bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integración de la gestión de riesgo de desastres y la adaptación al cambio climático en la inversión pública: América Latina y Caribe
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

El Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID) ha desarrollado desde el 2012, una metodología para la evaluación del estado en la incorporación de la Gestión de Riesgo de Desastre (GRD) en los sistemas nacionales de inversión pública (SNIP). La metodología incluye un total de 23 parámetros agrupados en 5 criterios. Hasta la fecha, la metodología ha sido aplicada en cuatro países: Costa Rica y Panamá en el 2012 y Barbados y Trinidad y Tobago en el 2013. El resultado de estas aplicaciones ha sido publicado en dos Notas Técnicas del BID. El objetivo general de esta Nota Técnica es evaluar el estado y avance actual en la incorporación de la Gestión del Riesgo de Desastres en los Sistemas Nacionales de Inversión Pública de los países seleccionados; estos son: Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panamá y Perú. El resultado preliminar de este estudio ha sido validado y discutido en dos reuniones de la Estrategia Internacional de Reducción de Desastres de Naciones Unidas (UNISDR) y en la Reunión de Diálogo Regional de Política de la Red de Gestión de Riesgo de Desastres del BID . Como resultado de estas discusiones, se identificaron cinco mayores retos en común en la temática de incorporación de GRD en SNIP. Los cinco retos identificados son: (i) aplicación de la metodología de análisis de riesgo; (ii) sensibilización hacia las autoridades sobre la importancia de la temática; (iii) inventarios de infraestructura pública por sector y/o territorio; (iv) accesibilidad de información de amenaza y riesgo para la formulación de PIP; y (v) sanciones derivadas del incumplimiento de las normas.
Libre comercio en América Central: ¿Con quién y para qué?: Las implicancias del CAFTA
Authors: Agosin Manuel R. , Rodríguez Ennio
Published: March 2024

En enero de 2004, los países de América Central concluyeron las negociaciones con Estados Unidos para la firma del Tratado de Libre Comercio: el Acuerdo de Libre Comercio Centroamericano (Central American Free Trade Agreement - CAFTA), que marcará la trayectoria de su desarrollo económico por varias décadas. El objetivo de este trabajo es contribuir a la discusión de los grandes desafíos que va a enfrentar América Central en su preparación para el cambio en precios relativos que enfrentarán los productores de la región, cambios que conllevarán nuevas oportunidades como también importantes ajustes en los patrones actuales de producción.
Procedimiento Mesoamericano para el Tránsito Internacional de Mercancías (TIM)
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank,   Proyecto Mesoamérica Integración y Desarrollo
Published: March 2024

Da a conocer los pilares y logros del ProcedimientoMesoamericano para el Tránsito Internacional de Mercancías (TIM).
Caso exitoso eficiencia energética: Recuperación de calor en hornos en Feltrex S. A.
Authors:   Fundación Chile,   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

Este documento presenta el caso exitoso de la recuperación de calor en hornos en Feltrex S. A. La empresa mediante los aportes del BID-FOMIN - a través del "Programa de promoción de oportunidades de energías limpias" - ejecutado por Fundación Chile, logró ahorros anuales del 45 millones, un retorno de la inversión de 7 meses, y un ahorro de emisiones de CO2 de 220 toneladas al año. En el documento se explican los pormenores financieros y técnicos del proyecto.
Manejo integral de riesgos por comunidades y gobiernos locales: Componente II: El fortalecimiento de las capacidades y asistencia técnica para el manejo de riesgos a nivel local
Authors: Paulsen de Cárdenas Alba , Hidajat Ria , Bollin Christina , Aquino Alberto , Cárdenas Claudia , Jinon René
Published: March 2024

En el marco de la III Fase del Diálogo Regional de Política sobre Riesgo de Desastres Naturales, el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID) encargó a la Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (Cooperación Técnica Alemana, GTZ) la elaboración de un estudio sobre "Manejo Integral de Riesgo por Comunidades y Gobiernos Locales", con el objetivo de analizar mecanismos para el fortalecimiento de los actores locales para la reducción de desastres. Este análisis está basado en los resultados de los estudios realizados en las dos fases anteriores del Diálogo, sobre mecanismos institucionales y financieros a nivel nacional. El estudio está conformado por cuatro componentes. El presente informe se refiere al componente II del estudio: El fortalecimiento de las capacidades y asistencia técnica para el manejo de riesgos a nivel local.
Elementos para una estrategia de inserción comercial de Bolivia
Authors: Blanco David
Published: March 2024

La presente nota discute elementos para una estrategia de inserción comercial de Bolivia. El grado de inserción externa de Bolivia, tanto a nivel regional como mundial, producto de los distintos acuerdos comerciales que ha suscrito, no ha logrado tasas de crecimiento importantes, cambios en su estructura productiva y aumento del nivel de empleo. La necesidad de ampliar los mercados para la oferta exportable y lograr la complementación productiva surge como un desafío. La ausencia de políticas claras para el sector exportador, su insuficiente competitividad y limitaciones en la incorporación de tecnologías modernas se han constituido en factores que han impedido la exitosa participación de Bolivia en los mercados externos. En el documento se describe el ambiente político y el marco macroeconómico, se realiza un análisis del comercio y las inversiones, y de las temáticas referidas a la liberalización del comercio y las estrategias de desarrollo. Asimismo se incluye un análisis de los principales desafíos que el país enfrentará en los próximos años y se discuten los elementos para la elaboración de una política de integración como prioridad del país.
Lecciones aprendidas en la promoción de mercados de servicios de desarrollo empresarial: Un análisis de la experiencia del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo en el periodo 1995-2002
Authors: García Tabuenca Antonio , De Jorge Moreno Justo , Coral Polanco Fernando , Perondi Carolina
Published: March 2024

