title: Political connections, family ownership and access to bank credit

authors: Wellalage, Nirosha Hewa

subjects: Bank credit

abstract: This study investigates how firm-level political connections (PCs) play a role in their access to bank credit. We decompose the bank loan application process into the self-selection process of firms and the selection process of banks. Using 17,249 firms from 2018 to 2020, World Bank Enterprise surveys, we find that PCs are positively associated with the willingness of firms to apply for bank credit, the probability of credit approval, and favourable credit terms. Moreover, being a family firm raises the probability of securing credit approval by 21% and, when the firm is politically connected, the probability of obtaining secure loans without collateral is 11% greater than firms without political connections. In line with institutional theory, we argue that PCs promote efficiency by allowing private sector agents to circumvent cumbersome regulations in developing and transitional economies.

text: Political connections, family ownership and access to bank credit This study investigates how firm-level political connections (PCs) play a role in their access to bank credit. We decompose the bank loan application process into the self-selection process of firms and the selection process of banks. Using 17,249 firms from 2018 to 2020, World Bank Enterprise surveys, we find that PCs are positively associated with the willingness of firms to apply for bank credit, the probability of credit approval, and favourable credit terms. Moreover, being a family firm raises the probability of securing credit approval by 21% and, when the firm is politically connected, the probability of obtaining secure loans without collateral is 11% greater than firms without political connections. In line with institutional theory, we argue that PCs promote efficiency by allowing private sector agents to circumvent cumbersome regulations in developing and transitional economies.

year: 2022-12-01

title: Talented and living on the wrong side of the tracks

authors: Ballam, Nadine Dawn

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: Gifted young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds are underrepresented in gifted and talented programs in New Zealand schools (Ministry of Education, 2000) and in recent years this has been highlighted as an area of concern. The aim of this paper is to indicate the extent to which giftedness and financially challenging circumstances influence the identities of young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds. This study investigates the lived experiences of 93 survey participants and eight interviewees aged between 17 and 27 years, who grew up in financially challenging situations in New Zealand. The research indicates that socioeconomic adversity can actually contribute significantly to adaptive outcomes for gifted young people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Moreover, socioeconomic adversity is intrinsically valuable in relation to aspects of identity. This study also suggests that the limitations of giftedness can have more detrimental effects on an individual’s sense of identity than limitations associated with their socioeconomic circumstances.

text: Talented and living on the wrong side of the tracks Gifted young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds are underrepresented in gifted and talented programs in New Zealand schools (Ministry of Education, 2000) and in recent years this has been highlighted as an area of concern. The aim of this paper is to indicate the extent to which giftedness and financially challenging circumstances influence the identities of young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds. This study investigates the lived experiences of 93 survey participants and eight interviewees aged between 17 and 27 years, who grew up in financially challenging situations in New Zealand. The research indicates that socioeconomic adversity can actually contribute significantly to adaptive outcomes for gifted young people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Moreover, socioeconomic adversity is intrinsically valuable in relation to aspects of identity. This study also suggests that the limitations of giftedness can have more detrimental effects on an individual’s sense of identity than limitations associated with their socioeconomic circumstances.

year: 2010

title: The Debate over 'Kai Tangata' (Maori Cannibalism): New Perspectives from the Correspondence of the Marists

authors: Jennings, William

subjects: cannibalism

abstract: French Marist missionaries working in New Zealand from 1838 sometimes mentioned Maori cannibalism in their correspondence. This article finds that the Marists considered cannibalism to be a cultural practice of minor interest, not a defining point of difference between Maori and Europeans. The article also finds some evidence of ritual cannibalism, but not of mass battlefield cannibalism or of the eating of people for food.

text: The Debate over 'Kai Tangata' (Maori Cannibalism): New Perspectives from the Correspondence of the Marists French Marist missionaries working in New Zealand from 1838 sometimes mentioned Maori cannibalism in their correspondence. This article finds that the Marists considered cannibalism to be a cultural practice of minor interest, not a defining point of difference between Maori and Europeans. The article also finds some evidence of ritual cannibalism, but not of mass battlefield cannibalism or of the eating of people for food.

year: 2011