@article{Asongu,2020,
title = {Insurance and inequality in sub‐Saharan Africa: policy thresholds},
author = {Simplice A. Asongu, Nicholas M. Odhiambo},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/issj.12223},
doi = {10.1111/issj.12223},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-03-30},
journal = {International Social Science Journal},
abstract = {In this study, we examine how insurance affects income inequality in sub‐Saharan Africa, using data from 42 countries during the period 2004–2014. Three inequality variables are used, namely: the Gini coefficient, the Atkinson index and the Palma ratio. Two insurance premiums are employed, namely: life insurance and non‐life insurance. The empirical evidence is based on the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM). Life insurance increases the Gini coefficient and increasing life insurance has a net positive effect on the Gini coefficient and the Atkinson index. Non‐life insurance reduces the Gini coefficient and increasing non‐life insurance has a net positive effect on the Palma ratio. The analysis is extended to establish policy thresholds at which increasing insurance premiums completely dampen the net positive effects. From the extended analysis, 7.500 of life insurance premiums (percentage of GDP) is the critical mass required for life insurance to negatively affect inequality, while 0.855 of non‐life insurance premiums (percentage of GDP) is the threshold required for non‐life insurance to negatively affect inequality. Policy thresholds are provided at which insurance penetration decreases income inequality in sub‐Saharan Africa.},
keywords = {Insurance; Inclusive development; Africa},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In this study, we examine how insurance affects income inequality in sub‐Saharan Africa, using data from 42 countries during the period 2004–2014. Three inequality variables are used, namely: the Gini coefficient, the Atkinson index and the Palma ratio. Two insurance premiums are employed, namely: life insurance and non‐life insurance. The empirical evidence is based on the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM). Life insurance increases the Gini coefficient and increasing life insurance has a net positive effect on the Gini coefficient and the Atkinson index. Non‐life insurance reduces the Gini coefficient and increasing non‐life insurance has a net positive effect on the Palma ratio. The analysis is extended to establish policy thresholds at which increasing insurance premiums completely dampen the net positive effects. From the extended analysis, 7.500 of life insurance premiums (percentage of GDP) is the critical mass required for life insurance to negatively affect inequality, while 0.855 of non‐life insurance premiums (percentage of GDP) is the threshold required for non‐life insurance to negatively affect inequality. Policy thresholds are provided at which insurance penetration decreases income inequality in sub‐Saharan Africa.
@unpublished{Asongu,2020,
title = {Global Software Piracy, Technology and Property Rights Institutions},
author = {Simplice Asongu},
url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Global-Software-Piracy-Technology-and-Property-Rights-Institutions.pdf},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-03-28},
abstract = {This study extends the literature on fighting software piracy by investigating how Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) regimes interact with technology to mitigate software piracy when existing levels of piracy are considered. Two technology metrics (internet penetration rate and number of PC users) and six IPRs mechanisms (constitution, IPR law, main IP laws, WIPO Treaties, bilateral treaties and multilateral treaties) are used in the empirical analysis. The statistical evidence is based on: (i) a panel of 99 countries for the period 1994-2010 and (ii) interactive contemporary and non-contemporary Quantile regressions.The findings show that the relevance of IPR channels in the fight against software piracy is noticeably contingent on the existing levels of technology embodied in the pirated software. There is a twofold policy interest for involving modern estimation techniques such as interactive Quantile regressions. First, it uncovers that the impact of IPR systems on software piracy may differ depending on the nature of technologies used. Second, the success of initiatives to combat software piracy is contingent on existing levels of the piracy problem. Therefore, policies should be designed differently across nations with high-, intermediate- and low-levels of software piracy.},
keywords = {Piracy; Business Software; Software piracy},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {unpublished}
}
This study extends the literature on fighting software piracy by investigating how Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) regimes interact with technology to mitigate software piracy when existing levels of piracy are considered. Two technology metrics (internet penetration rate and number of PC users) and six IPRs mechanisms (constitution, IPR law, main IP laws, WIPO Treaties, bilateral treaties and multilateral treaties) are used in the empirical analysis. The statistical evidence is based on: (i) a panel of 99 countries for the period 1994-2010 and (ii) interactive contemporary and non-contemporary Quantile regressions.The findings show that the relevance of IPR channels in the fight against software piracy is noticeably contingent on the existing levels of technology embodied in the pirated software. There is a twofold policy interest for involving modern estimation techniques such as interactive Quantile regressions. First, it uncovers that the impact of IPR systems on software piracy may differ depending on the nature of technologies used. Second, the success of initiatives to combat software piracy is contingent on existing levels of the piracy problem. Therefore, policies should be designed differently across nations with high-, intermediate- and low-levels of software piracy.
