The AGDI has published substantially in fulfillment of its mission statement of contributing to knowledge towards African development:
IDEAS
http://ideas.repec.org/d/agdiycm.html
ECONSTOR
https://www.econstor.eu/dspace/escollectionhome/10419/123513
Publications List
2018 |
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1. | Kodila-Tedika, Simplice Asongu & Oasis International Economic Journal, 2018. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Human Capital, Intelligence, Slavery @article{Asongu_338, 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. |
2016 |
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2. | Kodila-Tedika, Simplice Asongu Oasis A German Economic Review, 2016. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Human Capital, Intelligence; Economic Diversification @article{Asongu_539, author = {Simplice Asongu A Oasis Kodila-Tedika}, url = {http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/geer.12115/full}, doi = {10.1111/geer.12115}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-09-01}, journal = {German Economic Review}, abstract = {This paper extends the growing literature on knowledge economy by investigating the effect of intelligence on economic diversification. Using a battery of estimation techniques that are robust to endogeneity, we find that human capital has positive correlations with export diversification, manufactured added value and export manufactures. This empirical evidence is based on a world sample of 170 countries for the year 2010. The findings have significant implications for the fight against the Dutch disease. In essence, investing in human capital could bring economic diversity and therefore dampen negative external shocks related to resource-dependence. Other knowledge-economy implications are discussed.}, keywords = {Human Capital, Intelligence; Economic Diversification}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This paper extends the growing literature on knowledge economy by investigating the effect of intelligence on economic diversification. Using a battery of estimation techniques that are robust to endogeneity, we find that human capital has positive correlations with export diversification, manufactured added value and export manufactures. This empirical evidence is based on a world sample of 170 countries for the year 2010. The findings have significant implications for the fight against the Dutch disease. In essence, investing in human capital could bring economic diversity and therefore dampen negative external shocks related to resource-dependence. Other knowledge-economy implications are discussed. |
3. | Ssozi, Simplice Asongu John A African Development Review, 28 (2), pp. 215-228, 2016. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: External capital flows, Human Capital, Total Factor Productivity @article{Asongu_561, author = {Simplice Asongu A John Ssozi}, url = {http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-8268.12191/abstract}, doi = {10.1111/1467-8268.12191}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-06-15}, journal = {African Development Review}, volume = {28}, number = {2}, pages = {215-228}, abstract = {Using the two-step system general method of moments panel data analysis we first investigate the effects of external financial flows on total factor productivity and technological gain, and then use the beta catch-up and sigma convergence to compare dispersions in output per worker, total factor productivity and technological gain in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for the years 1980–2010. The comparative evidence is articulated with income levels, years of schooling, and health factors. We find; first, a positive association between foreign direct investment, trade openness, foreign aid, remittances and total factor productivity. However, when foreign direct investment is interacted with schooling, its direct effect becomes negative on total factor productivity. Second, beta catch-up is between 19.22 percent and 19.70 percent per annum with corresponding time to full catch-up of 25.38 years and 26.01 years respectively. Third, we find sigma-convergence among low-income nations and upper-middle income nations separately, but not for the entire sample together. Fourth, schooling in SSA is not yet a significant source of technology, but it can make external financial inflows more effective. Policies to induce external financial flows are not enough for development if absorptive capacity is low.}, keywords = {External capital flows, Human Capital, Total Factor Productivity}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Using the two-step system general method of moments panel data analysis we first investigate the effects of external financial flows on total factor productivity and technological gain, and then use the beta catch-up and sigma convergence to compare dispersions in output per worker, total factor productivity and technological gain in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for the years 1980–2010. The comparative evidence is articulated with income levels, years of schooling, and health factors. We find; first, a positive association between foreign direct investment, trade openness, foreign aid, remittances and total factor productivity. However, when foreign direct investment is interacted with schooling, its direct effect becomes negative on total factor productivity. Second, beta catch-up is between 19.22 percent and 19.70 percent per annum with corresponding time to full catch-up of 25.38 years and 26.01 years respectively. Third, we find sigma-convergence among low-income nations and upper-middle income nations separately, but not for the entire sample together. Fourth, schooling in SSA is not yet a significant source of technology, but it can make external financial inflows more effective. Policies to induce external financial flows are not enough for development if absorptive capacity is low. |
