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Reduced Inequalities
Measuring creative economy in Indonesia: Issues and challenges in data collection
Although creative economy is emerging as an area to be evaluated establishing a benchmark against which it can be measured is still problematic due to a range of definitional problems both conceptual and practical. In recent years many agencies and governments have invested significant effort into collecting data on creative economy but in many countries including Indonesia measuring creative economy remains a challenge. Data collection on creative economy has been conducted twice in Indonesia initially through surveys undertaken in 2016 and then in a compilation of the 2016 Economic Census. The data collection used a common classification system to identify the five-digit Indonesia Standard Industrial Classification (KBLI) regarded as creative economy. Out of a total of 1573 five-digit KBLI codes there are 223 which are identified as creative economy activities. However this approach remains unstandardized in terms of concept definitions data collection procedures methods of analysis and common classification systems. This paper highlights the numerous limitations in current creative economy measurement in Indonesia identifying issues and challenges in data collection and creative economy measurement processes that are needed to support the Sustainable Development Goals.
Tapping capital markets and institutional investors for infrastructure development
The present paper is focused on using capital markets in the Asia-Pacific region to channel more resources for infrastructure development while mobilizing assets managed by institutional investors such as pension funds and insurance companies. To this end the paper is structured as follows. First an analysis of the level of capital market development in the region is conducted which indicates that markets remain at a nascent stage in many economies. Banks continue to dominate private financing in the region. Second a review is carried out on the size of institutional investors from which it is suggested that prudential regulation might need to be adjusted to enable greater infrastructure investment. Third different modalities for investors seeking infrastructure exposure are highlighted and initiatives launched by different countries to support the development of infrastructure-related instruments are presented. Fourth a review is made on the actions to support capital market development which is critical for greater involvement of institutional investors. Fifth ways to address constraints hindering infrastructure investments are presented. Finally the paper concludes with proposals of strategies that are adapted to each country’s circumstances and designed to further tap this source of financing for infrastructure development.
The Monetary and real effects of the financial opening up of national economies to the exterior. The case of Chile, 1975-1978
The object of this article is to describe and analyse certain aspects of Chilean short-term macroeconomic policy which have not been sufficiently investigated placing special emphasis on the financial measures applied from the end of 1973 and more specifically from the first quarter of 1975 when the so-called Economic Recovery Programme began.
Challenges in implementing decentralization of foreign direct investment management in Viet Nam — case study of the Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh Steel project in Ha Tinh province
Over the past decades an increasing number of developing countries in Asia have experimented with decentralization in varying degrees to achieve good governance and promote democracy. In Viet Nam even though decentralization has been limited to de-concentration (or administrative decentralization) foreign direct investment (FDI) management is vigorously decentralized at the provincial level and has proven to be problematic. In one instance it led to an environmental disaster in 2016. The objective of the present paper is to explore the factors resulting in ineffective decentralization of FDI management in Viet Nam focusing on the challenges that the local government has been dealing with under the decentralization set-up in particular with respect to environmental protection. Drawing on the case study of the Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh Steel project in Ha Tinh province it is argued that Viet Nam continues to lack the essential prerequisites for effective decentralization. It is the time for Viet Nam to reconsider the policy of decentralization in the area of FDI management. Bearing in mind that economic development is vital it should go hand in hand with environment protection in order to ensure the country’s sustainable development.
Factors influencing maternal health care in Nepal: The role of socioeconomic interaction
This paper relies on an extensive data set on Nepalese families to examine factors influencing the extent to which maternal health care is provided.
Women’s empowerment among married women aged 15 to 49 in Myanmar
The present study entails an investigation of the empowerment of married women aged 15 to 49 in Myanmar from socioeconomic and demographic perspectives based on data from the Myanmar Demographic and Health Survey 2015-16. The dimensions of women’s empowerment are categorized into two parts: women’s control over their earnings and women’s participation in household decision-making (decisions on major household purchases visits to family or relatives their health care; and the well-being of their children). These two dimensions are combined to create an index of women’s empowerment. A binary logistic regression is used by means of odds ratios to assess the relationship between women’s level of empowerment and their socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Overall the findings of the study show that a higher empowerment level is associated with women’s employment increased age urban residence a higher educational attainment a higher wealth quintile and a lower level of husband’s education. In addition women that have one child or up to four children are more likely to have a higher level of empowerment than women with no children. About three fourths of the women in the sample live in rural areas. Among those women the ones with a higher level of empowerment are more educated employed and have higher household income. Generating employment opportunities for women and educating women are important factors that can lead to an increase in women’s income and accordingly help raise the levels of women’s empowerment.
Measuring autonomy: Evidence from Bangladesh
The search for rigorous transparent and domain-specific measures of empowerment that can be used for gender analysis is ongoing. This paper explores the added value of a new measure of domain-specific autonomy. This direct measure of motivational autonomy emanates from the “selfdetermination theory” (Ryan and Deci 2000). We examine in detail the Relative Autonomy Index (RAI) for individuals using data representative of Bangladeshi rural areas. Based on descriptive statistical analyses we conclude that the measure and its scale perform broadly well in terms of conceptual validity and reliability. Based on an exploratory analysis of the determinants of autonomy of men and women in Bangladesh we find that neither age education nor income are suitable proxies for autonomy. This implies that the RAI adds new information about individuals and as such could represent a promising avenue for further empirical exploration as a quantitative yet nuanced measure of domain-specific empowerment.
