Pro-poor and inclusive growth in West Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Opeoluwa Adeniyi Adeosun ◽  
Mosab I. Tabash
Keyword(s):  
Income Distribution ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Dynamic Models ◽  
Trade Openness ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Inclusive Growth ◽  
African Region ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThis paper focuses on three key metrics of poverty, income distribution and employment to ascertain the pro-poor and inclusive-growth position of the western African region. The roles of governance structures and their interactive effects are also accommodated to capture the peculiarity of the region.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs fixed and dynamic models.FindingsEvidence suggests that growth is pro-poor, although virtually all governance indicators are sterile in stimulating poverty reduction. The authors observe that health and education spending coupled with trade-openness stimulate pro-poor growth potentials, whereas conflicts culminate the pervasiveness of poverty in the region. By empirically answering the question of how inclusive is economic growth through the lens of income-distribution and employment, the authors show that growth has been exclusive as per-capita-GDP growth rather dampens income shared by the poorest 20%. Also, it is observed that growth has not been inclusive as the jobless-growth argument remains valid while high inequality further exacerbates unemployment in the region. It is further shown that governance has been generally weak in propelling inclusive growth except where the institutional-component of governance stimulates inclusive growth through improvement in equality and labor employability.Originality/valueThe study jointly examines the metrics of poverty, income distribution and employment to ascertain growth pro-poorness and inclusivity which are key for the achievement of African-union (AU) agenda 2063. The study captures cross-sectional dependence among selected countries which previous studies ignored.

Categorization flexibility and unconventional choices: is life an adventure?

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 1963-1986
Author(s):  
Tilottama G. Chowdhury ◽  
Feisal Murshed
Keyword(s):  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Cognitive Capacity ◽  
Purchase Behavior ◽  
Consumer Decision Making ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cross Domain ◽  
Multiple Domains

Purpose This paper proposes that categorization flexibility, operationalized as the cognitive capacity that cross-categorizes products in multiple situational categories across multiple domains, might favorably influence a consumer’s evaluation of unconventional options. Design/methodology/approach Experimental research design is used to test the theory. An exploratory study first establishes the effect of categorization flexibility in a non-food domain. Study 1 documents the moderating role of decision domain, showing that the effect works only under low- (vs high-) consequence domain. Studies 2A and 2B further refine the notion by showing that individuals can be primed in a relatively higher categorization flexibility frame of mind. Study 3 demonstrates the interactive effect of categorization flexibility and adventure priming in a high-consequence domain. Study 4 integrates the interactive effects of decisions with low- vs high-consequence, adventure priming and categorization flexibility within a single decision domain of high consequence. Findings Consumers with higher- (vs lower-) categorization flexibility tend to opt for unconventional choices when the decision domain entails low consequences, whereas such a result does not hold under decision domain of high consequences. The categorization flexibility effects in case of low-consequence decision domain holds true even when consumers are primed to be categorization flexible. Furthermore, with additional adventure priming, consumers show an increased preference for unconventional options even under a decision domain with high consequence. Research limitations/implications This study could not examine real purchase behavior as results are based on cross-sectional, behavioral intention data. In addition, it did not examine the underlying reason for presence of cross-domain categorization flexibility index. Practical implications The results suggest that stimuli may be tailored to consumers in ways that increase the salience and the perceived attractiveness of unconventional choices. Further, data reinforce the notion of cross-categorical interrelations among different domains, which could be leveraged by marketers. Originality/value This study represents the first documentation of the potential ways by which unconventional product choice might be a function of individuals’ categorization flexibility level across different types of decision domains. The findings yield implications that are novel to both categorization and consumer decision-making literature.

