{"title":"The Role of Governments in Iran Regional Development (Case Study: Tenth Government)","authors":"A. Azadi, S. Delangizan, A. Falahati","doi":"10.22059/IER.2021.81856","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22059/IER.2021.81856","url":null,"abstract":"Development is a multi-dimensional process which has evolved over time with conceptual challenges and has undergone different dimensions to complete the word. One of its important dimensions is paying attention to social justice within the framework of regional equilibrium. The present article tries to investigate this important dimension for the tenth government in Iran. With the aim of analyzing regional equilibrium process and providing priorities for the development of the provinces can play an effective role in national policies to promote regional equality and decentralization. Using multi-dimensional decision making (MADM) and Topsis model, after the formation of a Regression and Matrix model with 21 indicators and 157 sub-indicators for the developmental level of the provinces, it was revealed that Tehran and South Khorasan provinces placed first and last respectively and using the cluster model Iranian provinces were categorized into five groups from which one province was a highly developed province, six provinces were developed, 11 provinces with moderate development, 12 undeveloped provinces and 1 was considered as a deprived province. Among other results of the study, we can mention the direct relationship between the development of regions with population growth and its indirect relation with the spatial distance from the capital for groups of 5 in the cluster method. Also, a ranking of the provinces is presented in terms of institutional indicators.","PeriodicalId":38289,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Economic Review","volume":"25 1","pages":"1-20"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44701530","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Investigation of Resiliency and Efficiency of Free Zones by Using DEA","authors":"Nazar Dahmardeh Ghaleno, A. Rahnama, M. Hajian","doi":"10.22059/IER.2021.81862","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22059/IER.2021.81862","url":null,"abstract":"From the perspective of local economic development, on the one hand, free zones increase trade and attract some necessary technical and capital expertise and therefore, lead to the economy dynamics. On the other hand, the resiliency of these areas causes free zones to observe less fluctuation over time and will suffer less damage. Today, the concept of efficiency and effectiveness is one of the things to be taken noticed by many economists. Therefore, using the indices of Burman et al. (2013) and Briguglio (2003) and window analysis, this paper is to investigate the resiliency and efficiency of Iranian free zones. Accordingly, using the resiliency indices of Burman et al. (2013) and Briguglio (2003), free zones of Kish, Qeshm, Chabahar, Anzali, Arvand, and Aras over the period of 2011–2015 are evaluated. Results indicate that most free trade zones have not operated in accordance with the resiliency based on the sub-indices of exports rate, imports, ratio of exports to total, trade balance, foreign and domestic investment, employment, income, and the number of registered firms. Results of the DEA indicated that the only free zone is Anzali which was functioning efficiently. Therefore, it is recommended that the government provides conditions for attracting foreign and domestic investment through giving tax incentives, refining laws, custom taxes, etc. The re-export of imported goods can be effective in improving performance in these areas.","PeriodicalId":38289,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Economic Review","volume":"25 1","pages":"85-100"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49305233","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Ajija, Eka Mei Aminatus Solikah, Wasiaturrahma Wasiaturrahma
{"title":"Impact of Village Funds and Number of Cooperatives on the Number of Poor Residents in East Java Province","authors":"S. Ajija, Eka Mei Aminatus Solikah, Wasiaturrahma Wasiaturrahma","doi":"10.22059/IER.2021.79459","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22059/IER.2021.79459","url":null,"abstract":"This study analyzes Village Fund as a government policy concerning impoverished communities and cooperatives as a financial institution producing capital in East Java Province. The study used the district and city panel data of East Java Province in 2010-2018. It utilized panel data regression with the Fixed Effect Model (FEM). Estimation results show that village funds and the number of cooperatives have a negative impact on the number of poor people. This means that the higher the Village Fund and the number of cooperatives in districts and cities of East Java Province, the decreased the number of poor people in the region. Therefore, those instruments can be used to support the program of the local government in reducing the poverty.","PeriodicalId":38289,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Economic Review","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41644354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessing the Dynamic Effects of Oscillations in the Exchange Rate on Commodity-wise Trade Flows between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia: Evidence from ARDL Approach","authors":"M. Chishti","doi":"10.22059/IER.2021.79457","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22059/IER.2021.79457","url":null,"abstract":"A plethora of literature on nexus between exchange rate volatility and trade is available in the context of Pakistan; however, the