El presente informe ofrece un análisis exhaustivo de la cartera de proyectos de servicios de desarrollo empresarial financiada por el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo entre 1995 y 2002, la que incluye 177 proyectos y una inversión de 2.383 millones de dólares. Con base en técnicas estadísticas cualitativas, cuantitativas y multivariantes y en estudios de caso, el informe aborda temas críticos del debate sobre servicios de desarrollo empresarial, tales como: el análisis de las fallas de mercado, la duración y tamaño de los proyectos, los tipos de incentivos, el perfil de los intermediarios, los resultados y la sostenibilidad.
Reforma do sistema financeiro do Brasil: Implementação recente e perspectivas
Authors: Reis José Guilherme A. , Valadares Sílvia M.
Published: March 2024

Este trabalho analisa alguns dos principais obstáculos ao desenvolvimento do sistema financeiro brasileiro, ressaltando as medidas implementadas recentemente e indicando propostas para dar continuidade ao processo de reforma.
Country Program Evaluation: Guatemala (1993-2003)
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

The purpose of this report (RE-304-2) is to present OVE's evaluation of the IDB's program in Guatemala during 1993-2003. Following established methodology and procedure, the report attempts to provide an account to the Board of Executive Directors regarding the program's relevance and results and to offer reflections for consideration as the Bank's Country Strategy for the period 2005-2007 is being prepared. The report overviews key development and institutional challenges with a view to providing the background that is needed to inform the evaluation. It then examines the country dialogue and programming, the delivery of the program, and the apparent results achieved.
Country Program Evaluation: Colombia (1998-2006)
Authors:   Inter American Development Bank
Published: March 2024

This Country Program Evaluation for Colombia (RE-337) analyzes the results obtained by the Bank during the period 1998-2006. The purpose is to improve the effectiveness of the Bank's programming and future operations in the country. Its conclusions reflect on trends in the country's development issues and the Bank's action in their regard. This approach makes it possible to highlight pending challenges and the Bank's potential contribution to addressing them on the one hand and, on the other, to identify the lessons learned from the Bank's activities to improve their linkage and impact in Colombia.
IDB-9: Lending Instruments
Authors: Kavalsky Basil , Sembler Jose Ignacio , Huppi Monika , Beuermann Diether
Published: March 2024

The IDB-9 Agreement asks whether the financial instruments of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) are properly aligned with the needs of clients. Before the global financial crisis, the Bank's concern was with the competitiveness of IDB financing; as borrowers gained increased access to global capital markets, the price advantage that IDB had in terms of lower interest rates and higher maturities was often outweighed by the high transaction costs of borrowing from IDB. With the advent of the crisis, the dynamic changed: it was no longer a question of whether there was demand for IDB funding, but whether IDB could provide funding with the speed and at the levels that the crisis dictated. This evaluation examines IDB's lending instruments from both these perspectives. Since 2000 IDB has added a large number of investment instruments in an effort to lower transaction costs and address specific needs of its borrowers. The range of investment lending instruments equals or exceeds that of other multilateral development banks. More recently Management has been working to streamline these instruments and eliminate those that are being only intermittently used: the innovation loan and sector facilities have been discontinued, and the performance-driven loan was allowed to lapse after the pilot period, pending further review and evaluation. The Bank has made significant progress on reducing the time lapse from concept stage to loan approval for all instruments, substantially lowering transaction costs. The story is more problematic with regard to IDB's ability to respond to the needs of borrowers during a crisis. A special instrument created for this purpose met with limited take-up: only five operations were approved, and three of them were cancelled. IDB has recently adopted contingency lending instruments that should allow for a more timely response to economic crises or natural disasters. One tool that IDB still lacks is a viable lending instrument that disburses against the achievement of results.
Do we know if the Bank's pro-poor projects benefit the poor?
Authors: Sedlacek Guilherme Luis
Published: March 2024

The Inter-American Development Bank has been committed to reducing poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Bank's Institutional Strategy spells out its commitment to "contribute to the struggle against poverty and inequality in Latin America and the Caribbean, making it a first priority to its lending, technical assistance and research activities". Yet, OVE evaluations have shown that the degree of empirical documentation of the results and performance of the Bank's projects is limited. This evaluation focuses on a specific subset of the Bank's projects: those that are explicitly aiming to reach the poor, which will be referred to as "pro-poor projects". The evaluation examines the degree to which these projects document their targeting (getting the services to the poor) and their ability to produced results in the lives of the intended beneficiaries.
Country Program Evaluation: Dominican Republic (2009-2013)
Authors: Suarez David , Linares Ana María , Sembler Jose Ignacio , Huppi Monika , Di Tata Juan Carlos , Vellani Saleema
Published: March 2024