@article{Asongu,2020,
title = {The role of globalization in modulating the effect of environmental degradation on inclusive human development},
author = {Simplice A. Asongu, Nicholas M. Odhiambo},
url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13511610.2020.1745058},
doi = {10.1080/13511610.2020.1745058},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-03-28},
journal = {Innovation: The European Journal of Social Science Research},
abstract = {This study assesses how globalization modulates the effect of environmental degradation on inclusive human development in 44 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. First, a trade openness (imports + exports) threshold of between 80 and 120% of GDP is the maximum level required for trade openness to effectively modulate CO2 emissions (metric tonnes per capita) and induce a positive effect on inclusive human development. Second, a minimum threshold required for trade openness to modulate CO2 intensity (kg per kg of oil-equivalent energy use) and induce a positive effect on inclusive human development is 200% of GDP. Third, there is a net positive effect on inclusive human development from the relevance of trade openness in modulating the effect of CO2 emissions per capita on inclusive human development and a negative net effect on inclusive human development from the importance of trade openness in moderating the effect of CO2 intensity on inclusive human development.},
keywords = {Globalisation; CO2 emissions},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This study assesses how globalization modulates the effect of environmental degradation on inclusive human development in 44 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. First, a trade openness (imports + exports) threshold of between 80 and 120% of GDP is the maximum level required for trade openness to effectively modulate CO2 emissions (metric tonnes per capita) and induce a positive effect on inclusive human development. Second, a minimum threshold required for trade openness to modulate CO2 intensity (kg per kg of oil-equivalent energy use) and induce a positive effect on inclusive human development is 200% of GDP. Third, there is a net positive effect on inclusive human development from the relevance of trade openness in modulating the effect of CO2 emissions per capita on inclusive human development and a negative net effect on inclusive human development from the importance of trade openness in moderating the effect of CO2 intensity on inclusive human development.
@unpublished{Asongu,2020,
title = {Social Media and Inclusive Human Development in Africa},
author = {Simplice A. Asongu, Nicholas M. Odhiambo },
url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Social-Media-and-Inclusive-Human-Development-in-Africa.pdf},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-03-26},
abstract = {This study investigates the relationship between social media and inclusive human development in 49 African countries for the year 2012. Social media is measured with Facebook penetration whereas inclusive human development is proxied by the inequality- adjusted human development index. The empirical evidence is based on Ordinary Least Squares, Tobit and Quantile regressions. Ordinary Least Squares provided baseline results, Tobit regressions account for the limited range in the outcome variable while Quantile regressions are engaged to control for initial levels of inequality-adjusted human development. From Ordinary Least Squares and Tobit results, Facebook penetration is positively associated with inclusive human development. Quantile regressions confirm this positive nexus and further establish that the positive association is slightly higher in magnitude in the above-median sub-sample. From a comparative assessment, it is apparent that with the exception of the resource-wealth sub-samples, higher levels of Facebook penetration are associated with comparatively higher levels of inclusive human development. Accordingly, the positive association between Facebook penetration and inclusive human development is: (i) a positive function of income levels and (ii) more apparent in Middle East and North African countries (compared to Sub-Saharan African countries), English common law countries (compared to their French civil law counterparts), and coastal countries (in relation to landlocked countries).},
keywords = {Social Media; Inclusive development},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {unpublished}
}
This study investigates the relationship between social media and inclusive human development in 49 African countries for the year 2012. Social media is measured with Facebook penetration whereas inclusive human development is proxied by the inequality- adjusted human development index. The empirical evidence is based on Ordinary Least Squares, Tobit and Quantile regressions. Ordinary Least Squares provided baseline results, Tobit regressions account for the limited range in the outcome variable while Quantile regressions are engaged to control for initial levels of inequality-adjusted human development. From Ordinary Least Squares and Tobit results, Facebook penetration is positively associated with inclusive human development. Quantile regressions confirm this positive nexus and further establish that the positive association is slightly higher in magnitude in the above-median sub-sample. From a comparative assessment, it is apparent that with the exception of the resource-wealth sub-samples, higher levels of Facebook penetration are associated with comparatively higher levels of inclusive human development. Accordingly, the positive association between Facebook penetration and inclusive human development is: (i) a positive function of income levels and (ii) more apparent in Middle East and North African countries (compared to Sub-Saharan African countries), English common law countries (compared to their French civil law counterparts), and coastal countries (in relation to landlocked countries).
