Rent-Seeking in Developed and Developing Countries: Cross Section and Time Series Studies

The property rights issue is one of the most important institutional differences between developed/developing countries. The violation of the property rights results with rentseeking. In order to see if the extent of rent-seeking differs significantly between developed and developing countries, I applied a cross section and a time series study with the intention to measure rent-seeking. I found that rent-seeking is low in developed countries whilst it is high in developing counterparts. Turkey, as a developing country was my special case to apply time series study to see if rentseeking vary over the years. In my additional work for Turkey, I found that there is a cointegrating relationship between rent- seeking as a percentage of the budget LnRt and government size ( LnGYt ), and GNP per capita income ( LnGNPCt ).Rent-Seeking; Budgetary Allocation; Cross Section Study; Time Series Study

The political economy of government programs on export success: a logit model for a Turkish survey

This article examines the differences between exporter and nonexporter small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey to understand the impact of government programs on their export decisions. The empirical data are from a survey of 300 Turkish SMEs (150 exporters and 150 nonexporters) in Turkey. As our question is why some SMEs are exporting while others of a similar size are not, although the government export promotion programs are same for all SMEs, the dependent variable should be dichotomous, and the applicable analytical model should come from the binary-choice genre of models, namely. Results suggest that government export-promoting programs, size of the firms, and manufacturing status of the firms contribute positively to export performance in SMEs, but barriers such as educational level of managers, lack of financial resources, lack of language knowledge, too many government regulations, and high taxes negatively affect the export performance of Turkish SME

Graduating to Globalisation : A Study of Southern Multinationals

FDI by firms in developing countries is a recent phenomenon and demands a study of relationship between firm productivity and different modes of globalisation activities. This paper attempts to understand this relationship through ordered probit models, examining two key hypotheses using firm level panel data from India. First, we test whether there are characteristic differences between domestic firms, exporting firms and firms engaging with FDI. Second, we test if FDI is an integral part of the evolution of firms in developing countries. Our results suggest that there are strong differences between domestic firms, exporting firms, and firms that invest abroad, especially in their knowledge investment, indicating the presence of a ladder of quality in graduating to globalisation.Outbound FDI, panel data, India, Ordered Probit models

Graduating to globalisation: A study of southern multinationals.

FDI by firms in developing countries is a recent phenomenon and demands a study of relationship between firm productivity and different modes of globalisation activities. This paper attempts to understand this relationship through ordered probit models, examining two key hypotheses using firm level panel data from India. First, we test whether there are characteristic differences between domestic firms, exporting firms and firms engaging with FDI. Second, we test if FDI is an integral part of the evolution of firms in developing countries. Our results suggest that there are strong differences between domestic firms, exporting firms, and firms that invest abroad, especially in their knowledge investment, indicating the presence of a ladder of quality in graduating to globalisation.

Technology diffusion in industry : an empirical investigation of technological adoption in Greek SMEs

The thesis is about the spread of technology in the economy. More specifically it concerns the adoption decisions of individual firms. The basic relationships between technology and the economy are outlined along with the main theories employed to explain them. A diffusion-centred typology of technology is constructed building on existing work. Following that, a review of literature on diffusion and its associated measuring and modelling techniques is undertaken. Valid determinants of diffusion are identified in empirical literature. The above theoretical framework is used to analyse the technological performance of the Greek economy. Traditional technology policy is looked at and a 'technological map' of Greece is constructed. The map presents an overview of the current situation with regards to the diffusion and creation of innovations. The main country-specific factors affecting the process of diffusion are also identified. Informed by both theory and Greek reality a methodology is presented for an original survey in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The empirical part focuses on the stage of diffusion concerning individual adoption decisions. An accompanying econometric model (logit) is used to explain the adoption of Internet Enabled Personal Computers (IEPCs) by SMEs. Results suggest that learning effects, the perceived availability of financial capital, perceived threat from competition, perceptions regarding the technology's life expectancy and linkages with multinational enterprises (MNEs) are strongly associated with instances of adoption. The author contributes an original insight into the adoption determinants pertinent to the Greek context. Finally, the findings of the survey and its empirical analysis are combined with secondary sources to construct tentative policy suggestions.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Does preventive single dose of intravenous dexketoprofen reduce pain and swelling after orthognathic surgery? A prospective, randomized, double blind clinical trial

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a single-dose intravenous dexketoprofen administration for preventive analgesia on postoperative pain and reducing swelling in double jaw surgery. The authors designed a prospective, randomized, and double-blind cohort study. Patients who have Class III malocclusion were randomly divided in two groups. 50 mg intravenous dexketoprofen trometamol were administrated 30 minutes before incision in treatment group, while intravenous sterile saline was administrated 30 minutes before incision in placebo group. The primary predictor variable was treatment group. Primary outcomes were pain, swelling and 24-hour opioid intake. Patient- controlled analgesia with tramadol was given for management of postoperative pain. Other variables were demographic and operation related parameters. Visual analogue scale was used to evaluate postoperative pain. 3dMD Face System (3dMD, USA) was used to measure postoperative swelling. Data were analysed using two independent samples t test and Mann Whitney U test. The study sample was composed of 30 patients with a mean age of 20,63 years and 21 were female. Preemptive dexketoprofen administration decreased postoperative tramadol consumption by 25.9% compared to placebo group, and there was a statistically significant decrease in VAS scores (p0,05). Preventive administration of intravenous dexketoprofen provides adequate analgesic effect in the postoperative 24-hour period and reduces opioid consumption in orthognathic surgery

Evaluation and Comparison of Lean Manufacturing Practices in Britain and France: A Case Study of a Printing Solutions Organisation

Purpose: The objective of this research is to investigate and analyse the implementation of Lean philosophy in two production plants SMEs –one in Britain and one in France- both belonging to the same global American printing solutions and technology services organısation. The aim of the study is to analyse the impact of lean practices on employees and on the organisation itself as well as the critical factors for a successful implementation. Design/methodology/approach: Using a case study approach, the collection of primary data for this dissertation consisted of semi-structured face-to-face interviews – seven in Britain and five in France - as well as observations in both SMEs during the visits on-site. Findings; The evaluation of Lean practices in both companies revealed significant similarities concerning the principal Lean practices implemented and a general agreement about the importance of Lean in the current work place. On the other hand, the study indicated differences in terms of cultural issues and internal barriers for a successful Lean adoption. Research Limitations/Implications: The samples between both companies were different in terms of job position distribution. This study provides recommendations beneficial to other organisations adopting Lean. Originality/Value: The novelty of this study stems from the exploration of workers’ points of view in relation to Lean practices, their implementation and their value in the work environment. Although the investigation undertaken in this research is based on only two SMEs with different backgrounds, this study would recommend how SMEs can develop and improve their Lean practices in the working place

Property rights issue and rent seeking in Turkey: A time series study with cointegration and error correction techniques for the period of 1960-2002

The property rights issue is one of the most important institutional differences between democratically developed and developing countries. In most of the cases, the violation of the property rights results with rent-seeking activities. In this chapter, Katz and Rosenberg's budgetary variable model has been tested in a time series study for the period of 1960 to 2002 to measure rent-seeking activities in Turkey. It is found that there is a cointegrating relationship exists between variables, by which mean that there is a long-run relationship between budgetary rent-seeking (Rt), GNP per capita (GNPCt) and Government Size (GYt). It is also found that independent variables help to explain rent-seeking activities in Turkey during the period 1960-2002. In addition to these cointegrated relationships, it is showed that adjustments are made towards restoring the long-run relationship between rent-seeking and other variables