This Country Program Evaluation (CPE) for the Dominican Republic covers the period 2009-2013. The evaluation is structured into four chapters, plus annexes. Chapter I analyzes the general context in the country from two perspectives. First, the structural characteristics of the country's growth model are briefly described. Second, the main economic events during the 2009-2013 period covered by the Bank's program are described. Chapter II provides a general analysis of the Bank's program in 2009-2013, with particular reference to the relevance of the country strategy, together with analysis of the program actually implemented. Chapter III provides a sector-based analysis of the implementation, effectiveness, and sustainability of the operations, and of the level of progress towards the Bank's proposed strategic objectives. Chapter IV presents conclusions and recommendations. Lastly, the annexes present the sectoral analyses upon which the evaluation's findings are based.
Approach Paper: Country Program Evaluation: Jamaica (2009-2014)
Authors: Marto Ricardo , Soldano Miguel , Buitrago Paola , Schijman Agustina , Freeman Peter , Khadr Ali , Huppi Monika , Florimon Andrea
Published: March 2024

As part of its 2014 annual work plan, the Office of Evaluation and Oversight (OVE) is preparing the evaluation of the country program with Jamaica for the period 2009-2014. This paper sets out the proposed approach to and methodology for the planned Country Program Evaluation (CPE), which represents the third occasion on which OVE evaluates the Bank's program with Jamaica. Past evaluations covered the periods 1990-2002 (RE-310, October 2005) and 2003-2008 (RE-365, June 2010).
Evaluation of the IDB's Emerging and Sustainable Cities Initiative
Authors: Crespo Anna Risi Vianna , Puerta Juan Manuel
Published: March 2024

The Emerging and Sustainable Cities Initiative (ESCI), launched in 2012, is the Bank's most recent response to the urban development needs in the region. Through ESCI the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) aimed at redirecting its focus to improving urban planning practices and shaping development in midsize cities. OVE's evaluation aims to take stock of IDB's work with emerging cities through ESCI to date, even though it is still early to assess the effectiveness of individual action plans produced by the initiative. The ESCI Special Program ended in December 2015 and is now being mainstreamed into the work of the Housing and Urban Development division (HUD) within the new Climate Change and Sustainable Development Department (CSD). This transition provides an opportunity for a productive stocktaking.
Part-Time Work, Gender and Job Satisfaction: Evidence from a Developing Country
Authors: Madrigal Lucía , López Bóo Florencia , Pagés Carmen
Published: March 2024

This paper investigates the relationship between part-time work and job satisfaction using a recent household survey from Honduras. In contrast to previous work for developed countries, this paper does not find a preference for part-time work among women. Instead, both women and men tend to prefer fulltime work, although the preference for working longer hours is stronger for men. Consistent with an interpretation of working part-time as luxury consumption, the paper finds that partnered women with children, poor women or women working in the informal sector are more likely to prefer full-time work than single women, partnered women without children, non-poor women or women working in the formal sector. These results have important implications for the design of family and child care policies in low-income countries.
Political Institutions and Street Protests in Latin America
Authors: Scartascini Carlos , Tommasi Mariano , Velasques de Paula Machado Fabiana
Published: March 2024

This paper argues that where institutions are strong, actors are more likely to participate in the political process through institutionalized arenas, while where they are weak, protests and other unconventional means of participation become more appealing. This relationship is explored empirically by combining country-level measures of institutional strength with individual-level information on protest participation in 17 Latin American countries. Evidence is found that weaker political institutions are associated with a higher propensity to use alternative means for expressing preferences, that is, to protest. Also found are interesting interactions between country-level institutional strength and some individual-level determinants of participation in protests.
The Cyclical Nature of North-South FDI Flows
Authors: Levy Yeyati Eduardo , Panizza Ugo , Stein Ernesto H.
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we examine how the business and interest rate cycles in developed countries affect FDI to developing countries. After aggregating flows into three big source areas (the U.S., Europe and Japan), we find FDI flows to be countercyclical with respect to both output and interest rate cycles in the first two, whereas in Japan they display either no cyclical behavior or mild procyclical behavior. This finding is consistent with the fact that FDI outflows and local investment tend to move in opposite directions during the cycles in the U.S. and Europe, reflecting investors' arbitrage among different investment opportunities. In sum, and contrary to what is usually claimed, we conclude that recessions in industrial countries are likely to increase FDI flows, particularly to those countries with close ties with the U.S. and Europe.
The Currency Union Effect on Trade: Early Evidence from EMU
Authors: Micco Alejandro , Ordoñez Guillermo Luis , Stein Ernesto H.
Published: March 2024

