Contribution of foreign direct investment to poverty reduction: The case of Vietnam in the 1990s

In the current context of increasing globalisation, there exist many arguments against it in that it does not benefit the poor. Globalisation through foreign direct investment (FDI) might do nothing for the poor since foreign investors usually recruit skilled workers who are likely to be non-poor. FDI may outcompete local small enterprises making local workers become poor or the poor workers worse. Nevertheless, whether this presumption is true in every developing country is still open to discussion. The paper aims at analysing impacts of FDI on poverty reduction in Vietnam in the 1990s because following the economic reform in the late 1980s Vietnam achieved high economic growth, rapid poverty reduction, increasing FDI and trade. FDI is also considered an integral component of the economy. Hence to what extent FDI contributes to poverty reduction may be a relevant question to the country that was characterised by widespread poverty in the 1980s. The paper analyses FDI's impact on poverty reduction in Vietnam through direct and indirect impacts. The direct impact of FDI works through employment creation and it is estimated to be negative but insignificant. The indirect impact of FDI works through FDI's effect on economic growth and through FDI's contribution to the local budgets. Regarding FDI's contribution to growth, estimated coefficients are significantly positive based on panel data covering 61 provinces of Vietnam and the 1990-2000 period. Furthermore, FDI interacts positively with local human capital in affecting economic growth. Economic growth is then estimated to exert significantly positive impacts on the magnitude of poverty reduction results. Therefore, FDI has indirectly helped reduce poverty in Vietnam. Regarding FDI's contribution to the local budget, this effect remains insignificant. Globalisation through FDI thus benefits the poor. Policy implications then include policies that help attract FDI continuously, policies that facilitate the implementation of registered foreign investment projects and policies that upgrade the quality of the labour workforce. --

Factores que afectan el ciclo de vida del producto en las empresas electrónicas: evidencia de un país emergente

Introduction:This paper is the product of the study “Factors affecting product life cycle in electronic enterprises – Evidence from an emerging country” developed at the Electric Power University and National Economics University between 2020 and 2022. Problem:The electronic manufacturing industry is increasingly developing in emerging markets and integrating into the global economy. The life cycle of electronic products is shorter and requires management.Objective:The paper aims to study factors that affect the product life cycle in Vietnamese electronic enterprises. The study helps managers in cost management. Methodology:The paper used a survey of non-probability sampling, and applied regression analysis to examine Vietnamese electronic enterprises. The analysis is done by SPSS and Smart PLS software. Results:The research results indicate that technology, consumer trends, and R&D are factors affecting product life cycle and post-sale service, and disposal has no impact on electronic products’ life cycle. This could be explained by the fact that electronic products are constantly updating and their life cycle is short, that post-sales service does not play a key role, and that waste treatment after sales is not taken seriously by manufacturers, customers, or other related parties. Conclusion:The results give some meaningful insights for electronics or other enterprises in Vietnam to use effective management of product life cycle. Originality:The results of this paper provide practical insights into the management of product life cycle and cost management of product life cycle for researchers and managers.Limitations:The research model should be expanded and the sample size increased to get an overview and greater insight.Introducción: Este artículo es producto del estudio “Factores que afectan el ciclo de vida del producto en empresas electrónicas – Evidencia de un país emergente” desarrollado en la Electric Power University y la National Economics University entre 2020 y 2022.Problema: La industria de fabricación electrónica se está desarrollando cada vez más en los mercados emer-gentes y se está integrando a la economía global. El ciclo de vida de los productos electrónicos es más corto y requiere gestión. Objetivo: El documento tiene como objetivo estudiar los factores que afectan el ciclo de vida del producto en las empresas electrónicas vietnamitas. El estudio ayuda a los gerentes en la gestión de costos. Metodología: El documento utilizó una encuesta de muestreo no probabilístico y aplicó un análisis de regresión para examinar las empresas electrónicas vietnamitas. El análisis se realiza mediante el software SPSS y Smart PLS. Resultados: Los resultados de la investigación indican que la tecnología, las tendencias de consumo y la I+D son factores que afectan el ciclo de vida del producto y el servicio postventa, y que el desecho no tiene impacto en el ciclo de vida de los productos electrónicos. Esto podría explicarse por el hecho de que los productos electrónicos se actualizan constantemente y su ciclo de vida es corto, que el servicio posventa no juega un papel clave y que el tratamiento de residuos posventa no es tomado en serio por los fabricantes, clientes u otras partes relacionadas. Conclusión: Los resultados brindan algunas ideas significativas para la electrónica u otras empresas en Vietnam para utilizar una gestión eficaz del ciclo de vida del producto. Originalidad: los resultados de este documento brindan información práctica sobre la gestión del ciclo de vida del producto y la gestión de costos del ciclo de vida del producto para investigadores y gerentes.Limitaciones: el modelo de investigación debe ampliarse y aumentar el tamaño de la muestra para obtener una visión general y una mayor comprensión

