Emerald | International Journal of Social Economics | Table of Contents

Governance and Enterprise Restructuring in Southeast Europe

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Mico Apostolov) — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The research in this paper is to be focused on examining governance and enterprise restructuring in Southeast Europe (Western Balkans) transition economies. International organizations classify the following countries in Southeast Europe (Western Balkans): Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia.Design/methodology/approach - The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has governance and enterprise restructuring as basic indicator of economic transition and defines it as effective corporate governance and corporate control exercised through domestic financial institutions and markets, fostering market-driven restructuring. The corporate governance is most often defined in terms of the roles, responsibilities, and interactions of top management and the board of directors. Using data of Southeast European economies, will be examined the interrelationships between governance and enterprise restructuring and set of policies that influence the governance patterns.Findings - Due to the analysis of the first assumption where a relation was made between governance and enterprise restructuring and imposed set of policies, the results have shown that there are mixed outcomes. The second hypothesis analyzed the importance and progress of corporate governance and enterprise restructuring. Originality/value - The overall outcome of SEE countries is mixed as there are significant improvements in some countries and noteworthy lags in other. Indeed, it is needed considerable improvement in corporate governance, institution-building controlling agency problems and imposing already adopted regulation, as well as, adopting new ways of enterprise restructuring policies within existing policies of overall transition economy restructuring.

Changes of Work Values in Changing Economy: Perspectives of Men and Women.

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Moshe Sharabi, Itzhak Harpaz) — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to examine the changes of life domains centrality (work, family, leisure, community and religion) and of work goals preferences (interest, good pay, interpersonal relations, job security, etc.) in Israel, according to gender, between 1981 and 2006. Design/methodology/approach - This is a follow-up research regarding "meaning of work" studies, held in 1981 and 1993. The participants constitute representative samples of the Israeli labor force in 1981, 1993 and 2006. Findings - While in the past, men showed a higher work centrality than women, in 2006 no traditional gender differences were found in work centrality; however, family centrality, as in the past, was higher among women than among men. The most meaningful change among men and women was regarding ‘job security’, and this goal has become more and more important throughout the 25 years of the study. Originality/value - This unique cross sectional study explores the changes in the importance of life domains and work goals among men and women over the course of time. Moreover, the study explains the causes for the major trends by social, economical and political factors.

Effect of Financial Development on Agricultural Growth in Pakistan: New Extensions from Bounds Test to Level Relationships and Granger Causality Tests

Fri, 28 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - This study investigates the relationship between financial development and agriculture growth by employing Cobb-Douglas production function which incorporates financial development as an important factor of production for the period 1971-2011. Design/methodology/approach - The ARDL bounds testing approach to cointegration is applied to examine long run relationship between the variables. The direction of causality is examined by applying the VECM Granger causality test and robustness of causality results is tested through innovative accounting approach (IAA). Findings - Our findings confirm that the variables are cointegrated for equilibrium long run relationship between agriculture growth, financial development, capital and labor. The results indicate that financial development has a positive effect on agricultural growth. The capital use and labour employed in the agriculture sector also contribute to the agricultural growth. The Granger causality analysis reveals bidirectional causality between agricultural growth and financial development. The robustness of these results is confirmed by innovative accounting approach (IAA). Practical implications - This study has important policy implications for policy making authorities to stimulate agricultural growth by improving the efficiency of financial sector. Originality/value - This paper convincingly argues that there is a need for case-by-case study on such a project in view of each country’s unique characteristics.

China’s Aid to Africa: Competitor or Alternative to the OECD Aid Architecture?

Fri, 28 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The emergence of the Chinese aid consensus has come to have profound implications for sustainability. The Beijing Consensus ‘sovereignty doctrine’ of non-interference, presents a stark contrast to the Washington Consensus architecture of imposed conditionalities and the serving of geopolitical interests. For this reason, from Africa’s perspective, the Beijing Consensus appears to represent the prefered comprehensive meta-narrative for Africa. Design/methodology/approach - In examining its principles, objectives, framework differences and impact, the Beijing model shows that it supports the human rights which "unleash," empower and protect self-directed development grounded in ownership and in the strategic interests of recipients. Findings - The Washington Consensus has been problematic for African development because it is economistic and exclusively instrumentalist. While conceding to this shortcoming, the inability of the consensus to appreciate the unique and complex development problems of Africa is more troubling. Comparing the two, the Beijing Consensus, which is multidimensional and encompasses the intrinsic and non-economic roles of development aid, with the consequence of over emphasizing expanding local policy, is adjudged practical for Africa. The conclusion is that the dominant Washington consensus is too poorly articulated and structured to respond to declared determination for ownership, mitigating capabilities deprivation, and improving development control. Originality/value - This paper has argued that the basic approach of the Beijing Consensus has been more generous and more attractive for sustainable development in Africa. Much more important, perhaps, is the ability of the Consensus to appreciate the unique and complex development problems which occur as a consequence of donor deafness on limited rights and conditionalities. In sum, the Beijing Consensus results in exclusionary changes of "less magnitude and speed" and promotes poverty reduction and sustainable development. Taken together, these factors and practices mean that the Beijing Consensus best serves the staircase of a nation’s pathway to indigenous development, when compared with the Washington Consensus. Such a comprehensive meta-narrative that builds alliances and creates a foundation for enlightened and effective politics of development aid will "unleash", empower and protect the full potential of Africa.

The Determinants of brain drain in developing countries

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Abubakar Lawan Ngoma, NORMAZ WANA ISMAIL) — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - Skilled migrant workers move relatively in unidirectional form (from developing to developed countries) in response to many factors. This paper examines some factors that influence skilled migration to such preferred locations among skilled workers.Design/methodology/approach - Both conceptual discussion and analytical approach are usedFindings - Our econometric model identified an inverted U-shaped relationship between skilled migration rates, wage differentials and income convergence with destination countries. Other factors found to be significantly related to brain drain are: population size, domestic political instability and distance to destination countries.Originality/value - This paper presents insights on factors influencing migration decisions among skilled migrants; and why skilled workers migration from developing countries remains on the increase over the years, despite the urgent need for highly skilled personnel in most of these countries.

Durkheim and the Birth of Economic Sociology Philippe Steiner (2011). Princeton University Press, 249 pages Translated by Keith Tribe

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Ellinor Andeberg) — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Not available.