Sustainability Issues in Education, Credit, Infrastructure, Agri-food and Labor Markets
Paper Session
Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023 10:15 AM - 12:15 PM (CST)
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Chairs:
Christian Nsiah, Baldwin Wallace University - Ygue Patrice Adegbola, International Center for Research and Training in Social Sciences-Benin
Infrastructure Maintenance, Institutions and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa
Abstract
The study addresses some of the key questions that have haunted researchers over the last twenty years on infrastructure-growth nexus literature in the context of developing countries. The concern of the study is not with the positive contribution of infrastructures to economic growth in the short run, but rather how institutional capabilities affect maintenance effort, which in turn harms the potential contribution of infrastructure to economic growth in the long run in most developing countries. The study distinguishes the conventional capital inputs from maintenance investment. In addition to proposing a new approach of maintenance investment, the study also defines a set of necessary institutional conditions for infrastructures to generate economic growth in the long run. Empirically, the study examines the joint impact of infrastructure maintenance and institutional capabilities on economic growth using a panel dataset covering 35 Sub-Saharan countries and spanning the years 2000–2019. The empirical strategy involves estimating an Augmented Solow-growth model where, in addition to standard controls, infrastructure maintenance, institutional quality, and their interaction are included as explanatory variables. Potential endogeneity concerns are addressed by employing generalized method of moments estimators that utilize internal instruments. It is expected that it is only when all two sets of necessary conditions are operating at the same time will measurable and additional economic growth benefits of infrastructures be found.Sustainable Commodities and Sectors for Durable Export Growth in Ethiopia
Abstract
The export sector of Ethiopia has made significant contributions to the economy in terms of employment, foreign exchange earnings, and attracting foreign direct investment. The sector, however, has faced several challenges, including commodity dependence, low productivity, unstable prices, inadequate infrastructure, and regulatory and technical constraints. Using firm-level data collected from exporters and secondary data from national as well as international sources, this study aims to present rigorous empirical analysis to draw policy implications for the sustainable export sector growth of Ethiopia. The study aims to identify and characterize the trends and trajectories of the flow of export commodities, the dynamics of trading partners, and relevant national and international policy changes during the past decades. The study used both descriptive and econometric methods of analysis. The descriptive analysis revealed that Ethiopia still depends on a few unprocessed export products, while importing technologically advanced products with rising prices, and tends to trade more with emerging economies (with China taking the lion’s share in a recent decade). It is also clear from the data that the tariff structure of trading partners hinders Ethiopia’s export of consumer goods and raw materials more than other products. Results from the survey indicate that exporting firms experience difficulties with customs (duties and process) as well as insufficient supply of utilities and infrastructural facilities. The sample firms also reported that service provision from most government institutions is far below expectations and standards, particularly in terms of support for access to land and credit. Results from the structural equation model revealed that most variables of interest considered in this study affect total sales and exports differently. However, the variables that positively affect the export performance of firms are the most are firm size, age of a firm, availability of raw materials, and sustainable export (the latent variable).What Explains the Trends of Wheat Imports in Kenya; A Cointegration Analysis Using ARDL-ECM Modelling
Abstract
This study aims to determine the cointegration of wheat imports and its determinants in Kenya. To achieve this objective, annual time series secondary data from 2000 to 2019 was utilized. The time frame was considered because it was during this period that wheat imports in Kenya skyrocketed. Data was collected from national and international published sources. The findings of the Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag-Error Correction Model (ARDL-ECM) analysis shows that wheat imports in Kenya are determined by the tariff, relative prices and ending stock in the long run. In the short run relative price was the main determinant that influenced wheat imports in Kenya. It was also realized that wheat imports in Kenya are inelastic to its determinants. Therefore, the study recommends that policymakers should embrace policies that increase the competitiveness of domestic wheat production in Kenya to tap the multiplier benefits that can be realized from the wheat sector. This can be done by embracing modern and efficient production technologies.Criteria for Determining a Rural-based Entrepreneurial University in South Africa
Abstract
This study was carried out to determine the initiatives that should characterise a rural-based higher institution engaged in experimenting with the entrepreneurial university concept in South Africa. An exploratory case study design was utilised. A primary data structure, modelled on Atlas-ti v8 software for thematic analysis and descriptive statistics through IBM SPSS Amos v27 provided a set of initiatives, which together generated five criteria for determining a rural-based entrepreneurial university. In descending order of relevance, entrepreneurial skills/knowledge building (E1) and enterprise formation/commercialisation (E4) were highly prioritised followed by integration of indigenous entrepreneurship concepts (E2), embedding resourceful stakeholders in the value chain network (E5), and engaged scholarship (E3). The findings further reveal that E2 move in tandem with E1, E3 and E4, likewise E4 and E5 towards a successful rural-based entrepreneurial university. Overall, South Africa’s rural-based entrepreneurial university concept is much centred on inclusive economic development, social relevance and mutual benefit. This differs from profit-oriented pathways underpinning many entrepreneurial universities that emerged earlier in the world. The findings have laid a foundation for policy and research that should guide the development of an index for rural-based universities in the country and beyond.Determinants of Access and Demand for Formal Credit in Benin: Case of the Benin Financial Services Association
Abstract
La présente étude dont les données utilisées proviennent de l’enquête réalisée en 2017 au Bénin sur un échantillon de 351 ménages agricoles sélectionnés de façon aléatoire dans 21 communes cibles du Projet d’Appui à la Promotion des Services Financiers Ruraux Adaptés (PAPSFRA), a pour objectif d’examiner les facteurs qui influencent l’accès et la demande de crédit formel. L’étude contribue à la littérature sur l’accès et la demande de crédit en utilisant le modèle semi-non-paramétrique (SNP) bivarié avec sélection d'échantillons pour l’estimation du modèle afin d’assouplir l'hypothèse de distribution des erreurs latentes. Les résultats indiquent que les caractéristiques telle que : l’âge, le sexe, le nombre d’années d’expérience dans le domaine agricole, le nombre de membres actifs dans le ménage, la situation matrimoniale, la valeur des actifs du ménage, l’activité principale et les superficies disponibles et emblavées sont les principaux déterminants de l’accès des ménages au crédit formel. Etre commerçant(e), le nombre d’années d’expériences dans l’agriculture, le contact avec la vulgarisation, la superficie disponible, le coût des intrants de production, l’expérience en gestion de crédit, et la participation à une ou plusieurs réunions ou formations sur le montage de micro-projet déterminent principalement la demande de crédit agricole. Compte tenu de ces résultats obtenus, il urge de travailler à améliorer les conditions d’accès et de demande de crédit aux ménages ruraux afin de leurs garantir de meilleures conditions de vie. Ceci contribue à la sécurité alimentaire et à la réduction de la pauvreté au Bénin.Discussant(s)
John Chiwuzulum Odozi
,
Ajayi Crowther University
Carolyn Chisadza
,
University of Pretoria
Issahaku Haruna
,
University of Development Studies-Ghana
Socrates Majune
,
World Trade Organization
Richard Daramola
,
Oklahoma State University
JEL Classifications
- O5 - Economywide Country Studies
- O1 - Economic Development