Ganeshan Wignaraja - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Ganeshan Wignaraja
Die ZBW räumt Ihnen als Nutzerin/Nutzer das unentgeltliche, räumlich unbeschränkte und zeitlich a... more Die ZBW räumt Ihnen als Nutzerin/Nutzer das unentgeltliche, räumlich unbeschränkte und zeitlich auf die Dauer des Schutzrechts beschränkte einfache Recht ein, das ausgewählte Werk im Rahmen der unter
The Working Paper series is a continuation of the formerly named Discussion Paper series; the num... more The Working Paper series is a continuation of the formerly named Discussion Paper series; the numbering of the papers continued without interruption or change. ADBI’s working papers reflect initial ideas on a topic and are posted online for discussion. ADBI encourages readers to post their comments on the main page for each working paper (given in the citation below). Some working papers may develop into other forms of publication.
and job creation in African enterprises: Evidence from Mauritius and Kenya by
This paper examines the links between ownership, innovation and exporting in electronics firms in... more This paper examines the links between ownership, innovation and exporting in electronics firms in three late industrializing East Asian countries (China, Thailand and the Philippines) drawing on recent developments in applied international trade and innovation and learning. Technology-based approaches to trade offer a plausible explanation for firm-level exporting behavior. The econometric results (using probit) confirm the importance of foreign ownership and innovation in increasing the probability of exporting in electronics. Higher levels of skills, managers ’ education and capital also matter in China as well as accumulated experience in Thailand. Furthermore, a technology index composed of technical functions performed by firms emerges as a more robust indicator of innovation than the R&D to sales ratio. Accordingly, technological effort in electronics in these countries mostly focuses on assimilating and using imported technologies rather than formal R&D by specialized engineers.
grateful to comments made by Garry Hawke and Mike Plummer, and to editorial assistance provided b... more grateful to comments made by Garry Hawke and Mike Plummer, and to editorial assistance provided by Barnard Helman. The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank Institute, its Board of Directors, or the governments they represent. Asian Development Bank
This paper undertakes a comparative, firm-level analysis of joining the supply chain in five Sout... more This paper undertakes a comparative, firm-level analysis of joining the supply chain in five Southeast Asian economies to improve our understanding of fragmentation of manufacturing across borders. The research maps supply chains and conducts firm-level econometric analysis on 5,900 enterprises. The findings suggests that firm size (reflecting economies of scale to overcome entry costs) matters for joining supply chains with large firms playing the dominant role in Southeast Asian economies. Meanwhile, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) make a small contribution to supply chain activity relatively to the sectors employment or GDP contribution in South East Asian economies. However, firm size is not the whole story. Efficiencyparticularly investment in building technological capabilities and skillsand access to commercial bank credit also influence joining supply chains. The paper suggests that governments can facilitate SMEs joining supply chains through a marketoriented strategy for SMEs, modern physical infrastructure, streamlined bureaucratic procedures and good quality business support services.
The views expressed in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the v... more The views expressed in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank. FOREWORD The ERD Working Paper Series is a forum for ongoing and recently completed research and policy studies undertaken in the Asian Development Bank or on its behalf. The Series is a quick-disseminating, informal publication meant to stimulate discussion and elicit feedback. Papers published under this Series could subsequently be revised for publication as articles in professional journals or chapters in books.
ISBN 978-92-9257-126-9 (e-ISBN) ISSN 2071-7202 (Print) ISSN 2218-2675 (e-ISSN) Publication Stock ... more ISBN 978-92-9257-126-9 (e-ISBN) ISSN 2071-7202 (Print) ISSN 2218-2675 (e-ISSN) Publication Stock No. ABF157656 • The economies of South Asia and Southeast Asia are a bright spot in a fragile world economy. These economies are growing steadily and forging closer economic ties than ever before. However, regional integration between South and Southeast Asia is still relatively limited, hindered by various problems particularly bottlenecks in transport infrastructure. • Road and rail links between Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Thailand—the key land connections between the two regions—are patchy, with belowstandard sections and missing links. In the case of rail transport, these problems are compounded by differences in gauges and rolling stock. Furthermore, seaports in the Bay of Bengal suffer from deficiencies in draft, capacity, operational efficiency, and road and rail access. • Improving the quality of regional transport infrastructure, and adding it where it does not exist, will ...