Can do and reason to: when are proactive employees willing to share negative information?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura E. Marler ◽  
Susie S. Cox ◽  
Marcia J. Simmering ◽  
Bryan L. Rogers ◽  
Curtis F. Matherne
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Negative Information ◽  
Proactive Personality ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Motivational States ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
Cross Sectional Design

Purpose Information sharing is vital to organizational operations, yet employees are often reluctant to share negative information. This paper aims to gain insight into which employees will be reluctant to share negative information and when by drawing from the proactive motivation literature examining effects of proactive personality and motivational states on individuals’ willingness to share negative information. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional design was used, with data collected from a final sample of 393 individuals via an online survey. Hypotheses were tested using correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses. Findings Interactive effects indicate proactive individuals with accompanying high levels of role breadth self-efficacy (“can do”) or high levels of felt responsibility for constructive change (“reason to”) were less likely to be reluctant to share negative information. However, findings also suggest proactive individuals with lower levels of proactive motivation avoid sharing negative information. Originality/value The findings extend what is known about personality factors and employee willingness to share information to highlight which employees may be likely to avoid sharing negative information. The authors also examine the moderating influence of proactive motivational states on the relationships between proactive personality and reluctance to share negative information.

The role of entrepreneurship in reducing poverty in agricultural communities

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 665-683
Author(s):  
Mufaro Dzingirai
Keyword(s):  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
The Body ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Agricultural Communities ◽  
Agricultural Entrepreneurship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose Entrepreneurship has increasingly become a subject of interest for scholars and policymakers in an attempt to reduce poverty in agricultural communities across the world, especially in Africa. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to examine the role of entrepreneurship in reducing poverty in agricultural communities of Lower Gweru, Zimbabwe. Design/methodology/approach Exploratory research design informed the data collection and analysis in this study. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 owners of agribusinesses from various socio-economic backgrounds. The collected data from the field were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings The results revealed that entrepreneurship plays a catalytic role in poverty reduction in agricultural communities through food security, skill transfer, employment creation, income generation and a decrease in food costs. Research limitations/implications This study focused on four agricultural communities in Lower Gweru which can limit the generalizability of the results to other contexts. Furthermore, this inquiry is a cross-sectional study that did not capture the longitudinal factors that can affect entrepreneurship and poverty reduction in agricultural communities. Practical implications The research outcomes have some practical implications for the Zimbabwean government and microfinance institutions in designing policies and programs to reduce poverty in marginalized agricultural communities. The findings are also useful for non-governmental organizations in designing, monitoring and evaluating poverty reduction programs in agricultural communities. Originality/value This study advances, contextualizes and enriches the body of knowledge concerning agricultural entrepreneurship and poverty reduction in the under-researched setting of agricultural communities. Notably, this study captures the African flavor in the agricultural entrepreneurship and poverty reduction discourse by focusing on the unique Zimbabwean context.

Performance drivers of women-owned microcredit funded enterprises in Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-230
Author(s):  
Charles Stephen Tundui ◽  
Hawa Petro Tundui
Keyword(s):  
Business Performance ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Product Cycle ◽  
Business Growth ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Performance Drivers ◽  
The Government

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate performance drivers of women-owned businesses that are funded primarily through microcredit. It draws on Storey’s theory of small business growth and family embeddedness axiom to examine the factors that drive the performance of businesses that are funded primarily through microcredit. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a cross-sectional survey that covered 208 women business owners who had access to microcredit. The authors use a logistic regression analysis to model the relationship between independent variables and enterprise performance. Findings The paper demonstrates that microcredit plays a significant role in business performance. The credit amount has the most significant influence on the enterprise capital base, whereas the effect on profits is insignificant. Also, owners are more likely to report growth in profits if they possess skills in business management. In addition, younger business owners and necessity entrepreneurs are more likely to report success in their businesses. Other factors that have a significant effect on business performance are product cycle, loan use and family support. Originality/value Many women in Tanzania are entering business ownership and depend on microcredit as their primary source of capital for starting and growing their businesses. However, just a few businesses grow into small and medium-sized enterprises. For informed policy decisions, it is important that the factors influencing the performance of funded businesses are known and well understood. This understanding will help the government and development practitioners assist women in achieving business growth rates that could warrant their empowerment and poverty reduction prospects.

