1,720,972 research outputs found
Oil price shocks, poverty, and gender: a social accouting matrix analysis for Kenya
Get PDFIn a similar way to Input-Output (IO) tables, Social Accounting Matrices (SAMs) have been used in the literature mostly to assess the distributional impact of changes in production structure on household income. Yet they can also be used to assess the impact on price shocks on the cost of goods consumed by households. The key advantage of SAMs over IO tables is that the data from household surveys on the incomes and consumption patterns of various categories of households can be directly integrated into the modeling exercise in order to conduct the distributional analysis. This is illustrated with a discussion of the impact of oil price shocks in Kenya on different types of households defined according to the gender of the household head as well as poverty status. We find that due to some differences in consumption patterns, poorer households are likely to be affected more by oil price hikes than the non-poor, and that household with female heads could also be more affected than households with male heads.Input-output analysis; Social accounting matrix; Price model; Kenya; Gender
A multisectoral analysis of growth prospects for Lesotho: SAM -multiplier decomposition and computable general equilibrium perspectives
No full textThis dissertation argues that a proper identification of the key sectors of growth with significant linkages to the rest of the economy can enhance the ability of policymakers to affect the outcomes of policy changes or external shocks. The research question answered is therefore, how and which sectors and economic agents would most likely be affected in the presence of some policy changes or external shocks. This is addressed subsequently by way of a social accounting matrix (SAM) multiplier model and a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model.In a departure from conventional practice which consists to borrow from the handful of empirical literature, this study offers the estimation of key parameters (Armington, income elasticities, and Frisch parameters) for use in the Lesotho CGE model. Taking account of the poor quality and dearth of data, this research utilizes generalized maximum entropy (GME) techniques to estimate Armington elasticities. Moreover, as factors market-clearing conditions, the Lesotho CGE model combines both a Keynesian closure (fixed wages for low skilled and unskilled labor) and a neoclassical closure (fixed employment of skilled and sector specific fixed capital).Our finding indicates that Textiles, Private services, Agriculture, Other Manufacturing, Tourism, Real Estate, Transport and Communication, and Financial services are potential candidates for the prospects of growth. A viable policy advice would be to exploit, for example, the linkages between Agriculture and, say, Textiles, by improving the productivity in Agriculture. Investing in skills and other infrastructure is also recommended. Finally, a diversification of products in Textiles is also required in order for Lesotho to get full benefit of the U.S. African Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA).Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 66-07, Section: A, page: 2656.Chair: Amos Golan.Thesis (Ph.D.)--American University, 2005
Estimates of Armington parameters for a landlocked economy
No full textOne of the most debated issues in the Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) literature concerns the validity of the key behavioral parameters used in the calibration process. CGE modelers seldom estimate those parameters, preferring to borrow from the handful of estimates available in the literature. The lack of data is often cited as a reason for this type of modus operandi (technique). Estimating key parameters is very crucial since CGE results are quite sensitive to parameter specification. This paper proposes a new and robust econometric technique, the Generalized Maximum Entropy (GME), to estimate Armington elasticities for selected commodities. All the parameters estimated are intended for use in a Lesotho CGE model.CGE; Maximum Entropy (GME); Armington; Africa; Lesotho
Estimates of Armington parameters for a landlocked economy
Get PDFOne of the most debated issues in the Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) literature concerns the validity of the key behavioral parameters used in the calibration process. CGE modelers seldom estimate those parameters, preferring to borrow from the handful of estimates available in the literature. The lack of data is often cited as a reason for this type of modus operandi (technique). Estimating key parameters is very crucial since CGE results are quite sensitive to parameter specification. This paper proposes a new and robust econometric technique, the Generalized Maximum Entropy (GME), to estimate Armington elasticities for selected commodities. All the parameters estimated are intended for use in a Lesotho CGE model
Estimation of the parameters of a linear expenditure system (LES) demand function for a small African economy
Get PDFThe validity of the key behavioral parameters used in the calibration process of computable general equilibrium (CGE) models remains a debated issue in the CGE literature. CGE modelers prefer to borrow from the handful of estimates available in the literature rather than estimating these parameters empirically. The dearth of data is often mentioned as the major reason for compromises to the empirical basis for the parameters used in CGE models. While the empirical literature on demand elasticities based on household expenditure surveys has been relatively available for both developed and developing countries, it remains lacking for African countries. This paper uses a seemingly unrelated regressions method to estimate own-price and income elasticities, as well as Frisch parameters for households whose consumption behavior is described by a Linear Expenditure System (LES) demand function. All the parameters estimated are intended for use in a Lesotho CGE model. The estimation results are generally consistent with the theory predictions
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Get PDFThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Get PDF“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Get PDFWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Sources of Growth in Post-Conflict Burundi: From Destruction to Production
Get PDFBurundi, a small fragile economy, went through sporadic civil war since its independence in 1962 during which rampant insecurity had adverse impact on the country’s social and economic development. While Burundi is agriculturally rich, high rate of growth of rural population places overwhelming pressure on limited land resources. It is widely recognized that without significant growth in agriculture it will be virtually impossible to address poverty reduction. Given the high population density and limited off-farm employment opportunities, enhancing agriculture productivity is key for sustainable economic growth and improving the living standard of rural families.
This paper highlights the importance of:
- Improved technology packages (at the production, post-harvest, processing and marketing stages).
- Building the capacity of producers’ organizations.
- Irrigation development (marshland irrigation systems) and conservation measures.
- Basic rural infrastructure (feeder roads).
- Increasing the production and improving the processing and marketing of high value export crops (coffee and tea) and diversifying agricultural exports (horticulture).
To examine the roles of aforementioned factors, the paper employs a structural composition model. In so doing, it provides quantitative evidence that Burundi’s economic growth is largely determined by total factor productivity (TFP), which in turn is affected by macroeconomic policies and stability, and infrastructural and institutional quality
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