bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inheritance and inequality, and aggregate demand and policy issues
Authors: Soldatos Gerasimos T. 
Published: October 2017

PurposeWhen the policy maker contemplates the current aggregate demand (AD), she/he does so given implicitly the current state of income inequality. And, policy goals should be set based on the distance between this demand and some “optimal” AD from the viewpoint of optimal income inequality. The purpose of this paper is to relate this policy concern to the sources of modern inequality.Design/methodology/approachTo characterize optimality, recent research in inequality reveals that paternalistic inheritance is the decisive source of it. Inequality is the outcome of an intergenerational externality according to which the current entrepreneurs (physical-capital formation agents) bequeath to descendants who use the inheritance as rentiers rather than as entrepreneurs. Several policy measures have been proposed to correct for this externality. Yet, it is found that if the “dynastic” character of inequality is disregarded, the distance between actual and optimal AD will be ever increasing.FindingsPolicy should be addressing the motive of the descendants to act as rentiers, which is found to be easy to attain once the policy maker adopts a natural-resource view of sizeable inheritance and proceeds to reassign property rights over it across generations.Originality/valueOptimality is identified with the Cantorian (total) ordering of the social economy, which is inhibited by the institution of dynastic property rights. One way to deal with this problem is to view inheritance as a depletable natural resource.
Loan demand by microfinance borrowers
Authors: Singh Vijeta , Padhi Puja 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore what determines the loan size/demand in a micro-finance group and makes comparative account of self-help groups and joint liability groups.

Design/methodology/approach
Using primary data and carried out survey (questionnaire and focus group discussion) for data collection. While for econometrics OLS regression has been used.

Findings
The study finds that employment, landownership and years spent by members in group has positive impact on loan demand by micro finance borrowers.

Research limitations/implications
This study points out the fact that economic variables along with group characteristics has positive implication on loan demand by borrowers.

Practical implications
This study would propel further research in group dynamics in micro-finance area.

Social implications
This study attempts to bring out the fact that economic position of micro-finance members along with its group status has bearing on its loan demand position.

Originality/value
The authors conducted this study using primary data, and all the collected data and study bring out the fact that older membership in groups are positive for loan demand by borrowers.
Impact of the production of underutilized vegetables on the livelihood of farmers in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Adejoke Oyedele Oluwatosin , Adenegan Kemisola O. 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
African indigenous vegetables have high nutritive value which contains high levels of minerals. The current status of indigenous vegetable production in developing countries shows that these crops are “under-recognized” and “underutilized” with respect to nutritional value and opportunities for food security. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of the production of underutilized vegetables on the livelihood of farmers in South Western Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach
The population for the study includes all the vegetable farmers in South Western Nigeria with a special focus on farmers’ groups formed by the NICANVEG project in Osun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti states. Descriptive statistics and propensity score matching (PSM) was used to analyze the objective.

Findings
Perceptions on individual household income reveal that the majority of participating respondents perceived higher production and harvesting density. This is due to the fact that harvesting is done by cutting the stems of the vegetables. The probability score shows that the dependent variables have an average effect of 44.6 percent on the probability of farmers participating in NICANVEG project. The PSM results reveal that average treatment effect on the treated is ₦269,254.87. Average treatment on the untreated is ₦11,990.63 while average treatment effect is ₦139,336.43. The total income of the participants from all the various livelihood strategies is increased by 29.73 percent because of their participation in the NICANVEG project.

Originality/value
This work has not been carried out by any other person before. This work will add to the existing knowledge on the impact of evaluation in agricultural economics.
Altruism or exchange: what motives inter-household transfers in Burkina Faso?
Authors: Alia Didier Yélognissè , Ponty Nicolas , Tchwaket Ignace Kamga 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
The economic literature identifies two families of motives for private transfers: altruism and exchange. Altruistic models postulates that transfers are unselfish assistance to vulnerable and poor households. Exchange models, however, explain transfers as temporary assistance to households with the expectation of being paid back. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the motives of inter-households transfers in Burkina Faso and identify which model better explains observed transfers’ decisions. The findings can be useful to provide a information on the profile of households receiving and donating transfers and a better understanding of their roles in local communities.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a nationally representative household survey in Burkina Faso that collects detailed information on inter-household transfers. It combines descriptive analysis with various econometric models to identify the type of behavior that better explain the receipt and donation of private transfers. To account for the non randomness of the receipt and donation of transfers in the population, the study estimates a Heckman model to address selection bias.