4. | Asongu, Mohamed Jellal Mohamed Bouzahzah Simplice A Theoretical Economics Letters, 6 , pp. 131-137, 2016. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Education, Growth, Human Capital, Institutions @article{Asongu_573, author = {Mohamed Jellal Mohamed Bouzahzah Simplice A. Asongu}, url = {http://file.scirp.org/pdf/TEL_2016033116111456.pdf}, doi = {10.4236/tel.2016.62015}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-04-13}, journal = {Theoretical Economics Letters}, volume = {6}, pages = {131-137}, abstract = {This study articulates the interaction among institutional governance, education and economic growth. Given the current pursuit of education policy reforms and knowledge economy around the world, it is of policy relevance to theoretically analyze the main mechanisms by which the macroeconomic impact of education on growth (and economic development) occurs. Our theoretical model demonstrates how incentives offered by the government affect human capital accumulation which ultimately engenders positive economic development externalities. We articulate two main channels through which education affects economic growth. The first channel highlights direct positive effect of educational quality on the incentive to accumulate human capital by individuals, which makes them more productive. The second channel appears in the explicit function of the economic growth rate. As a policy implication, we have shown that the growth rate depends on the rate of return on human capital or that this rate of return itself depends on the quality of governance, which further increases growth. As a result, institutional quality has a double dividend, which suggests considerable benefits to educational reforms.}, keywords = {Education, Growth, Human Capital, Institutions}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This study articulates the interaction among institutional governance, education and economic growth. Given the current pursuit of education policy reforms and knowledge economy around the world, it is of policy relevance to theoretically analyze the main mechanisms by which the macroeconomic impact of education on growth (and economic development) occurs. Our theoretical model demonstrates how incentives offered by the government affect human capital accumulation which ultimately engenders positive economic development externalities. We articulate two main channels through which education affects economic growth. The first channel highlights direct positive effect of educational quality on the incentive to accumulate human capital by individuals, which makes them more productive. The second channel appears in the explicit function of the economic growth rate. As a policy implication, we have shown that the growth rate depends on the rate of return on human capital or that this rate of return itself depends on the quality of governance, which further increases growth. As a result, institutional quality has a double dividend, which suggests considerable benefits to educational reforms. |
5. | Kodila-Tedika, Simplice Asongu Oasis A Journal of Bioeconomics, 18 (1), pp. 33-51, 2016. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Genetic distance, Human Capital, Intelligence @article{Asongu_575, author = {Simplice Asongu A Oasis Kodila-Tedika}, url = {http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10818-015-9210-7}, doi = {10.1007/s10818-015-9210-7}, year = {2016}, date = {2016-04-05}, journal = {Journal of Bioeconomics}, volume = {18}, number = {1}, pages = {33-51}, abstract = {This paper explores the correlates of the intelligence quotient and cognitive ability by focusing on genetic distance to frontier nations. The results based on cross-sectional data from 167 countries suggest that genetic distance to global frontiers has a negative relationship with the employed human capital variables. Countries that are genetically far from leading nations tend to have lower levels of human capital with the negative correlation to the USA frontier averagely higher relative to the UK frontier. The sign is consistent and survives the control of macroeconomic, geographic, institutional and other covariates. Policy implications are discussed.}, keywords = {Genetic distance, Human Capital, Intelligence}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } This paper explores the correlates of the intelligence quotient and cognitive ability by focusing on genetic distance to frontier nations. The results based on cross-sectional data from 167 countries suggest that genetic distance to global frontiers has a negative relationship with the employed human capital variables. Countries that are genetically far from leading nations tend to have lower levels of human capital with the negative correlation to the USA frontier averagely higher relative to the UK frontier. The sign is consistent and survives the control of macroeconomic, geographic, institutional and other covariates. Policy implications are discussed. |