Acknowledgements Abbreviations Appendices Tables, Figures and Boxes Currency Equivalents Foreword... more Acknowledgements Abbreviations Appendices Tables, Figures and Boxes Currency Equivalents Foreword Executive Summary 1. Setting and Approach 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Objectives 1.3 A Framework for Analysing Competitiveness 1.4 Structure of Study 2. Mauritian Manufactured Export Performance in Comparative Perspective 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Export Values and Structure 2.3 Growth Rates 2.4 Market Shares and Competitive Positioning 2.5 Revealed Comparative Advantage 2.6 Mauritian Comparative Advantages and Challenges 3. Trade and Industrial Policies 3.1 Import Liberalisation 3.2 Exchange Rate Management 3.3 Export Policies and Incentives 3.4 Regulations and Procedures 3.5 Enterprise-Level Perceptions of the Policy and Incentive Regime 4. Human Resources for Competitiveness 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Labour Costs and Productivity 4.3 Skills 4.3.1 Formal Education 4.3.2 Employee Skills and Training 4.4 Training Needs by Main Exporting Activities 4.1.1 Textiles and Clothing 4.1.2 Information Technology...
The surge in free trade agreements (FTAs) in East Asia since the Asian financial crisis has promp... more The surge in free trade agreements (FTAs) in East Asia since the Asian financial crisis has prompted a lively debate on the characteristics, impact, and future path of FTAs in the region. To inform the ongoing debate, this paper maps the salient characteristics of East Asian FTAs using a new FTA database, identifies several key issues to be addressed, and explores economic effects using computable general equilibrium (CGE) analysis. The paper suggests that WTO-plus elements need to be further expanded and the negative aspects of FTAs be minimized. The paper argues that consolidation of multiple and overlapping FTAs into a single East Asian FTA can help mitigate the harmful “noodle bowl” effects of different rules of origin (ROOs) and standards and that the consolidation at the ASEAN+6 level would yield the largest gains to East Asia among plausible regional trade arrangements—while the losses to non-members would be relatively small. For such consolidation to occur, ASEAN must act a...
The ten ASEAN economies are likely to grow at a reasonable 4.4% in 2015 and 4.9% in 2016 during t... more The ten ASEAN economies are likely to grow at a reasonable 4.4% in 2015 and 4.9% in 2016 during the transi on to slower “new normal” world growth around 3.0% in 2015 and 3.6% in 2016. They are also planning to introduce an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by the end of 2015, forming an integrated produc on base and market of over 600 million people. Moreover, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Brunei are ac ve in the Transpacific Partnership (TPP) led by the United States which could create a huge trade bloc covering 40% of world trade. Achievement of AEC, an eventual TPP agreement, a strategic geographical loca on in dynamic East Asia, and skilled labor mean that ASEAN will be a magnet for foreign investment in manufacturing, services and infrastructure.
This paper undertakes a comparative, firm-level analysis of joining the supply chain in five Sout... more This paper undertakes a comparative, firm-level analysis of joining the supply chain in five Southeast Asian economies to improve our understanding of fragmentation of manufacturing across borders. The research maps supply chains and conducts firm-level econometric analysis on 5,900 enterprises. The findings suggests that firm size (reflecting economies of scale to overcome entry costs) matters for joining supply chains with large firms playing the dominant role in Southeast Asian economies. Meanwhile, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) make a small contribution to supply chain activity relatively to the sectors employment or GDP contribution in South East Asian economies. However, firm size is not the whole story. Efficiencyparticularly investment in building technological capabilities and skillsand access to commercial bank credit also influence joining supply chains. The paper suggests that governments can facilitate SMEs joining supply chains through a marketoriented strategy for SMEs, modern physical infrastructure, streamlined bureaucratic procedures and good quality business support services.
