title: Quantifying the trade impact of non-tariff measures: Econometric and CGE Analysis

authors: Webb, Mike

subjects: Non-Tariff Measures

abstract: This thesis focuses on the impact of non-tariff measures (NTMs) on merchandise trade. NTMs are broadly defined as policy measures, other than tariffs, which may have an impact on international trade in goods and services. This is an area of emerging importance, for both researchers and policy makers. 

My research involves three main contributions. I propose new approaches to econometrically estimating the effect of NTMs. In addition, I take novel approaches to modelling these effects in a computable equilibrium (CGE) framework.  In order to utilise these econometric and CGE techniques to contribute to an improved understanding on the impacts of NTMs it was necessary for me to gather new data on New Zealand NTMs, which were contributed to an international collaborative project coordinated by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

This thesis comprises four applications. The first (chapter two) focuses on an examination of the effect of animal diseases on beef trade; NTMs are frequently applied to protect importers from diseases. The remaining three applications (chapters three, four and five) draw on the new UNCTAD NTM database, to which I contributed New Zealand data; my data contribution was significant covering 3,096 measures from 530 regulations. Chapter three is an econometric application drawing on these new data, while chapters four and five combine econometric and CGE analysis.

The first application focuses on the impact of foot and mouth disease (FMD) and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on beef trade. I find that during and after a FMD outbreak, exporting countries substitute away from markets recognised as FMD-free toward lower value markets not recognised as FMD-free. Similarly, a country that has experienced BSE will export less to markets that have not experienced BSE and more to markets that have. Regaining official recognition of FMD-free status may aid recovery but does not negate the effects of a recent FMD outbreak. 

The second application uses data from the UNCTAD NTM database for four developed markets. I apply a novel parsimonious regression approach which shows that NTMs that impose a conformity requirement, i.e. testing, certification or inspection, will reduce the number of countries exporting to these markets.

The third application uses data that I collected on the geographical restrictions imposed by New Zealand. These restrictions mean that plant products presenting a biosecurity risk cannot be imported unless the exporting country is covered by an import health standard for that particular commodity. Using the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) model, I find that if, in a counterfactual scenario, all countries were able to export all fruit and vegetable products to New Zealand, imports from Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa and East Asia would increase at the expense of imports from Australia, Oceania, South East Asia, South Asia and North America.

The fourth application models the impact of NTMs on supply chains, with a focus on exports to major ASEAN countries. I first use the detailed UNCTAD NTM database to obtain econometric estimates of the effect of different types of NTMs on imports into major ASEAN countries, using a gravity model framework. I then use these econometric estimates in an extended version of the GTAP model to examine the impact of eliminating the types of NTMs that are found to have significant negative effects on trade. My research illustrates the benefits, both to the major ASEAN countries themselves and to their exporting partners, from the partial liberalisation by ASEAN countries of their most trade distorting types of NTMs.

text: Quantifying the trade impact of non-tariff measures: Econometric and CGE Analysis This thesis focuses on the impact of non-tariff measures (NTMs) on merchandise trade. NTMs are broadly defined as policy measures, other than tariffs, which may have an impact on international trade in goods and services. This is an area of emerging importance, for both researchers and policy makers. 

My research involves three main contributions. I propose new approaches to econometrically estimating the effect of NTMs. In addition, I take novel approaches to modelling these effects in a computable equilibrium (CGE) framework.  In order to utilise these econometric and CGE techniques to contribute to an improved understanding on the impacts of NTMs it was necessary for me to gather new data on New Zealand NTMs, which were contributed to an international collaborative project coordinated by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

This thesis comprises four applications. The first (chapter two) focuses on an examination of the effect of animal diseases on beef trade; NTMs are frequently applied to protect importers from diseases. The remaining three applications (chapters three, four and five) draw on the new UNCTAD NTM database, to which I contributed New Zealand data; my data contribution was significant covering 3,096 measures from 530 regulations. Chapter three is an econometric application drawing on these new data, while chapters four and five combine econometric and CGE analysis.

The first application focuses on the impact of foot and mouth disease (FMD) and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on beef trade. I find that during and after a FMD outbreak, exporting countries substitute away from markets recognised as FMD-free toward lower value markets not recognised as FMD-free. Similarly, a country that has experienced BSE will export less to markets that have not experienced BSE and more to markets that have. Regaining official recognition of FMD-free status may aid recovery but does not negate the effects of a recent FMD outbreak. 

The second application uses data from the UNCTAD NTM database for four developed markets. I apply a novel parsimonious regression approach which shows that NTMs that impose a conformity requirement, i.e. testing, certification or inspection, will reduce the number of countries exporting to these markets.

The third application uses data that I collected on the geographical restrictions imposed by New Zealand. These restrictions mean that plant products presenting a biosecurity risk cannot be imported unless the exporting country is covered by an import health standard for that particular commodity. Using the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) model, I find that if, in a counterfactual scenario, all countries were able to export all fruit and vegetable products to New Zealand, imports from Europe, Latin America, Middle East and Africa and East Asia would increase at the expense of imports from Australia, Oceania, South East Asia, South Asia and North America.

