6 research outputs found
Determinants of FDI in BRICS countries : panel data approach
No full textAbstract: We empirically investigates the factors that affect Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows in five BRICS countries for the period 1990–2015. We address the selection bias and unobserved heterogeneity by estimating a panel Heckman selection method and attempts to account for both selection and endogeneity within the new two-stage method. After addressing the above mentioned econometric issues, the infrastructure and GDP per capita variables under the new two-stage method remain positive and significantly similar to the coefficient of infrastructure and GDP per capita under the panel Heckman selection model. In addition, the inverse Mills ratio maintain its level of statistical significance, confirming the presence of both sample selection bias and endogeneity
Determinants of growth in SADC Countries : a fixed effect vector decomposition approach
No full textAbstract: This paper studies the determinants of economic growth for the Southern African Development Community countries over the period of 1995-2011. A fixed effect vector decomposition estimator (FEVD), which allows the estimation of the coefficient of the time-invariant and account for unobserved heterogeneity is employed to estimate the determinants of economic growth. The analysis also applies a fixed effects two-stage least squares estimator to account for a possible endogeneity bias due to reverse causation between economic growth and government spending or other forms of endogeneity problem. Using the FEVD estimator we find that democracy, education - measured by enrolment rate, government expenditure, foreign direct investment, trade openness have the expected positive impact on economic growth. The results seem to hold fairly well when endogeneity of government spending is taken into account — the signs or directions of the above-mentioned estimated coefficients remain in line with our benchmark results
DETERMINANTS OF FDI IN BRICS COUNTRIES: PANEL DATA APPROACH
No full textWe empirically investigates the factors that affect Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows in five BRICS countries for the period 1990–2015. We address the selection bias and unobserved heterogeneity by estimating a panel Heckman selection method and attempts to account for both selection and endogeneity within the new two-stage method. After addressing the above mentioned econometric issues, the infrastructure and GDP per capita variables under the new two-stage method remain positive and significantly similar to the coefficient of infrastructure and GDP per capita under the panel Heckman selection model. In addition, the inverse Mills ratio maintain its level of statistical significance, confirming the presence of both sample selection bias and endogeneity.
JEL classification: C22; F21; O1
Economic impact of non-governmental organisations in improving the well-being of vulnerable orphaned children in Soweto
No full textAbstract: Extended households have always provided a safety net for orphaned children. However, the high rate of HIV (AIDS) infection, unemployment and poverty has weakened their capacity to fulfil this vital role. Most of the extended households with orphan-care responsibilities are forced to subsist under poor socio-economic conditions and depend on government social grants for their material survival. Consequently, the majority of extended households live in poverty and therefore lack sufficient resources to care for these children. In addition to receiving government social grants, some extended households are also receiving financial and non-financial assistance from local non-governmental organisations (NGOs). These local NGOs play an important role in strengthening the these households ― which, as mentioned, provide a refuge to orphaned children ― by providing basic needs such as food, clothes and medical care to orphans living in extended family units. However, despite this significant role of local NGOs, little has been done to quantify their economic impact. It is against this background that this mini-dissertation strives to bridge this gap by investigating the economic impact of NGOs in improving the well-being of vulnerable orphaned children living in these extended households of Soweto. Methodologically, this mini-dissertation employs the Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) poverty indices (1984), in order to assess the impact of NGOs’ help in reducing the level and the depth of poverty in poor households living with orphaned children. We used the Kruskal-Wallis (1952) non-parametric test to test whether the help of NGOs was significant in reducing the level and the depth of poverty in these homes. In the second approach, we use the logit econometric model to control for variables that may affect the probability of an orphaned child to be poor. Before we analysed the results of the FGT poverty indices and the logit econometric model, we started by analysing the demographic profile of all households who participated in this study in order to have knowledge of the prevailing socio-economic conditions of these households. We further compared the income of each household in...M.Com
Do social grants displace remittances? evidence from South Africa
No full textAbstract: This paper employs a newly-available and representative National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS) data of South African households to investigate whether social grants crowd-out or displace remittances. The estimated results based on full sample reveal that while the social grants have a negative impact on the amount of remittances received, the effect is statistically insignificant – social grants do not crowd out or displace remittances. The coefficient on the social grant is also insignificant in both sub-samples (rural and urban), consistent with the results on the full sampl
Deep space Optical Terminal: Design study on a lunar laser communication system
No full textThe future will see an increase in missions headed for deep space. Advanced payloads will require higher data rates in more efficient spacecraft. Conventional space communication is facilitated through RF technology. Although it is very reliable, doubts arise on its future sustainability because of limited bandwidth, inefficiency and a saturated spectrum. Deep space optical communication (DSOC) can mitigate these issues and may present a sustainable future solution. In this thesis work, a concept is generated for the link and optomechanical design of a Deep space Optical Terminal (DOT), which is meant to be able of high data rate laser communication between the Moon and Earth. Emphasis lies on link analysis and design parameters required to realize the link. Subsystems and budgets are highlighted. The design process is discussed using systems engineering methods and tools.Aerospace Engineerin
