@article{Asongu,2019,
title = {Tourism and social media in the world: an empirical investigation},
author = {Simplice A. Asongu, Nicholas M. Odhiambo},
url = {https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JES-07-2018-0239/full/html},
doi = {10.1108/JES-07-2018-0239},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-11-20},
journal = {Journal of Economic Studies},
volume = {46},
number = {7},
pages = {1319-1331 },
abstract = {Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between tourism and social media from a cross section of 138 countries with data for the year 2012.

Design/methodology/approach
The empirical evidence is based on Ordinary Least Squares, Negative Binomial and Quantile Regressions.

Findings
Two main findings are established. First, there is a positive relationship between Facebook penetration and the number of tourist arrivals. Second, Facebook penetration is more relevant in promoting tourist arrivals in countries where initial levels in tourist arrivals are the highest and low. The established positive relationship can be elucidated from four principal angles: the transformation of travel research, the rise in social sharing, improvements in customer service and the reshaping of travel agencies.

Originality/value
This study explores a new data set on social media. There are very few empirical studies on the relevance of social media in development outcomes.},
keywords = {Tourism; Social media},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Asongu,2019,
title = {The persistence of global terrorism},
author = {Simplice A. Asongu},
url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21622671.2019.1675532},
doi = {10.1080/21622671.2019.1675532},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-11-19},
journal = {Territory, Politics, Governance},
abstract = {This study investigates the persistence of global terrorism in a panel of 163 countries for the period 2010–15. The empirical evidence is based on generalized method of moments. The following findings are established. First, persistence in terrorism is a decreasing function of income levels because it consistently increases from high-income (through upper middle-income) to lower middle-income countries. Second, compared with Christian-oriented countries, terrorism is more persistent in Islam-oriented nations. Third, landlocked countries also reflect a higher level of persistence relative to their coastal counterparts. Fourth, Latin American countries show higher degrees of persistence when compared with Middle East and North African countries. Fifth, the main determinants of the underlying persistence are political instability and weapons import. The results are discussed to provide answers to four main questions that directly pertain to the reported findings. These questions centre on why comparative persistence in terrorism is based on income levels, religious orientation, landlockedness and regions.},
keywords = {Development, persistence, terrorism},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@unpublished{Asongu,2019,
title = {Agricultural Sector Performance, Institutional Framework and Food Security in Nigeria},
author = {Romanus Osabohien, Evans Osabuohien, Precious Ohalete},
url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Agricultural-Sector-Performance-and-Institutional-Framework-in-Nigeria.pdf},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-11-16},
abstract = {This study examines how the performance of the agricultural sector can be enhanced in the long-run through institutional framework thereby ensuring food security in Nigeria. It employs the ARDL (Autoregressive Distributed Lag) with data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletin, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), World Development Indicators (WDI), and World Governance Indicators (WDI). Food security is used as the dependent variable proxied by the number of the people undernourished under the stability dimension; agricultural sector performance and institutional framework as the independent variables, while population is a control variable. Two agricultural variables (agriculture production and agriculture credit) are employed with six variables of institutional framework. The findings show that in the long-run, agriculture production and agriculture credit (agriculture variables) will increase food security by reducing the number of people undernourished by 2% and 18%, respectively. In terms of institutional framework; political stability and absence of violence and rule of law increase food security by reducing undernourishment by approximately 69% and 29%, respectively; control of corruption and voice and accountability tends to reduce food security by increasing the number of the people undernourished by 74%, 51% and 63% respectively. Therefore, the study concludes by recommending, among others, that the Nigerian institutional framework should be improved (especially the control of corruption) in addressing the challenges in the implementation of food security programmes and ensuring timely distribution of food resources.},
keywords = {agriculture, Food Security, governance},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {unpublished}
}

@unpublished{Asongu,2019,
title = {Youth empowerment in non-timber forest products (NTFPs) of sub-Saharan Africa: The role of corporate social responsibility in Niger Delta, Nigeria},
author = {Joseph I. Uduji, Elda N. Okolo-Obasi },
url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Youth-empowerment-in-non-timber-forest-products-of-sub-Saharan-Africa.pdf},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-11-11},
abstract = {Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the multinational oil companies’ (MOCs) corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in Nigeria. Its special focus is to investigate the impact of General Memorandum of Understanding (GMoUs) on rural young people involved in non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for sustainable livelihood in Niger Delta, Nigeria.

Designed/methodology/approach – Data for this study were collected from primary sources, using participatory rural appraisal (PRA) technique of semi-structured interview (SSI) questionnaire. The use of a participatory research technique in collecting CSR impact data especially as it concerns the rural young people is because it involves the people being studied, and their views on all the issues are paramount. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Inferential statistical tool-estimation of logit model was used to test the two research hypotheses.

