Shankaran Nambiar - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Shankaran Nambiar

Routledge eBooks, Sep 6, 2023

This chapter has been made available under a CC-BY-NC-ND license.

International Journal of Management Studies, 2010

The importance of trade to the Malaysian economy cannot have been more strongly expressed than th... more The importance of trade to the Malaysian economy cannot have been more strongly expressed than through the recent global crisis. Malaysia was vulnerable being a small open economy that has an export-dependent manufacturing sector. The very countries that generate the demand for Malaysia's exports were struck by the crisis. As can be expected, Malaysia's exports plummeted. The impacts of the crisis, consequently, caused reduced activity in the manufacturing sector and resulted in a sharp contraction in output. The crisis demands that policy makers take the challenge of strengthening the export sector more seriously.

ANU Press eBooks, May 18, 2023

Routledge eBooks, Jan 20, 2023

The purpose of this paper is to argue that Malaysia needs to reform some institutional aspects of... more The purpose of this paper is to argue that Malaysia needs to reform some institutional aspects of the economy that impact on its trade policy. This is an important exercise because Malaysia is a very open, tradedependent economy. The manner in which the Malaysian economy was impacted by the global financial and economic crisis of 2008 attests to the fact that Malaysia should be watchful of its trade policy to remain favourable to foreign investors. Since it depends on the developed economies for foreign direct investment there is an urgent need to introduce institutional reform. Accordingly, it is now incumbent on Malaysia to introduce competition policy; to reform and liberalise its government procurement policy; and, generally, to relax those policies that are perceived as being protectionist.

Progress in Development Studies, Jul 1, 2013

Sen’s capability approach emphasizes the importance of freedom and choice in leading the life tha... more Sen’s capability approach emphasizes the importance of freedom and choice in leading the life that one values. In the capability approach, a person converts the vector of commodities into functionings. This conversion depends upon personal, social and environmental factors. These conversion factors are important because they constrain the capability achievement of individuals, a matter that is especially important for the poor. Using the case of a credit cooperative in Malaysia, this article seeks to demonstrate the importance of conversion factors and how it is possible to improve the capabilities of the poor.

Journal of Indian Studies (இந்திய ஆய்விதழ்), Jun 1, 1986

Forum for Social Economics, 2011

Sen's capability approach emphasises the importance of freedom and choice in leading the life tha... more Sen's capability approach emphasises the importance of freedom and choice in leading the life that one values. This paper seeks to argue that, nonetheless, the capability approach is fully cognisant of the constraints that restrict individuals from achieving capabilities. Since the achievement of capabilities is set within a social context, and also because the constraints to capability-achievement are often of a social nature, it is useful to keep in mind the social context. An account of the capability approach that places adequate stress on the constraints that confront individuals and the institutional context will describe their situation more accurately; it will also be of more use for policy purposes.

The European Journal of Development Research, Feb 1, 2021

The purpose of this paper is to argue that the capability approach can benefit from thinking in i... more The purpose of this paper is to argue that the capability approach can benefit from thinking in institutional economics. If the locus of the capability approach is moved from the individual to groups or communities, then it is imperative that institutions (conceived as formal and informal rules) be explicitly considered when applying the framework, particularly when social relations matter, as in microcredit or poverty alleviation. Rules underpin transactions and behaviour in society, so it stands to reason that capability improvement, or its lack, be examined from the vantage point of rules as understood by institutional economics. Applying institutional economics to the capability approach will open up different ways of analysing capabilities in communities.

Springer eBooks, Nov 17, 2017

India has announced its interest in enhancing economic ties with ASEAN, while the latter is commi... more India has announced its interest in enhancing economic ties with ASEAN, while the latter is committed to greater regional integration. Towards that end it seeks to establish the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). What role, therefore, can Northeast India play in this context? Since it lies in close geographical proximity to ASEAN, it offers a window through which India can extend a connectivity network with ASEAN. Economic development in Northeast India is critical for the country’s connectivity programme and this should be an important part of India’s agenda in forging multilateral cooperaion with Asian countries.

Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks, Jul 29, 2016

RePEc: Research Papers in Economics, Dec 16, 2009

This paper argues that institutional process are essential to the execution of economic policy. I... more This paper argues that institutional process are essential to the execution of economic policy. In the absence of adequate institutional processes, well-intentioned economic policies may not be implemented in the manner expected by theory. The case of privatisation in Malaysia is used as an example to illustrate why institutional processes must be put into place in order to achieve the full benefit of economic policies. Economic theory suggests that privatisation, rather than state-ownership of enterprises, leads to greater economic efficiency. However, this is only the case if privatisation initiatives are carried out in a manner that consistent with good institutional practice. This paper suggests that there is a prima facie case for establishing transparent institutions in order to gain from the proper implementation of economic policy.

RePEc: Research Papers in Economics, Aug 15, 2009

The views expressed in this paper are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the... more The views expressed in this paper are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of ADBI, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), its Board of Directors, or the governments they represent. ADBI does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this paper and accepts no responsibility for any consequences of their use. Terminology used may not necessarily be consistent with ADB official terms. 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.

Introduction Defining the Capability Approach Institutions & Capabilities Context, Capabiliti... more Introduction Defining the Capability Approach Institutions & Capabilities Context, Capabilities & Knowledge Path Dependence, Institutions & Persistent Connections Overcoming Path Dependence & the Pursuit Of Purposeful Connections Social Exclusion, Participation & Capabilities Institutions & the Creation of Connections to Improve Capabilities Conclusion Index

Lecture notes in information systems and organisation, 2023

Palgrave Macmillan UK eBooks, 2013

Malaysia has a relatively well-functioning healthcare system that, with small and limited resourc... more Malaysia has a relatively well-functioning healthcare system that, with small and limited resources, ensures access to services for the vast majority of the population, including the poor. Between 1990 and 2009 life expectancy at birth increased significantly (from 69.0 to 71.5 years for men, and from 73.5 to 76.3 years for women); the infant mortality rate fell (from 13.5 to 6.2 per 1000 live births); while the maternal mortality rate held steady (at 29 per 100,000 live births) (MOH, 2010). Malaysia has a dual system of public and private health services. The main public healthcare provider is theMalaysian Ministry of Health (MOH), which operates primary care, secondary care and tertiary care facilities across the country through general hospitals, district hospitals and health clinics. In 2010 there were 2833 health clinics, 131 MOH hospitals (with 33,211 beds), and six special medical institutions (with 4582 beds), for a population of 28.3 million (MOH, 2010).

Routledge eBooks, Sep 6, 2023

This chapter has been made available under a CC-BY-NC-ND license.

International Journal of Management Studies, 2010

The importance of trade to the Malaysian economy cannot have been more strongly expressed than th... more The importance of trade to the Malaysian economy cannot have been more strongly expressed than through the recent global crisis. Malaysia was vulnerable being a small open economy that has an export-dependent manufacturing sector. The very countries that generate the demand for Malaysia's exports were struck by the crisis. As can be expected, Malaysia's exports plummeted. The impacts of the crisis, consequently, caused reduced activity in the manufacturing sector and resulted in a sharp contraction in output. The crisis demands that policy makers take the challenge of strengthening the export sector more seriously.

ANU Press eBooks, May 18, 2023

Routledge eBooks, Jan 20, 2023

The purpose of this paper is to argue that Malaysia needs to reform some institutional aspects of... more The purpose of this paper is to argue that Malaysia needs to reform some institutional aspects of the economy that impact on its trade policy. This is an important exercise because Malaysia is a very open, tradedependent economy. The manner in which the Malaysian economy was impacted by the global financial and economic crisis of 2008 attests to the fact that Malaysia should be watchful of its trade policy to remain favourable to foreign investors. Since it depends on the developed economies for foreign direct investment there is an urgent need to introduce institutional reform. Accordingly, it is now incumbent on Malaysia to introduce competition policy; to reform and liberalise its government procurement policy; and, generally, to relax those policies that are perceived as being protectionist.

Progress in Development Studies, Jul 1, 2013

Sen’s capability approach emphasizes the importance of freedom and choice in leading the life tha... more Sen’s capability approach emphasizes the importance of freedom and choice in leading the life that one values. In the capability approach, a person converts the vector of commodities into functionings. This conversion depends upon personal, social and environmental factors. These conversion factors are important because they constrain the capability achievement of individuals, a matter that is especially important for the poor. Using the case of a credit cooperative in Malaysia, this article seeks to demonstrate the importance of conversion factors and how it is possible to improve the capabilities of the poor.

