uzair ahson - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by uzair ahson
Shifts in the sectoral employment and output (commonly referred to as structural change) are esse... more Shifts in the sectoral employment and output (commonly referred to as structural change) are essential conditions as well as a connected phenomenon of economic growth. Despite the importance of structural changes for economic development, for a long time, this body of work was dormant. In recent times, the curiosity about alternative viewpoints to understand growth process and outcomes has also increased. Furthermore, it is also acknowledged in literature that empirical studies about developing countries in this domain are limited. Accordingly, this study addresses these gaps in literature. For this purpose, a sample consisting of 24 developing countries of Asia is studied for the period 1992-2016 as a case in example. In contrast with several studies found in literature related with the topic, this study deploys modern macro-panel data econometric techniques that generate more robust and reliable estimates, and are more appropriate empirically while dealing with macropanels. Therefore this study is updated, timely and more robust. After careful examination of alternatives, this study uses the 'sectoral labor relocation' as a proxy of structural change that is constructed through the application of Shiftshare analysis (SSA). A unique feature of this study is that it includes structural change (labor relocation) as a predictor of economic progress, along with other growth related variables such as capital stock, institutions, human capital and trade openness. The choice of these variables is based on theoretical as well as empirical literature. Twostep analytical strategy is used in this study; firstly, the SSA is applied using sectoral labor and value added data for each country and change in labor productivity is decomposed into three components i.e. 'within effect', 'between-static effect', and 'between-dynamic effect'. The last two effects are used for assessing the 'structural bonus' and 'structural burden hypotheses' in relevant literature, and collectively these two are referred to as 'structural change effect'. In the second analytical step, the calculated 'structural-change effect' is used in econometric modelling. The parameters are estimated, after necessary pre-and-post estimation requirements, through Common Correlated Effects Mean Group, and the Augmented Mean Group estimators. These estimators show empirical superiority over other older techniques in the presence of cross-sectional dependence and other issues. Overall results suggest that there is a positive significant relationship between structural change (measured as labor relocation) and economic progress (except in the case of AMG estimation without trend). Capital accumulation is also a positive significant explanatory variable of the economic progress in this empirical setting and this in in line with the standard growth theory. Both these finding support the conceptualization that structural change as labor relocation across sectors as well as capital accumulation play a supportive role in economic progress of the countries under study. However, the estimated coefficients of the structural change variable are relatively smaller than that of capital stock. Interestingly, the role of trade openness is statistically insignificant. In much of the 1990s many developing economies included in the sample were undergoing market reforms under the Structural Adjustment Programs. This may imply that labor relocation across sectors, and capital stock matter more for economic growth than just opening up the economies for increasing the size of tradables. The role of human capital is also statistically insignificant. Institutions are found to be playing a supportive role towards economic progress in case of the developing countries of Asia included in the sample over the study period.
Pakistan Journal of Social Science, Dec 31, 2017
Government College University, Lahore., 2020
Shifts in the sectoral employment and output (commonly referred to as structural change) are esse... more Shifts in the sectoral employment and output (commonly referred to as structural change) are essential conditions as well as a connected phenomenon of economic growth. Despite the importance of structural changes for economic development, for a long time, this body of work was dormant. In recent times, the curiosity about alternative viewpoints to understand growth process and outcomes has also increased. Furthermore, it is also acknowledged in literature that empirical studies about developing countries in this domain are limited. Accordingly, this study addresses these gaps in literature. For this purpose, a sample consisting of 24 developing countries of Asia is studied for the period 1992-2016 as a case in example. In contrast with several studies found in literature related with the topic, this study deploys modern macro-panel data econometric techniques that generate more robust and reliable estimates, and are more appropriate empirically while dealing with macropanels. Therefore this study is updated, timely and more robust. After careful examination of alternatives, this study uses the 'sectoral labor relocation' as a proxy of structural change that is constructed through the application of Shiftshare analysis (SSA). A unique feature of this study is that it includes structural change (labor relocation) as a predictor of economic progress, along with other growth related variables such as capital stock, institutions, human capital and trade openness. The choice of these variables is based on theoretical as well as empirical literature. Twostep analytical strategy is used in this study; firstly, the SSA is applied using sectoral labor and value added data for each country and change in labor productivity is decomposed into three components i.e. 'within effect', 'between-static effect', and 'between-dynamic effect'. The last two effects are used for assessing the 'structural bonus' and 'structural burden hypotheses' in relevant literature, and collectively these two are referred to as 'structural change effect'. In the second analytical step, the calculated 'structural-change effect' is used in econometric modelling. The parameters are estimated, after necessary pre-and-post estimation requirements, through Common Correlated Effects Mean Group, and the Augmented Mean Group estimators. These estimators show empirical superiority over other older techniques in the presence of cross-sectional dependence and other issues. Overall results suggest that there is a positive significant relationship between structural change (measured as labor relocation) and economic progress (except in the case of AMG estimation without trend). Capital accumulation is also a positive significant explanatory variable of the economic progress in this empirical setting and this in in line with the standard growth theory. Both these finding support the conceptualization that structural change as labor relocation across sectors as well as capital accumulation play a supportive role in economic progress of the countries under study. However, the estimated coefficients of the structural change variable are relatively smaller than that of capital stock. Interestingly, the role of trade openness is statistically insignificant. In much of the 1990s many developing economies included in the sample were undergoing market reforms under the Structural Adjustment Programs. This may imply that labor relocation across sectors, and capital stock matter more for economic growth than just opening up the economies for increasing the size of tradables. The role of human capital is also statistically insignificant. Institutions are found to be playing a supportive role towards economic progress in case of the developing countries of Asia included in the sample over the study period.