Authentic leadership as a contemporary leadership model applied in Nigeria

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 296-313
Author(s):  
Amara Emuwa ◽  
Dail Fields
Keyword(s):  
Leadership Development ◽  
Authentic Leadership ◽  
Leadership Effectiveness ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Leadership Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Contingent Reward

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which each dimension of authentic leadership (AL) is related with employee organizational commitment (OC) and assessment of leadership effectiveness for employees in Nigeria and to investigate the moderating effects of contingent reward leadership behaviors on these relationships. By testing the dimensions of AL with employee outcomes, this study provides further validity and empirical evidence to the theoretical structure of AL theory across cultures. Design/methodology/approach This empirical study used cross-sectional survey data collected from a sample of 212 Nigerian employees from 16 organizations across various sectors. Findings The results of hierarchical regression analysis of this study showed a positive relationship between AL behaviors and the outcome variables of OC and perceived leader effectiveness (LE) among Nigerian employees. The moderation result shows that the leader’s contingent reward behaviors reduce the effects of the internal moral perspective dimension of AL. As authentic leaders interact with followers and followers experience high levels of moral and ethical behaviors, contingent rewards become less important to followers. Practical implications Leadership effectiveness and OC are desirable organizational outcomes across cultures. From a practical standpoint, the results indicate several authentic dimensions are related to OC and leadership effectiveness among Nigerian employees. This extends the applicability of AL into the African countries. Particularly, it provides additional insight into a contemporary leadership model that can positively impact the leadership development in Nigeria. While the interactive effects of contingent reward were limited, they do suggest that some combinations of behaviors should be considered to effectively meet situational needs. Originality/value This is the first study that examines the relationship of the components that constitute AL with OC and perceived LE in the context of Nigeria, a major African nation.

Household food security through cooperative societies in northern Ethiopia

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-72
Author(s):  
Woldegebrial Zeweld ◽  
Guido Van Huylenbroeck ◽  
Jeroen Buysse
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Northern Ethiopia ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Heckman Model ◽  
Household Food ◽  
The Mean

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the effect of cooperative societies on household food security in six villages of Northern Ethiopia. Cooperative societies have significant contribution to the food security and poverty reduction. However, limited empirical studies exist in the study areas about the roles of cooperative societies on food security. Design/methodology/approach – Primary cross-sectional data were collected from randomly selected 400 households. The study also gathered secondary data from the cooperative associations and government offices for comparison purposes. The paper applied Heckman two-stage model to capture the effect of cooperative societies on household food security. Findings – The probability of the households to join cooperative societies and also ensure food security depends on various determining factors like institutional factors, demographic variables and rural functions. The paired sample t-test shows that the mean income and expenditure of the cooperative member households were 70 and 40 per cent higher in 2010 and 2011, respectively, than in the baseline. The two-sample independent t-test indicates that the mean income and expenditure of the member households were 47 and 32 per cent higher than the counterpart households. The Heckman model explains that cooperative societies have statistically significant, positive and robust effects on household food security at 1 per cent level. Research limitations/implications – A few variables might suffer from endogeneity problem, although theoretically insignificant and have no sound justification. The study also considers only two indicators of food security (income and expenditure), but the findings of the study would have been good and sound with several and composite food security index. Practical implications – Such impact studies on cooperative societies are limited in the study areas. Thus, this study helps decision-makers, cooperative analysts and other concerned bodies to give priority for cooperative societies so as to curtail the food insecurity problem. It can also make meaningful contributions to bridge the gap in the cooperative literature. Social implications – The present study can improve the understanding of cooperative societies in the country. The finding of this paper can serve as an input for university students, decision-makers and cooperative analysts. The result can also strengthen the economic justification for policy intervention on cooperative societies. Originality/value – Most studies in the areas address the financial performance, historical movement and opportunities and challenges of cooperative societies. This implies that more work is necessary to obtain a clear picture and broad spectrum about cooperative societies, and thus, this study addresses the effect of cooperative societies on household food security.

