A survey of Venezuelan public opinion on the replacement of the Bolivar with either the U.S. dollar or the central bank of Venezuela with a currency board

Abstract. This paper describes the methodology and presents the results of a Datincorp survey on Venezuela’s economic crisis. The survey was carried out in March 2017. A majority of Venezuelans do not trust the Central Bank of Venezuela, and believe that immediate change is necessary.  A majority of Venezuelans also indicate that the implementation of dollarization or an orthodox currency board are not only the most desirable solutions in theory, but are also highly supported by Venezuelan public opinion.Keywords. Currency board, dollarization, monetary reform, Venezuela.JEL. E50; E42; P21

New underlying trends in China cross-border investments

Abstract. As global macroeconomic uncertainties there is notable shifts and oscillations in Chinese outbound investment and cross-border investment flows. This study shows China’s key investment characteristics including geographical preferences, investment compositions, and structural changes in industrial and foreign policies, such as Made in China 2025, financial liberalization, and OBOR. While these trends seem contradictory at time, more opportunities are available for nimble and creative players who could capitalize on China’s increasing demand in the new economy (“xin jing ji”), with adequate consideration of regulatory scrutinies.Keywords. Cross-border; China; Outbound; Investments; Regulations.JEL. F21; F68; O53; K23

Corruptive intention and anti-citizenship behavior: A study of the impact of workplace dissatisfaction among personnel in the Cameroonian public health care sector

Abstract. This study focuses on the sociocognitive processes that generally affect actors in the public administration and undermine their values, ethics, and the sense of providing a free and equitable public service, as recognized in administrative bureaucracies. We started with the following research question: What are the direct underlying determinants of corruptible behavior among public health personnel? Through a dual analysis of correlation and mediation using structural equation modeling, a confirmatory figure was presented, demonstrating the mediating effect (Hayes, 2018) of workplace distress on Corruptive Behavioral Intention (CBI) on one hand, and Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) on the other.Keywords. Corruptive intention; Anti-citizenship behavior;  Workplace distress; Public health personnel.JEL. F13; F14; Q54

Engaging communication and adherence to blood donation. An experiment on the impact of the preparatory act on the manifestation of retroactive behavioral intention in Cameroonian context

Abstract. The derailment of the train linking Yaoundé to Douala on October 21, 2016 gave special emotional resonance to the need for blood donation. The high number of victims and the horror of experiencing the loss of a life due to lack of blood has accentuated this issue. The daily calls for blood donations in hospitals, however, do not enjoy the same empathy. As a result, equally moving tragedies unfortunately occur in complete anonymity. The aim of this project is to set up a communication protocol to encourage young adults in our high schools, colleges and universities to give blood. Engaging communication, combined with two types of preparatory acts, is our conceptual basis for addressing this problem. As a result, behavioral induction, employing both narrative and argumentative preparatory acts, leads to the manifestation of the intention to adhere to blood donation in the participants of this study.Keywords. Intra-industry trade; Imperfect competition; Classical theories of trade.JEL. F11; F12; F13

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Venezuela’s tragic meltdown

Abstract. Mr. Chairman, thank you for this opportunity to express my views on “Venezuela’s Tragic Meltdown.” A great deal of the commentary on the topic is polemical, and more-or-less political and ideological self-justifications of one sort or another. In consequence, the discourse is often confused and confusing. In an attempt to bring some clarity to the topic, I will focus on the one necessary condition that must be satisfied before the Venezuelan economy can be turned around. Inflation must be stopped before stability can be established. Stability might not be everything, but everything is nothing without stability.Keywords. Exchange rate regimes; Economic growth.JEL. F31; F33; O47

Labor income differentials between formal workers in civil construction in the Northeast: Comparison by Race/Color and Gender

Abstract. Even though female insertion in the labor market has increased in recent years, studies have found an abyss in terms of wage inequality, in which, even with more years of schooling, women receive lower wages than men. In this context, this study sought to evaluate the labor market and wage inequalities between men and women in civil construction in the Northeast, in the years 2009 and 2019. Microdata from the Annual List of Social Information (RAIS) for the years 2009 and 2019 were used. Mincerian earnings equations were estimated using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) models and Quantile Regression to measure the impacts of socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of formally employed workers in civil construction on earnings between men and women. The results show that there is income inequality between men and women, with men earning higher wages in civil construction, as well as wage inequality persisting by race/color, age, education, among others.Keywords. Labor market; Wage inequality; Construction; Northeast.JEL. J0; J15; J61

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The competence of the national congress in Brazil to decide on policy domains marked by a high degree of technical complexity

Abstract. The competence of the Legislative Power has legitimacy on several bases. The representativeness of Congresspeople, for what purpose they were elected. The competence of Congress concerning its legal system. The institution's technical capacity to understand and decide on the matter. Moreover, the relationship between the Legislative and Executive Powers. All these aspects are essential; however, no single answer works for all countries. Thus, what is investigated in this research is whether, in Brazil, the decision on matters of a technical nature is better taken by the Legislative Power. Or whether these decisions are best resolved within the Executive, where specialists in the field are located. The conclusion is that the Brazilian Parliament works in a unique way but allows a partnership between the Legislative and Executive branches to promote effective governance. Currently, this partnership requires the Executive to relinquish one of its inherent powers, as several technical issues are being addressed within the Legislative Branch. Notwithstanding, that is not the best way to undertake those concerns that demand expertise.Keywords. Congress; Competence; Technical expertise; Political representation.JEL. H77; K29