Findings – The results indicate that general memorandum of understandings (GMoUs) have not given adequate attention to the young people as a special target sub-group who live in rural areas and depend mostly on NTFPs. Results also show that a number of factors hindering rural young people from the use and development of NTFPs include a policy vacuum, non-destructive harvesting, and destruction of natural habitats, bushfires, population growths and high demands.

Research limitations/implications – The semi structure interview questionnaire was directly administered by the researchers with the help of research assistants. The use of local research assistants was because of the inability of the researchers to speak the different local languages and dialects of the many ethnic groups of Ijaws, Ogonis, Ikweres, Etches, Ekpeyes, Ogbas, Engennes, Obolos, Isokos, Nembes, Okirikas, Kalabaris, Urhobos, Iteskiris, Igbos, Ika-Igbos, Ndonis, Orons, Ibenos, Yorubas, Ibibios, Anangs, Efiks, Bekwarras, Binis, Eshans, Etsakos, Owans, Itigidis, Epies, Akokoedos, Yakkurs, etc, in the sampled rural communities.

Practical implications –An appropriate GMoU-intervention framework for a sustainable promotion of NTFPs, domestication of NFTPs, improving harvesting and processing techniques are necessary to facilitate good security, reduction of poverty and improved livelihoods, particularly for the economically-marginalized and forest-dependent rural young people is imperative.

Social implications – Sustainable livelihoods of the forest-dependent rural young people in sub-Saharan Africa would require some focused CSR interventions on the NTFPs for sustainable livelihood. Facilities pertaining to storage, grading, processing and value addition through convergence of existing schemes and programmes should be promoted and created. MOCs are in a position to empower the rural young people with information about the market, policy and products to enable the rural people strategize and access returns from NTFPs in sub-Saharan Africa.

Originality/value – This research adds to the literature on multinational enterprises (MNEs) CSR initiatives in developing countries and rationale for demands for social projects by host communities. It concludes that business has an obligation to help in solving problems of sustainable livelihood.},
keywords = {Economic Empowerment; CSR},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {unpublished}
}

@article{Asongu,2019,
title = {Building Knowledge-Based Economies in Africa: A Systematic Review of Policies and Strategies},
author = {Simplice A. Asongu, Nicholas M. Odhiambo},
url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13132-019-00617-0},
doi = {10.1007/s13132-019-00617-0},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-11-11},
journal = {Journal of the Knowledge Economy},
abstract = {Compared to other regions of the world, Africa is lagging in its drive towards knowledge-based economies. This study systematically reviews the literature in order to highlight the policies and strategies with which African countries can accelerate their current drive towards building knowledge-based economies. These are discussed in terms of three pillars of the World Bank’s knowledge economy framework. They are the indices for (i) education and skilled population, (ii) information and communication technology and (iii) economic incentives and institutional regime.},
keywords = {Knowledge economy; Development; Africa},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@unpublished{Asongu,2019,
title = {Regional Integration and Energy Sustainability in Africa: Exploring the Challenges and Prospects for ECOWAS},
author = {Opeyemi Akinyemi, Uchenna Efobi, Evans Osabuohien, Philip Alege},
url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Regional-Integration-and-Energy-Sustainability-in-Africa.pdf},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-11-08},
abstract = {This study explores the extent to which regional integration can be a viable tool in driving energy sustainability in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region of Africa, and vice versa. It examines the existing opportunities and the attendant challenges for improved firms’ productivity in the sub-region through the appraisal of the ECOWAS West African Power Pool (WAPP). Using three measures of energy sustainability, namely: energy security, energy equity, and environmental sustainability; the study presents the performance of the ECOWAS sub-region in ensuring regional integration for energy sustainability. The findings from the study reveal, inter alia, that there are prospects and benefits for energy integration for sustainable development in the region. Though some progress had been made, there are many challenges. Also, where progress had been made, it is not uniform across the sub-region, though factors such as rising population and political instability could be responsible. It is recommended that the political economy surrounding regional energy integration should be given a priority among the Member States to ensure that there is positive political will for speedy achievement of set goals. Also, investment in human capital to manage the different projects and maintain the facilities cannot be overemphasised.},
keywords = {ECOWAS, Energy, Green Growth},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {unpublished}
}