In this paper we estimate the early effect of the European Monetary Union (EMU) on trade. We use a panel data set that includes the most recent information on bilateral trade for 22 developed countries from 1992 through 2002. During this period 12 European countries formally entered into a currency union. This is a unique event that allows us to study the effect of currency union among a relatively homogeneous group of industrial countries. Controlling for a host of other factors, we find that the effect of EMU on bilateral trade between member countries ranges between 5 and 10 percent, when compared to trade between all other pairs of countries, and between 9 and 20 percent, when compared to trade among non-EMU countries. In addition, we find no evidence of trade diversion. If anything, our results suggest that monetary union increases trade not just with EMU countries, but also with the rest of the world.
The Politics of Financial Development: The Role of Interest Groups and Government Capabilities
Authors: Becerra Oscar , Cavallo Eduardo A. , Scartascini Carlos
Published: March 2024

Although financial development is good for long-term growth, not all countries pursue policies that render full financial development. This paper builds on an extensive political economy literature to construct a theoretical model showing that the intensity of opposition to financial development by incumbents depends on both their degree of credit dependency and the role of governments in credit markets. Empirical evidence for this claim is provided, and the results suggest that lower opposition to financial development leads to an effective increase in credit markets development only in those countries that have high government capabilities. Moreover, improvements in government capabilities have a significant impact on credit market development only in those countries where credit dependency is high (thus, opposition is low). This paper therefore contributes to this rich literature by providing a unified account of credit market development that includes two of its main determinants, traditionally considered in isolation.
Housing Cycles and Macroeconomic Fluctuations: A Global Perspective
Authors: Cesa-Bianchi Ambrogio
Published: March 2024

This paper investigates the international spillovers of housing demand shocks on real economic activity. The global economy is modeled using a Global VAR, with a novel house price data set for both advanced and emerging economies. The impulse responses to an identified US housing demand shock confirm the existence of strong international spillovers to advanced economies. In contrast, the response of some major emerging economies is not significantly different from zero. The paper also shows that synchronized housing demand shocks in advanced economies reinforce each other and have a deep and long-lasting impact on economic activity.
Public Management and Transparency Network: Cross-Country Comparisons of Public Employment and Pay of 26 Latin American and Caribbean Countries
Authors: Payne J. Mark , Carlson Ingrid
Published: March 2024

This paper compares public sector employment and pay in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). It highlights the methodological challenges of gathering and making valid comparisons on the basis of such data. Within these limitations, therefore, the paper compares the countries of the region in respect to the size of the public sector, the magnitude of public sector wages, and trends in public employment and pay, and it examines some hypotheses regarding the determinants of public employment and pay and of effective, clean government.
Aggregate Effects of a Universal Social Insurance Fiscal Reform
Authors: Antón Arturo , Leal Julio
Published: March 2024

This paper analyzes the aggregate effects of a revenue neutral fiscal-cum-social policy reform in a typical developing country that consists of two main changes: (1) the implementation of universal social insurance to replace the current dual social protection system (i.e., a reconfiguration of transfers); and (2) the elimination of the current social security payroll tax to replace it with a generalized VAT (i.e., a reconfiguration of taxes). The authors find that this reform increases productivity by 2 percent and output by 3 percent as it improves the allocation of resources across firms and sectors, and generates a substantial change in occupational choices that favors wage earners. As a result, wages (before transfers) increase for all employees. Also, due to the reconfiguration of transfers, earnings (wages after transfers) for informal employees increase relative to the earnings of formal employees, which decreases inequality. However, we also find that the reform could affect some groups in the population, given the regressive nature of VAT and heterogeneity in the valuation of transfers across workers.
The Effect of In-Service Teacher Training on Student Learning of English as a Second Language
Authors: Bando Rosangela , Li Xia
Published: March 2024

In-service teacher training aims to improve the supply of public education. A randomized experiment was conducted in Mexico to test whether teacher training could increase teacher efficiency in public secondary schools. After seven and a half months of exposure to a trained teacher, students improved their English. This paper explores two mechanisms through which training can affect student learning. First, trained teachers improved their English by 0.35 standard deviations in the short run. Teachers in the control group caught up with treatment teachers by the end of the school year in part because teachers in the treatment group reduced out-of-pocket expenditures to learn English in 53 percent. Second, teachers changed classroom practices by providing more opportunities for students to actively engage in learning. This evidence suggests that teacher training may be effective at improving student learning and that teacher incentives may play a role in mediating its effects.
Are You (Not) Expecting?: The Unforeseen Benefits of Job Training on Teenage Pregnancy
Authors: Novella Rafael , Ripani Laura
Published: March 2024

Teenage pregnancy in the Dominican Republic represents a persistent development challenge. This paper uses data from a randomized impact evaluation of the youth training program Juventud y Empleo, which includes soft-skills training, to examine its impact on teenage pregnancy. We find that the program reduces the probability of teenage pregnancy by 8 percentage points (about 20 percent), particularly among teenagers who are not already mothers. The program seems to affect teenage pregnancy through improvements in soft skills and expectations, among others channels. In addition, we find that the program plays a protective role for teenagers from more deprived backgrounds.
Are Blackout Days Free of Charge?: Valuation of Individual Preferences for Improved Electricity Services
Authors: Jimenez Mori Raul Alberto
Published: March 2024

