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Analyzing the factors affecting the use of digital signature system with the technology acceptance model
Get PDFAbstract. Digital signature is a mechanism that is becoming widespread in the world thanks to its efficiency in electronic environments. The main purpose of the research is to reveal the variables that affect the perception and behaviors of the users using the digital signature system with technology acceptance models to determine the degree of impact of each variable and conceptualize these variables under a structural model. In this regard, 463 questionnaires collected from academic and administrative personnel working at Ataturk and Gümüşhane universities were analyzed. According to analysis results, anxiety has a negative impact on perceived usefulness. It has been obtained that perceived usefulness has a positive effect on attitude, and perceived ease of use does not have a significant effect on attitude. In addition, in the adoption of digital signature technology, it has been seen that personnel actual use is affected by intention to use with a rate of 88.1%.Keywords. Digital signature, Technology acceptance model, Theory of planned behavior, Structural equation model.JEL. C38, M10, M15, M19
The recent dynamics of the stock exchange in Brazil
Get PDFAbstract. This study is a literary analysis with the purpose of verifying the dynamic relation of the São Paulo stock exchange index with some macroeconomic variables, between January 2014 and August 2017, when Brazil was going through a serious political crisis, in which the economic activity was affected and therefore the stock market. Thus, these relationships are evaluated by the Johansen Cointegration Test to precisely verify the long-term relationship between the Brazilian stock market and the other variables. And the results indicate a negative weight of inflation expectations, interest rates and public debt, while the exchange rate and economic activity positively affect the stock market index.Keywords. Stock price, Index of the São Paulo Stock Exchange, Johansen Cointegration Test.JEL. C13, E44, G12
Skilled-unskilled wage asymmetries as an outcome of skewed international trade patterns in the South
Get PDFAbstract. The paper tries to find out the impact of trade liberalization on income inequality. The literature suggests that trade favors one segment of the society over other and cause uneven development. For example, one possible way through which inequality is suspected to seep into the economy through processes of liberalization is by increasing the relative wages of skilled labor as compared to the unskilled ones. Empirical evidence is provided to this effect by employing Theil Wage inequality Index and up to 28 different concepts of openness/ trade policy. OLS as well as 2SLS regressions with numerous specifications were run. It is found out that openness not only causes wage inequality but the relationship is significant for the developing countries. Additionally, the study also suggests that human capital, which is accrued from liberalization processes, is responsible for amplifying wage inequality.. Keywords. Wages, International trade, Asymmetries.JEL. E24, F40, J30
Corruption and health care provision: An extension of the Shleifer and Vishny’ Model
Get PDFAbstract. The problem that arises is how the State official in a monopoly situation maximizes the value of bribes collected, by selling public services to users? To answer this question, we show first that in the case of health care provision, the Shleifer and Vishny’ simple monopoly model which highlights two forms of corruption (with theft and without theft) is limited insofar as it underestimates not only the value of bribes likely to be collected, but also the loss of income that corrupt practices cause to public services. Our model rather reveals that the State agent in a monopoly situation can discriminate users according to their characteristics in order to collect more possible bribes. Indeed, our model shows that when a medical doctor maximizes its earnings and whatever the form of corruption practiced, he plays not only on amounts of bribes paid and a part of the official price, but also on users’ characteristics. However, for some amounts the State agent will tend to practice the form of corruption without theft on certain users’ characteristics where he/she would draw the greatest possible gain.Keywords. Corruption with and without theft, Discrimination at first degree, Lerner`s index, Profit-sharing scheme, Health system.JEL. D40, I10, I14, I15
Revisiting economic integration in West Africa: A theoretical exposition
Get PDFAbstract. The signing of regional trade agreement between the Economic Community of West African State and Switzerland in 2017 provides a renewed and ambitious blueprint for economic integration and developmental strategies in West Africa. However, one of the remarkable features of the historic event was the relative lack of analysis of the significant issues and problem of regional aspiration and integration before the treaty was drafted. Bearing this in mind, it appears that the theoretical persuasion of economic integration may have attracted this commitment since it provides a better understanding on the economic mechanism through which a regional cooperation could enhance both static and dynamic benefits among partnering countries. For better consideration of the implication of this move, this study identifies the main trends in economic integration theories and also flashlight on how these theories were developed. The motivations that led to the need for innovative approaches to enrich economic theory of economic integration were based on its implication or impact on West African region. Although several researchers have tried to explain the phenomenon of economic integration, we cannot say there is a generally accepted theory, since some of the already suggested theories and criticisms has its consequences on the region. Hence, this study is suggesting domesticated theories that will suite the contextual analysis of African region rather than adopting theories meant for developed and more vibrant economy. Keywords. Economic integration, Regional, Theoretic, West Africa.JEL. F20, F15
Economics, education and religion: Can Western theories be generalized across religions?
