AGDI currently has about 300 publications.
2018 |
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| 1. | Asongu, Simplice CO2 emission thresholds for inclusive human development in sub-Saharan Africa Journal Article Environmental Science and Pollution Research , 2018. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: CO2 emissions; Economic development; Africa @article{Asongu,2018, title = {CO2 emission thresholds for inclusive human development in sub-Saharan Africa}, author = {Simplice Asongu}, url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-018-2626-6}, doi = {10.1007/s11356-018-2626-6}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-07-18}, journal = {Environmental Science and Pollution Research }, abstract = {We provide policy-relevant critical masses beyond which, increasing CO2 emissions negatively affects inclusive human development. This study examines how increasing CO2 emissions affects inclusive human development in 44 sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2000–2012. The empirical evidence is based on fixed effects and Tobit regressions. In order to increase the policy relevance of this study, the dataset is decomposed into fundamental characteristics of inclusive development and environmental degradation based on income levels (low income versus (vs.) middle income); legal origins (English common law vs. French civil law); religious domination (Christianity vs. Islam); openness to sea (landlocked vs. coastal); resource-wealth (oil-rich vs. oil-poor) and political stability (stable vs. unstable). All computed thresholds are within policy range. Hence, above these thresholds, CO2 emissions negatively affect inclusive human development.}, keywords = {CO2 emissions; Economic development; Africa}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } We provide policy-relevant critical masses beyond which, increasing CO2 emissions negatively affects inclusive human development. This study examines how increasing CO2 emissions affects inclusive human development in 44 sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2000–2012. The empirical evidence is based on fixed effects and Tobit regressions. In order to increase the policy relevance of this study, the dataset is decomposed into fundamental characteristics of inclusive development and environmental degradation based on income levels (low income versus (vs.) middle income); legal origins (English common law vs. French civil law); religious domination (Christianity vs. Islam); openness to sea (landlocked vs. coastal); resource-wealth (oil-rich vs. oil-poor) and political stability (stable vs. unstable). All computed thresholds are within policy range. Hence, above these thresholds, CO2 emissions negatively affect inclusive human development. |
| 2. | Simplice, Asongu Persistence in incarcerations: global comparative evidence Journal Article Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice, 4 (2), pp. 136-147 , 2018. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Management, Offenders, Policing @article{Asongu,2018, title = {Persistence in incarcerations: global comparative evidence}, author = {Asongu Simplice}, url = {https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/full/10.1108/JCRPP-11-2017-0037}, doi = {10.1108/JCRPP-11-2017-0037}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-07-18}, journal = {Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice}, volume = {4}, number = {2}, pages = {136-147 }, abstract = { Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess how incarcerations persist across the world. The focus is on 163 countries for the period 2010-2015. Design/methodology/approach The empirical evidence is based on generalized method of moments. In order to increase room for policy implications, the data set is decomposed into sub-samples based on income levels, religious domination, openness to the sea, regional proximity and legal origins. Findings The following main findings are established. Incarcerations are more persistent in low income, Christian-protestant and Latin American countries while comparative evidence is not feasible on the basis of landlockedness and legal origins owing to unfavorable post-estimation diagnostic tests. Justifications for the comparative advantages and relevance of findings to theory building in public economics are discussed. Practical implications First, income levels matter in the persistence of incarcerations because low-income nations vis-à-vis their high-income counterparts have less financial resources with which to prevent and deal with events like terrorism, political instability and violence that lead to incarcerations. Second, the intuition for religious domination builds on the fact that liberal societies can be more associated with incarcerations compared to conservative societies. The main theoretical contribution of this study to the literature is that the authors have built on empirical validity to provide theoretical justification as to why categorizing countries on the basis of selected fundamental characteristics determine cross-country variations in incarcerations. Such evidence is important for theory building in public economics. Originality/value It is important for policy makers to understand the persistence of incarcerations across nations because resources could be allocated to regions and countries, contingent on the relative importance of future incarceration tendencies.