2015 |
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6. | Jellal, Bouzahzah & Simplice Asongu Mohamed A Institutional Governance, Education and Growth 2015. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Education, Growth, Human Capital, Institutions @workingpaper{Jellal2015, title = {Institutional Governance, Education and Growth}, author = {Bouzahzah & Simplice Asongu A Mohamed Jellal}, editor = {African 2015 Governance and Development Institute WP/15/059}, url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Institutional-Governance-Education-and-Growth.pdf}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-12-01}, abstract = {This study articulates the interaction between institutional governance, education and economic growth. Given the current pursuit of education policy reforms and knowledge economy around the world, it is of policy relevance to theoretically analyze the main mechanisms by which the macroeconomic impact of education on growth (and economic development) occurs. Our theoretical model demonstrates how incentives offered by the government affect human capital accumulation which ultimately engenders positive economic development externalities. We articulate two main channels through which education affects economic growth. The first channel highlights direct positive effect of educational quality on the incentive to accumulate human capital by individuals, which makes them more productive. The second channel appears in the explicit function of the economic growth rate. As a policy implication, we have shown that the growth rate depends on the rate of return on human capital or that this rate of return itself depends on the quality of governance, which further increases growth. As a result, institutional quality has a double dividend, which suggests considerable benefits to educational reforms.}, keywords = {Education, Growth, Human Capital, Institutions}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {workingpaper} } This study articulates the interaction between institutional governance, education and economic growth. Given the current pursuit of education policy reforms and knowledge economy around the world, it is of policy relevance to theoretically analyze the main mechanisms by which the macroeconomic impact of education on growth (and economic development) occurs. Our theoretical model demonstrates how incentives offered by the government affect human capital accumulation which ultimately engenders positive economic development externalities. We articulate two main channels through which education affects economic growth. The first channel highlights direct positive effect of educational quality on the incentive to accumulate human capital by individuals, which makes them more productive. The second channel appears in the explicit function of the economic growth rate. As a policy implication, we have shown that the growth rate depends on the rate of return on human capital or that this rate of return itself depends on the quality of governance, which further increases growth. As a result, institutional quality has a double dividend, which suggests considerable benefits to educational reforms. |
7. | Asongu, Simplice A African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, 6 (3), pp. 225-250, 2015. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Africa, Causality, Human Capital, investment, Productivity @article{Asongu_620, author = {Simplice A Asongu}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/AJEMS-12-2012-0083}, doi = {10.1108/AJEMS-12-2012-0083}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-09-01}, journal = {African Journal of Economic and Management Studies}, volume = {6}, number = {3}, pages = {225-250}, abstract = {Purpose – The generation is witnessing the greatest demographic transition and Africa is at the heart of it. There is mounting concern over corresponding rising unemployment and depleting per capita income. The purpose of this paper is to examine the issues from a long-run perspective by assessing the relationships between population growth and a plethora of investment dynamics: public, private, foreign and domestic investments. Design/methodology/approach – Vector autoregressive models in the perspectives of vector error correction and short-run Granger causality are used. Findings – In the long-run population growth will: first, decrease foreign and public investments in Ivory Coast; second, increase public and private investments in Swaziland; three, deplete public investment but augment domestic investment in Zambia; fourth diminish private investment and improve domestic investment in the Congo Republic and Sudan, respectively. Practical implications – Mainstream positive linkage of population growth to investment growth in the long-term should be treated with extreme caution. Policy orientation should not be blanket, but contingent on country-specific trends and tailored differently across countries. The findings stress the need for the creation of a conducive investment climate (and ease of doing business) for private and foreign investments. Family planning and birth control policies could also be considered in countries with little future investment avenues. Originality/value – The objective of this study is to provide policy makers with some insights on how future investment opportunities could help manage rising population growth and corresponding unemployment.