Journal of Indian Studies (இந்திய ஆய்விதழ்), Jun 1, 1986

Forum for Social Economics, 2011

Sen's capability approach emphasises the importance of freedom and choice in leading the life tha... more Sen's capability approach emphasises the importance of freedom and choice in leading the life that one values. This paper seeks to argue that, nonetheless, the capability approach is fully cognisant of the constraints that restrict individuals from achieving capabilities. Since the achievement of capabilities is set within a social context, and also because the constraints to capability-achievement are often of a social nature, it is useful to keep in mind the social context. An account of the capability approach that places adequate stress on the constraints that confront individuals and the institutional context will describe their situation more accurately; it will also be of more use for policy purposes.

The European Journal of Development Research, Feb 1, 2021

The purpose of this paper is to argue that the capability approach can benefit from thinking in i... more The purpose of this paper is to argue that the capability approach can benefit from thinking in institutional economics. If the locus of the capability approach is moved from the individual to groups or communities, then it is imperative that institutions (conceived as formal and informal rules) be explicitly considered when applying the framework, particularly when social relations matter, as in microcredit or poverty alleviation. Rules underpin transactions and behaviour in society, so it stands to reason that capability improvement, or its lack, be examined from the vantage point of rules as understood by institutional economics. Applying institutional economics to the capability approach will open up different ways of analysing capabilities in communities.

Springer eBooks, Nov 17, 2017

India has announced its interest in enhancing economic ties with ASEAN, while the latter is commi... more India has announced its interest in enhancing economic ties with ASEAN, while the latter is committed to greater regional integration. Towards that end it seeks to establish the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). What role, therefore, can Northeast India play in this context? Since it lies in close geographical proximity to ASEAN, it offers a window through which India can extend a connectivity network with ASEAN. Economic development in Northeast India is critical for the country’s connectivity programme and this should be an important part of India’s agenda in forging multilateral cooperaion with Asian countries.

Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks, Jul 29, 2016

RePEc: Research Papers in Economics, Dec 16, 2009

This paper argues that institutional process are essential to the execution of economic policy. I... more This paper argues that institutional process are essential to the execution of economic policy. In the absence of adequate institutional processes, well-intentioned economic policies may not be implemented in the manner expected by theory. The case of privatisation in Malaysia is used as an example to illustrate why institutional processes must be put into place in order to achieve the full benefit of economic policies. Economic theory suggests that privatisation, rather than state-ownership of enterprises, leads to greater economic efficiency. However, this is only the case if privatisation initiatives are carried out in a manner that consistent with good institutional practice. This paper suggests that there is a prima facie case for establishing transparent institutions in order to gain from the proper implementation of economic policy.

RePEc: Research Papers in Economics, Aug 15, 2009

The views expressed in this paper are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the... more The views expressed in this paper are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of ADBI, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), its Board of Directors, or the governments they represent. ADBI does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this paper and accepts no responsibility for any consequences of their use. Terminology used may not necessarily be consistent with ADB official terms. 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.

Introduction Defining the Capability Approach Institutions & Capabilities Context, Capabiliti... more Introduction Defining the Capability Approach Institutions & Capabilities Context, Capabilities & Knowledge Path Dependence, Institutions & Persistent Connections Overcoming Path Dependence & the Pursuit Of Purposeful Connections Social Exclusion, Participation & Capabilities Institutions & the Creation of Connections to Improve Capabilities Conclusion Index

Lecture notes in information systems and organisation, 2023

Palgrave Macmillan UK eBooks, 2013

Malaysia has a relatively well-functioning healthcare system that, with small and limited resourc... more Malaysia has a relatively well-functioning healthcare system that, with small and limited resources, ensures access to services for the vast majority of the population, including the poor. Between 1990 and 2009 life expectancy at birth increased significantly (from 69.0 to 71.5 years for men, and from 73.5 to 76.3 years for women); the infant mortality rate fell (from 13.5 to 6.2 per 1000 live births); while the maternal mortality rate held steady (at 29 per 100,000 live births) (MOH, 2010). Malaysia has a dual system of public and private health services. The main public healthcare provider is theMalaysian Ministry of Health (MOH), which operates primary care, secondary care and tertiary care facilities across the country through general hospitals, district hospitals and health clinics. In 2010 there were 2833 health clinics, 131 MOH hospitals (with 33,211 beds), and six special medical institutions (with 4582 beds), for a population of 28.3 million (MOH, 2010).