Trends in, projections of, and inequalities in non-communicable disease management indicators in Vietnam 2010–2030 and progress toward universal health coverage : a Bayesian analysis at national and sub-national levels

Background: Movement towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) can improve health services, risk factor management, and inequality in non-communicable diseases (NCD); conversely, prioritizing and monitoring NCD management can support pathways to UHC in resource-limited settings. We aimed to estimate trends in NCD management indicators in Vietnam from 2010, and projections to 2030 at national and sub-national levels; compute the probability of reaching UHC targets; and measure inequalities in NCD management indicators at demographic, geographic, and socio-economic levels. Methods: We included data of 37,595 households from four nationally representative surveys from 2010. We selected and estimated the coverage of NCD health service and risk management indicators nationally and by six sub-national groups. Using Bayesian models, we provided trends and projections and calculated the probability of reaching UHC targets of 80% coverage by 2030. We estimated multiple inequality indices including the relative index of inequality, slope index of inequality, and concentration index of inequality, and provided an assessment of improvement in inequalities over the study period. Findings: Nationally, all indicators showed a low probability of achieving 2030 targets except sufficient use of fruit and vegetables (SUFV) and non-use of tobacco (NUT). We observed declining trends in national coverage of non-harmful use of alcohol (NHUA), sufficient physical activity (SPA), non-overweight (NOW), and treatment of diabetes (TOD). Except for SPA, no indicator showed the likelihood of achieving 2030 targets at any regional level. Our model suggested a non-achievement of 2030 targets for all indicators in any wealth quintile and educational level, except for SUFV and NUT. There were diversities in tendency and magnitude of inequalities with widening gaps between genders (SPA, TOD), ethnic groups (SUFV), urban-rural areas (TOH), wealth quintiles, and educational levels (TOD, NUT, NHUA). Interpretation: Our study suggested slow progress in NCD management at the national level and among key sub-populations in Vietnam, together with existing and increasing inequalities between genders, ethnicities, geographic areas, and socioeconomic groups. We emphasised the necessity of continuously improving the healthcare system and facilities, distributing resources between geographic areas, and simultaneously integrating economic, education, and gender intervention and programs. Funding: None. © 2022 The Author(s

Nucleotide variation at the methionine synthase locus in an endangered tree species, Fokienia hodginsii (Cupressaceae) in Vietnam

Nucleotide variation at the methionine synthase (MetE) locus within and among populations of an endangered forest tree Fokienia hodginsii in Vietnam was investigated in the present study. A total of 12 populations were sampled across Vietnam. The length of the sequenced locus varied from 1567 to 1559 bp. A total of 42 polymorphic sites were detected among samples. Overall, nucleotide diversity was estimated to be 0.00499 and 0.00692 at the total (ðtot) and silent sites (ðsilent) in the pool, respectively. Nucleotide diversity within populations varied from 0.00300 to 0.00521 at the total and 0.00357 to 0.00666 at silent sites. The estimates of nucleotide diversity were lower in the 4 populations located in central and southern Vietnam (0.00300 to 0.00380) in comparison with the northern populations (ranging from 0.00399 to 0.00543). Overall estimates of genetic differentiation among 12 populations were low (FST = 0.093 and KST* = 0.078), even though both values were highly significant (P < 0.001). Pairwise analysis among 12 populations showed significant genetic differentiation as evaluated by FST and Snn but not significant as evaluated by KST*. Analysis of genetic clustering using BAPS provided the best support for all 144 sequences belonging to the same genetic cluster. The implication of the results revealed in this study in the genetic conservation of F. hodginsii was discussed.Key words: Population genetics, conservation, forest, methionine synthase (MetE), structure

Genetic variation in threatened conifer Cunninghamia lanceolata var. konishii using ISSR markers: Implications for conservation

We investigated the genetic variation of Cunninghamia lanceolata var. konishii, on basis of eight ISSR markers. Samples from 182 trees of four populations in the Thanh Hoa and Nghe An provinces were included in this study. The ISSR data showed low genetic variability at both population and species level, with an average of 0.1025 and 0.1357, respectively. Genetic differentiation among populations was high (Gst = 0.2554) indicating limited gene flow (Nm = 1.4575). The implication of the results from the study to conserve genetic resources of the species was proposed

