The impact of remittances on financial sector development: An exploration in the SADC region

Remittances received from migrants abroad have become one of the largest sources of external finance for developing countries. It has been argued that a particular impact of this influential flow is the stimulation of financial sector development. However, current research has been mainly based at a broad level across the developing world. This paper investigates whether this consensus holds true when examined at a sub-regional level within Sub-Saharan Africa. It is an important question given the extensive literature documenting the direct growth enhancing effect of financial development, and consequently, poverty reduction. In particular, annual data from 11 countries in the South African Development Community (SADC) are analysed from 1990 to 2011 using the panel data analysis techniques of fixed and random effects models, a Generalised Methods of Moments (GMM) dynamic framework (Arellano & Bover, 1995) and Instrumental Variables (IV) Estimations (Baum, Schaffer & Stillman, 2003). Three indicators of financial sector development are analysed, namely: the level of bank deposits, near money (M2) and credit intermediated by the local banking sector. Remittances are found to have a largely negative and insignificant impact on financial sector development in SADC over the period of study. This contradicts the findings of the current literature on this topic. The implications of this are noteworthy as it adds evidence that the model currently held in the literature (i.e. that remittances have a positive and significant relationship on financial sector development) is not robust at the less smoothed level of a subregional scale. But further, it provides evidence to motivate the further exploration of the impact of measurement errors of remittance flows. Recommendations for further research are provided on the basis of both these possible causes

The First New Zealanders? An Alternative Interpretation of Stable Isotope Data from Wairau Bar, New Zealand.

PLOS ONE Volume 8 includes an article “The First New Zealanders: Patterns of Diet and Mobility Revealed through Isotope Analysis”. The paper proposes that burial groups within the settlement phase site of Wairau Bar differ in terms of dietary stable isotopes and 87Sr/86Sr. The authors argue this difference is probably due to one group being a founding population while the other burials are later. Here we review the work of Kinaston et al. and present an alternative analysis and interpretation of the isotopic data. Treating the isotope data independently from cultural and biological factors we find that sex best explains dietary variation. Our reassessment of 87Sr/86Sr confirms the authors original finding of high mobility of early New Zealanders but suggests a larger range of individuals should be considered ‘non-local’ on current evidence

Co-evolution, opportunity seeking and institutional change: Entrepreneurship and the Indian telecommunications industry 1923-2009

"This is an Author's Original Manuscript of an article submitted for consideration in Business History [copyright Taylor & Francis]; Business History is available online at http://www.tandfonline.com/." 10.1080/00076791.2012.687538In this paper, we demonstrate the importance for entrepreneurship of historical contexts and processes, and the co-evolution of institutions, practices, discourses and cultural norms. Drawing on discourse and institutional theories, we develop a model of the entrepreneurial field, and apply this in analysing the rise to global prominence of the Indian telecommunications industry. We draw on entrepreneurial life histories to show how various discourses and discursive processes ultimately worked to generate change and the creation of new business opportunities. We propose that entrepreneurship involves more than individual acts of business creation, but also implies collective endeavours to shape the future direction of the entrepreneurial field

Race, colonial history and national identity: Resident Evil 5 as a Japanese game

Resident Evil 5 is a zombie game made by Capcom featuring a White American protagonist and set in Africa. This paper argues that approaching this as a Japanese game reveals aspects of a Japanese racial and colonial social imaginary that are missed if this context of production is ignored. In terms of race, the game presents hybrid racial subjectivities that can be related to Japanese perspectives of Blackness and Whiteness where these terms are two poles of difference and identity through which an essentialised Japanese identity is constructed in what Iwabuchi calls “strategic hybridism” (Iwabuchi, 2002). In terms of colonialism, the game echoes structures of Japanese colonialism through which Japanese colonialism is obliquely memorialised and a “normal” Japanese global subjectivity can be performed

Due process for secondary school principals in Indiana

The purpose of the study was to conduct an analysis of due process held by selected Indiana secondary school principals. Specifically, the study was to provide an overview of the following:1. The current status of secondary school principals in regard to due process.2. The desired status of secondary school principals in regard to due process.3. The procedures necessary for secondary school principals to obtain due process.Data for the study were obtained through a survey questionnaire which was developed and mailed to 100 randomly selected Indiana secondary school principals. Information for the questionnaire was obtained through the study of instruments reared by professional associations, a review of literature, and known concerns of a select panel of secondary school principals. The information was then embodied into the 31 item questionnaire. Ninety-two useable questionnaires were received and used in the study.Major findings of the study were:1. Forty-three principals were contracted for one year while sixteen principals held three year contracts.2. Thirty-four principals reported that notification or renewal or non-renewal of contracts was received on or before April 30th.3. Fifty-five principals indicated they did not administer under a written job description.4. While 25 principals indicated a written evaluation of their job was received, 57 principals indicated the evaluation of performance was verbal or non-existent.5. Thirteen of the principals indicated the non-renewal of a contract had been experienced and twelve of the thirteen indicated a school board hearing was not granted, an opportunity to defend decision was not given, nor were written reasons for the non-renewal of the contract received by the principal.Major conclusions of the study were: Current Due Process1. The Indiana secondary school principal lacks statutory recognition that provides for early notice of the renewal or non-renewal of contract.2. The majority of the principals lack a written job description and two thirds were not involved in the development of the job description.3. The majority of the principals are not involved in the development of the evaluation instrument.4. The principals usually are not given a hearing nor an opportunity to defend administrative decisions when faced with non-renewal of the contract.5. Principals are usually dismissed without receiving the reasons in writing.Desired Due Process1. Indiana secondary school principals solidly indicated that the most important requirement for due process is sound personnel procedures to channel complaints and the right to provide a fair response.2. Indiana secondary school principals want the right of early notification when faced with the non-renewal of the contract.3. The principals want the opportunity to a fair and impartial hearing before the school board prior to receiving a dismissal notice.4. Principals want the right to be furnished with written, documented charges when faced with dismissal.The following recommendations are based upon the evidence established by research findings and conclusions in this study:The Indiana secondary school principal:1. Should belong to the Indiana Association of Junior and Senior High School Principals for professional support in the position.2. Should initiate and support strong legislation which will aid in establishing the entity of the principal and provide a legal basis for clearly marking out the bounds of principal rights and responsibilities and asserting his authority.3. Should be involved in developing a written job description of performance objectives and criteria which will provide a more objective and less subjective review of the work of the principal.4. Should be given a yearly evaluation in writing based upon a professional evaluation instrument.5. Should be given early notice based on Indiana principal law when faced with the non-renewal of a contract.6. Should be given the opportunity for a fair and impartial hearing before the school board to defend administrative decisions when faced with the non-renewal of a contract.7. Should be given written, documented reasons, non-arbitrary and non-capricious, when faced with the non-renewal of a contract.8. Should be given a multiple year contract, renewal each year, to provide stability and security in the principalship.Thesis (Ed.S.