majority of studies suffer from the exigency of aggregation bias on account of using aggregated level data. To tackle the issue of aggregation bias, the current research deploys disaggregated level (commodity-wise) data to explore the effects of oscillations in the exchange rate on bilateral trade between Pakistan and its major trading partner Saudi Arabia. Employing the annual data from 1981 to 2018, ARDL bound testing approach confirms the long-run association among the modeled variables. The application of the ARDL approach reveals the following results. First, exchange rate volatility exhibits the dynamic effects on 72% of total exporting industries in the short-run, while this impact reduces to 51% of exporting industries in the long-run. Second, 56% of total importing industries demonstrate a significant response to the volatility in the short-run, while these effects expand to 73% importing industries in the long-run. Third, the current study's unique finding is that three big industries of exports function coded as 42, 66, and 75 with a share of 35%, 7% & 6%, respectively, enjoy the positive effects of the volatility in the long-run. Also, the current work suggests some appropriate policy recommendations.","PeriodicalId":38289,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Economic Review","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42964569","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
H. Fazlul, Tahmina Akter Joya, A. Akter, Sauda Afrin Anny, Moriom Khatun, Supawat Rungsuriyawiboon
{"title":"Profit Efficiency and Technology Adoption of Boro Rice Production in Bangladesh","authors":"H. Fazlul, Tahmina Akter Joya, A. Akter, Sauda Afrin Anny, Moriom Khatun, Supawat Rungsuriyawiboon","doi":"10.22059/IER.2021.79456","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22059/IER.2021.79456","url":null,"abstract":"This study aims to find out the profit efficiency and determinants of profit efficiency in Boro rice cultivation in Manikganj and Dhaka districts of Bangladesh. It also focuses on technology adoption and the effect of technology adoption on the profit efficiency of Boro rice cultivation in Bangladesh. The data were collected from 300 households growing Boro rice through face-to-face interview by one set structured questionnaire. The findings showed that the profit efficiency of the farmer varied between 23% and 97% with a mean of 76% which implied as 24% of the profit is lost due to a combination of technical and allocative inefficiencies in Boro rice cultivation in the study area. The inefficiency model revealed that the education level of the farmer, farm size, variety of seed, and training& extension service influence the profit inefficiency significantly. The study also explained that the level of technology adoption index affects profit efficiency. The technology adoption in Boro rice cultivation is influenced by the education level of the farmer, farm size, and farm capital.","PeriodicalId":38289,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Economic Review","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45835374","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Openness and Government Size: Evidence from Sub-Saharan African Countries","authors":"P. Nwosa","doi":"10.22059/IER.2021.79458","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22059/IER.2021.79458","url":null,"abstract":"Over the years, African countries have implemented various economic liberalization reforms. The impact of such policy reforms on government size has remained a contentious issue in the literature. Thus, this study examined the relationship between openness and government size in Sub-Saharan African countries. The study covered twenty-one African countries over the period 2001 to 2019. Specifically, the study examined the validity of the compensation and efficiency hypotheses with respect to Sub-Saharan African countries. The findings of the study did not support the existence of both the compensation and the efficiency hypotheses. Also, it was observed that financial openness had an insignificant influence on the relationship between trade openness and government size in Sub-Saharan African countries. Thus, the study concludes that the compensated and the efficiency hypotheses do not hold with respect to Sub-Saharan African countries.","PeriodicalId":38289,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Economic Review","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48596484","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amirul Afif Muhamat, M. N. Jaafar, S. Alwi, N. A. Karim
{"title":"Sustainability of Islamic Bank CSR Programs: Experience from the Emerging Market","authors":"Amirul Afif Muhamat, M. N. Jaafar, S. Alwi, N. A. Karim","doi":"10.22059/IER.2021.79383","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22059/IER.2021.79383","url":null,"abstract":"This article discusses the sustainability of an Islamic CSR programs by assessing the satisfaction and their quality of life. A series of semi-structured interviews were conducted with the beneficiaries of the CSR programs through the platform established by the bank, Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad which is known as the Sadaqa House. Three key informants or key informants had been selected who represented their institutions and received assistance from the CSR programs. The interviews data were analyzed using the content analysis method. Findings showed that Sadaqa House as a platform that managing the CSR programs has managed to improve the quality of life and being sustainable. This study is constrained by a small sample of key informants however the saturation of information or data is achieved as per the