IMPACT OF THE EVFTA AGREEMENT: A STUDY ON VIETNAM'S EXPORTED GOODS

Abstract The research aims to assess the quantitative impact of the Vietnam-European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) on Vietnam's export growth to the EU market. The study employs quantitative analysis using the SMART model with data on export turnover and scenarios of tariff reduction to 0% when EVFTA takes effect. Based on the export turnover data and necessary parameters, the analysis results show an increase in Vietnam's exports to the EU market when EVFTA becomes effective. As a result, the research proposes some implications to promote Vietnam's export activities to the EU in the future

A Target Threat Assessment Method for Application in Air Defense Command and Control Systems

Introduction. This paper presents a solution for threat assessment of air targets using the fuzzy logic inference method. The approach is based on the Sugeno fuzzy model, which has multiple inputs representing target trajectory parameters and a single output representing the target threat value. A set of IF–THEN fuzzy inference rules, utilizing the AND operator, is developed to assess the input information.Aim. To develop and test an algorithm model to calculate the threat value of an air target for use in real-time automated command and control systems.Materials and methods. An algorithm model was developed using a fuzzy model to calculate the threat value of a target. The model is presented in the form of a flowchart supported by a detailed stepwise implementation process. The accuracy of the proposed algorithm was evaluated using the available toolkit in MATLAB. Additionally, a BATE software testbed was developed to assess the applicability of the algorithm model in a real-time automated command and control system.Results. The efficiency of the proposed fuzzy model was evaluated by its simulation and testing using MATLAB tools on a set of 10 target trajectories with different parameters. Additionally, the BATE software was utilized to test the model under various air defense scenarios. The proposed fuzzy model was found to be capable of efficiently computing the threat value of each target with respect to the protected object.Conclusion. The proposed fuzzy model can be applied when developing tactical supporting software modules for real-time air defense command and control systems.Introduction. This paper presents a solution for threat assessment of air targets using the fuzzy logic inference method. The approach is based on the Sugeno fuzzy model, which has multiple inputs representing target trajectory parameters and a single output representing the target threat value. A set of IF–THEN fuzzy inference rules, utilizing the AND operator, is developed to assess the input information.Aim. To develop and test an algorithm model to calculate the threat value of an air target for use in real-time automated command and control systems.Materials and methods. An algorithm model was developed using a fuzzy model to calculate the threat value of a target. The model is presented in the form of a flowchart supported by a detailed stepwise implementation process. The accuracy of the proposed algorithm was evaluated using the available toolkit in MATLAB. Additionally, a BATE software testbed was developed to assess the applicability of the algorithm model in a real-time automated command and control system.Results. The efficiency of the proposed fuzzy model was evaluated by its simulation and testing using MATLAB tools on a set of 10 target trajectories with different parameters. Additionally, the BATE software was utilized to test the model under various air defense scenarios. The proposed fuzzy model was found to be capable of efficiently computing the threat value of each target with respect to the protected object.Conclusion. The proposed fuzzy model can be applied when developing tactical supporting software modules for real-time air defense command and control systems

Investigation of Thermodynamic Properties of Metal Thin Film by Statistical Moment Method

The thermodynamic properties of the metal thin film with face-centered cubic structure at zero pressure are investigated using the statistical moment method $(SMM)$, including the anharmonicity effects of thermal lattice vibrations. The Helmholtz free energy, linear thermal expansion coefficients, specific heats at the constant volume and those at the constant pressure, $C_V$ and $C_p$ are derived in closed analytic forms in terms of the power moments of the atomic displacements. Numerical calculations for thermodynamic quantities of Al, Au and Ag thin films are found to be in good agreement with those of the other theoretical results and experimental data

Dairy Value Chain In Vietnam: Evidences from Bavi Area

Dairy farming, in Vietnam, existed in the early twentieth century thanks to the favorable natural advantage. During many difficult periods, the Vietnam’s dairy industry has developed constantly and contributed significantly to the food needs ensuring. However, Vietnam’s dairy industry still could not satisfy the domestic milk demand. Retail milk prices in Vietnam are very high, whereas the price of milk sold by the dairy farmers is very low. The cause stems from the control of dairy companies in the quantity and quality of milk. Moreover, that control caused an imbalance in the profits and benefits of each actor in the dairy value chain. This study, hence, finds out the distribution of benefits, costs, value-added among the actors, and problems in the practical management in dairy milk value chain with specific focus on Bavi as the case study