Thailandan outward-oriented regional production hubis one of East Asia's most active users of... more Thailandan outward-oriented regional production hubis one of East Asia's most active users of free trade agreements (FTAs) as an instrument of commercial policy. By December 2009, Thailand had 11 concluded FTAs, and more were either under negotiation or proposed. Thai trade negotiators have striven to secure market access via FTAs, but little is known on how FTAs actually affect exporting firms. A survey of 221 exporters in leading sectors forms the basis for the first systematic study of the business impact of FTAs in Thailand. Key findings are as follows : (i) 24.9% of respondents used Thai FTAs as of 20072008, and this figure seems set to rise; (ii) 45.9% of respondents said that FTAs had influenced their business plans; (iii) 26.2% of firms felt that dealing with multiple rules of origin adds to business costs, and this is estimated to be less than 1% of export sales; (iv) more than half the sample firms have consulted with government and business associations on FTAs; and (...
Philippine Journal of Development, 2011
Within East Asia, the outward-oriented Philippine economy is a latecomer to using free trade agre... more Within East Asia, the outward-oriented Philippine economy is a latecomer to using free trade agreements (FTAs) as a trade policy instrument and has relied heavily on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for regional liberalization. While negotiating FTAs has consumed scarce time and other resources, limited attention has been hitherto given to evaluating the impact of FTAs--particularly the 15-year-old ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)--on business activity in the Philippines.Using a survey of 155 manufactured goods exporters from three sectors (machinery and transport equipment, processed foods, and electronics), this study deals with three questions: (1) Do firms use AFTA and why and how are firms responding to AFTA and other FTAs? (2) What impedes firms from using either AFTA or other FTAs? (3) What can be done to improve FTA use at the firm level in the future?The study finds that utilization of AFTA is higher than expected from existing studies and is set to double in ...
Competitiveness Strategy in Developing Countries
... Sheila Page is Research Fellow at the Overseas Development Institute and Co-ordinator of its ... more ... Sheila Page is Research Fellow at the Overseas Development Institute and Co-ordinator of its ... to Lionel Weekes (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of International Business, Barbados), Tan Song Chuan (President, International Trade Institute of Singapore), Grace Ng (its Vice ...
Journal of Southeast Asian Economies (JSEAE), 2016
The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of ... more The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. Established by the US Congress in 1960, the Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options. The Center's 21-acre Honolulu campus, adjacent to the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, is located midway between Asia and the US mainland and features research, residential, and international conference facilities. The Center's Washington, DC, office focuses on preparing the United States for an era of growing Asia Pacific prominence.
Die ZBW räumt Ihnen als Nutzerin/Nutzer das unentgeltliche, räumlich unbeschränkte und zeitlich a... more Die ZBW räumt Ihnen als Nutzerin/Nutzer das unentgeltliche, räumlich unbeschränkte und zeitlich auf die Dauer des Schutzrechts beschränkte einfache Recht ein, das ausgewählte Werk im Rahmen der unter
The Working Paper series is a continuation of the formerly named Discussion Paper series; the num... more The Working Paper series is a continuation of the formerly named Discussion Paper series; the numbering of the papers continued without interruption or change. ADBI’s working papers reflect initial ideas on a topic and are posted online for discussion. ADBI encourages readers to post their comments on the main page for each working paper (given in the citation below). Some working papers may develop into other forms of publication.
and job creation in African enterprises: Evidence from Mauritius and Kenya by
This paper examines the links between ownership, innovation and exporting in electronics firms in... more This paper examines the links between ownership, innovation and exporting in electronics firms in three late industrializing East Asian countries (China, Thailand and the Philippines) drawing on recent developments in applied international trade and innovation and learning. Technology-based approaches to trade offer a plausible explanation for firm-level exporting behavior. The econometric results (using probit) confirm the importance of foreign ownership and innovation in increasing the probability of exporting in electronics. Higher levels of skills, managers ’ education and capital also matter in China as well as accumulated experience in Thailand. Furthermore, a technology index composed of technical functions performed by firms emerges as a more robust indicator of innovation than the R&D to sales ratio. Accordingly, technological effort in electronics in these countries mostly focuses on assimilating and using imported technologies rather than formal R&D by specialized engineers.
