In this paper, we implement Granger causalty tests using panel data as methodology perfected by Hurlin (2004, 2005) and Hurlin and Venet(2004). We consider the bilateral trade patterns of the European Union with 17 countries over the period 1976-2000. We show that for the whole sample, there are...

This paper investigates the welfare effects of international trade when technological idiosyncratic risk is distorted by optimistic and pessimistic managers. We show that free trade always improves the ex-ante welfare but sometimes lowers the ex-post welfare. Free trade commitment can be...

Differences between domestic financial systems can lead to international trade. A country with relatively developed or decentralized financial systems will export innovative commodities while a country with less developed and centralized financial systems will export traditional commodities....

This paper examines the debate over the gains from trade when international differences in the risk perception of heterogeneous managers provide the basis for trade: the relatively optimistic country exports the risky commodity whereas the relatively pessimistic country exports the certain...

We suggest an explanation for the existence of “mission drift”, the tendency for Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) to lend money to wealthier borrowers rather than to the very poor. We focus on the relationship between MFIs and external funding institutions. We assume that both the MFIs and...

We analyze the relationship between Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) and external donors, with the aim of contributing to the debate on “mission drift” in microfinance. We assume that both the donor and the MFI are pro-poor, possibly at different extents. Borrowers can be (very) poor or...

Developing countries economies are well-known for both the inadequacy of the institutional framework (this is particularly relevant for the legal system) and the presence of informal nancing. The former characteristic signi cantly reduces the e¢ ciency of con- tractual mechanisms. As a result,...