Get PDFAbstract. Some of the recent empirical studies relate economic growth and prosperity with religion. This paper raises the question that if economic systems are based on individualism and selfishness, can they be related with religion? The paper also finds that the Secularization hypothesis of Western Modernity is still valid for Western cultures, Judaism and Christianity but its application is highly unlikely in case of the third monotheist religion Islam. The paper expounds the causes of this proposition keeping in view the historical, religious and economic perspectives of Islam. Keywords. Religion, Economics, Education, Monotheist religions, Secularization hypothesis.JEL. A10
Markup estimate of industrial branches in Morocco
Get PDFAbstract. In this paper, we will present an estimate of the intensity of competition in the different branches of the Moroccan industrial sector, in order to identify the branches that will be the subject of pro-competitive structural reforms, with the aim of strengthening the economic activity and job creation. For each industry, the intensity of competition is evaluated using the estimated margin factor (or markup) estimated from the method proposed by Roeger (1995). The econometric results obtained show that the relatively high margin factor in the "agrifood" and "chemical and parachemical" branches suggests that these industries are not very competitive over the 1985-2015 period. On the other hand, the branches of "mechanical, metallic and electrical" and "extractive" industries that have significantly lower markup rates compared to other industries appear to be more competitive. The estimate of margin factors over different periods will allow us to assess the evolution over time of the degree of competition in each of the branches studied. Thus, the estimate of markup rates during the period 1985-1999 remains unclear (the margin factor is significantly lower than 1), hence we need additional information to determine the degree of concentration of industrial branches. For the period 2000-2015, the "extractive", "chemical and parachemical" and "agro-food" branches are less competitive, while the "mechanical, metal and electrical" industries appear to be more competitive.Keywords. Morocco, Industrial sector, Industrial branches, Markup, Competition.JEL. L22, L25, L60, L71, O14
An alternative use of accounting books: Analyzing Ottoman foundations
Get PDFAbstract. In this thesis, accounting books were used as an alternative way to analyzing Ottoman foundations. Although this kind of documents originally were prepared to register foundations’ incomes and expenditures, they had various information about the period they belonged to. Particularly accounting books for the foundations which were built by Ottoman sultans, their family members or government officials have been more crucial. They were usually managed and audited by state officials, supported when they were in need, employed people around the government. In other words these kind of Ottoman foundations were not independent from economic, social or political aspects of the Empire. Moreover accounting books could be benefited understanding the foundations’ structure, management, wealth and public services. In this study Kethuda Canfeda Hatun Foundations to be decided to analyze according to seventeenth century accounting books. She had been in Sultan Murad III.’s (1574-1595)imperial harem as an administrative manager during late sixteenth century. She built foundations in Istanbul, Ottoman Izmit and Egypt. The accounting books belonged to these foundations are in Prime Ministery Ottoman Archive (BOA Başbakanlık Osmanlı Arşivi) in Istanbul, have been used original first hand sources in this study.Keywords. Accounting books, Ottoman foundations, Kethuda Canfeda Hatun foundations, Ottoman foundation analyzing methods, Seventeenth century, Ottoman Empire.JEL. F43, N10, O10
Human progress and its socioeconomic effects in society
Get PDFAbstract. The goal of this paper is to suggest a definition of human progress given by: an inexhaustible process driven by an ideal of maximum wellbeing of purposeful people which, on attainment of any of its objectives for increasing wellbeing, then seek another consequential objective. The human progress improves the fundamental life-interests of people represented by health, wealth, expansion of knowledge, technology and freedom directed to increase wellbeing throughout the society. These factors support the acquisition by humanity of better and more complex forms of life. However, this study also shows the inconsistency of the equation economic growth= progress because human progress also generates negative effects for human being, environment and society, such as increasing incidence of cancer in advanced countries. Keywords. Human Progress, Economic Growth, Wellbeing, Social Progress, Environmental Degradation, Cancer.JEL. B50, B59, I00, I10, I30, O10, O30, O33, O40