title: Comparative economic performance and stock market performance: Some evidence from the Asia-Pacific region

authors: Bano, Sayeeda

subjects: performance ranking

abstract: This study looks at interdisciplinary research in the fields of economics, finance and socioeconomic relations addressing the question whether the ranking of countries by major economic, social, and financial performance indicators provide any guide to the rate and pattern of growth and development in the Asia-Pacific region. The paper also examines the extent of balanced and sustained growth in selected 14 Asia-Pacific countries. It analyses data on MSCI returns, GDP growth, and HDI to rank and correlate the overall performance of each country during the 1993-2009 period. Gini Index and CPI are also included to provide added insights. The results show that developing countries like India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are at the top on most of the financial and economic indicators, while Japan is the lowest except on HDI, where the bottom rankings goes to India, Indonesia and Pakistan. Overall, the results indicate no significant relationships between a country’s stock market returns and its GDP growth. Nonetheless, the results suggest that for balanced and sustainable well-being, economic growth in the less-developed countries need to be matched by concomitant improvements in social welfare, income distribution, transparency and accountability.

text: Comparative economic performance and stock market performance: Some evidence from the Asia-Pacific region This study looks at interdisciplinary research in the fields of economics, finance and socioeconomic relations addressing the question whether the ranking of countries by major economic, social, and financial performance indicators provide any guide to the rate and pattern of growth and development in the Asia-Pacific region. The paper also examines the extent of balanced and sustained growth in selected 14 Asia-Pacific countries. It analyses data on MSCI returns, GDP growth, and HDI to rank and correlate the overall performance of each country during the 1993-2009 period. Gini Index and CPI are also included to provide added insights. The results show that developing countries like India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are at the top on most of the financial and economic indicators, while Japan is the lowest except on HDI, where the bottom rankings goes to India, Indonesia and Pakistan. Overall, the results indicate no significant relationships between a country’s stock market returns and its GDP growth. Nonetheless, the results suggest that for balanced and sustainable well-being, economic growth in the less-developed countries need to be matched by concomitant improvements in social welfare, income distribution, transparency and accountability.

year: 2011

title: A nui wave encountering psychology from the shores of the Pacific

authors: Siautu, Alefaio

subjects: Maori

abstract: The worldview of Pacific nations which lie within the vast ocean of the South Pacific is yet to be uncovered in the world of psychology. Since the first wave of migrants to the shores of Aotearoa,/New Zealand, many differing pathways have evolved for the children of the Pacific sojourners. Pasefika youth are emerging as an influential force in youth culture today. However, these highly visible pockets of Pasefika talent mask the reality of overcrowded housing, poor health, lowincomes, tailend educational achievement, and the frequent experience of issues to do with cultural identity and values (Tiatia, 1988; Taule’alea’usumai, 1997). Within these areas of concern Pasefika people will encounter ‘helping professions’ such as psychology. It is a discipline which has historically been devoted to understanding the human ‘psyche’ or ‘soul’. Most of this body of knowledge however is derived from European contexts. The South Pacific has now produced a generation of Pasefika academics that are crisscrossing the globe with pioneering theoretical frameworks specific to our region. It is within this framework that I present to you my current thinking and its intent of ‘claiming our legitimate space’.

text: A nui wave encountering psychology from the shores of the Pacific The worldview of Pacific nations which lie within the vast ocean of the South Pacific is yet to be uncovered in the world of psychology. Since the first wave of migrants to the shores of Aotearoa,/New Zealand, many differing pathways have evolved for the children of the Pacific sojourners. Pasefika youth are emerging as an influential force in youth culture today. However, these highly visible pockets of Pasefika talent mask the reality of overcrowded housing, poor health, lowincomes, tailend educational achievement, and the frequent experience of issues to do with cultural identity and values (Tiatia, 1988; Taule’alea’usumai, 1997). Within these areas of concern Pasefika people will encounter ‘helping professions’ such as psychology. It is a discipline which has historically been devoted to understanding the human ‘psyche’ or ‘soul’. Most of this body of knowledge however is derived from European contexts. The South Pacific has now produced a generation of Pasefika academics that are crisscrossing the globe with pioneering theoretical frameworks specific to our region. It is within this framework that I present to you my current thinking and its intent of ‘claiming our legitimate space’.

year: 2008

title: Kua Tupu Te Pā Harakeke: Developing Healthy Whānau Relationships

authors: Pihama, Leonie

abstract: We have opened this chapter with our ‘pēpeha’. Pēpeha are ways through which our people introduce ourselves. These vary from tribe to tribe. The essence of pēpeha is that they link us to our tribes and all associated with that. Our mountains, our rivers, our canoes, our ancestral lines. It links us to each other. It places us, as Māori, within a wider collective consciousness and relationships. It is important to highlight that the term ‘Māori’ is a term that brings us as tribal peoples together. It is a term that our people have chosen to use as a means of unifying ourselves in the wake of the arrival of our colonizers. Prior to colonization all identification was done through our whānau (extended family structure), hapū (subtribes) or iwi (tribes). The term Māori means to be ‘normal’ or ‘pure’, as such it is a fitting term for an Indigenous People. We have, however, also been active in maintaining our hapū and iwi identities and it is through pēpeha that we can culturally share that identity with each other. Our people have been doing this for generations. And in spite of colonization seeking to undermine our cultural identity, many of us continue to do this.

text: Kua Tupu Te Pā Harakeke: Developing Healthy Whānau Relationships We have opened this chapter with our ‘pēpeha’. Pēpeha are ways through which our people introduce ourselves. These vary from tribe to tribe. The essence of pēpeha is that they link us to our tribes and all associated with that. Our mountains, our rivers, our canoes, our ancestral lines. It links us to each other. It places us, as Māori, within a wider collective consciousness and relationships. It is important to highlight that the term ‘Māori’ is a term that brings us as tribal peoples together. It is a term that our people have chosen to use as a means of unifying ourselves in the wake of the arrival of our colonizers. Prior to colonization all identification was done through our whānau (extended family structure), hapū (subtribes) or iwi (tribes). The term Māori means to be ‘normal’ or ‘pure’, as such it is a fitting term for an Indigenous People. We have, however, also been active in maintaining our hapū and iwi identities and it is through pēpeha that we can culturally share that identity with each other. Our people have been doing this for generations. And in spite of colonization seeking to undermine our cultural identity, many of us continue to do this.

year: 2012