@article{Asongu,2020,
title = {Political instability and political terror: Global evidence on persistence},
author = {Simplice A. Asongu, Joseph I. Uduji, Elda N. Okolo‐Obasi},
url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/pa.2119},
doi = {10.1002/pa.2119},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-03-24},
journal = {Journal of Public Affairs},
abstract = {We test the hypotheses that fundamental characteristics in regional proximity, landlockedness, religious‐domination, legal origin, and income levels affect cross‐country differences in the persistence in political terror and political instability in 163 countries for the period 2010–2015. The empirical evidence is based on generalised method of moments. The hypotheses are that the following are associated with comparatively higher levels of persistence in political terror and political instability: regions with predominantly low income countries (Hypothesis 1); landlockedness (Hypothesis 2); Christian‐orientation (Hypothesis 3); French civil law (Hypothesis 4); and Low income (Hypothesis 5). The tested hypotheses are largely invalid. Only Hypotheses 5 and 2 are robustly investigated in the light of concerns about instrument proliferation. Hypothesis 2 is valid for political terror but not for political instability while Hypothesis 5 is neither valid for political instability nor for political terror.},
keywords = {political instability; political terror},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
We test the hypotheses that fundamental characteristics in regional proximity, landlockedness, religious‐domination, legal origin, and income levels affect cross‐country differences in the persistence in political terror and political instability in 163 countries for the period 2010–2015. The empirical evidence is based on generalised method of moments. The hypotheses are that the following are associated with comparatively higher levels of persistence in political terror and political instability: regions with predominantly low income countries (Hypothesis 1); landlockedness (Hypothesis 2); Christian‐orientation (Hypothesis 3); French civil law (Hypothesis 4); and Low income (Hypothesis 5). The tested hypotheses are largely invalid. Only Hypotheses 5 and 2 are robustly investigated in the light of concerns about instrument proliferation. Hypothesis 2 is valid for political terror but not for political instability while Hypothesis 5 is neither valid for political instability nor for political terror.
@unpublished{Asongu,2020,
title = {Inclusive Human Development in Sub-Saharan Africa},
author = {Simplice A. Asongu, Joseph Nnanna},
url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Inclusive-Human-Development-in-Sub-Saharan-Africa-agdi.pdf},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-03-19},
abstract = {This study assesses the role of income levels (low and middle) in modulating governance (political and economic) to influence inclusive human development. The empirical evidence is based on interactive quantile regressions and forty-nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa for the period 2000-2002.The following main findings are established. First, low income modulates governance (economic and political) to positively affect inclusive human development exclusively in countries with above-median levels of inclusive human development. It follows that countries with averagely higher levels of inclusive human development are more likely to benefit from the relevance of income levels in influencing governance for inclusive development. Second, the importance of middle income in modulating political governance to positively affect inclusive human is apparent exclusively in the median while the relevance of middle income in moderating economic governance to positively influence inclusive human development is significantly apparent in the 10th and 75th quantiles. Third, regardless of panels, income levels modulate economic governance to affect inclusive human development at a higher magnitude, compared to political governance. Policy implications are discussed in the light of the post-2015 agenda of sustainable development goals and contemporary development paradigms. This study complements the extant sparse literature on the inclusive human development in Africa.},
keywords = {Sustainable development; Income levels},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {unpublished}
}
This study assesses the role of income levels (low and middle) in modulating governance (political and economic) to influence inclusive human development. The empirical evidence is based on interactive quantile regressions and forty-nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa for the period 2000-2002.The following main findings are established. First, low income modulates governance (economic and political) to positively affect inclusive human development exclusively in countries with above-median levels of inclusive human development. It follows that countries with averagely higher levels of inclusive human development are more likely to benefit from the relevance of income levels in influencing governance for inclusive development. Second, the importance of middle income in modulating political governance to positively affect inclusive human is apparent exclusively in the median while the relevance of middle income in moderating economic governance to positively influence inclusive human development is significantly apparent in the 10th and 75th quantiles. Third, regardless of panels, income levels modulate economic governance to affect inclusive human development at a higher magnitude, compared to political governance. Policy implications are discussed in the light of the post-2015 agenda of sustainable development goals and contemporary development paradigms. This study complements the extant sparse literature on the inclusive human development in Africa.