}, keywords = {Management, Offenders, Policing}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess how incarcerations persist across the world. The focus is on 163 countries for the period 2010-2015. Design/methodology/approach The empirical evidence is based on generalized method of moments. In order to increase room for policy implications, the data set is decomposed into sub-samples based on income levels, religious domination, openness to the sea, regional proximity and legal origins. Findings The following main findings are established. Incarcerations are more persistent in low income, Christian-protestant and Latin American countries while comparative evidence is not feasible on the basis of landlockedness and legal origins owing to unfavorable post-estimation diagnostic tests. Justifications for the comparative advantages and relevance of findings to theory building in public economics are discussed. Practical implications First, income levels matter in the persistence of incarcerations because low-income nations vis-à-vis their high-income counterparts have less financial resources with which to prevent and deal with events like terrorism, political instability and violence that lead to incarcerations. Second, the intuition for religious domination builds on the fact that liberal societies can be more associated with incarcerations compared to conservative societies. The main theoretical contribution of this study to the literature is that the authors have built on empirical validity to provide theoretical justification as to why categorizing countries on the basis of selected fundamental characteristics determine cross-country variations in incarcerations. Such evidence is important for theory building in public economics. Originality/value It is important for policy makers to understand the persistence of incarcerations across nations because resources could be allocated to regions and countries, contingent on the relative importance of future incarceration tendencies. |
| 3. | Asongu, Simplice A Environmental degradation and inclusive human development in sub‐Saharan Africa Journal Article Sustainable Development, 2018. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: CO2 emissions; Sustainable development; Inclusiveness @article{Asongu,2018, title = {Environmental degradation and inclusive human development in sub‐Saharan Africa}, author = {Simplice A. Asongu}, url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/sd.1858}, doi = {10.1002/sd.1858}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-07-10}, journal = {Sustainable Development}, abstract = {In the light of challenges to sustainable development in the post‐2015 development agenda, this paper assesses how increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions affect inclusive human development in 44 countries in sub‐Saharan Africa for the period 2000–2012. The following findings are established from Fixed Effects and Tobit regressions: first, unconditional effects and conditional impacts are respectively positive and negative from CO2 emissions per capita, CO2 emissions from liquid fuel consumption, and CO2 intensity. This implies a Kuznets‐shaped curve because of consistent decreasing returns; and second, the corresponding net effects are consistently positive. The following findings are apparent from Generalized Method of Moments regressions: first, unconditional effects and conditional impacts are respectively negative and positive from CO2 emissions per capita, CO2 emissions from liquid fuel consumption, and CO2 intensity. This implies a U‐shaped curve because of consistent increasing returns; and second, the corresponding net effects are overwhelmingly negative. Based on the robust findings and choice of best estimator, the net effect of increasing CO2 emissions on inclusive human development is negative. Policy implications are discussed.}, keywords = {CO2 emissions; Sustainable development; Inclusiveness}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } In the light of challenges to sustainable development in the post‐2015 development agenda, this paper assesses how increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions affect inclusive human development in 44 countries in sub‐Saharan Africa for the period 2000–2012. The following findings are established from Fixed Effects and Tobit regressions: first, unconditional effects and conditional impacts are respectively positive and negative from CO2 emissions per capita, CO2 emissions from liquid fuel consumption, and CO2 intensity. This implies a Kuznets‐shaped curve because of consistent decreasing returns; and second, the corresponding net effects are consistently positive. The following findings are apparent from Generalized Method of Moments regressions: first, unconditional effects and conditional impacts are respectively negative and positive from CO2 emissions per capita, CO2 emissions from liquid fuel consumption, and CO2 intensity. This implies a U‐shaped curve because of consistent increasing returns; and second, the corresponding net effects are overwhelmingly negative. Based on the robust findings and choice of best estimator, the net effect of increasing CO2 emissions on inclusive human development is negative. Policy implications are discussed. |
