Do All Countries Grow Alike?
Claire Economidou, J. W. B. Bos, Michael Koetter, James W. Kolari
Journal of Development Economics,
No. 1,
2010
Abstract
This paper investigates the driving forces of output change in 77 countries during the period 1970–2000. A flexible modeling strategy is adopted that accounts for (i) the inefficient use of resources, and (ii) different production technologies across countries. The proposed model can identify technical, efficiency, and input change for each of three endogenously determined regimes. Membership in these regimes is estimated, rather than determined ex ante. This framework enables explorations into the determinants of output growth and convergence issues in each regime.
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Bank Credit Standards, Demand, Pro-cyclicality and the Business Cycle: A Comment
Á. Maddaloni, J. L. Peydró Alcalde, J. Suárez, Reint E. Gropp
Moneda y crédito,
No. 230,
2010
Abstract
We analyze the determinants fo standards and demand for loans to firms and house-holds over the last business cycle using the comprehensive and confidential Bank Lending Survery from the Euro area. There is significant variation of standards and demand over the cycle. Standards for business loans vary more during the business cycle than the lending standards for households, whereas credit demand from households varies more than demand from firms. Lending standards vary mainly due to charges in perception of borrower risk, bank balance sheet positions and competitive pressures. In particular, we find that higher GDP growth softens lending standards for all loans, i. e. lending standards are pro-cyclical. However, we also find pro-cyclicality in credit demand.
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Urban Growth in Germany – The Impact of Localization and Urbanization Economies
Christoph Hornych, Michael Schwartz, Annette Illy, Martin T. W. Rosenfeld
IWH Discussion Papers,
No. 19,
2009
Abstract
This study examines the impact of localization and urbanization economies as well as the impact of city size on urban growth in German cities from 2003 to 2007. Although, from a theoretical perspective, agglomeration economies are supposed to have positive impacts on regional growth, prior empirical studies do not show consistent results. Especially little is known about agglomeration economies in Germany, where interregional support policy and the characteristics of the federal system are further determinants of urban growth. The results of the econometric analysis show a U-shaped relationship between specialization and urban growth, which particularly holds for manufacturing industries. We do not find evidence for the impact of Jacobs-externalities; however, city size shows a positive (but decreasing) effect on urban growth.
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New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa – Institutional and Local Perspectives. African Development Perspectives Yearbook, Vol. 14
Tobias Knedlik, Karl Wohlmuth, Philippe Burger, Achim Gutowski, Mareike Meyn, T. (eds) Urban, Afeikhena Jerome
,
2009
Abstract
The Volume XIV analyses the “New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa“. Institutional issues and perspectives in designing new growth and poverty alleviation strategies are considered in various case studies (Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Botswana and Tanzania). Other studies deal with institutional problems of resource-rich countries after conflict (Sudan) and with the institutions to enhance environmental protection parallel to economic growth and poverty reduction (Niger). Further studies deal with institutions to bridge the gap between formal and informal entrepreneurial sectors in Kenya and Tanzania. Local issues and perspectives for designing new growth and poverty alleviation strategies are considered in case studies on rural-urban development gaps in Tanzania and on microfinance as an instrument for new growth and poverty alleviation strategies (Tanzania and Eritrea). A study on small farmers in Ghana provides information on the role they can play in value chains. Two studies on Nigeria highlight the local and the sub-regional health and poverty alleviation programmes and the relation to growth. Book reviews and book notes on the theme are part of the volume. This volume builds the foundation for a comprehensive strategy of policy reforms in Africa so as to integrate new growth and poverty alleviation strategies. Complementary to Volume XIV is Volume XIII on “New Growth and Poverty Alleviation Strategies for Africa - Interational and Regional Perspectives“. Both volumes are of importance for all those who work in African countries as officials, executives, managers, researchers, and policy-makers, but also for all those who actively support Africa's development concerns at the international, regional, country, local, and project levels. They will experience this Volume XIV and also the complementary Volume XIII as indispensable sources of insight, reference, and inspiration.
