO 39001:2013 on changing the cognitive and behavioural patterns of road users within an institutional setting. Methodology - Using a case study of a national occupational safety agency in Malaysia, the research investigates whether the implementation of RTSMS significantly influences cognitive awareness and road-user behaviour. Data were collected from 57 respondents across 17 regional offices using an adapted Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) and Driver Skill Inventory (DSI). Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was applied to test three hypotheses. Findings - The analysis confirmed all hyp..

" Objective - This study examines educator perceptions, adoption behaviours, and institutional challenges related to emerging educational technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Learning Management Systems (LMS), analytics tools, and digital platforms, within higher education institutions in Oman for enhancing institutional readiness, digital competence, and sustainable technology integration by using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Diffusion of Innovation (DOI), and the Digital Competence Framework, the research integrates a structured survey with a comprehensive literature review. Methodology/Technique - Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Diffusion of Innov..