| 4. | Asongu S. A., Odhiambo N M Information asymmetry, financialization, and financial access Journal Article International Finance, 2018. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Information asymmetry; Financialisation; Financial Access; Africa @article{Asongu,2018, title = {Information asymmetry, financialization, and financial access}, author = {Asongu, S. A., Odhiambo, N. M}, url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/infi.12136}, doi = {10.1111/infi.12136}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-07-06}, journal = {International Finance}, abstract = {This study investigates whether information sharing channels that are meant to reduce information asymmetry have led to an increase in financial access. The study employs a Generalized Method of Moments technique using data from 53 African countries during the period from 2004 to 2011 to examine this linkage. Information sharing channels are theoretically designed to promote the formal financial sector and discourage the informal financial sector. The study uses two information sharing channels: private credit bureaus and public credit registries. The study found that both information sharing channels have a positive and significant impact on financial access. The study also found that public credit registries complement the formal financial sector to promote financial access. Policy implications are discussed.}, keywords = {Information asymmetry; Financialisation; Financial Access; Africa}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This study investigates whether information sharing channels that are meant to reduce information asymmetry have led to an increase in financial access. The study employs a Generalized Method of Moments technique using data from 53 African countries during the period from 2004 to 2011 to examine this linkage. Information sharing channels are theoretically designed to promote the formal financial sector and discourage the informal financial sector. The study uses two information sharing channels: private credit bureaus and public credit registries. The study found that both information sharing channels have a positive and significant impact on financial access. The study also found that public credit registries complement the formal financial sector to promote financial access. Policy implications are discussed. |
| 5. | Asongu, Simplice CO2 emission thresholds for inclusive human development in Sub-Saharan Africa Unpublished 2018. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: CO2 emissions; Economic development; Africa @unpublished{Asongu,2018, title = {CO2 emission thresholds for inclusive human development in Sub-Saharan Africa}, author = {Simplice Asongu}, url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/CO2-emission-thresholds-for-Inclusive-development-in-SSA.pdf}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-06-20}, abstract = {We provide policy-relevant critical masses beyond which, increasing CO2 emissions negatively affects inclusive human development. This study examines how increasing CO2 emissions affects inclusive human development in 44 Sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2000-2012. The empirical evidence is based on Fixed Effects and Tobit regressions. In order to increase the policy relevance of this study, the dataset is decomposed into fundamental characteristics of inclusive development and environmental degradation based on income levels (Low income versus (vs.) Middle income); legal origins (English Common law vs. French Civil law); religious domination (Christianity vs. Islam); openness to sea (Landlocked vs. Coastal); resource-wealth (Oil-rich vs. Oil-poor) and political stability (Stable vs. Unstable). All computed thresholds are within policy range. Hence, above these thresholds, CO2 emissions negatively affect inclusive human development.}, keywords = {CO2 emissions; Economic development; Africa}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {unpublished} } We provide policy-relevant critical masses beyond which, increasing CO2 emissions negatively affects inclusive human development. This study examines how increasing CO2 emissions affects inclusive human development in 44 Sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2000-2012. The empirical evidence is based on Fixed Effects and Tobit regressions. In order to increase the policy relevance of this study, the dataset is decomposed into fundamental characteristics of inclusive development and environmental degradation based on income levels (Low income versus (vs.) Middle income); legal origins (English Common law vs. French Civil law); religious domination (Christianity vs. Islam); openness to sea (Landlocked vs. Coastal); resource-wealth (Oil-rich vs. Oil-poor) and political stability (Stable vs. Unstable). All computed thresholds are within policy range. Hence, above these thresholds, CO2 emissions negatively affect inclusive human development. |
