@article{Asongu_727,
author = {Oasis Kodila-Tedika Simplice A. Asongu},
url = {http://eelet.org.uk/EEL2(2)50-55.pdf},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-12-16},
journal = {European Economics Letters},
volume = {2},
number = {2},
pages = {50-55},
abstract = {With earthshaking and jaw-breaking levels of corruption in the African continent, the question on the extent to which corruption influences crime still remains unanswered. This paper assesses the effect of corruption (corruption-control) in 38 African countries using updated data. We find that, crime is highly positively (negatively) correlated with corruption (corruption-control). The potential mitigation effect (by corruption-control) is higher than the corresponding positive effect of corruption, implying, corruption-control offsets crime emanating beyond the corruption mechanism (inter alia, other poor governance mechanisms). The relationship is statistically strong when controlling for the number of police officers, age dependency, per capital economic prosperity, level of education, government effectiveness and population density. Given that crime is proxied by the level of organized internal conflict, the findings also sustain the substantial role of corruption in the birth and propagation of conflicts within and across Africa. Policy implications are discussed.},
keywords = {Security; Corruption; Crime; Conflicts; Africa},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Asongu_728,
author = {Simplice Asongu A Antonio R. Andrés},
url = {http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10551-013-1620-7},
doi = {10.1007/s10551-013-1620-7},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-12-12},
journal = {Journal of Business Ethics},
volume = {118},
number = {3},
pages = {667-682},
abstract = {This article integrates previously missing components of government quality into the governance-piracy nexus in exploring governance mechanisms by which global obligations for the treatment of IPRs are effectively transmitted from international to the national level in the battle against piracy. It assesses the best governance tools in the fight against piracy and upholding of intellectual property rights (IPRs). The instrumentality of IPR laws (treaties) in tackling piracy through good governance mechanisms is also examined. Findings demonstrate that: (1) while all governance tools under consideration significantly decrease the incidence of piracy, corruption-control is the most effective weapon; (2) but for voice and accountability, political stability and democracy, IPR laws (treaties) are instrumental in tackling piracy through government quality dynamics of rule of law, regulation quality, government effectiveness, corruption-control, and press freedom. Hence, the need for a policy approach most conducive to expanding development is to implement an integrated system of both IPRs and corollary good governance policies. Moreover, our findings support the relevance of good governance measures in developing countries wishing to complement their emerging IPR regimes.},
keywords = {Governance tools, Instrumental variables, Intellectual property rights, Software piracy},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Asongu_729,
author = {Simplice A Asongu},
url = {http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10551-012-1552-7},
doi = {10.1007/s10551-012-1552-7},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-12-04},
journal = {Journal of Business Ethics},
volume = {118},
number = {1},
pages = {45-60},
abstract = {In the current efforts of harmonizing the standards and enforcement of IPRs protection worldwide, this paper explores software piracy trajectories and dynamics in Africa. Using a battery of estimation techniques that ignore as well as integrate short-run disturbances in time-dynamic fashion, we answer the big questions policy makers are most likely to ask before harmonizing IPRs regimes in the battle against software piracy. Three main findings are established. (1) African countries with low software piracy rates are catching-up their counterparts with higher rates; implying despite existing divergent IPRs systems, convergence in piracy rate could be a genuine standard-setting platform. (2) Legal origins do not play a very significant role in the convergence process. (3) A genuine timeframe for standardizing IPRs laws in the fight against piracy is most likely between a horizon of 4–8 years. In other words, full (100 %) convergence within the specified horizon will mean the enforcements of IPRs regimes without distinction of nationality and locality. Policy implications and caveats are discussed.},
keywords = {Convergence, Intellectual property rights, Panel data, Software piracy},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Asongu_730,
author = {Simplice A Asongu},
url = {http://eelet.org.uk/EEL2(2)56-61.pdf},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-12-04},
journal = {European Economic Letters},
volume = {2},
number = {2},
pages = {56-61},
abstract = {The object of this paper is to complement theoretical ‘mobile penetration’ literature with empirical evidence in a dual manner: on the one hand, assess the income-redistributive effect of mobile phone penetration and; on the other hand, the instrumentality of good governance in this nexus. Main findings suggest an equalizing income-redistributive effect, with a higher magnitude in the presence of government quality instruments. It follows that, good governance is a necessary condition for a higher income-equalizing effect of mobile phone penetration. The empirical evidence which deviates from mainstream country-specific and microeconomic survey-based approaches is on 52 African countries. ‘Mobile phone’-oriented poverty reduction channels are also discussed.},
keywords = {Mobile Phones; Shadow Economy; Poverty; Inequality; Africa},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Asongu_731,
author = {Simplice A Asongu},
url = {http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15228916.2013.844043},
doi = {10.1080/15228916.2013.844043},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-11-26},
journal = {Journal of African Business},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
pages = {186-201},
abstract = {The author dissects, with great acuteness, the issues of convergence in financial performance dynamics in the African continent through the lenses of stock market capitalization, value traded, turnover, and number of listed companies. The empirical evidence is premised on 11 homogeneous panels based on regions (Sub-Saharan and North Africa), income levels (low, middle, lower-middle, and upper-middle), legal origins (English common law and French civil law), and religious dominations (Christianity and Islam). Findings provide partial support for the existence of absolute convergence in some dynamics. Only Sub-Saharan Africa reveals conditional convergence in relation to per capita number of listed companies. The speed of convergence for the most part is between 12% and 28% per annum. As a policy implication, countries should work toward adopting common institutional and structural characteristics that favor stock market development.},
keywords = {Africa, Convergence, panel, stock markets},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Asongu_732,
author = {Simplice A Asongu},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJDI-10-2012-0064},
doi = {10.1108/IJDI-10-2012-0064},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-11-19},
journal = {International Journal of Development Issues},
volume = {12},
number = {3},
pages = {213 - 238},
abstract = {Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to assess the effects of trade and financial globalization on human development in 52 African countries using updated data (1996-2010) and a new indicator of human development (adjusted for inequality).