1~,. Sm.all business firms are important. and integral part of ,any economy. They generate employ... more 1~,. Sm.all business firms are important. and integral part of ,any economy. They generate employment and income when they do.business.and tend to expand. Most of the micro and small scale shoe manufactures in this study. are still in 1 51 stage or easily 2 nd. stage of their growth, as they should be: .'that'.s what small scale is all about. But a thing to ponder upon is that about 40% of them are 11 to 41 years old. It means that.'there is something lacking in the dyn.amics of small scale either at personal and enterprise levels or external Le, institutional level:-The institut'ional settings in which these micro and smallehterprises operate need to be managed in such a manner that they should 110t'be neglected relatively .. Enough resources and planning should also be diverted towards the development of this sector. ., .
Innovation is essentially characterized by ‘newness’, but it is not a new phenomenon itself. Perh... more Innovation is essentially characterized by ‘newness’, but it is not a new phenomenon itself. Perhaps, it is as old as mankind. The great variety and diversity of products and services around us is actually a result of a continuous process called innovation, the process of creating something ‘new’. The terms innovation and invention are used in different contexts: invention is the discovery of new processes, principles, or products and innovation, on the other hand, is the commercialization of these processes, principles or products for generating value for firms and customers.
The economic structure of countries, whether conceptualized as composition of relative sectoral o... more The economic structure of countries, whether conceptualized as composition of relative sectoral output shares or as sectoral employment shares changes as countries develop. However, it is hard to find empirical studies using labor relocation across sectors along with urbanization to explain the economic growth in SAARC region. This study firstly uses Shift-share technique and finds that Maldives and India have experienced more structural change in terms of sectoral labor relocation than other countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan. Further, by application of panel data estimation techniques it is found that structural change (i.e. labor relocation) is a not a statistically significant determinant of economic progress in SAARC – that hints towards possible labor market imperfections and socio-economic hindrances that deter labor movement across sectors. Our findings also confirm that capital per worker, urbanization, and trade openness ceteris paribus have positive influen...
Shifts in the sectoral employment and output (commonly referred to as structural change) are esse... more Shifts in the sectoral employment and output (commonly referred to as structural change) are essential conditions as well as a connected phenomenon of economic growth. Despite the importance of structural changes for economic development, for a long time, this body of work was dormant. In recent times, the curiosity about alternative viewpoints to understand growth process and outcomes has also increased. Furthermore, it is also acknowledged in literature that empirical studies about developing countries in this domain are limited. Accordingly, this study addresses these gaps in literature. For this purpose, a sample consisting of 24 developing countries of Asia is studied for the period 1992-2016 as a case in example. In contrast with several studies found in literature related with the topic, this study deploys modern macro-panel data econometric techniques that generate more robust and reliable estimates, and are more appropriate empirically while dealing with macropanels. Therefore this study is updated, timely and more robust. After careful examination of alternatives, this study uses the 'sectoral labor relocation' as a proxy of structural change that is constructed through the application of Shiftshare analysis (SSA). A unique feature of this study is that it includes structural change (labor relocation) as a predictor of economic progress, along with other growth related variables such as capital stock, institutions, human capital and trade openness. The choice of these variables is based on theoretical as well as empirical literature. Twostep analytical strategy is used in this study; firstly, the SSA is applied using sectoral labor and value added data for each country and change in labor productivity is decomposed into three components i.e. 'within effect', 'between-static effect', and 'between-dynamic effect'. The last two effects are used for assessing the 'structural bonus' and 'structural burden hypotheses' in relevant literature, and collectively these two are referred to as 'structural change effect'. In the second analytical step, the calculated 'structural-change effect' is used in econometric modelling. The parameters are estimated, after necessary pre-and-post estimation requirements, through Common Correlated Effects Mean Group, and the Augmented Mean Group estimators. These estimators show empirical superiority over other older techniques in the presence of cross-sectional dependence and other issues. Overall results suggest that there is a positive significant relationship between structural change (measured as labor relocation) and economic progress (except in the case of AMG estimation without trend). Capital accumulation is also a positive significant explanatory variable of the economic progress in this empirical setting and this in in line with the standard growth theory. Both these finding support the conceptualization that structural change as labor relocation across sectors as well as capital accumulation play a supportive role in economic progress of the countries under study. However, the estimated coefficients of the structural change variable are relatively smaller than that of capital stock. Interestingly, the role of trade openness is statistically insignificant. In much of the 1990s many developing economies included in the sample were undergoing market reforms under the Structural Adjustment Programs. This may imply that labor relocation across sectors, and capital stock matter more for economic growth than just opening up the economies for increasing the size of tradables. The role of human capital is also statistically insignificant. Institutions are found to be playing a supportive role towards economic progress in case of the developing countries of Asia included in the sample over the study period.
