Articles tagged with Economic Development
Researchers are developing economic models to reduce the economic costs of implementing carbon dioxide emission-reducing policies, encouraging low-carbon innovation. The project aims to show both positive and negative impacts of policies to encourage low-carbon innovation.
The UK has launched a new Enterprise Research Centre to study factors affecting business investment, performance and growth in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The centre will provide evidence for policymakers and SME managers to make informed decisions for growth.
A researcher is studying the long-term economic impacts of domestic violence in Latin America on women's labor participation, health, and children's education. The study will provide a comprehensive analysis of the intangible costs of domestic violence in the region, with implications for public policy.
The University of Granada Research Group on Decision and Optimization Models won the Simulated Car Racing Competition with their Soft Computing-based modular architecture. This technology enables efficient control of cars in the presence of other competitors, allowing for a stable performance despite not being the fastest car.
A new study published in Economic Development Quarterly reveals that the arrival of a new WalMart store leads to the decline of larger retailers like Ames Department Stores and Sears. In contrast, smaller retailers with fewer employees are not significantly impacted. The study uses Indiana as a case study to demonstrate this effect.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have designed a new CO2 thickener that can increase the viscosity of pure CO2 by 100 times, allowing for more efficient oil extraction. This affordable technology has the potential to transform enhanced oil recovery methods, eliminating water injection and increasing oil production.
Niger's child mortality rate nearly halves from 226 deaths per 1000 live births to 128 deaths per 1000 live births, with 60,000 children's lives saved in 2009. Low-cost interventions such as insecticide-treated bed nets and vitamin A supplementation contribute to the country's success.
A new study by the Countdown to 2015 group found that official development aid for maternal, newborn, and child health activities decreased by 0.5% in 2010, despite an increase in the number of donors. This decrease is concerning as it may impact countries' ability to meet international targets for reducing maternal and child mortality.
Arizona State University has been awarded two grants totaling $8.21 million by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation to enhance its business journalism programs. The foundation's support will help the university continue to operate the Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism and establish a permanent endowment for visiting profess...
The Lancet's new series on universal health coverage (UHC) examines its effects on population health, government involvement, and progress in low-income countries. UHC is recognized as a key concept for improving health and increasing societal resilience.
A study from Queen Mary University of London found that British citizens in Turkey struggle with local and international laws, leaving them financially at risk. An inability to speak or read Turkish hinders access to Turkish citizenship, limiting civic legal rights.
The organization aims to address the crisis of open defecation and promote sustainable behavior change among rural households, benefiting 1.7 million people in Vietnam and Cambodia. East Meets West's results-based approach requires an initial investment from recipient families and rewards them when results are achieved.
Researchers are developing a mathematical model designed to help explain how financial shocks spread across the global economy. The model, funded by the NSF, aims to provide early warnings of potential crises and inform policy makers' responses.
The award will support Louisiana Tech's partnership with Winrock International to foster business growth in northern Louisiana and southern Arkansas. The initiative aims to create new jobs, enhance economic clusters, and increase funding opportunities for startups.
A UK policy expert warns that the country's welfare reform policies are re-creating conditions that led to the 2007 economic crisis. The critic argues that the dominant political party's emphasis on reducing taxes and rolling back the state will lead to more poverty and economic instability.
The slowest-growing metro areas in the US had lower unemployment rates and higher income levels compared to the fastest-growing areas. They averaged $8,455 more per capita in personal income in 2009.
A major study by economists Joseph P. Kaboski and Robert M. Townsend found that a large microfinance program in Thailand increased wages by approximately 7% in villages that received funding. The authors argue that the wage impacts may be due to more efficient distribution of capital, benefiting labor demand.
Researchers have identified the interfascicular matrix (IFM) as essential for tendon function, suggesting it may be critical in preventing tendon overuse injuries. The finding has significant implications for understanding and treating tendon disorders that cost the UK economy billions of pounds annually.
Kaboski and Townsend's paper, published in Econometrica, used data from the Townsend Thai Data project to evaluate the impact of a large-scale microfinance initiative. The authors' work provides important insights into development policy, highlighting the benefits and challenges of such programs.