}, keywords = {Africa, Causality, Human Capital, investment, Productivity}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Purpose – The generation is witnessing the greatest demographic transition and Africa is at the heart of it. There is mounting concern over corresponding rising unemployment and depleting per capita income. The purpose of this paper is to examine the issues from a long-run perspective by assessing the relationships between population growth and a plethora of investment dynamics: public, private, foreign and domestic investments. Design/methodology/approach – Vector autoregressive models in the perspectives of vector error correction and short-run Granger causality are used. Findings – In the long-run population growth will: first, decrease foreign and public investments in Ivory Coast; second, increase public and private investments in Swaziland; three, deplete public investment but augment domestic investment in Zambia; fourth diminish private investment and improve domestic investment in the Congo Republic and Sudan, respectively. Practical implications – Mainstream positive linkage of population growth to investment growth in the long-term should be treated with extreme caution. Policy orientation should not be blanket, but contingent on country-specific trends and tailored differently across countries. The findings stress the need for the creation of a conducive investment climate (and ease of doing business) for private and foreign investments. Family planning and birth control policies could also be considered in countries with little future investment avenues. Originality/value – The objective of this study is to provide policy makers with some insights on how future investment opportunities could help manage rising population growth and corresponding unemployment. |
8. | Ssozi, Simplice Asongu John A 2015. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: and Sub-Saharan Africa, Convergence, External capital flows, Human Capital, Total Factor Productivity @workingpaper{Ssozi2015, title = {The Comparative Economics of Catch-Up in Output per worker, total factor productivity and technological gain in Sub-Saharan Africa}, author = {Simplice Asongu A John Ssozi}, editor = {African 2015 Governance and Development Institute WP/15/038}, url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/The-Comparative-Economics-of-TFP-SSA.pdf}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-09-01}, abstract = {After investigating the effect of external financial flows on total factor productivity and technological gain, we use the beta catch-up and sigma convergence to compare dispersions in output per worker, total factor productivity and technological gain in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for the years 1980-2010. The comparative evidence is articulated with income levels, years of schooling, and health factors. We find; first, a positive association between foreign direct investment, trade openness, foreign aid, remittances and total factor productivity. However, when foreign direct investment is interacted with schooling, it is direct effect becomes negative on total factor productivity. Second, beta catch-up is between19.22% and 19.70% per annum with corresponding time to full catch-up of 25.38 years and 26.01 years respectively. Third, we find sigma-convergence among low-income nations and upper-middle income nations separately, but not for the entire sample together. Fourth, schooling in SSA is not yet a significant source of technology, but it can make external financial inflows more effective. Policies to induce external financial flows are not enough for development if absorptive capacity is low. More policy implications are discussed.}, keywords = {and Sub-Saharan Africa, Convergence, External capital flows, Human Capital, Total Factor Productivity}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {workingpaper} } After investigating the effect of external financial flows on total factor productivity and technological gain, we use the beta catch-up and sigma convergence to compare dispersions in output per worker, total factor productivity and technological gain in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for the years 1980-2010. The comparative evidence is articulated with income levels, years of schooling, and health factors. We find; first, a positive association between foreign direct investment, trade openness, foreign aid, remittances and total factor productivity. However, when foreign direct investment is interacted with schooling, it is direct effect becomes negative on total factor productivity. Second, beta catch-up is between19.22% and 19.70% per annum with corresponding time to full catch-up of 25.38 years and 26.01 years respectively. Third, we find sigma-convergence among low-income nations and upper-middle income nations separately, but not for the entire sample together. Fourth, schooling in SSA is not yet a significant source of technology, but it can make external financial inflows more effective. Policies to induce external financial flows are not enough for development if absorptive capacity is low. More policy implications are discussed. |