Low-quality infrastructure services are persistent in developing countries, a situation mainly affecting the poorest households in contexts of high rates of informal access and heavily subsidized services. This paper exploits choice experiments, specifically designed for formal and informal users, to examine whether households in this situation are willing to pay for electricity service improvements. The analysis takes place in urban Dominican Republic, a country with one of the highest rates of electricity theft and lowest quality of services. The results strongly indicate that households value service improvements, showing average willingness to pay around US$9 for informal users, and 22 percent for formal users with service deficiencies. The estimated valuations are significantly heterogeneous across households, and such variance is mainly explained by household income, satisfaction with the electricity service, and household characteristics, such as family size and dwelling size. These results indicate substantial welfare losses derived from low-quality electricity services equivalent to over 35 percent of the direct fiscal subsidy to the utilities.
Compromisos de gestión, rendición de cuentas y corrupción en los hospitales de la Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social
Authors: Muñoz-Vargas Erlend , Durán-Valverde Fabio , Cercone James Anthony
Published: March 2024

El presente trabajo tiene como propósito presentar los principales resultados del análisis de la relación entre la existencia de mecanismos organizacionales tendientes a promover la transparencia y rendición de cuentas en los hospitales públicos de Costa Rica y el nivel de corrupción percibido por los profesionales en salud y los usuarios de los servicios. El estudio aporta mediciones que describen la percepción sobre la incidencia de la corrupción en los hospitales públicos, suministra cifras y análisis sobre los elementos que explican el fenómeno y analiza el impacto sobre la transparencia, rendición de cuentas y la corrupción, asociado a la implantación del compromiso de gestión en los hospitales públicos costarricenses.
La ventana europea: retos de la negociación del Tratado de Libre Comercio de México con la Unión Europea
Authors: Zabludovsky Jaime , Gómez Lora Sergio
Published: March 2024

Después de más de seis años de gestiones diplomáticas y complejas negociaciones, el primero de julio de 2000 entraron en vigor las disposiciones para liberalizar los flujos de comercio de bienes entre México y la Unión Europea (UE). Estas disposiciones son parte del Tratado de Libre Comercio (TLCUEM) que, a su vez, es uno de los componentes del Acuerdo de Concertación Política, Asociación Económica y Cooperación ("Acuerdo Global").
La regulación económica en las concesiones de agua potable y desagües cloacales en Buenos Aires y Corrientes, Argentina
Authors: Navajas Fernando , Artana Daniel , Urbiztondo Santiago
Published: March 2024

En Argentina, como en la mayoría de los países del mundo, el sector sanitario ha sido tradicionalmente manejado por empresas públicas. Sin embargo, la corriente privatizadora de los últimos 10 años ha alcanzado a este sector lo cual la obliga a compatibilizar las ventajas de la provisión privada y las demandas sociales que caracterizan a los servicios públicos. La literatura especializada identifica como factores determinantes de la obtención de dichas ventajas, al diseño de la estructura y nivel de precios que se le impone al operador privado, y a los mecanismos de ajuste de dichos precios. En este trabajo se analizan las dos primeras concesiones del servicio de agua potable y desagüe cloacal en Argentina. Estas primeras concesiones se encuentran en la provincia de Corrientes y en la ciudad de Buenos Aires y localidades lindantes pertenecientes al Conurbano Bonaerense. Estas concesiones comenzaron su labor en septiembre 1991 y en mayo de 1992, respectivamente. Ambas han sido seguidas por otras concesiones provinciales que aún se encuentran en el proceso de desarrollo.
La sostenibilidad de la política fiscal en América Latina: El caso de Colombia
Authors: Olivera Mauricio , Fainboim Yaker Israel , Alonso Julio César
Published: March 2024

Las finanzas del sector público colombiano mostraron déficit durante prácticamente todos los años del período 1980-1996. Este resultado no debe sorprender si se compara con la evolución fiscal de otros países de la región o del continente europeo en el mismo período, que también fue deficitaria.
Dimensionamiento de la violencia en Colombia
Authors: Rotawisky William , Escobar Jaime , Guzman Alvaro , Echeverri Oscar , Banguero Harold , Concha Alberto , De Roux Gustavo , Gallardo Henry M. , Espinosa Rafael , Espitia Victoria E. , Castro Esperanza , Rodriguez Jesús
Published: March 2024