Grammy-winning Maná leads a project proposing direct payment schemes for landowners in Mexico's La Primavera Forest, promoting conservation and biodiversity. The model aims to compensate citizens who benefit from the reserve's ecological services while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Inclusive Wealth Index (IWI) assesses a country's wealth by including manufactured, human and natural capital, providing a more comprehensive picture of sustainability. The report reveals significant natural resource depletion in key economies, highlighting the need for a revised definition of wealth to secure future generations.
The Inclusive Wealth Report 2012 proposes a new approach to sustainability by measuring natural, manufactured, human, and social forms of capital. This comprehensive index provides a more accurate picture of a country's development and well-being than traditional indicators like GDP.
Research reveals 'green grabs' lead to dispossession and poverty in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Local ecosystems are being exploited for profit, undermining sustainable development and justice.
Concordia University's Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance has received over $497,000 in funding to develop a math tool for primary school students. The initiative aims to increase basic math skills and reduce math-related anxiety among young people.
Research finds that mothers in 'mixed' families are taking charge of teaching their children about minority cultures, leading to a stronger sense of identity. This initiative aims to provide relationship support for couples with different racial or ethnic backgrounds, promoting understanding and dealing with cultural differences.
Robert M. Townsend, a prominent development economist at MIT, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences. He is recognized for his outstanding contributions to understanding financial systems and their impact on developing economies.
Global knowledge brokers convene to address challenges of sharing knowledge with policy makers, international donors, and practitioners. The event aims to create a legacy document capturing ideas on reducing the gulf between knowledge and action.
A study by Penn State economists found a significant correlation between the number of Wal-Mart stores and hate groups in an area. The researchers suggest that the large-scale retail chains may contribute to the fraying of social bonds and promote intolerant attitudes, particularly through their promotion of typical Protestant values.
Economists Santanu Roy and Kamal Saggi found that trade restrictions on parallel imports can actually promote trade. When a market is smaller than the firm's own, imposing trade restrictions motivates the firm to export. The study suggests that policy diversity is working well, but countries with major asymmetries may need intervention.
The declaration warns that humanity is driving the planet into a new epoch, the Anthropocene, where human activities dominate planetary processes. The conference calls for urgent action and proposes new initiatives to promote global sustainability, including a new framework for development goals and a UN Sustainable Development Council.
A new study links mass privatization programs in former Soviet states to economic failure and corruption. The researchers found that countries that adopted the policy experienced severe recession, poverty, and economic crime, highlighting the need for cautious implementation of untested economic reforms.
A new study by the University of Toronto's Rotman School finds that countries with English as an official language have higher rates of foreign investment and trade. The study suggests that companies should prioritize embedding English skills in their workforce to expand internationally.
A group of environmental scholars recommends transforming national and international institutions into a more coherent planetary stewardship model. The proposal includes reforms to the UN system, integrating social and economic pillars of sustainable development, and closing regulatory gaps on emerging technologies.
Research finds that government spending in the form of earmarks and contracts can lead to businesses downsizing, while private sector growth is hindered. The study highlights the negative impact of powerful politicians on state economies, challenging conventional wisdom.
The need for stable sources of power in rural areas of developing countries is pressing, with four-fifths of those without domestic electricity living in urban margins. Researchers suggest that renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, could be a viable option to address this issue.
Researchers have developed a theory of moral self that may help explain ethical lapses in the banking and mortgage-lending industries. Individuals with high moral identity scores were more likely to behave morally, while those with low scores were less likely to do so.
A Canadian study reveals that international rankings of infant mortality are misleading due to inconsistent birth registration practices. If corrected for biases, Canada and the US would rank among the top 12 countries in terms of infant mortality rates.
A new study by Simon Fraser University researchers highlights Vancouver's distinct advantages in knowledge-based high-tech industries. The city's globalized innovation landscape, driven by factors like intellectual property and a stable talented labour force, sets it apart from other regions.
Researchers Jan E. Stets and Michael J. Carter propose a theory of the moral self that may help explain the ethical lapses in the banking, investment and mortgage-lending industries. Individuals with high moral identity scores are more likely to behave morally, while those with low scores are less likely.
Researchers found that fishermen in wealthier countries are less likely to give up their trade due to subsidies and job satisfaction. In contrast, those in poorer countries with diversified livelihoods are more willing to leave the fishery. The study highlights the complexity of decision making and factors influencing willingness to ad...
Robert M. Townsend, a prominent development economist, has been awarded the 2011 Jean-Jacques Laffont Prize for his groundbreaking research on financial systems and their impact on developing economies. The prize recognizes his contributions to understanding the role of financial systems in driving economic growth and development.
