COMPETITION AND EXPORT GROWTH OF READYMADE GARMENTS OF BANGLADESH IN THE UNITED STATES MARKET: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

This paper attempts to investigate the export growth and competition of Bangladesh readymade garments in the United States market compared with other top competitors during the 2013-2017 period. From the analysis, the export growth indices exposed that out of 17 product categories of HS61, Bangladesh stated a positive export growth in 12 product categories and rest of the 5 product categories revealed a negative export growth in the United States market. On the other hand, out of 17 product categories of HS62, Bangladesh revealed a positive export growth in 9 product categories, while rest of the 8 product categories stated a negative export growth in the United States market. Furthermore, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (rs) test for the mentioned top competitors in the United States market exposed that the 17 product categories of HS61 Bangladesh exhibited higher competition with Sri Lanka, India, Mexico, and Indonesia; modest competition Vietnam; lower competition with China, and Cambodia; trade complementariness with Italy, and Pakistan. Moreover, the 17 product categories of HS62 exhibited modest competition with Mexico, Pakistan, and Cambodia; low competition with China, Vietnam, and Italy; trade complementariness with India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. In addition, it is observed that all the countries for product group HS61 & HS62 face pretty high Equivalent Ad Valorem Tariff in the United States except Mexico. Furthermore, the findings are expected to contribute further development and policy-making in the readymade garments industry of the concern countries as well as for the concerned stakeholders of this industry. JEL: B17, F14, F17, F18, P45  Article visualizations

EXPORT SPECIALIZATION OF BANGLADESH'S READYMADE GARMENTS INDUSTRY IN THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET

This paper attempts to investigate the export specialization of Bangladesh readymade garments industry among leading readymade garments exporting nations in the North American market. An export specialization (ES) index is employed to evaluate the export competitiveness of the top 5 competitors in the North American market during the 2012-2016 period. Export specialization was calculated for 34 product categories of four digits level Harmonized System (HS) product group 61 and 62. The mean and standard deviation were also calculated to examine the degree of change in the readymade garments export specialization of Bangladesh in the North American market for the study period. The analyzed results demonstrate the status of export specialization of selected competitors where Bangladesh exposed the highest export specialization over their competitors in the North American market for 27 product groups out of 34. However, ES of Bangladesh is not steady, in fact, unsteady ES was observed for 10 product groups, and in addition to that ES of the 8 product groups’ shows downtrend. Established trade theories regarding export specialization remain a useful but limited guide to understand the dynamic of export specialization for the given market. Policy recommendation in the context of the changing global business environment and geopolitical transformation were discussed and future implications of the research direction were recommended.JEL: L60, L69, L11 Article visualizations

THE IMPACT OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS ON SELECTING POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS: THE CASE OF PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN BANGLADESH

With the advent of globalization, postsecondary education is considered a very significant part for any country's socio-economic development. Higher education in Bangladesh is in a state of flux while responding to the challenges of globalization and the privatization policies of the government in line with the neo-liberal economy have resulted in progressive growth of private universities in Bangladesh. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of socioeconomic status on selecting postsecondary institution in Bangladesh. Survey method with a semi-structured questionnaire is used to explore the consequences and the result reveals that socioeconomic status of the students has been playing an important role on selecting post-secondary institutions in Bangladesh. Consequently, competent recommendations are proposed to improve the situation in institutional and policy levels.  Article visualizations

Europe and Central Asia in China’s Belt and Road’ Initiative: A Multidimensional Analysis of Trade Intensiveness

From the middle of 90’s, the bilateral trade between China and Europe and Central Asia (EU-CA) has become more important in the world trade. In 2013, the Chinese government introduced its new economic policy, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which opened a new are of the world trade’s history. This paper is attempt to measure strength and nature of bilateral trading relationship between China and EU-CA. Furthermore, we are looking for the answer how the BRI is affecting on the studied countries’ economies. Many statistical indices can be used to measure international trade relations. This paper has used one such index such as trade intensity. Trade intensity indices have been calculated for the period from 1997 to 2017. Described intensity indices of bilateral trade relations, both countries will help determine how intensively countries that trade with each other. Thus, this study found that intensity between two countries is high and the BRI did not increase the trade intensiveness between China and EU-CA as we were expecting

Estimating Recreational Value of the Foy's Lake: An Application of Travel Cost Count Data Model for Truncated Zeros

Abstract. To estimate the annual recreational value provided by the Foy’s Lake, using the most applicable model for on-site data, is the main objective of this study. To adhere to the objective of this study, individual travel cost method (ITCM) has been applied and zero truncated poisson regression model has been found plausible among other models to estimate the consumer surplus. Based on the estimate, the consumer surplus or recreational benefits per trip per visitor can be recommended as BDT 5,875 or US $73.44 and counting the consumer surplus per trip per visitor, the annual recreational value (total consumer surplus) provided by the lake is found to be BDT 321 million or US$ 40.2 million.Keywords: Individual Travel Cost Method, Zero Truncated Poisson Regression Model, Endogenous Stratification, Consumer Surplus.JEL. C24, Q26, Q51

Leadership Approach in Human Resources Management Aspect of Bangladeshi Organizations

Leadership is a function of the relationship between leaders and followers and a leader plays a vital role to manage the human resources and to reshape an organization for its better output. A contingency-based approach would have future leadership capabilities determined by a culture itself driven by material drivers, such as economics and social change; an unstable dynamic world would require decentralized models of leadership, whereas a more stable world might see us revert to a more authoritarian and hierarchical leadership style. The paper discusses about the Bangladeshi organizations which are lagged behind in leadership skills in Human Resources Management than the other developing countries in the world. To develop organizations and manage the human resources efficiently in the public and private organizations in Bangladesh, critical leadership skills should be imposed and strong initiatives, reforms and effective policies are needed from government side to face new challenges of globalization in this 21st century. Key words: Bangladeshi Organizations; leadership skills; organization development (OD); human resource management (HRM

The rise of offshore IT outsourcing industry: An attempt to assess Bangladesh’s competitive advantages

In light of the developments in global offshoring and Bangladesh’s rise in IT/ITeS services the study explores the IT/ITeS sector in Bangladesh. The study included benchmarking the Bangladeshi IT/ITeS industry with the other leading offshore services destinations to ascertain the opportunity in Bangladesh as a global offshoring center. The paper presented here is the output of reports of national and international IT/ITeS industry players, government functionaries, trade associations and global IT services buyer community, and supported by extensive secondary research. The paper evaluates that Bangladesh has the competitive advantages to become the future IT outsourcing destination and she has been leveraging her strength to the fullest to become a larger player in the offshoring industry; also there are a number of factors that need to be considered for the further success of this industry of Bangladesh. … Read mor

The Inter-linkage among FDI, Export and Economic Growth in Vietnam: A Causality Analysis

The aim of this paper is to investigate the linkage among export, foreign direct investment and economic growth in Vietnam. By using Granger causality method based on VECM model to analyze data over the period 1990-2015, this study estimates the causal relationship among FDI, export and Vietnamese economic growth in short run and long run. The unit root test and Johansen test are also applied to verify the stationary of variables and co-integration among three time-series. The findings indicate that both FDI and export Granger cause Vietnamese economic growth and have positive effects on Vietnamese economic growth in long run. Besides, the short-run influences of FDI on Vietnamese economic growth and export are also demonstrated in this research. Keywords: Export; FDI; Granger Causality; VECM model; Vietnamese Economic Growt