The fourth application models the impact of NTMs on supply chains, with a focus on exports to major ASEAN countries. I first use the detailed UNCTAD NTM database to obtain econometric estimates of the effect of different types of NTMs on imports into major ASEAN countries, using a gravity model framework. I then use these econometric estimates in an extended version of the GTAP model to examine the impact of eliminating the types of NTMs that are found to have significant negative effects on trade. My research illustrates the benefits, both to the major ASEAN countries themselves and to their exporting partners, from the partial liberalisation by ASEAN countries of their most trade distorting types of NTMs.

year: 2018

title: Memories of who we are: A preliminary identification of autobiographical memory functions in recall of authentic and inauthentic events

authors: Sutton, Anna

abstract: The story of who we are is central to our sense of authenticity and this story is constructed from our autobiographical memories. Yet we know surprisingly little about the functions that autobiographical memories of being authentic serve. This study provides a preliminary examination of the self, social and directive functions used in autobiographical memories of being authentic and inauthentic. Participants recalled times they felt they had been authentic or inauthentic at work. Analyses revealed that the self and directive functions were significantly more prevalent than the social function. In addition, authentic memories were most strongly associated with the self function while inauthentic memories were more likely to be used for the directive function. This may indicate that recall of an authentic experience serves to support one’s current self-identity, while recall of an inauthentic experience provides an opportunity to direct future behaviour towards a more authentic response. This study provides some of the first evidence for how autobiographical memories of being authentic or inauthentic may function in developing a coherent story of self that is needed for a sense of authenticity.

text: Memories of who we are: A preliminary identification of autobiographical memory functions in recall of authentic and inauthentic events The story of who we are is central to our sense of authenticity and this story is constructed from our autobiographical memories. Yet we know surprisingly little about the functions that autobiographical memories of being authentic serve. This study provides a preliminary examination of the self, social and directive functions used in autobiographical memories of being authentic and inauthentic. Participants recalled times they felt they had been authentic or inauthentic at work. Analyses revealed that the self and directive functions were significantly more prevalent than the social function. In addition, authentic memories were most strongly associated with the self function while inauthentic memories were more likely to be used for the directive function. This may indicate that recall of an authentic experience serves to support one’s current self-identity, while recall of an inauthentic experience provides an opportunity to direct future behaviour towards a more authentic response. This study provides some of the first evidence for how autobiographical memories of being authentic or inauthentic may function in developing a coherent story of self that is needed for a sense of authenticity.

year: 2021

title: Portfolio of Compositions: Systematic composition of cross-genre hybrid music

authors: Mayall, Jeremy Mark

subjects: cross-genre hybrid music

abstract: The research focus of this PhD thesis is the development of a new technique for composing original musical compositions in which elements from different musical genres are hybridised. The innovative aspect of achieving balanced hybridity is the development of a systematic approach to selecting and synthesising or hybridising key musical elements across a range of different genres. The major component of this submission is a portfolio of nine original works with attached CD/DVD recordings. 

1. Tracking Forward for viola, backing track and video 
2. The Long White Cloud for chamber band and electronics 
3. ‘Colorless green ideas sleep furiously’ for orchestra 
4. Push for Miles for electric bass and backing track 
5. Norse Suite for viola and cello 
6. The Foggy Field a studio construction 
7. Into the Nocturnal Sunshine for flute, viola, cello, drums and electronics 
8. One Night, New Breath for taonga puoro, viola, drums and electronics 
9. Sketches of an Intergalactic Earworm for piano trio and boombox

The accompanying documentation clarifies, and contextualises the creation and presentation of these works; and illuminates the aesthetic underpinnings and compositional techniques developed and utilised as a part of this hybrid-genre compositional approach. The structure of the supporting exegesis is in two parts: the methodology of practice-based research, and reflective investigation. Part One (Chapters 1 and 2) is an introductory overview; an observation of the existing literature and related work, relevant creative practice in the composer’s previous work; and the compositional methodology – including an explanation of the genre matrix. Part Two (Chapters 3 to 12) analyses the use of genre, the balance of hybridity, and relevant compositional techniques utilised in the development of each individual piece.

text: Portfolio of Compositions: Systematic composition of cross-genre hybrid music The research focus of this PhD thesis is the development of a new technique for composing original musical compositions in which elements from different musical genres are hybridised. The innovative aspect of achieving balanced hybridity is the development of a systematic approach to selecting and synthesising or hybridising key musical elements across a range of different genres. The major component of this submission is a portfolio of nine original works with attached CD/DVD recordings. 

1. Tracking Forward for viola, backing track and video 
2. The Long White Cloud for chamber band and electronics 
3. ‘Colorless green ideas sleep furiously’ for orchestra 
4. Push for Miles for electric bass and backing track 
5. Norse Suite for viola and cello 
6. The Foggy Field a studio construction 
7. Into the Nocturnal Sunshine for flute, viola, cello, drums and electronics 
8. One Night, New Breath for taonga puoro, viola, drums and electronics 
9. Sketches of an Intergalactic Earworm for piano trio and boombox

The accompanying documentation clarifies, and contextualises the creation and presentation of these works; and illuminates the aesthetic underpinnings and compositional techniques developed and utilised as a part of this hybrid-genre compositional approach. The structure of the supporting exegesis is in two parts: the methodology of practice-based research, and reflective investigation. Part One (Chapters 1 and 2) is an introductory overview; an observation of the existing literature and related work, relevant creative practice in the composer’s previous work; and the compositional methodology – including an explanation of the genre matrix. Part Two (Chapters 3 to 12) analyses the use of genre, the balance of hybridity, and relevant compositional techniques utilised in the development of each individual piece.

year: 2015