| 6. | Simplice A. Asongu Vanessa S. Tchamyou, Paul Acha-Anyi N Who Is Who in Knowledge Economy in Africa? Journal Article Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 2018. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Africa, Benchmarks, Catch-up, Knowledge economy, Policy syndromes @article{Asongu,2018, title = {Who Is Who in Knowledge Economy in Africa?}, author = {Simplice A. Asongu, Vanessa S. Tchamyou, Paul N. Acha-Anyi}, url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13132-018-0547-8}, doi = {10.1007/s13132-018-0547-8}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-06-18}, journal = {Journal of the Knowledge Economy}, abstract = {This study assesses the knowledge economy (KE) performance of lagging African countries vis-à-vis their frontier counterparts with regard to the four dimensions of the World Bank’s knowledge economy index (KEI). The empirical exercise is for the period 1996–2010. It consists of first establishing leading nations before suggesting policy initiatives that can be implemented by sampled countries depending on identified gaps that are provided with the sigma convergence estimation approach. The following findings are established as frontier knowledge economy countries: (i) for the most part, North African countries are dominant in education. Tunisia is overwhelmingly dominant in 11 of the 15 years, followed by Libya which is a frontier country in 2 years of the periodicity while Cape Verde and Egypt lead in a single year each of the periodicity; (ii) with the exception of Morocco that is leading in the year 2009, Seychelles is overwhelmingly dominant in ICT; (iii) South Africa also indomitably leads in terms of innovation; and (iv) while Botswana and Mauritius share dominance in institutional regime, economic incentives in terms of private domestic credit are most apparent in Angola (8 years of the periodicity), the Democratic Republic of Congo (3 years of the periodicity) and Tanzania, Sierra Leone, and Malawi (each leading in 1 year of the periodicity).}, keywords = {Africa, Benchmarks, Catch-up, Knowledge economy, Policy syndromes}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This study assesses the knowledge economy (KE) performance of lagging African countries vis-à-vis their frontier counterparts with regard to the four dimensions of the World Bank’s knowledge economy index (KEI). The empirical exercise is for the period 1996–2010. It consists of first establishing leading nations before suggesting policy initiatives that can be implemented by sampled countries depending on identified gaps that are provided with the sigma convergence estimation approach. The following findings are established as frontier knowledge economy countries: (i) for the most part, North African countries are dominant in education. Tunisia is overwhelmingly dominant in 11 of the 15 years, followed by Libya which is a frontier country in 2 years of the periodicity while Cape Verde and Egypt lead in a single year each of the periodicity; (ii) with the exception of Morocco that is leading in the year 2009, Seychelles is overwhelmingly dominant in ICT; (iii) South Africa also indomitably leads in terms of innovation; and (iv) while Botswana and Mauritius share dominance in institutional regime, economic incentives in terms of private domestic credit are most apparent in Angola (8 years of the periodicity), the Democratic Republic of Congo (3 years of the periodicity) and Tanzania, Sierra Leone, and Malawi (each leading in 1 year of the periodicity). |
| 7. | Simplice A. Asongu, Nicholas Odhiambo M Human development thresholds for inclusive mobile banking in developing countries Journal Article 2018. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Inequality, Mobile banking, Poverty, quality of growth @article{Asongu,2018, title = {Human development thresholds for inclusive mobile banking in developing countries}, author = {Simplice A. Asongu, Nicholas M. Odhiambo}, url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Human-development-thresholds-for-inclusive-mobile-banking-in-developing-countries.pdf}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-06-18}, abstract = {This study assesses human development thresholds at which mobile banking mitigates poverty and inequality in 93 developing countries for the year 2011. Mobile banking entails: ‘mobile used to pay bills’ and ‘mobile used to receive/send money’, while the modifying policy indicator is the human development index (HDI). The empirical evidence is based on interactive quantile regressions. A summary of the findings shows that with increasing human development: (i) ‘mobiles used to pay bills’ contribute to reducing inequality in countries at the bottom and top ends of the inequality distribution, while (ii) ‘mobiles used to receive/send money’ have an appealing role in promoting inclusive development in all poverty distributions, with the exception of the top-end or 90th decile. The modifying thresholds of the HDI vary from 0.542 to 0.632 and 0.333 to 0.705 in inequality and poverty specifications, respectively. The relevance of the findings is discussed in light of the current transition from Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals.}, keywords = {Inequality, Mobile banking, Poverty, quality of growth}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This study assesses human development thresholds at which mobile banking mitigates poverty and inequality in 93 developing countries for the year 2011. Mobile banking entails: ‘mobile used to pay bills’ and ‘mobile used to receive/send money’, while the modifying policy indicator is the human development index (HDI). The empirical evidence is based on interactive quantile regressions. A summary of the findings shows that with increasing human development: (i) ‘mobiles used to pay bills’ contribute to reducing inequality in countries at the bottom and top ends of the inequality distribution, while (ii) ‘mobiles used to receive/send money’ have an appealing role in promoting inclusive development in all poverty distributions, with the exception of the top-end or 90th decile. The modifying thresholds of the HDI vary from 0.542 to 0.632 and 0.333 to 0.705 in inequality and poverty specifications, respectively. The relevance of the findings is discussed in light of the current transition from Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals. |
| 8. | Simplice Asongu, Agyenim Boateng Introduction to Special Issue: Mobile Technologies and Inclusive Development in Africa Journal Article Journal of African Business, 2018. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Mobile phones; inclusive human development; Africa @article{Asongu,2018, title = {Introduction to Special Issue: Mobile Technologies and Inclusive Development in Africa}, author = {Simplice Asongu, Agyenim Boateng}, url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/XWJ8NTwhFHiuEbrUfzBP/full}, doi = {10.1080/15228916.2018.1481307}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-06-06}, journal = {Journal of African Business}, abstract = {The primary objective of this special issue is to showcase high-quality interdisciplinary research in the field of mobile phone technology and inclusive economic development, with a view to inspire and educate readers and policy makers on the vital role of mobile phones in economic development in Africa. We hope that the articles in this special issue will encourage academics and policy makers to carry out more research on the challenges and opportunities mobile phone technology offers in our quest to develop our communities.}, keywords = {Mobile phones; inclusive human development; Africa}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The primary objective of this special issue is to showcase high-quality interdisciplinary research in the field of mobile phone technology and inclusive economic development, with a view to inspire and educate readers and policy makers on the vital role of mobile phones in economic development in Africa. We hope that the articles in this special issue will encourage academics and policy makers to carry out more research on the challenges and opportunities mobile phone technology offers in our quest to develop our communities. |
| 9. | Kodila-Tedika, Simplice Asongu & Oasis “This One Is 400 Libyan Dinars, This One Is 500”: Insights from Cognitive Human Capital and Slave Trade Journal Article International Economic Journal, 2018. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Human Capital, Intelligence, Slavery @article{Asongu,2018, title = {“This One Is 400 Libyan Dinars, This One Is 500”: Insights from Cognitive Human Capital and Slave Trade}, author = {Simplice Asongu & Oasis Kodila-Tedika}, url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/SyZjHFDwtVY5cIAPBDmZ/full}, doi = {10.1080/10168737.2018.1480643}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-06-02}, journal = {International Economic Journal}, abstract = {One of the most disturbing contemporary episodes in human history that has been decried globally is the recent Libyan experience of slave trade, where migrants captured end-up being sold as slaves. We contribute to the understanding of this phenomenon by investigating the role of cognitive human capital on slave trade. To this end, we use the historic intelligence and slave trade variables, respectively, as the independent and outcome variables of interest. Our findings show a negative relationship between slave trade and cognitive human capital. Hence, the slave trade is more apparent when cognitive human capital is low. The Ordinary Least Squares findings are robust to the control for outliers, uncertainty about the model and Tobit regressions. We substantiate why from the perspective of massive sensitization and education, the non-contemporary relationship between cognitive ability and slave trade established in this study has contemporary practical policy relevance in efforts to stem the tide of clandestine travel to Europe through countries in which clandestine migrants are captured and sold as slaves.