Findings
Preliminary analyses suggest that one-third of households have participated in transfers’ exchange, either as recipients or donors with the amount received or given representing a substantial share of household income or expenditure. The econometric analyses show that the primary driver of the receipt of transfers is households’ degree of vulnerability. This result indicates that altruism is the underlying model explaining the receipt of transfers. However, the authors also find that affluent households tend to give and receive larger amounts of money suggesting that some elements of exchange are also at play.

Originality/value
The analysis contributes to a large and growing literature on migration, transfers, and remittances in developing countries. It provides insights into the motives of these non-market transactions in the specific context of Burkina Faso, a developing country, where migration and transfers have been historically important social behaviors. The analysis makes an effort to address the potential bias resulting from households’ self-selection into the donation or receipt of transfer. The findings shed additional light on the double role of transfer as a safety net for the vulnerable and social insurance for the non-poor.
Economic benefits of savings groups in rural Mozambique
Authors: Brunie Aurélie , Rutherford Diana , Keyes Emily B. , Field Samuel 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of savings and loan groups (SGs), alone and combined with a rotating labor scheme (Ajuda Mútua), on the economic conditions of the rural poor in Nampula province in Mozambique.

Design/methodology/approach
Three pairs of districts were randomized into receiving SG, SG and AM, or no intervention. The study used a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design. Data from a longitudinal survey of 1,276 households were analyzed using difference-in-difference estimation to assess the impact of SGs on income and asset ownership. Thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 72 program participants explored specific contributions of SGs to economic outcomes.

Findings
Survey results show that program participation had a significant, positive impact on income and asset ownership. Qualitative results indicate that SGs allowed households to bridge seasonal food consumption gaps and meet cash needs during crises. Accumulated savings supported asset purchases. Program activities supported agricultural activity, but enterprise development had limited scope. Challenges to economic development included cultural aversion to risk, inadequate agricultural inputs, low market integration, and limited business opportunities.

Practical implications
SGs helped reduce vulnerability to stress events. Programs should analyze the wider structural context to foster a positive enabling environment, and combine SGs with relevant enterprise development services for additional benefits.

Originality/value
The importance of savings is increasingly acknowledged, but the contributions and limitations of SGs are not fully understood. This paper also highlights the role of structural context, which remains undervalued in the literature.
Economic growth, public expenditure on health and IMR in India
Authors: Mohapatra Subhalaxmi 
Published: October 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to employ a two-step approach to investigate the bi-directional causal linkage between: economic growth (measured by GDP) and public expenditure on health; public expenditure on health and infant mortality rate (IMR); and economic growth and IMR in the Indian context.Design/methodology/approachThe present study uses econometric analysis, namely, panel cointegration and Granger causality on 20-year panel data on 16 major Indian states to investigate the causality.FindingsThe results suggest GDP to Granger cause public expenditure on health both in the short run and in the long run, but public expenditure on health to Granger cause GDP only in the long run. Further, public expenditure on health and economic growth were found to Granger cause IMR in the long run. However, the reverse linkage from IMR to public expenditure on health and/or economic growth was not significant.Research limitations/implicationsThe present study provides support to the existing literature on the effects of economic growth on health expenditure and health outcomes but also raises a question on the time required to realize the same.Practical implicationsThe findings have implications for policy makers on the time frame and application of health expenditure to achieve better results.Originality/valueThe present study is one of the first to test the tripartite linkage between economic growth, public health expenditure and health outcomes at a state-level analysis.
Cost efficiency among rice millers in Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Adeyemi Busayo Bidemi , Okoruwa Victor Olusegun , Ikudaisi Adesola 
Published: October 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the efficiency of rice millers and determine factors influencing cost efficiency in Southwest Nigeria using the cost route approach.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyses cost efficiency of rice millers using primary data collected from 62 respondents through a structured questionnaire. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed for this purpose. The profile of rice millers and mills were derived using the descriptive analysis. Cost efficiency of the millers was obtained using the quadratic cost function analysis, and Tobit regression was used to determine factors that influence cost efficiency.FindingsThe results showed that cost efficiency indexes range from 1 to 57 percent averaging at 20.2 percent. Large rice mills were found to be most efficient with the mean cost efficiency of 25 percent. Paddy, transport and energy costs contributed positively and significantly (p=0.05 andp=0.01) to cost efficiency. Milling capacity and machine age increase cost efficiency while the distance to purchase paddy and quantity of diesel used reduces cost efficiency.Social implicationsThe paper shows that there is enough potential for rice millers to improve their cost efficiency based on the available technology. This has a direct implication on the economy through the increased domestic production and processing of rice to meet the increasing demand for locally produced rice.Originality/valueThe paper attempts to bridge the gap in the literature of cost efficiency among rice millers in Nigeria, and specifically in the application of the normalized quadratic cost function in estimating cost efficiency in the rice milling sector in Nigeria.
Welfare implications of minimum wage increase in Nigeria
Authors: Aderemi Taiwo , Ogwumike Fidelis 
Published: October 2017

