Articles tagged with Economic Development
A new analysis suggests that economic development can only buy happiness up to a certain level of wealth. Once income reaches around $36,000 GDP per capita, life satisfaction levels peak before dipping slightly in the very rich countries. This finding contradicts previous studies that showed a flat relationship between GDP and happiness.
Researchers warn that eliminating local economic data could harm small businesses and entrepreneurs, who rely on this data to understand market trends and identify opportunities. The loss of data could also limit policymakers' ability to anticipate and respond to community needs.
A long-term analysis of economic cycles found that death rates increased for middle-aged and elderly people when the economy was growing. The study suggests that factors like job stress and road traffic accidents may not fully explain these trends, but social support changes could play a role.
Green energy development, lifelong education, and entrepreneurship are top priorities for emerging economy nations, according to US expert Jerry Hultin. Investments in these areas can drive economic breakthroughs and promote sustainable growth.
Two new versions of a technoeconomic model for biofuels, incorporating latest state-of-the-art technologies, simulate critical factors in biorefinery process. The models enable researchers to concentrate efforts on cost-efficient biorefinery operations and explore promising strategies.
The World Happiness Report 2013 reveals six key factors explaining national happiness, including real GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, and freedom from corruption. The report also shows significant changes in happiness levels over time, with some countries rising and others falling.
A new study by John Helliwell and colleagues found that communities with better social capital and pro-social behaviors are more resilient during crises, leading to improved happiness. The research suggests that social trust and quality social networks play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of economic shocks.
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center has announced a significant investment of over $100 million in grants for life-sciences-related capital projects in western Massachusetts. This investment will support the growth of the state's life sciences supercluster and enhance the University of Massachusetts Amherst's ability to drive econom...
Wearable sensors and digital communication systems offer fast, inexpensive and efficient mobile health information, reducing extended hospitalization and in-patient costs. Big data and preventive healthcare are also being developed to enable personalized medicine practice and early therapeutic intervention.
The article highlights the importance of geophysics in disaster planning, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address natural hazards. Brian McAdoo's presentation compares death counts and economic fallout from similar magnitude earthquakes in areas with different levels of economic development, showing that dea...
Research finds double cropping associated with higher GDP, median per capita income, and better public sanitation. Double cropping also linked to stronger employment and tax revenue, which benefits entire economy.
A new study evaluates the effectiveness of the Natura 2000 network in covering threatened European species, finding that many fish species are poorly covered. The authors recommend increasing site numbers, developing public awareness, and involving local people in conservation strategies to improve efficiency.
A new study by Colorado State University researchers found that homes in neighborhoods with protected open space have sales prices 20-29% higher than those without such features. The 'conservation development' approach protects natural resources while providing social and economic benefits to people.
Philip Lowe, RELU programme director, received the Bertebos Prize for his contributions to sustainable rural development and land use management. The prize recognizes his interdisciplinary approach and impact on rural policy development in the UK and Europe.
A new concept has emerged to describe the natural world's resources supplied to humans, but its application raises ethical concerns about social equity and responsibilities. The study highlights the need for considering multiple values and interests when analyzing nature's contribution to humanity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.