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Growth, Employment, Poverty Alleviation and Institutional Development – Lessons from Country Cases – An Introduction
Tobias Knedlik, Karl Wohlmuth
African Development Perspectives Yearbook, No. 14,
2009
Abstract
Economic growth is a central concept in judging the progress of economic development. Since the early years of economic sciences, economists aim to explain the differences in the production of goods and services among economies. Economic policy focuses on economic growth as the basis for the well-being of nations. The simple idea is that the extension of the productive capacity and finally the increase of consumption possibilities in an economy is the basis of all policies aiming to increase a nation’s welfare. It is therefore not surprising that aims of development policy are often linked to specific economic growth targets. So the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals are assumed only to be achieved if a certain level of economic growth can be reached.
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Book Review on Michael Grimm, Stephan Klasen, Andrew McKay (eds.) (2007): Determinants of Pro-poor Growth - Analytical Issues and Findings from Country Cases
Tobias Knedlik
African Development Perspectives Yearbook, No. 14,
2009
Abstract
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Book Review on Lukas Menkhoff (ed.) (2006): Pro-poor Growth: Policy and Evidence
Tobias Knedlik
African Development Perspectives Yearbook, No. 14,
2009
Abstract
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Openness and Growth: The Long Shadow of the Berlin Wall
Claudia M. Buch, Farid Toubal
Journal of Macroeconomics,
No. 3,
2009
Abstract
The question whether international openness causes higher domestic growth has been subject to intense discussions in the empirical growth literature. This paper addresses the issue in the context of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. We analyze whether the slow convergence in per capita incomes between East and West Germany and the lower international openness of East Germany are linked. We address the endogeneity of openness by adapting the methodology proposed by Frankel and Romer (1999) to a panel framework. We instrument openness with time-invariant exogenous geographic variables and time-varying exogenous policy variables. We also distinguish the impact of different channels of integration. Our paper has three main findings. First, geographic variables have a significant impact on regional openness. Second, controlling for geography, East German states are less integrated into international markets along all dimensions of integration considered. Third, the degree of openness for trade has a positive impact on regional income per capita.
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Wachstum, Stagnation oder Schrumpfung? Entwicklungsdynamik ehemaliger TGZ-Unternehmen
Michael Schwartz
Statistik Regional Electronic Papers, 2009-01,
2009
Abstract
Wirtschaftspolitische Entscheidungsträger weltweit setzen große Hoffnungen in Technologie- und Gründerzentren als effektive Förderinstrumente auf regionaler und lokaler Ebene zur Unterstützung junger, innovativer Unternehmen. Oftmals wird hierbei unterstellt, dass die Wachstumsphase der geförderten Jungunternehmen erst mit dem erfolgreichen Auszug zum Tragen kommt. Ob dies allerdings tatsächlich der Fall ist, ist bislang kaum empirisch belegt. Das vorliegende Papier versucht zur Verminderung dieses Kenntnisdefizites beizutragen. Es wird detailliert die langfristige Entwicklung von 324 ausgezogenen Unternehmen auf fünf deutschen Technologie- und Gründerzentren untersucht. Um Verzerrungen durch bereits aus dem Markt ausgeschiedene Unternehmen zu vermeiden (Survivor Bias), schließt die Analyse auch die Entwicklung dieser Unternehmen ein. Dies ist im vorliegenden Forschungskontext erstmalig möglich. Als Indikatoren der Unternehmensentwicklung werden Beschäftigungs- und Umsatzgrößen herangezogen. Die empirischen Ergebnisse weisen ein teilweise sehr starkes Wachstum der geförderten Unternehmen nach – allerdings weitgehend beschränkt auf den eigentlichen Förderzeitraum. Entgegen der oben genannten Annahme kann in der vorliegenden Studie nicht bestätigt werden, dass die ehemals geförderten Unternehmen nach dem Verlassen der Technologie- und Gründerzentren nachhaltig stark wachsen. Nach dem Auszug bleibt das Wachstum der überwiegenden Mehrheit der Unternehmen moderat. Nur ein kleiner Anteil ehemaliger Zentrums-Unternehmen kann starke Wachstumsraten nach beendeter Förderung vorweisen. Ein größerer Teil der Unternehmen stagniert oder schrumpft sogar. Im Durchschnitt befinden sich die ausgezogenen Unternehmen ab einem Zeitraum von acht bis zehn Jahren auf einem zum Auszug vergleichbaren Entwicklungsstand bzw. sogar auf einem niedrigeren Niveau.
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