grateful to comments made by Garry Hawke and Mike Plummer, and to editorial assistance provided b... more grateful to comments made by Garry Hawke and Mike Plummer, and to editorial assistance provided by Barnard Helman. The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank Institute, its Board of Directors, or the governments they represent. Asian Development Bank
This paper undertakes a comparative, firm-level analysis of joining the supply chain in five Sout... more This paper undertakes a comparative, firm-level analysis of joining the supply chain in five Southeast Asian economies to improve our understanding of fragmentation of manufacturing across borders. The research maps supply chains and conducts firm-level econometric analysis on 5,900 enterprises. The findings suggests that firm size (reflecting economies of scale to overcome entry costs) matters for joining supply chains with large firms playing the dominant role in Southeast Asian economies. Meanwhile, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) make a small contribution to supply chain activity relatively to the sectors employment or GDP contribution in South East Asian economies. However, firm size is not the whole story. Efficiencyparticularly investment in building technological capabilities and skillsand access to commercial bank credit also influence joining supply chains. The paper suggests that governments can facilitate SMEs joining supply chains through a marketoriented strategy for SMEs, modern physical infrastructure, streamlined bureaucratic procedures and good quality business support services.
The views expressed in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the v... more The views expressed in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank. FOREWORD The ERD Working Paper Series is a forum for ongoing and recently completed research and policy studies undertaken in the Asian Development Bank or on its behalf. The Series is a quick-disseminating, informal publication meant to stimulate discussion and elicit feedback. Papers published under this Series could subsequently be revised for publication as articles in professional journals or chapters in books.
ISBN 978-92-9257-126-9 (e-ISBN) ISSN 2071-7202 (Print) ISSN 2218-2675 (e-ISSN) Publication Stock ... more ISBN 978-92-9257-126-9 (e-ISBN) ISSN 2071-7202 (Print) ISSN 2218-2675 (e-ISSN) Publication Stock No. ABF157656 • The economies of South Asia and Southeast Asia are a bright spot in a fragile world economy. These economies are growing steadily and forging closer economic ties than ever before. However, regional integration between South and Southeast Asia is still relatively limited, hindered by various problems particularly bottlenecks in transport infrastructure. • Road and rail links between Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, and Thailand—the key land connections between the two regions—are patchy, with belowstandard sections and missing links. In the case of rail transport, these problems are compounded by differences in gauges and rolling stock. Furthermore, seaports in the Bay of Bengal suffer from deficiencies in draft, capacity, operational efficiency, and road and rail access. • Improving the quality of regional transport infrastructure, and adding it where it does not exist, will ...
Acknowledgements Abbreviations Appendices Tables, Figures and Boxes Currency Equivalents Foreword... more Acknowledgements Abbreviations Appendices Tables, Figures and Boxes Currency Equivalents Foreword Executive Summary 1. Setting and Approach 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Objectives 1.3 A Framework for Analysing Competitiveness 1.4 Structure of Study 2. Mauritian Manufactured Export Performance in Comparative Perspective 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Export Values and Structure 2.3 Growth Rates 2.4 Market Shares and Competitive Positioning 2.5 Revealed Comparative Advantage 2.6 Mauritian Comparative Advantages and Challenges 3. Trade and Industrial Policies 3.1 Import Liberalisation 3.2 Exchange Rate Management 3.3 Export Policies and Incentives 3.4 Regulations and Procedures 3.5 Enterprise-Level Perceptions of the Policy and Incentive Regime 4. Human Resources for Competitiveness 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Labour Costs and Productivity 4.3 Skills 4.3.1 Formal Education 4.3.2 Employee Skills and Training 4.4 Training Needs by Main Exporting Activities 4.1.1 Textiles and Clothing 4.1.2 Information Technology...
The surge in free trade agreements (FTAs) in East Asia since the Asian financial crisis has promp... more The surge in free trade agreements (FTAs) in East Asia since the Asian financial crisis has prompted a lively debate on the characteristics, impact, and future path of FTAs in the region. To inform the ongoing debate, this paper maps the salient characteristics of East Asian FTAs using a new FTA database, identifies several key issues to be addressed, and explores economic effects using computable general equilibrium (CGE) analysis. The paper suggests that WTO-plus elements need to be further expanded and the negative aspects of FTAs be minimized. The paper argues that consolidation of multiple and overlapping FTAs into a single East Asian FTA can help mitigate the harmful “noodle bowl” effects of different rules of origin (ROOs) and standards and that the consolidation at the ASEAN+6 level would yield the largest gains to East Asia among plausible regional trade arrangements—while the losses to non-members would be relatively small. For such consolidation to occur, ASEAN must act a...
