386 research outputs found

    No Need to Run Millions of Regressions

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    We argue that in modelling cross-country growth models one should first identify so-called outlying observations. For the data set of Sala-i-Martin, we use the least median of squares (LMS) estimator to identify outliers. As LMS is not suited for inference, we then use reweighted least squares (RLS) for our cross-country growth models. We identify 27 variables that are significantly related to economic growth. Subsequently, applying Sala-i-Martin's approach for the data set without outliers hardly reveals any additional information. Variables that are insignificant according to the RLS method are generally not significantly related to economic growth under the Sala-i-Martin approach.Sensitivity analysis, outliers, economic growth

    Deregulation, Entry of Foreign Banks and Bank Efficiency in Australia

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    This study considers the efficiency of banking in Australia during the post-deregulation period 1988-2001. Since 1986 restrictions upon foreign bank entry and foreign ownership have been affectively abolished. Using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Malmquist Indices, we find that the new foreign banks are more (input) efficient than domestic banks, mainly due to their superior scale efficiency. However, this superior efficiency did not necessarily result in superior profits. Our results are consistent with the limited global advantage hypothesis of Berger et al (2000). We argue that the major Australian banks have used size as a barrier to entry to the new entrants in the post-deregulation period. Furthermore, bank efficiency seems to have increased post-deregulation and the competition resulting from diversity in bank types was important to prompt improvements in efficiency. Finally, the recession of the early 1990s resulted in a distinct shift in the process of efficiency changes.foreign banks, deregulation, data envelopment analysis, Malmquist indices

    What Determines Differences in Foreign Bank Efficiency? Australian Evidence

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    This study applies parametric distance functions to estimate the efficiency of foreign banks in Australia, and subsequently employs extreme bounds analysis to establish the determinants of foreign bank efficiency that are robust to model specification. The limited global advantage hypothesis of Berger et al (2000) is supported. Following clients is found to reduce the efficiency of the profit-creation process. The market share of the incumbent banks acts as a barrier to entry to efficiency in the retail market, with acquisition of a domestic bank reducing this effect. Internet-based bank product delivery reduces the efficiency of profit creation in the initial phases of operation, and parent profits do not improve efficiency in the host market.foreign bank efficiency, distance functions, extreme bounds analysis, barriers to entry, following clients

    How to Measure the Tax Burden on Labour at the Macro-Level?

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    The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, we survey the way in which the tax burden on labour has been proxied for in recent multi-country macro-economic studies. Second, we critically evaluate these proxies. Finally, we examine to what extent the conclusions of some studies change if some alternative indicator for the tax burden on labour is employed. We conclude that the widely used tax ratios as developed by Mendoza et al. (1994) may not be very reliable. The choice of the indicator for the tax burden on labour is also shown to affect the conclusions of some well-known empirical models.tax ratios, labour, average effective tax rates, unemployment

    Has the EMU Reduced Wage Growth and Unemployment? Testing a Model of Trade Union Behaviour

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    By using a model of trade union behaviour Grüner (2010) argues that the introduction of the European Monetary Union (EMU) led to lower wage growth and lower unemployment in participating countries. Following Grüner’s model, monetary centralization lets the central bank react less flexibly to national business cycle movements. This increases the amplitude of national business cycles which, in turn, leads to higher unemployment risk. In order to counter-balance this effect, trade unions lower their claims for wage mark-ups resulting in lower wage growth and lower unemployment. This paper uses macroeconomic data on OECD countries and a difference-in-differences approach to empirically test the implications of this model. Although we come up with some weak evidence for increased business cycle amplitudes within the EMU, we neither find a significant general effect of the EMU on wage growth nor on unemployment.common currency areas, EMU, Phillips curve, unemployment, wages
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