@unpublished{Asongu,2020,
title = {The role of Globalization in Modulating the Effect of Environmental Degradation on Inclusive Human Development},
author = {Simplice A. Asongu, Nicholas M. Odhiambo },
url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/The-role-of-Globalization-in-CO2-emissions-for-HD.pdf},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-03-19},
abstract = {This study assesses how globalisation modulates the effect of environmental degradation on inclusive human development in 44 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), using data for the period 2000 to 2012. The empirical results are based on the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). The following main findings are established. First, a trade openness (imports + exports) threshold of between 80-120% of GDP is the maximum level required for trade openness to effectively modulate CO2 emissions (metric tonnes per capita) and induce a positive effect on inclusive human development. Second, a minimum threshold required for trade openness to modulate CO2 intensity (kg per kg of oil-equivalent energy use) and induce a positive effect on inclusive human development is 200% of GDP. Third, there is a net positive effect on inclusive human development from the relevance of trade openness in modulating the effect of CO2 emissions per capita on inclusive human development and a negative net effect on inclusive human development from the importance of trade openness in moderating the effect of CO2 intensity on inclusive human development.},
keywords = {CO2 emissions; Economic development; Africa},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {unpublished}
}
This study assesses how globalisation modulates the effect of environmental degradation on inclusive human development in 44 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), using data for the period 2000 to 2012. The empirical results are based on the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). The following main findings are established. First, a trade openness (imports + exports) threshold of between 80-120% of GDP is the maximum level required for trade openness to effectively modulate CO2 emissions (metric tonnes per capita) and induce a positive effect on inclusive human development. Second, a minimum threshold required for trade openness to modulate CO2 intensity (kg per kg of oil-equivalent energy use) and induce a positive effect on inclusive human development is 200% of GDP. Third, there is a net positive effect on inclusive human development from the relevance of trade openness in modulating the effect of CO2 emissions per capita on inclusive human development and a negative net effect on inclusive human development from the importance of trade openness in moderating the effect of CO2 intensity on inclusive human development.
@unpublished{Asongu,2020,
title = {Political instability and political terror: global evidence on persistence},
author = {Simplice A. Asongu, Joseph I. Uduji, Elda N. Okolo-Obasi },
url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Political-instability-and-political-terror.pdf},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-03-19},
abstract = {We test the hypotheses that fundamental characteristics in regional proximity, landlockedness, religious-domination, legal origin, and income levels affect cross-country differences in the persistence in political terror and political instability in 163 countries for the period 2010 to 2015. The empirical evidence is based on Generalised Method of Moments. The hypotheses are that the following are associated with comparatively higher levels of persistence in political terror and political instability: regions with predominantly low income countries (Hypothesis 1); landlockedness (Hypothesis 2); Christian-orientation (Hypothesis 3); French civil law (Hypothesis 4) and Low income (Hypothesis 5). The tested hypotheses are largely invalid. Only Hypothesis 5 and Hypothesis 2 are robustly investigated in the light of concerns about instrument proliferation. Hypothesis 2 is valid for political terror but not for political instability while Hypothesis 5 is neither valid for political instability nor for political terror.},
keywords = {political instability; political terror},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {unpublished}
}
We test the hypotheses that fundamental characteristics in regional proximity, landlockedness, religious-domination, legal origin, and income levels affect cross-country differences in the persistence in political terror and political instability in 163 countries for the period 2010 to 2015. The empirical evidence is based on Generalised Method of Moments. The hypotheses are that the following are associated with comparatively higher levels of persistence in political terror and political instability: regions with predominantly low income countries (Hypothesis 1); landlockedness (Hypothesis 2); Christian-orientation (Hypothesis 3); French civil law (Hypothesis 4) and Low income (Hypothesis 5). The tested hypotheses are largely invalid. Only Hypothesis 5 and Hypothesis 2 are robustly investigated in the light of concerns about instrument proliferation. Hypothesis 2 is valid for political terror but not for political instability while Hypothesis 5 is neither valid for political instability nor for political terror.