The ten ASEAN economies are likely to grow at a reasonable 4.4% in 2015 and 4.9% in 2016 during t... more The ten ASEAN economies are likely to grow at a reasonable 4.4% in 2015 and 4.9% in 2016 during the transi on to slower “new normal” world growth around 3.0% in 2015 and 3.6% in 2016. They are also planning to introduce an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by the end of 2015, forming an integrated produc on base and market of over 600 million people. Moreover, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Brunei are ac ve in the Transpacific Partnership (TPP) led by the United States which could create a huge trade bloc covering 40% of world trade. Achievement of AEC, an eventual TPP agreement, a strategic geographical loca on in dynamic East Asia, and skilled labor mean that ASEAN will be a magnet for foreign investment in manufacturing, services and infrastructure.
This paper undertakes a comparative, firm-level analysis of joining the supply chain in five Sout... more This paper undertakes a comparative, firm-level analysis of joining the supply chain in five Southeast Asian economies to improve our understanding of fragmentation of manufacturing across borders. The research maps supply chains and conducts firm-level econometric analysis on 5,900 enterprises. The findings suggests that firm size (reflecting economies of scale to overcome entry costs) matters for joining supply chains with large firms playing the dominant role in Southeast Asian economies. Meanwhile, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) make a small contribution to supply chain activity relatively to the sectors employment or GDP contribution in South East Asian economies. However, firm size is not the whole story. Efficiencyparticularly investment in building technological capabilities and skillsand access to commercial bank credit also influence joining supply chains. The paper suggests that governments can facilitate SMEs joining supply chains through a marketoriented strategy for SMEs, modern physical infrastructure, streamlined bureaucratic procedures and good quality business support services.
Thailandan outward-oriented regional production hubis one of East Asia's most active users of... more Thailandan outward-oriented regional production hubis one of East Asia's most active users of free trade agreements (FTAs) as an instrument of commercial policy. By December 2009, Thailand had 11 concluded FTAs, and more were either under negotiation or proposed. Thai trade negotiators have striven to secure market access via FTAs, but little is known on how FTAs actually affect exporting firms. A survey of 221 exporters in leading sectors forms the basis for the first systematic study of the business impact of FTAs in Thailand. Key findings are as follows : (i) 24.9% of respondents used Thai FTAs as of 20072008, and this figure seems set to rise; (ii) 45.9% of respondents said that FTAs had influenced their business plans; (iii) 26.2% of firms felt that dealing with multiple rules of origin adds to business costs, and this is estimated to be less than 1% of export sales; (iv) more than half the sample firms have consulted with government and business associations on FTAs; and (...
Philippine Journal of Development, 2011
Within East Asia, the outward-oriented Philippine economy is a latecomer to using free trade agre... more Within East Asia, the outward-oriented Philippine economy is a latecomer to using free trade agreements (FTAs) as a trade policy instrument and has relied heavily on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for regional liberalization. While negotiating FTAs has consumed scarce time and other resources, limited attention has been hitherto given to evaluating the impact of FTAs--particularly the 15-year-old ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA)--on business activity in the Philippines.Using a survey of 155 manufactured goods exporters from three sectors (machinery and transport equipment, processed foods, and electronics), this study deals with three questions: (1) Do firms use AFTA and why and how are firms responding to AFTA and other FTAs? (2) What impedes firms from using either AFTA or other FTAs? (3) What can be done to improve FTA use at the firm level in the future?The study finds that utilization of AFTA is higher than expected from existing studies and is set to double in ...
Competitiveness Strategy in Developing Countries
... Sheila Page is Research Fellow at the Overseas Development Institute and Co-ordinator of its ... more ... Sheila Page is Research Fellow at the Overseas Development Institute and Co-ordinator of its ... to Lionel Weekes (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of International Business, Barbados), Tan Song Chuan (President, International Trade Institute of Singapore), Grace Ng (its Vice ...
Journal of Southeast Asian Economies (JSEAE), 2016
The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of ... more The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. Established by the US Congress in 1960, the Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options. The Center's 21-acre Honolulu campus, adjacent to the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, is located midway between Asia and the US mainland and features research, residential, and international conference facilities. The Center's Washington, DC, office focuses on preparing the United States for an era of growing Asia Pacific prominence.