Pakistan Journal of Social Science, Dec 31, 2017
Government College University, Lahore., 2020
Shifts in the sectoral employment and output (commonly referred to as structural change) are esse... more Shifts in the sectoral employment and output (commonly referred to as structural change) are essential conditions as well as a connected phenomenon of economic growth. Despite the importance of structural changes for economic development, for a long time, this body of work was dormant. In recent times, the curiosity about alternative viewpoints to understand growth process and outcomes has also increased. Furthermore, it is also acknowledged in literature that empirical studies about developing countries in this domain are limited. Accordingly, this study addresses these gaps in literature. For this purpose, a sample consisting of 24 developing countries of Asia is studied for the period 1992-2016 as a case in example. In contrast with several studies found in literature related with the topic, this study deploys modern macro-panel data econometric techniques that generate more robust and reliable estimates, and are more appropriate empirically while dealing with macropanels. Therefore this study is updated, timely and more robust. After careful examination of alternatives, this study uses the 'sectoral labor relocation' as a proxy of structural change that is constructed through the application of Shiftshare analysis (SSA). A unique feature of this study is that it includes structural change (labor relocation) as a predictor of economic progress, along with other growth related variables such as capital stock, institutions, human capital and trade openness. The choice of these variables is based on theoretical as well as empirical literature. Twostep analytical strategy is used in this study; firstly, the SSA is applied using sectoral labor and value added data for each country and change in labor productivity is decomposed into three components i.e. 'within effect', 'between-static effect', and 'between-dynamic effect'. The last two effects are used for assessing the 'structural bonus' and 'structural burden hypotheses' in relevant literature, and collectively these two are referred to as 'structural change effect'. In the second analytical step, the calculated 'structural-change effect' is used in econometric modelling. The parameters are estimated, after necessary pre-and-post estimation requirements, through Common Correlated Effects Mean Group, and the Augmented Mean Group estimators. These estimators show empirical superiority over other older techniques in the presence of cross-sectional dependence and other issues. Overall results suggest that there is a positive significant relationship between structural change (measured as labor relocation) and economic progress (except in the case of AMG estimation without trend). Capital accumulation is also a positive significant explanatory variable of the economic progress in this empirical setting and this in in line with the standard growth theory. Both these finding support the conceptualization that structural change as labor relocation across sectors as well as capital accumulation play a supportive role in economic progress of the countries under study. However, the estimated coefficients of the structural change variable are relatively smaller than that of capital stock. Interestingly, the role of trade openness is statistically insignificant. In much of the 1990s many developing economies included in the sample were undergoing market reforms under the Structural Adjustment Programs. This may imply that labor relocation across sectors, and capital stock matter more for economic growth than just opening up the economies for increasing the size of tradables. The role of human capital is also statistically insignificant. Institutions are found to be playing a supportive role towards economic progress in case of the developing countries of Asia included in the sample over the study period.
1~,. Sm.all business firms are important. and integral part of ,any economy. They generate employ... more 1~,. Sm.all business firms are important. and integral part of ,any economy. They generate employment and income when they do.business.and tend to expand. Most of the micro and small scale shoe manufactures in this study. are still in 1 51 stage or easily 2 nd. stage of their growth, as they should be: .'that'.s what small scale is all about. But a thing to ponder upon is that about 40% of them are 11 to 41 years old. It means that.'there is something lacking in the dyn.amics of small scale either at personal and enterprise levels or external Le, institutional level:-The institut'ional settings in which these micro and smallehterprises operate need to be managed in such a manner that they should 110t'be neglected relatively .. Enough resources and planning should also be diverted towards the development of this sector. ., .
Innovation is essentially characterized by ‘newness’, but it is not a new phenomenon itself. Perh... more Innovation is essentially characterized by ‘newness’, but it is not a new phenomenon itself. Perhaps, it is as old as mankind. The great variety and diversity of products and services around us is actually a result of a continuous process called innovation, the process of creating something ‘new’. The terms innovation and invention are used in different contexts: invention is the discovery of new processes, principles, or products and innovation, on the other hand, is the commercialization of these processes, principles or products for generating value for firms and customers.
The economic structure of countries, whether conceptualized as composition of relative sectoral o... more The economic structure of countries, whether conceptualized as composition of relative sectoral output shares or as sectoral employment shares changes as countries develop. However, it is hard to find empirical studies using labor relocation across sectors along with urbanization to explain the economic growth in SAARC region. This study firstly uses Shift-share technique and finds that Maldives and India have experienced more structural change in terms of sectoral labor relocation than other countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan. Further, by application of panel data estimation techniques it is found that structural change (i.e. labor relocation) is a not a statistically significant determinant of economic progress in SAARC – that hints towards possible labor market imperfections and socio-economic hindrances that deter labor movement across sectors. Our findings also confirm that capital per worker, urbanization, and trade openness ceteris paribus have positive influen...