}, keywords = {Human Capital, Intelligence, Slavery}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } One of the most disturbing contemporary episodes in human history that has been decried globally is the recent Libyan experience of slave trade, where migrants captured end-up being sold as slaves. We contribute to the understanding of this phenomenon by investigating the role of cognitive human capital on slave trade. To this end, we use the historic intelligence and slave trade variables, respectively, as the independent and outcome variables of interest. Our findings show a negative relationship between slave trade and cognitive human capital. Hence, the slave trade is more apparent when cognitive human capital is low. The Ordinary Least Squares findings are robust to the control for outliers, uncertainty about the model and Tobit regressions. We substantiate why from the perspective of massive sensitization and education, the non-contemporary relationship between cognitive ability and slave trade established in this study has contemporary practical policy relevance in efforts to stem the tide of clandestine travel to Europe through countries in which clandestine migrants are captured and sold as slaves. |
| 10. | Jacinta C. Nwachukwu Aqsa Aziz, Uchenna Tony‐Okeke & Simplice Asongu A The determinants of interest rates in microfinance: Age, scale and organizational charter Journal Article Review of Development Economics, 2018. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: microbanks, Microfinance @article{Asongu,2018, title = {The determinants of interest rates in microfinance: Age, scale and organizational charter}, author = {Jacinta C. Nwachukwu, Aqsa Aziz, Uchenna Tony‐Okeke & Simplice A. Asongu}, url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/rode.12402}, doi = {10.1111/rode.12402}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-06-01}, journal = {Review of Development Economics}, abstract = {This study compares the responsiveness of microcredit interest rates with age, scale of lending, and organizational charter. It uses an unbalanced panel of 300 microfinance institutions (MFIs) from 107 developing countries from 2005 to 2015. Three key trends emerge from the results of a 2SLS regression. First, the adoption of formal microbanking practices raises interest rates compared with other forms of microlending. Second, large‐scale lending lowers interest rates only for those MFIs that already hold legal banking status. Third, age of operation in excess of 8 years exerts a negative impact on interest rates, regardless of scale and charter type of MFI. Collectively, our results indicate that policies that incentivize mature MFIs to share their knowledge will be more effective in helping the nascent institutions to overcome their cost disadvantages compared with reforms to transform them into licensed banks. For MFIs that already hold permits to operate as banks, initiatives to increase loan sizes are key strategic pricing decisions, irrespective of the institution's age. This study is original in its differentiation of the impact on interest rates of regulations that promote formal banking principles, credit market extension vis‐à‐vis knowledge sharing between mature and nascent MFIs.}, keywords = {microbanks, Microfinance}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This study compares the responsiveness of microcredit interest rates with age, scale of lending, and organizational charter. It uses an unbalanced panel of 300 microfinance institutions (MFIs) from 107 developing countries from 2005 to 2015. Three key trends emerge from the results of a 2SLS regression. First, the adoption of formal microbanking practices raises interest rates compared with other forms of microlending. Second, large‐scale lending lowers interest rates only for those MFIs that already hold legal banking status. Third, age of operation in excess of 8 years exerts a negative impact on interest rates, regardless of scale and charter type of MFI. Collectively, our results indicate that policies that incentivize mature MFIs to share their knowledge will be more effective in helping the nascent institutions to overcome their cost disadvantages compared with reforms to transform them into licensed banks. For MFIs that already hold permits to operate as banks, initiatives to increase loan sizes are key strategic pricing decisions, irrespective of the institution's age. This study is original in its differentiation of the impact on interest rates of regulations that promote formal banking principles, credit market extension vis‐à‐vis knowledge sharing between mature and nascent MFIs. |
