The paper studies the commutative and causality relationship between economic openness and indigenous factors. The construction of the Openness Index and the Indigenous Index provides a measure on the extent of openness and indigenous development among world economies. The two indices are used...

Semiparametric estimation shows that growth is contingent on openness, domestic performance and level of development. Economies with low degree of openness can adopt more open policies and stronger measures to achieve better domestic performance and hasten their growth

Evidences from nonparametric and semiparametric unbalanced panel data models with fixed effects show that Kuznets' inverted-U relationship is confirmed when economic development reaches a threshold. The model tests justify semiparametric specification. The integrated net contribution of control...