Factor Market Dualism, Small Scale Industry and Labor Absorption

This paper takes a closer look at the dualistic nature of labor and credit markets in developing countries in so far as their functioning is relevant for labor absorption in small scale industry. The potential for absorption of excess labor from the ¡°informal¡± urban market in the small scale industry is assessed within the framework of a modified ¡°specific factors¡± model. The paper concludes that segmentation in labor and credit markets in developing countries is asymmetric in its implications for labor absorption in small scale industry. While the high cost of capital and its unavailability to small scale industry is a serious constraint, the availability of a pool of unemployed labor in the urban informal labor market, and at a significantly lower wage, offers an unexploited opportunity. However, this is conditional on a policy regime that shifts domestic demand towards the output of small scale industry.

Trade with low-wage countries and wage inequality

--

Estimation of the J-Curve in China

This paper investigates whether a J-curve can be detected in the time series data on China's bilateral trade with the G-7 countries. It utilizes cointegration and causality tests to ascertain the long-run relatedness, and the short-run dynamics, between the real exchange rate, national income, and the trade balance. There is some evidence that a real depreciation eventually improves the trade balance with some countries. But there is no indication of a negative short-run response which characteristics the J-Curve.

Diversion et création d’échanges commerciaux dans le cadre du système canadien de préférences tarifaires

This paper explores in quantitative terms the potential effects on trade flows as a result of Canadian tariff preferences in favor of the developing countries instituted in 1974. The paper develops a model of trade creation and trade diversion due to preferences based on imperfect substitution, within each product category, between preference-granting, preference-receiving and non-preferred countries. This model depart from the usual assumption of the customs union theory that countries trade in perfect substitutes. The model is then applied to the 1978 trade date under BTN chapters 25 - 99 on a 4-digit classification. One major conclusion of the paper is that the assumption of perfect substitution tends to overstate the magnitude of trade creation and trade diversion, while the method based on less than perfect substitutability seems to offer more realistic estimates of the actual impact of trade preferences

Les préférences tarifaires canadiennes et la libéralisation des échanges

The developing countries currently enjoy preferential entry on designated exports of manufactures under the Canadian Scheme of Generalized Preferences introduced in 1974. This paper makes a quantitative assessment of the erosion of such preferential margins likely to result from current multilateral tariff negotiations at GATT. Estimates are made under four alternative tariff-cutting techniques

Commodity price stabilization and the developing countries

Discussions on the development problems of commodity producing countries have been dominated by proposals for stabilizing world prices of commodities, in particular via the establishment of a “Common Fund” within the framework of UNCTAD’s Integrated Program for Commodities. Professor Ahmad argues that price instability is, however, merely a symptom of other, underlying problems, and outlines the implications of this for development policy

Variability of magnification on digital pelvic radiographs from patients with fractures of the femoral neck - a retrospective audit

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To determine the variability in magnification of radiographs in an emergency setting. METHODS: The retrospective study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised records of patients who underwent Austin Moore hemiarthroplasty over a two-year periodfrom 1st January 2006 to 31st December 2007. Magnification factor was determined using measurements obtained from preoperative and postoperative radiographs and comparing them with the actual size of implant used. Intra-observer and inter-observer reliability of measurements were calculated. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 63 patients studied, 25(39.7%) were males and 38(60.3%) were females with an overall mean age of 69.8±12 years. The mean implant size used was 46mm±4mm. Preoperative magnification was 8%±4%, resulting in an overestimation of implant size by 4.2±2.3mm. Postoperative magnification was 13%±4%, resulting in an overestimation of 5.9±1.9mm.Prediction using fixed scaling of 15% resulted in a correct estimation of implant size for only 15(24%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Digital radiographs of the pelvis exhibited variable amount of magnification along with an inconsistency in magnification on repeat examination

Validation study of LQAS-2 in Uttar Pradesh behavior change management project

India’s Uttar Pradesh Behavior Change Management project studied the potential of community mobilization through Self Help Groups (SHGs) to improve healthy behaviors that may have a direct bearing on maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes. Multiple rounds of Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) surveys were undertaken to monitor project activities and take corrective measures to improve project indicators. The surveys also evaluated the diffusion of health messages in the project area. The LQAS-2 validation study aimed to examine the accuracy of LQAS-2 data and understand the process of administering the LQAS. The study, which documented the process of survey administration, accuracy of data, and effects of mentor support, used two approaches: a validation survey among a subsample of women who participated in LQAS-2, and observation of the sampled interviews during the LQAS-2 survey. The following programmatic recommendations were made: A longer training of the interviewers is necessary. Prolonged mentor support should be replaced by limited mentoring, but better mentor training is necessary so individuals can properly interview even without mentoring support