Financial integration and macroeconomic volatility: evidence from Asia

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-112
Author(s):  
Inder Sekhar Yadav ◽  
Phanindra Goyari ◽  
Ram Kumar Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Financial Integration ◽  
Trade Openness ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Macroeconomic Volatility ◽  
Advanced Economies ◽  
Asian Economies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to empirically examine the impact of financial integration on macroeconomic volatility for developing and emerging economies of Asia. Design/methodology/approach The effects of financial integration and dynamics of macroeconomic volatility over time and across different groups of Asian economies vis-à-vis advanced economies are investigated using four different variables such as consumption, output, income and the ratio of consumption to income. Further, an empirical link between the degree of international financial integration and macroeconomic volatility for Asian economies is econometrically investigated using generalized method of moments (GMM) system one-step estimator. Findings Macroeconomic volatilities of per capita output and consumption growth tend to be lower for advanced economies compared to Asian economies. The computed cross-sectional median of the volatility of consumption, output, income and the ratio of consumption volatility to income suggested that the volatility of advanced economies is lower compared to all the regions of Asia. GMM results suggested that the financial openness, trade openness and broad money are negatively and significantly associated with macroeconomic volatility whereas inflation is positively and significantly associated with macroeconomic volatility but the magnitude of trade openness is found to be negligible. Research limitations/implications The present study has not included the effects of other country-specific variables (such as fiscal policy volatility) and other external factors to understand macroeconomic volatility. Practical implications High integration of economies promote economic growth, reduce macroeconomic volatility and reduce vulnerability to external shocks. This implies that policy makers should thrive to reform and create institutional infrastructure to deepen the integration. Originality/value The paper is an important empirical contribution toward examining the effects of financial integration on dynamics of macroeconomic volatility for a large number of Asian developing and emerging economics over time and across different groups using recent data and latest analytical framework and techniques.

scholarly journals Measuring Inclusive Growth in Nigeria: An Application of the Social Opportunity Function

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Iyore Ajayi ◽  
Chukwuedo S. Oburota
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Population Distribution ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Entire Population ◽  
National Bureau ◽  
Inclusive Growth ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Poor Growth

Abstract Inclusive growth, pro-poor growth and broad-based growth are all terms used to explain growth processes that enables the entire population including the poor to actively participate and benefit from the growth process. In the last two decades Nigeria’s GDP has averaged at about 7%, indicating a fast-growing economy. Despite having a high GDP growth rate, it has not translated to improved standard of living for majority of the people, rather the level of poverty is on the increase. Income inequality has also widened in the country. This clearly shows that increase in GDP alone is not a sufficient condition for reduction in poverty and inequality. In order to avoid the problem of unwanted labour reserves with high growth rate, it is important to make growth inclusive. This study utilised the opportunity index to analyse the growth and equity dimension of inclusive growth across the entire population distribution. Cross sectional data obtained from the General Household Survey (GHS) 2015, by the National Bureau of Statistics was used. This study revealed that inclusive growth was not achieved in the area of employment, provisions of health care in the private and rural health institutions, secondary and tertiary education.

Does microfinance reduce poverty in Lao PDR?

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inpaeng Sayvaya ◽  
Phouphet Kyophilavong
Keyword(s):  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Development Fund ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Minimal Impact ◽  
Poverty Reduction Strategy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Village

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine whether the village development fund (VDF) program reduces poverty in terms of income and expenditure. Design/methodology/approach – The authors use cross-sectional data that are collected from 361 households in 15 villages in the rural district of Sukhuma of Champasak province in 2012 and use regression for analysis. Findings – The estimate of the empirical model that is used for the econometric analysis is based on the model constructed by Coleman (1999). This study finds that VDF program has a positive impact on household income and expenditure but that the impact is statistically insignificant. Research limitations/implications – The authors conclude that the VDF program has a minimal impact on poverty reduction in the study area. Practical implications – Policy-maker should be aware that promotion of the VDF program might not reduce poverty in terms of income and expenditure. Social implications – This finding might have significant impacts on poverty reduction strategy of Lao PDR. Originality/value – It is the first study to investigate the impact of the VDF program on poverty in Lao PDR.

scholarly journals Inflation, Growth, and Distribution Nexus in Post-Transition and Emerging Economies of South Asia

2020 ◽  
pp. 368-383
Keyword(s):  
Income Distribution ◽  
South Asia ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Trade Openness ◽  
Poverty Rate ◽  
Global Market ◽  
Agricultural Prices ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The Impact

This study investigates the impact of inflation on poverty and income distribution in five major economies in South Asia in the period 1986-2014. Inflation reduces the poverty rate and the poverty gap as the agricultural poor largely benefit from higher agricultural prices whereas the poorest quintile of the population who are landless farmers remain in a disadvantageous position. This raises the overall level of inequality in the economy despite poverty reduction. Trade openness is still not the engine of growth in South Asia - rather it has widened the poverty gap and aggravated inequality because the poor are not well integrated to the global market as compared to the well-off groups. As a result, there has been growing inequality across the region.

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