9. | Asongu, Simplice A International Journal of Social Economics, 42 (7), pp. 666 - 686, 2015. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Africa, Health, Human Capital, Migration, Wealth @article{Asongu_642, author = {Simplice A Asongu}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-12-2013-0287}, doi = {10.1108/IJSE-12-2013-0287}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-07-01}, journal = {International Journal of Social Economics}, volume = {42}, number = {7}, pages = {666 - 686}, abstract = {Purpose – How do economic prosperity, health expenditure, savings, price-stability, demographic change, democracy, corruption control, press freedom, government effectiveness, human development, foreign aid, physical security, trade openness and financial liberalization play-out in the fight against health-worker crisis when existing emigration levels matter? Despite the acute concern of health-worker crisis in Africa owing to emigration, lack of relevant data has made the subject matter empirically void over the last decades. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – A quantile regression approach is used to assess the determinants of health-worker emigration throughout the conditional distributions of health-worker emigration. This provides an assessment of the determinants when existing emigrations levels matter. Findings – Findings provide a broad range of tools for the fight against health-worker brain-drain. As a policy implication, blanket emigration-control policies are unlikely to succeed equally across countries with different levels of emigration. Thus to be effective, immigration policies should be contingent on the prevailing levels of the crisis and tailored differently across countries with the best and worst records on fighting health-worker emigration. Originality/value – This paper has examined the theoretical postulations of a World Health Organization report on determinants of health-worker migration.}, keywords = {Africa, Health, Human Capital, Migration, Wealth}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Purpose – How do economic prosperity, health expenditure, savings, price-stability, demographic change, democracy, corruption control, press freedom, government effectiveness, human development, foreign aid, physical security, trade openness and financial liberalization play-out in the fight against health-worker crisis when existing emigration levels matter? Despite the acute concern of health-worker crisis in Africa owing to emigration, lack of relevant data has made the subject matter empirically void over the last decades. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – A quantile regression approach is used to assess the determinants of health-worker emigration throughout the conditional distributions of health-worker emigration. This provides an assessment of the determinants when existing emigrations levels matter. Findings – Findings provide a broad range of tools for the fight against health-worker brain-drain. As a policy implication, blanket emigration-control policies are unlikely to succeed equally across countries with different levels of emigration. Thus to be effective, immigration policies should be contingent on the prevailing levels of the crisis and tailored differently across countries with the best and worst records on fighting health-worker emigration. Originality/value – This paper has examined the theoretical postulations of a World Health Organization report on determinants of health-worker migration. |
10. | Kodila-Tedika, Simplice ASONGU Oasis A Genetic Distance and Cognitive Human Capital: A Cross-National Investigation 2015. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Genetic distance, Human Capital, Intelligence @workingpaper{Kodila-Tedika2015bg, title = {Genetic Distance and Cognitive Human Capital: A Cross-National Investigation}, author = {Simplice ASONGU A Oasis Kodila-Tedika}, editor = {African 2015 Governance and Development Institute WP/15/012}, url = {http://www.afridev.org/RePEc/agd/agd-wpaper/Genetic-Distance-and-Cognitive-Human-Capital.A-Cross-National-Investigation.pdf}, year = {2015}, date = {2015-04-01}, abstract = {This paper explores the determinants of intelligence by focusing on the role played by barriers to the diffusion of competence and human capital. The results based on cross-sectional data from 167 countries consisting of 1996-2009 averages suggest that, genetic distance to global frontiers has a negative relationship with human capital. Countries that are genetically far from leading nations tend to have lower levels of human capital with the negative correlation from the USA frontier higher relative to the UK frontier. The sign is consistent with the relationship of genetic diversity and robust to the control of macroeconomic, geographical, institutional and influential variables. Policy implications are discussed.}, keywords = {Genetic distance, Human Capital, Intelligence}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {workingpaper} } This paper explores the determinants of intelligence by focusing on the role played by barriers to the diffusion of competence and human capital. The results based on cross-sectional data from 167 countries consisting of 1996-2009 averages suggest that, genetic distance to global frontiers has a negative relationship with human capital. Countries that are genetically far from leading nations tend to have lower levels of human capital with the negative correlation from the USA frontier higher relative to the UK frontier. The sign is consistent with the relationship of genetic diversity and robust to the control of macroeconomic, geographical, institutional and influential variables. Policy implications are discussed. |