PurposeThe primary motive of a minimum wage policy is to provide a wage floor for poorly paid workers and improve their welfare. In Nigeria, real minimum wage declined by 60 per cent between 1974 and 2011, thus reducing the welfare of workers. The wage gap between low skilled and high skilled workers have also widened over the years in favour of the latter. There are concerns that the series of minimum wage increase in Nigeria may not be welfare-enhancing. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachThis study examined the welfare effects of minimum wage increase in Nigeria using a computable general equilibrium model. The model was calibrated using a 2006 Social Accounting Matrix and four sets of scenarios (20, 35, 50 and 140 per cent wage increases), were simulated.FindingsThe findings show that employers substituted other labour categories for minimum wage workers. This increases the wage rates of other labour. The consumer price index also increased as firms partly pass-on increased labour cost to consumers. Generally, the simulations show that minimum wage policies worsen the welfare of its intended beneficiaries, due to negative impact on prices and employment.Originality/valueThis study deviates from existing studies on minimum wage in Nigeria, by providing a proper disaggregation of the labour market that represents the Nigerian economy. In this regard, the informal sector was accommodated and the potential impact of the minimum wage on this sector determined. It also adopted the equivalent variation welfare measure which incorporates price and consumption effects in measuring welfare.
To sell or not to sell: the insurance agents’ attitude toward high-risk customers
Authors: Tseng Lu-Ming 
Published: October 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of role ambiguity, norms of reciprocity and ethical policy on the insurance agents’ attitude and intention toward selling insurance to high-risk customers.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed partial least squares regression analyses to test the hypothesized relationships in the conceptual model. To ensure that the questionnaires captured the concept as intended, customer risk status and the level of insurance premium were mentioned literally in the scenario.FindingsThe findings indicated that the insurance agents’ attitude toward high-risk customers has a significant association with the insurance agents’ behavioral intention. Norms of reciprocity and ethical policy have a significant relationship with the attitude and intention.Originality/valueHigh-risk customers may want to buy more insurance. In this case, an adverse selection problem could occur when the insurers lack customer information prior to the insurance transaction. The insurance agents are important marketing channels in the insurance industry. They seek out new customers, gather customer information, and are expected to act in the best interest of the customers. Yet, the insurance agents’ attitude toward high-risk customers is seldom mentioned in the studies on insurance marketing and regulation. This research may make some contributions to the relevant literature because there are few studies in this field.
Practices of corporate integrity and accountability of non-profit organizations in Malaysia
Authors: Atan Ruhaya , Alam Md. Mahmudul , Said Jamaliah 
Published: October 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the five dimensions of corporate integrity systems (CISs) and their effects on accountability outcomes of non-profit organizations (NPOs).Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 550 surveys conducted among NPOs in Malaysia registered under Registrar of Society. Regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between five dimensions of CISs and accountability outcomes.FindingsThe findings revealed that all five dimensions of CISs (compliance, policies and rules, organizational culture, leadership, ethics training and education, and whistle blowing) significantly contribute to positive accountability outcomes of NPOs.Practical implicationsIn order for NPOs to deliver greater accountability outcomes to their stakeholders, serious emphasis on CISs is vital.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is among the first empirical study to examine the role of CIS dimensions and accountability outcomes in the case of NPOs in Malaysia.
Sustainable development and spirituality: a critical analysis of GNH index
Authors: Gupta Kanupriya , Agrawal Rajat 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the relationship between sustainable development (SD) and spirituality. Bhutan, a country believing deeply in Buddhist spiritual values has created a model of Gross National Happiness (GNH) where it is believed that the holistic evolution of human being can take place with a balance of material as well as non-material aspects of spiritual, cultural, societal and environmental. The paper critically analyzes GNH to establish the role of spirituality in SD.