Design/methodology/approach
– The estimation technique used is a two stage least squares instrumental variable methodology. Instruments include income-levels, legal-origins and religious-dominations. The first-step consists of justifying the choice of the estimation technique with a Hausman-test for endogeneity. In the second-step, the paper verifies that the instrumental variables are exogenous to the endogenous components of explaining variables (globalization dynamic channels) conditional on other covariates (control variables). In the third-step, the strength and validity of the instruments are assessed with the Cragg-Donald and Sargan overidentifying restrictions tests, respectively. Robustness checks are ensured by: the use of alternative globalization indicators; endogeneity-based estimation; adoption of two interchangeable sets of instruments; estimation with a technique that controls for time-invariant unobservable shocks that affect openness and human development simultaneously.

Findings
– Findings broadly indicate that while trade globalization improves human development (consistent with the neoliberal theory), financial globalization has the opposite effect (in line with the hegemony thesis). The “life expectancy” component of the Human Development Index weighs most in the positive impact of trade globalization on human emancipation.

Practical implications
– Capital accounts should be opened in tandem with financial and institutional development. The investment atmosphere needs improvement to curtail capital flight (about 39 percent). Other policy implications include adoption of openness options in a selective and gradual manner, development of some industrial backbone for an import-substitution or export-led industry, emphasis on regional trade and building capacity, development of the agricultural sector with continuous government assistance, building of rural infrastructure, increasing adult literacy rate and developing human resources, fighting corruption and mitigating wastages in government expenditure.

Originality/value
– These findings are based on very recent data. Usage of the inequality-adjusted Human Development Index first published in 2010 corrects past works of the bulk of criticisms inherent in the first index.},
keywords = {Africa, Globalisation, Human development},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}

@article{Asongu_733,
author = {Simplice A Asongu},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-10-01},
journal = {Empirical Economics Letters},
abstract = {This paper provides an exhaustive assessment of feasible horizons for policy harmonization against African capital flight. The empirical evidence is based on a methodological innovation on common policy initiatives and the results are premised on 15 fundamental characteristics of African capital flight based on income-levels, legal origins, natural resources, political stability and religious domination. Based on the findings, a genuine standard-setting timeframe is in the horizon of 6-13 years. Within the timeframe, common policies are feasible and could be enforced without distinction of nationality or locality in identified fundamental characteristics with full convergence.},
keywords = {Econometric modeling; Big push; Capital flight; Debt relief; Africa},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}