objectives of the study. Moreover, the key informants who were selected were relevant and appropriate for the study. Hence, able to provide meaningful insights and achieve the objectives. This study contributes towards a better understanding of the impact of CSR programs provided by the financial institutions and the sustainability of such programs toward the beneficiaries. The study brings a perspective of the emerging market in the context of CSR. The experience of this bank can be used as a reference for best practices to be emulated by others.","PeriodicalId":38289,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Economic Review","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"68438365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Do Islamic Stocks Reinforce Real Economic Activity? Evidence from an Emerging Islamic Capital Market","authors":"Saqib Farid, T. Khan, Malik Waseem Jan","doi":"10.22059/IER.2021.79382","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22059/IER.2021.79382","url":null,"abstract":"The principles of Islamic moral economy encourage real economic activity and asset driven financing model. Accordingly, the study examines the dynamic association between Islamic stocks and real economic activity in an emerging Islamic capital market. The study employs various robust time series methods to unveil the relationship between Islamic stocks and real economic activity. Moreover, in the presence of other well-known predictors of economic activity like, conventional stock index, interest rate and exchange rate, the study finds bidirectional causal relationship between Islamic Shariah-compliant stock index and real economic activity in Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). The findings of the study reinforce the notion that the development of the Islamic capital market leads to an augmented level of real economic activity.","PeriodicalId":38289,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Economic Review","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41354580","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Azar Tabesh, M. Sameti, S. Samadi, M. Farhadian, G. Kiani
{"title":"Economic Evaluation of PPP in the Water Sector: Financial CGE Approach","authors":"Azar Tabesh, M. Sameti, S. Samadi, M. Farhadian, G. Kiani","doi":"10.22059/IER.2021.79385","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22059/IER.2021.79385","url":null,"abstract":"Value for money assessment is used in Iran to select appropriate projects for partnership with the private sector by public-private partnership contracts. However, this method merely focuses on the direct effects on the project's level and ignores the economic and social impacts and indirect national and regional impacts. This method also is limited to selecting discount rates and tax position adjustments. It ignores both the benefits users receive from increasing the quality of services through public-private partnerships and the project's financing methods. So ignoring these problems can lead to significant errors in assessments. Therefore, the present paper aims at using a complementary approach to make decisions about investing by public-private partnership method in one of the infrastructures of water resources development in the country. In this regard, the effect of building, financing, and operation of the desalination project and water transfer from the Persian Gulf to industry and mine sectors in the southeastern provinces of the country by a public-private partnership model and using the recursive dynamic FCGE model to Iran's economic growth simulate and compare it to the traditional procurement model. Based on the results, if the project is financed in the traditional procurement model (through increasing tax revenues) and if it is financed through public-private partnerships (through the capital market) without increasing the productivity rate, it has no economic justification. In other words, this project is economically justifiable only if it is implemented by a public-private partnership contract and increasing productivity by at least 0.01% during the operation period.","PeriodicalId":38289,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Economic Review","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45926748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"ICT and Information Asymmetry New Evidence of the Financial System in Selected MENA countries","authors":"yousef eisazadeh roshan, Yousef Abdi","doi":"10.22059/IER.2021.79384","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.22059/IER.2021.79384","url":null,"abstract":"The present study aims to investigate the role of ICT in reducing the effect of information asymmetry on the financial development. For this purpose, data associated with the selected countries of MENA during the years 2004-2015 were extracted from the official sources and then the research model was evaluated in the short- and long-term using the dynamic generalized method of moments and FMOLS methods, respectively. The results show that, first, in the short and long terms, the greater the information asymmetry, the lower the financial development. Second, among the ICT indicators, only mobile internet can improve the financial system in the countries under study in the short term through information symmetry. Fixed telephone and fixed broadband internet cannot mitigate the negative effect of information asymmetry on short-term and long-term financial development in the countries under study.","PeriodicalId":38289,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Economic Review","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43222886","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}