@unpublished{Asongu,2020,
title = {Electricity Consumption, Urbanization and Economic Growth in Nigeria: New Insights from Combined Cointegration amidst Structural Breaks},
author = {Solomon P. Nathaniel, Festus V. Bekun },
url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Electricity-Consumption-Urbanization-and-Economic-Growth-in-Nigeria.pdf},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-03-01},
abstract = {The study explores the link between electricity consumption, urbanization and economic growth in Nigeria from 1971-2014. The bounds test and the Bayer and Hanck (2013) cointegration tests affirm cointegrating relationship. Electricity consumption increases economic growth in both time periods, while the impact of urbanization appears to inhibit growth. The fully modified OLS (FMOLS), dynamic OLS (DOLS) and the canonical cointegrating regression (CCR) confirm the robustness of the findings. The vector error correction model (VECM) Granger causality test supports the neutrality hypothesis in the short run and the feedback hypothesis among the variables in the long run. Therefore, policies to ensure efficient electricity supply, curb rapid urbanization and promote sustainable economic growth were suggested.},
keywords = {Electricity Consumption; Urbanization},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {unpublished}
}
The study explores the link between electricity consumption, urbanization and economic growth in Nigeria from 1971-2014. The bounds test and the Bayer and Hanck (2013) cointegration tests affirm cointegrating relationship. Electricity consumption increases economic growth in both time periods, while the impact of urbanization appears to inhibit growth. The fully modified OLS (FMOLS), dynamic OLS (DOLS) and the canonical cointegrating regression (CCR) confirm the robustness of the findings. The vector error correction model (VECM) Granger causality test supports the neutrality hypothesis in the short run and the feedback hypothesis among the variables in the long run. Therefore, policies to ensure efficient electricity supply, curb rapid urbanization and promote sustainable economic growth were suggested.
@unpublished{Asongu,2020,
title = {Enhancing ICT for Productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa: Thresholds for Complementary Policies},
author = {Simplice A. Asongu, Paul N. Acha-Anyi },
url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Enhancing-ICT-for-Productivity-in-Sub-Saharan-Africa.pdf},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-02-29},
abstract = {The purpose of this research is to investigate the relevance of enhancing information and communication technology (ICT) on dynamics of total factor productivity (TFP) in 25 Sub-Saharan African countries using data covering the period 1980-2014. The empirical evidence is based on the Generalised Method of Moments. The following main findings are established. First, while enhancing ICT overwhelmingly has net positive effects on productivity, the corresponding marginal effects are negative. Second, anextended analysis is performed to establish thresholds for complementary policies. These thresholds are: 100 % mobile phone penetration for TFP; between 101.214 % and 101.419 % mobile phone penetration for welfare TFP and 15 % internet penetration for welfare real TFP. It follows that approximately 100% mobile penetration and 15% internet penetration are thresholds at which ICT should be complemented with other macroeconomic policies for favorable outcomes on productivity dynamics. Other policy implications are discussed.},
keywords = {Productivity; Information Technology},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {unpublished}
}
The purpose of this research is to investigate the relevance of enhancing information and communication technology (ICT) on dynamics of total factor productivity (TFP) in 25 Sub-Saharan African countries using data covering the period 1980-2014. The empirical evidence is based on the Generalised Method of Moments. The following main findings are established. First, while enhancing ICT overwhelmingly has net positive effects on productivity, the corresponding marginal effects are negative. Second, anextended analysis is performed to establish thresholds for complementary policies. These thresholds are: 100 % mobile phone penetration for TFP; between 101.214 % and 101.419 % mobile phone penetration for welfare TFP and 15 % internet penetration for welfare real TFP. It follows that approximately 100% mobile penetration and 15% internet penetration are thresholds at which ICT should be complemented with other macroeconomic policies for favorable outcomes on productivity dynamics. Other policy implications are discussed.