African-American men do not reap the same career benefits from mentoring and networking as Caucasians, a new University of Georgia study reveals. Despite this, it emphasizes the need for women and minorities to think broadly about their mentors and networks.
A new study from the Consortium on Financial Systems and Poverty examines the role of spatial component in economic growth. The findings show that a high concentration of enterprise in an area predicts high subsequent growth, while entrepreneurial activity decreases with distance from centers of economic concentration.
New research from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation finds that global health funding has slowed due to cutbacks in the US and shortfalls at the Global Fund, raising concerns about meeting the Millennium Development Goal deadline. Despite this, strong commitments to global health have been made by many countries.
The Leopoldina has completed its refurbishment and will start working from its new offices at Jägerberg 1 in January 2012. The new building provides room for extended staff numbers and space for scientific symposiums and public events.
Research by Northwestern University economist Jennifer Brown found that when Tiger Woods played in a tournament, other golfers' scores were substantially worse compared to tournaments where Woods did not play. This phenomenon, known as the 'superstar effect,' suggests that superstars can be a disincentive to competition.
Cities' grandiose Olympic Village projects often prioritize private sector interests over public good, leading to significant financial burdens on taxpayers. Sociologist Jay Scherer's research highlights the importance of democratic transparency in such partnerships, emphasizing the need for community benefits and fair risk distribution.
A new report calls for stronger institutions, improved public engagement, and alignment with national policies to enhance the effectiveness of carbon markets in promoting sustainable development. Key findings highlight the need for wider political changes to address the winners' and losers' from a low-carbon energy economy.
A study by the Bank of Spain and Pablo de Olavide University found that public sector salary changes directly affect the private sector. The researchers analyzed data from four EU countries, including Italy, Spain, Germany, and France, to determine the extent of this influence. They also highlighted the role of institutional design, su...
The USDA has awarded $40 million to the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA) and the University of Washington to produce domestic aviation fuel using sustainable wood biomass. The projects aim to overcome technical barriers, such as lignin breakdown, to make woody materials viable for biofuel production.
A study published in Journal of Political Economy finds that a population-centered approach to counterinsurgency in Iraq is effective in reducing violent attacks. The study analyzed nearly $3 billion in spending on small local projects like digging wells and paving roads, which were shown to reduce violence.
The Louisiana Tech "LA_i6" Proof of Concept Center will partner with companies along the I-20 innovation corridor to promote green technologies and their social, environmental, and economic impacts. The center aims to generate new sustainable economic growth in north Louisiana and accelerate the commercialization of innovative products.
A recent commentary in CMAJ highlights that alternative funding models for healthcare in Canada will not reduce costs nor achieve financial sustainability. The majority of healthcare costs are spent on a small proportion of the population, and private healthcare has higher administrative costs.
Researchers aim to enhance knowledge of barriers and opportunities for improving food security and economic viability through local and regional food system development. A thriving local food system provides ample opportunity to improve human health, reconnect people with the land, and attract new farmers.
The Institute on Asian Consumer Insight (ACI) will provide insights into Asian consumers' needs, wants, and preferences. It aims to help firms innovate brands, products, and services for the Asian market, capitalizing on Singapore's strategic location and multicultural environment.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers highlights the challenges facing the commercialization of emerging liquid biofuels, which could enhance energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Biobutanol, an emerging biofuel with a higher energy content than ethanol, is seen as a promising alternative to petroleum-based f...
Fewer Mexican immigrants returned to Mexico from the US during the 2008 and 2009 recessions than in previous years. The study found declines in return migration among certain groups, such as labor migrants and those with less education, but no rush to return home.
Indonesia is paying a high price for failing to give local communities enforceable rights to contested forests, causing significant economic losses and deforestation. The country continues as an outlier in the region, with less than 1% of its forestland legally recognized under local control.
The global economic recession of 2008-09 led to a decline in fertility rates in Europe and the US, ending the first rise in fertility since the 1960s. The study found that specific groups of people, such as young individuals and highly educated women, are less likely to have children during recessions.
The University of Maryland and Maryland Municipal League team up to help communities plan and implement green practices, earning a 'certificate of sustainability' and potential state grants. Communities can navigate the process at their own pace, with no upfront costs.