Design/methodology/approach
The paper analyses the GNH concept using literature review. Further, personal meetings with authorities in Bhutan and interaction with citizens of Bhutan used to gather primary data. A critical approach has been applied to understand the practical implication of the concept.

Findings
Good governance, sustainable socioeconomic development, cultural preservation and environmental conservation formed the four basic pillars of the GNH index, further elaborated into 9 domains and 33 clustered indicators. The concept has been commendable in giving new direction to the understanding of SD. Nevertheless, certain discrepancies create ambiguity and limitations around the validity of adoption of the concept in other countries.

Research limitations/implications
A balanced and holistic, yet practical model of SD is necessitated. Bhutan has been a pioneer to suggest the different dimensions that can be acted upon to produce a more honest and sustainable path of being in concord with nature, community and other-related surroundings.

Practical implications
The paper provides insights to researchers and practitioners in understanding the basic essentials required for the SD agenda. The paper derives the learnings from the GNH model which can help in understanding the areas where the western three-pillar model of development needs more refinement. At the same time, the paper also helps in creating the insights for Bhutanese practitioners and policymakers about the areas where the GNH model still needs to be worked upon to improve its efficacy.

Originality/value
The paper proposes that SD can only be achieved through spirituality.
Correlates of poverty in Africa
Authors: Dwumfour Richard Adjei , Agbloyor Elikplimi Komla , Abor Joshua Yindenaba 
Published: October 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine how remittances, financial development (FD), and natural resources and their different transmission channels can be used to reduce poverty in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach
Using the Human Development Index (HDI) as the measure of welfare, the authors specify these relationships using the System GMM estimator approach.

Findings
The authors hypothesise that for remittance to effectively improve welfare, the recipient of remittances must have access to credit to profitably utilise the monies. Again, the authors assert that FD can be effective in improving welfare when development of the sector actually benefits the poor. The authors provide empirical support for these hypotheses using 54 African countries covering the period 1990-2012. The findings also show that the North African region has been able to utilise its oil rents in particular to improve welfare unlike the Sub-Saharan counterpart.

Originality/value
This paper is the first to jointly estimate the impact of remittances, FD, and natural resources on welfare using a comprehensive measure of poverty – HDI.
Is the performance improvement effect of social capital contingent on life cycle stages of professional athletes? Evidence from motorboat racing in Japan
Authors: Fukugawa Nobuya 
Published: October 2017

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine whether bonding and bridging social capital of professional athletes affect their performance and whether the impacts vary according to their life cycle stages.Design/methodology/approachThis study establishes an unbalanced panel of motorboat racers in Japan, and estimates a fixed-effects negative binomial regression model to analyze determining factors in the number of wins in a final, focusing on not only physical factors but also social capital.FindingsBridging social capital, measured by the number of racers in the same regional division, has no impact on performance. Bonding social capital, measured by the number of racers who graduated the training institute in the same period, has positive impacts on performance. This positive effect is more salient among racers who are less experienced, and thus need to extract benefits from social capital to augment limited internal resources.Originality/valueThis study adds statistical evidence to previous literature on the contingency theory that different types of social capital have different impacts on performance under different environments.