Como respuesta a una convocatoria realizada por el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo, BID, el Centro de Investigaciones en Salud y Violencia, CISALVA, presentó a consideración de dicha entidad la propuesta de investigación "Dimensionamiento de la Violencia en Colombia". El presente informe da cuenta de los hallazgos en el estudio. La investigación se propuso como objetivo determinar en Colombia, para el quinquenio 1991-1995, la magnitud de las violencia intencional y no intencional medidas en términos de homicidios, lesiones y delitos contra la propiedad--con exclusión de perjuicios de origen político, asociados a la acción del narcotráfico y de ocurrencias en espacios privados o íntimos--analizando los riesgos y costos asociados y sus causas mas próximas. Para tal propósito, se discriminaron los tipos principales de delito en el país especialmente los homicidios, lesiones y delitos contra la propiedad, y se cuantificó la dimensión de la criminalidad durante el período a nivel global y desagregada por regiones. Para las lesiones no fatales se caracterizaron los actores y los episodios. Por otra parte, se efectuó una aproximación agregada al impacto económico de las violencias estudiadas, con base en el cálculo de pérdidas ocasionadas (años de vida potencial perdidos, incapacidad por lesiones, daños y pérdidas materiales en delitos reportados contra la propiedad) y se valoraron los costos de dichas pérdidas. Finalmente, se identificaron riesgos asociados a los eventos y se establecieron relaciones causales entre los episodios y algunos factores claves. Para el desarrollo de la investigación se contó con el concurso de investigadores de diferentes instituciones: la Universidad del Valle, particularmente de CISALVA, CIDSE (Centro de Investigación y Documentación Socioeconómica) y de la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Sociales; del Instituto Nacional de Medicina Legal, sede Cali; Fundación Corona; Ministerio de Salud; de la Secretría de Salud de Cali; del Programa de investigación epidemiológica de DESEPAZ, Alcaldía de Cali; y de la Comisión de Convivencia Ciudadana del Comité Empresarial Permanente del Valle del Cauca.
Los Maestros en Chile: Carreras e Incentivos
Authors: Guzmán Andrea , Mizala Alejandra , González Pablo , Romaguera Pilar
Published: March 2024

La reforma educacional que Chile está implementando requiere para su éxito que los maestros se pongan a la cabeza de la reforma, y para ello es necesario fortalecer la profesión docente y la carrera de pedagogía. Diseñar políticas efectivas hacia los maestros supone estudiar las características socioeconómicas y motivacionales de éstos, así como los incentivos y factores institucionales que determinan la composición del cuerpo docente y que influencian su desempeño profesional. Esto es lo que se ha propuesto la investigación que resumimos apretadamente en este trabajo. Parte importante del estudio se ha basado en la recolección de información que no estaba disponible en el país, la que se ha obtenido a través de encuestas a profesores de enseñanza básica, directores, estudiantes de pedagogía y de carreras similares.
Diversificación de la agricultura y reducción de la pobreza rural: como los pequeños agricultores y asalariados rurales son afectados por la introducción de cultivos no-tradicionales de alto valor en el noreste de Brasil
Authors: Damiani Octavio
Published: March 2024

Este estudio analiza el papel del Estado en la transformación económica de tres regiones de agricultura irrigada en el Valle del Rio São Francisco en el nordeste de Brasil. El objetivo es entender las razones por las cuales sólo una de esas tres regiones (Petrolina-Juazeiro) tuve éxito en diversificar su economía y se convirtió en una región agrícola moderna basada en productos no tradicionales de exportación de alta calidad, al tiempo que mejoraron los salarios y estándares laborales de los trabajadores asalariados rurales, sin comprometer el acceso de los productores a los mercados de exportación. Esto a pesar de que las tres regiones recibieron fuertes inversiones en infraestructura de irrigación de gran escala de parte del gobierno.
Pobreza étnica en Honduras
Authors: von Gleich Utta , Gálvez Ernesto
Published: March 2024

El presente estudio analiza los datos y fuentes demográficas sobre la población étnica de Honduras, así como la situación de pobreza en general, y en especial la étnica, en base a los escasos datos disponibles y accesibles. La descripción del marco institucional y jurídico vigente complementa la interpretación de la situación contemporánea. La presentación de un perfil etnocultural y socioeconómico de las etnias minoritarias de Honduras ocupa un lugar central del estudio para sensibilizar al lector interesado en las necesidades de cada etnia. El análisis de su potencial en recursos humanos y naturales abre la perspectiva para el mejoramiento de la situación socioeconómica y las respectivas estrategias de supervivencia.
El empleo informal en América Latina y el Caribe: Causas, consecuencias y recomendaciones de política
Authors: Freije Samuel
Published: March 2024

La expansión del empleo informal en las últimas décadas ha venido acompañada por una falta de protección social y un empleo de baja productividad y bajos salarios. En este informe se resumen las características y los principales aspectos del sector informal en América Latina y el Caribe. En la sección 2 se ilustra el tamaño y la tendencia del sector informal en la región y se describen las características del empleo y los salarios de los trabajadores informales. En las secciones 3 y 4 se examinan las causas y las consecuencias de la informalidad. Por último, en la sección 5 se presentan las conclusiones y recomendaciones de política.
Análisis del desarrollo industrial de forjas de Colombia: 1961-1981
Authors: Jaramillo Liliana , Sandoval Peralta Diego , Mick Mauricio , Guterman Lía
Published: March 2024

Este documento de trabajo presenta la trayectoria productiva de la empresa colombiana Forjas, dedicada a la maquinaria de rodaje para tractores, piezas para la industria automotriz y otras. El estudio se desarrolla en base a la selección inicial de tecnología y equipos; ritmo y naturaleza del desarrollo tecnológico en planta y exógeno y el estudio del efecto de variables micro, macroeconómicas y políticas en los dos aspectos anteriores.
National Health Accounts in Latin America and Caribbean: Concept, Results and Policy Uses
Authors: Magnoli Alessandro
Published: March 2024