Latin America, from boom to crisis: Macroeconomic policy challenges
This article analyses the most recent phase of growth in Latin America lasting from 2003 to late 2008 and the way the different policies applied in this period lessened its countries’ vulnerability and gave them greater macroeconomic policy space to confront the international crisis than in other negative shocks of the past. In addition it briefly surveys the main countercyclical fiscal monetary financial and exchange-rate policy measures applied in the region’s economies to mitigate and reverse the effects of the crisis. It concludes by discussing post-crisis macro policy challenges in the region.
Raúl Prebisch and the dilemma of development in the globalised world
Globalization poses both challenges and opportunities. Prebisch confronted this development dilemma in the global world and left three messages which form the great legacy of his work. Firstly central countries form visions of the world order that serve their own interests; and peripheral countries need to rebel against this theoretical framework to resolve the dilemma. Secondly it is possible to transform reality and achieve a symmetrical non-subordinate relationship with the world’s power centres. Thirdly the transformation requires a fundamental change in productive structures to incorporate knowledge into economic and social activity since this is the fundamental instrument of development. These messages remain fully current to this day.
Styles of development in Latin America
The discussion of styles of development has been complicated by the improper use of this and other associated terms. In order to avoid misunderstandings this article starts by examining the concepts of system and structure and on this basis goes on to define a style of development as “the way in which human and material resources are organized and assigned within a particular system with the object of solving such questions as what goods and services to produce; how; and for whom”. More specifically it notes two sets of features of such styles: (a) those which make up the structural basis of the production apparatus especially the sectoral structure of the product and employment the various technological strata and the predominant type of external relationship and (b) the dynamic elements of the system which are revealed by analysing the level and composition of demand and its underlying basic factors namely the level and distribution of income. These two sets of features are closely linked by a circle of mutual cause and effect.
Growth and concentration among the leading business groups in Mexico
This article discusses various hypotheses relating to the origin and operation of business groups in Mexico and it proposes a model to explain the sources of their total asset growth. It highlights their growing contribution to Mexican gdp but notes that their shares of employment and profits are smaller. Over time sales and assets have clearly tended to become more concentrated in the largest groups. The paper concludes that the main financing sources for asset growth between 2005 and 2007 were firstly debt and secondly capital contributions from shareholders. It also finds that the leading groups invest discretely over time and tend to “overinvest” to block the entry of other competitors.
Meeting on a new Latin America in a changing world economy
The essays reproduced below were presented at a small informal and high-level conference on the theme of “A New Latin America in a Changing World Economy” held at the Belmont Conference Center near Washington D.C. on 25-26 June 1979.
Contributory factors towards sustainability of bank-linked self-help groups in India
The present study focuses on the Indian flagship financial inclusion scheme – the Self Help Group-Bank Linkage Programme which successfully leverages the social collateral concept and the vast network of bank branches in India to deliver financial services to small cohesive and participatory women’s self-help groups. To develop a deeper understanding of the topic of sustainability of self-help groups we propose a framework that conceptualizes sustainability by integrating the financial and organizational aspects of functioning of self-help groups. Sustainability is assessed in the light of the group’s performance (on set of indicators) with respect to the primary objective of the Self Help Group-Bank Linkage Programme which is financial intermediation. Subsequently we ascertain the effect of plausible contributory factors related to group management practices on the sustainability of self-help groups. The results of regression analysis on primary data captured from a survey of 170 self-help groups show that such factors as equitable access to credit group savings growth in savings loan utilization in income generation activities members depositing a savings contribution or loan installment on each other’s behalf and distance from bank contribute significantly to group sustainability. Accordingly designing suitable measures to monitor and improve group governance and management practices would be a critical policy intervention.
The economics of climate change in Latin America and the Caribbean: Stylized facts
Notes on integration
It is argued in these notes that a number of factors together with the current problems in the world economy tend to make integration appear less important than it really is and to reduce its chances of success so that a clear interpretation and evaluation — not as yet available — is called for.
Interpretative summary
Latin America stands at the treshold of the 1980s as the most highly industrialized region in the Third World. Because of concern in industrial countries over the increasing competitive capacity of some developing countries in the production and export of manufactures Latin America’s essential thrust is often perceived by those outside the region as based on its new industrial capability.
Latin America and the international monetary system: some comments and suggestions
In this paper I intend to emphasize aspects of the present system of international economic relations in the monetary and financial area that create difficulties for an adequate insertion of Latin America in the world economy. I do not propose to make a comprehensive study of all transfers of resources between developed and developing countries.
Fiscal policy in times of crisis: macroeconomic effects of the primary surplus
Trade unions in the “South” in the era of globalization
This article examines the effects of globalization on the trade union movement in developing countries (the “South”). It concludes first that globalization has been asymmetrical: much further-reaching for trade in goods than for capital flows weak for technology transfer and very limited in migratory flows. Second it examines the role and economic repercussions of labour unions. It finds that contrary to the orthodox view these have little negative impact on employment but do significantly reduce wage inequalities. In view of the shift in the South since the 1980s away from development strategies based on import substitution aimed at domestic markets and towards export-oriented strategies the final section proposes new tasks and priorities for unions that are more consistent with this strategic reorientation both at the national and international levels as well as within firms.