By using a stochastic frontier model, we have identified several firm-specific attributes as determinants of technical efficiency in foreign-financed manufacturing firms in southern China. The empirical results suggest a strong association between efficiency and employee motivation, which...

The paper addresses two questions. First, what do national and cross-national regressions reveal about the link from economic growth to poverty reduction, and how is this link affected by (a) initial conditions, such as the degree of inequality, and (b) the type of growth, e.g its sectoral...

This paper analyses the macroeconomic impact of East Asia’s growing demand for primary and industrial commodities in four Latin American countries – Brazil, Chile, Peru and Venezuela. The paper shows that whilst the export boom has contributed to improved external accounts in these...

This paper examines the interaction between the macro-conomy and inequality in Latin America. It focuses on those macroeconomic policies LA countries have been adopting in a post-reform context of fairly liberalised economies. A main problem identified in the paper is that LA countries have been...

This paper is set to examine the developmental impact of international Codes and Standards (C&S) as they are applied to the banking system in Brazil. It is driven by the questions: to what extent has compliance with international C&S affected, or may affect in the future, credit to the SMEs and...

This paper uses ALIS data to compare academic performance in two subjects often viewed as relatively close substitutes for one another at A-level. The important role of GCSE achievement is confirmed for both subjects. There is evidence of strong gender effects and variation in outcomes across...

Banks play a pivotal role in the economic growth and development of countries, primarily through the diversification of risk for both themselves and other economic agents. Interest rate risk is regarded as one of the most prominent financial risks faced by a bank. A large portion of private...