This paper presents the National Health Accounts (NHA) methodology and its relevance in policy making in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region. After presenting the concept of NHA and highlighting recent results of LAC data collection activities, the paper will focus on policy applications of NHA and its usefulness in supporting the financial dimension of health reforms. Lastly, it will analyze problems and drawbacks in the use of this tool. In short, the paper attempts to answer the following questions: What is NHA? How is it used? Why is it not used? How can and should it be put to use in LAC? Despite the serious drawbacks that exist in the NHA practice (e.g., methodological problems, understanding by policy makers, and institutionalization), the main message of this paper is a normative one: NHA should become the Management Information System for health policies, in particular when the health reform process is in progress.
Regional Trade Negotiations in the Asia-Pacific Region: Assessment of Current Trends and Implicaitons for the FTAA and WTO
Authors: Scollay Robert
Published: March 2024

The successful conclusion of the Uruguay Round and the establishment of the WTO marked an apparently decisive reassertion of the primacy of the multilateral trading system.
How do the Colombian Families Respond to the Changes in the Economic Conditions?
Authors: Sánchez Torres Fabio , Salas Bahamón Luz Magdalena
Published: March 2024

This work will try to measure the differentiated effect that the changes in the economic conditions have on the families in terms of labor participation of the spouses and other members of the family, as well as its effect on the scholar attendance of children and young people.
Sustainable Recycling of PET Bottles in Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Costa Leite Luiz Edmundo , Penido Monteiro José Henrique
Published: March 2024

This work presents a case study on solid waste management in the city of Rio de Janeiro. This privately-owned initiative involves the application of market instruments to boost the recycling of used plastic bottles.
Estimating the Impacts of a Fruit Fly Eradication Program in Peru: A Geographical Regression Discontinuity Approach
Authors: Salazar Lina , Maffioli Alessandro , Aramburu Julián , Agurto Adrianzen Marcos
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we evaluate the short term impact of a Fruit Fly Eradication Program in the coastal areas of Peru. Exploiting arbitrary variation in the program's intervention borders, as well as precise geographic location data of farmer's households, we use a Geographical Regression Discontinuity (GRD) approach to identify the program's effects on agricultural outcomes. For this purpose, baseline and follow up surveys were collected for 615 households -307 treated and 308 controls- . Baseline data shows that producer and farm-level characteristics in treated and control areas are balanced. This confirms that the program's intervention borders were set only as a function of financial and logistic restrictions and independently of the pest incidence levels and/or other producer and/or farm characteristics. The results show that farmers in treated areas improved pest knowledge and are more likely to implement best practices for plague prevention and control. Beneficiary farmers also present increased fruit crops productivity and sales. The robustness of these findings is confirmed using placebo tests.
Concurrent Validity and Feasibility of Short Tests Currently Used to Measure Early Childhood Development in Large Scale Studies: Methodology and Results
Authors: Rubio-Codina Marta , Araujo María Caridad , Attanasio Orazio P. , Grantham-McGregor Sally
Published: March 2024

In low- and middle-income countries (LIMCs) measuring early childhood development (ECD) with standard tests in large scale surveys (i.e. evaluations of interventions) is difficult and expensive. Multi-dimensional screeners and single-domain tests ('short tests') are frequentlyused as alternatives. However, their validity in these circumstances is unknown. We examine the feasibility, reliability, and concurrent validity of three multi-dimensional screeners -the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3), the Denver Developmental Screening Test (Denver-II), the Battelle Developmental Inventory screener (BDI-2) -and two single-domain tests- the MacArthur-Bates Short-Forms (SFI and SFII) and the WHO Motor Milestones (WHO-Motor)-in 1,311 children 6-42 months in Bogota, Colombia. We compare scores on these short tests to those on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley-III), which we take as the 'gold standard'. The Bayley-III was given at a center by psychologists; whereas the short tests were administered in the home by interviewers, as in a survey setting. Concurrent validity of the multi-dimensional tests' cognitive, language, and fine motor scales with the corresponding Bayley-III scale is low below 19 months but increases with age, becoming moderate-to-high over 30 months. In contrast, gross motor scales' concurrence is high under 19 months and then decreases. Of the single-domain tests, the WHO-Motor has high validity with gross motor under 16 months, and the SFI and SFII expressive scales show moderate correlations with language under 30 months. Overall, the Denver-II seems the most feasible and valid multi-dimensional test and the ASQ-3 performs poorly under 31 months. By domain, gross motor development has the highest concurrence below 19 months, and language above. Results do not vary by household socio-economic status. Predictive validity investigation is nonetheless needed to further guide the choice of instruments for large scale studies.
Choices and Change: Reflections on the Caribbean
Authors: Suárez Elena M. , Bloomfield Steven B. , Rajapatirana Sarath , Deosaran Ramesh , Henrikson Alan K. , Bloomfield Richard J. , Ross-Brewster Havelock R.H. , Skeete Charles A.T. , Meins Bertus J. , Birdsall Nancy , Tincani Amos , Walch Karen S. , Lewis David E. , Dookeran Winston C. , Serbin Andrés
Published: March 2024