@article{Asongu,2019,
title = {Governance, capital flight and industrialisation in Africa},
author = {Simplice A. Asongu, Nicholas M. Odhiambo},
url = {https://journalofeconomicstructures.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40008-019-0170-2},
doi = {10.1186/s40008-019-0170-2},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-11-06},
journal = {Journal of Economic Structures },
abstract = {The study examines the role of governance in modulating the effect of capital flight on industrialisation in Africa. The empirical evidence is based on Generalised Method of Moments and governance is bundled by principal component analysis, namely (i) political governance from political stability and “voice and accountability”; (ii) economic governance from government effectiveness and regulation quality; and (iii) institutional governance from corruption-control and the rule of law. First, governance increases industrialisation whereas capital flight has the opposite effect; and second, governance does not significantly mitigate the negative effect of capital flight on industrialisation. Policy implications are discussed.},
keywords = {Capital flight, governance, industrialisation},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Asongu,2019,
title = {Inequality and gender inclusion: Minimum ICT policy thresholds for promoting female employment in Sub-Saharan Africa},
author = {Simplice A. Asongu, Nicholas M. Odhiambo},
url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308596119302976},
doi = {10.1016/j.telpol.2019.101900},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-11-05},
journal = {Telecommunications Policy},
abstract = {The study assesses how ICT modulates the effect of inequality on female economic participation in a panel of 42 countries in sub-Saharan Africa over the period 2004–2014. Three inequality indicators are used, namely: the Gini coefficient, the Atkinson index and the Palma ratio. The adopted ICT indicators are mobile phone penetration, internet penetration and fixed broadband subscriptions. Three gender economic inclusion indicators are also used for the analysis, namely: female labour force participation, female unemployment and female employment. The Generalised Method of Moments is employed as empirical strategy. The findings show that enhancing ICT beyond certain thresholds is necessary for ICT to mitigate inequality in order to enhance gender economic participation. First, for female labour force participation, a minimum threshold of 165.714 mobile phone penetration per 100 people is required for the Palma ratio. Second, minimum ICT thresholds for the reduction of female unemployment are: (i) 87.783, 107.486 and 152.500 mobile phone penetration per 100 people for respectively, the Gini coefficient, the Atkinson index and the Palma ratio; (ii) 39.618 internet penetration per 100 people for the Atkinson index and (iii) 4.500 fixed broadband subscritptions for the Palma ratio. Third, the corresponding ICT thresholds for the promotion of female employment are: (i) 120.369 and 85.533 mobile phone penetration per 100 people for respectively, the Gini coefficient and the Atkinson index and (ii) 30.005 internet penetration per 100 people for the Gini coefficient. The established thresholds make economic sense and can be feasibly implemented by policy makers in order to induce favourable effects on gender economic inclusion dynamics.},
keywords = {Africa, Gender, ICT, inclusive development},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@unpublished{Asongu,2019,
title = {Market Power and Cost Efficiency in the African Banking Industry},
author = {Simplice A. Asongu, Rexon T. Nting, Joseph Nnanna },
url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Market-Power-and-Cost-Efficiency-in-the-African-Banking-Industry.pdf},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-11-03},
abstract = {Purpose- In this study, we test the so-called ‘Quiet Life Hypothesis’ (QLH) which postulates that banks with market power are less efficient.

Design/methodology/approach- We employ instrumental variable Ordinary Least Squares, Fixed Effects, Tobit and Logistic regressions. The empirical evidence is based on a panel of 162 banks consisting of 42 African countries for the period 2001-2011. There is a two-step analytical procedure. First, we estimate Lerner indices and cost efficiency scores. Then, we regress cost efficiency scores on Lerner indices contingent on bank characteristics, market features and the unobserved heterogeneity.

Findings- The empirical evidence does not support the QLH because market power is positively associated with cost efficiency. Originality/value- Owing to data availability constraints, this is one of the few studies to test the QLH in African banking.},
keywords = {Finance; Savings banks; Competition},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {unpublished}
}

@unpublished{Asongu,2019,
title = {Revisiting the Trade and Unemployment Nexus: Empirical Evidence from the Nigerian Economy},
author = {Stephen T. Onifade, Ahmet Ay, Simplice A. Asongu, Festus V. Bekun},
url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Revisiting-the-Trade-and-Unemployment-Nexus-in-Nigeria.pdf},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-11-02},
abstract = {The recent exacerbation of unemployment crisis in Nigeria stands to be a serious threat to both socio-economic stability and progress of the country just as the report from the nation’s bureau of statistics shows that at least over 8.5 million people had no gainful employment at all as at the last quarter of the year 2017. It is on the above premise, that the present study explores the link between trade and unemployment for the case of Nigeria with the intention of exploring how the unemployment crisis has been impacted within the dynamics of the country’s trade performance. The empirical evidence shows that the nation’s terms of trade were insignificant to unemployment rate while trade openness and domestic investment, on the other hand, have significant opposing impacts on unemployment in Nigeria over the period of the study. Further breakdowns from the empirical analysis also revealed that the Philips curves proposition is valid within the Nigerian economic context while the evidences for the validity of Okun’s law only exist in the short-run scenario. Based on the empirical results, we recommend that concerted effort should be geared toward stimulating domestic investment by providing adequate financial and infrastructural facilities that will promote ease of doing business while utmost precautions are taken to ensure that unemployment crisis is not exacerbated when combating inflation in the economy in the wake of dynamic trade relations.},
keywords = {Nigeria; Unemployment; Trade},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {unpublished}
}