Fourteen essays by experienced political leaders, researchers and scholars examine the political economy and international relations of the Caribbean. Strategies for sustainable development include proposals to link productive structures among private sectors and increase institutional flexibility.
What Difference Do Unions Make?: Their Impact on Productivity and Wages in Latin America
Authors: Urízar H. Carmen , Cassoni Adriana , Pazello Elaine , Lée Sigfrido , Kuhn Peter , Fachola Gabriela , Zegarra Eduardo , Ronconi Lucas , Chahad Jose Paulo , Johnson Susan , Sanguinetti Juan , Murillo Maria Victoria , Labadie Gastón J. , Menezes-Filho Naercio Aquino , Ravina Renato , Torero Máximo , Tommasi Mariano , Márquez Gustavo , Saavedra-Chanduví Jaime , Zylberstajn Helio
Published: March 2024

The subject of labor unions in Latin America provokes a variety of diverse and strongly held views. While some see unions as a way to protect workers' rights and ensure an equitable distribution of income, others see unions as a drain of productivity or an intrusion of politics into the workplace. In spite of these strong opinions, the effects of unions in Latin America have received little empirical attention. This book represents one of the first attempts to obtain evidence on union effects in the region. Following an examination of union density across countries, the studies in this volume evaluate the impact of unions on private-sector firm performance, agricultural productivity, and educational outcomes in public school systems. Unions' effects are considered in detail for Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Uruguay, as well as the less-studied case of Guatemala. Some of the findings are surprising and may help provide a basis for policies that better address the concerns of workers, employers and the public at large.
From Few to Many: Ten Years of Health Insurance Expansion in Colombia
Authors: Flórez Carmen Elisa , Acosta Olga Lucía , Alfonso Eduardo Andrés , Giuffrida Antonio , Arango Carlos H. , Escobar María Luisa , López Álvaro , Glassman Amanda , Pinto Diana M. , Savedoff William D. , Pardo Renata , Stone Leslie F. , Cueto Enriqueta , Tono Teresa M. , Giedion Úrsula , Castaño Ramón A. , López Juan Gonzalo , Díaz Beatriz Yadira , Ruiz Gómez Fernando
Published: March 2024

From Few to Many is the first comprehensive look at Colombia's 1993 health system reforms. It describes the implementation of universal health insurance, including a subsidized system for the poor, and examines the impact of this and other reforms during a time when Colombia experienced crushing recession and internal conflict that displaced half a million people. Prior to the reforms, a quarter of the Colombian population had health insurance. Subsidies failed to reach the poor, who were vulnerable to catastrophic financial consequences of illness. Yet by 2008, 85 percent of the population benefited from health insurance. From Few to Many describes the challenges and benefits of implementing social health reforms in a developing country, exploring health care financing, institutional reform, the effects of political will on health care, and more. The reforms have provided important lessons not only for continued reform in Colombia, but also for other nations facing similar challenges.
Avances en seguridad vial en América Latina y el Caribe 2010-2012
Authors: De la Peña Mendoza Sissi Maribel , Taddia Alejandro Pablo , De la Peña Elena
Published: March 2024

En las últimas décadas, la región de América Latina y el Caribe (ALC) se ha visto severamente afectada por el alto índice de mortalidad causado por las incidencias de tránsito. Para conocer la magnitud de la problemática que enfrenta la región, en el 2009, el Banco se dio a la tarea de diagnosticar la situación de sus países miembros en materia de siniestralidad y los factores de riesgo que la amenazan. Ahora en el 2013 y con el fin de identificar el avance de los países (ALC) en materia de seguridad vial, el BID ha desarrollado una actualización del diagnóstico en la región. Los resultados de esta investigación de campo y escritorio muestran ligeros avances en algunos aspectos institucionales, de gestión en la infraestructura y en el fomento a la mejora de vehículos más seguros. El objetivo de este documento es re-evaluar los esfuerzos y recursos asignados en las actividades y áreas de acción de la Estrategia de Seguridad Vial del BID y su Plan de Acción 2010 - 2015, para establecer las áreas prioritarias de trabajo y colaboración con socios estratégicos que compartan los mismos objetivos en materia de seguridad vial.
Relationship of consumer behaviour in social media influences between perceived quality and brand awareness respectively towards brand image
Authors: Hoo Wong Chee , Hau Chong Shin , Moosa Visal , Raman Arasu , Khan Muhammad Kamran
Published: March 2024

This study aims to investigate how consumer behaviour in Malaysia is influenced by the characteristics of social media influencers who shape consumers' perceptions of drone quality and brand awareness. The research framework on brand recognition, brand loyalty and brand image were adopted from the previous literature. The Malaysian Gen-Z population with disposable income and who use social media are the target of this study.  They were users of social media such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp   and email.  Convenience sampling was used to deliver online surveys. A total of 230 samples were successfully collected. The findings indicate that brand awareness and perceived quality are positively and significantly impacted by social media influencers while brand image is positively and significantly impacted by perceived quality but not brand awareness. Perceived quality acts as a mediator between social media influencers and brand image.  An analysis of prior research frameworks and studies was conducted to assess the relationship between drone brand image and influencers. Drone research has not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, this will address some knowledge gaps.  A thorough comprehension of the principles of perceived quality and brand awareness is necessary in order to better comprehend the role that social media influencers can play in marketing consumer drone brands.