Telecommunication Infrastructure Development and Economic Growth: A Panel Data Approach

The present study empirically investigate the dynamic relationship between telecommunication infrastructure and economic growth, using data from twenty-four low income, middle income and high income countries for a 18 years period, from 1985– 2003. With a panel data set, this study uses dynamic fixed effect and random effect models for estimation, which allows us to test the relationship between country’s economic growth with initial economic condition, fixed investment, population growth, government consumption as well as telecommunication infrastructure. The results show that telecommunication is both statistically significant and positively correlated to the real GDP per capita of these countries included in the study. The results are robust even after controlling for investment, population growth, past level of GDP per capita and lagged growth. The results further indicate that the telecommunication investment is subject to increasing returns, suggesting thereby that countries gain more and more with the increase in telecommunication investment. The second test, Granger’s causality test confirms the causal relationship between telecommunication infrastructure and economic growth, but the relationship is significant from telecommunication to GDP per capita side but insignificant on GDP per capita to telecommunication development side.Telecommunication Growth, Panel Data, Fixed and Random Effect, Granger Causality

Load sharing in distributed computer systems

PhD ThesisIn this thesis the problem of load sharing in distributed computer systems is investigated. Fundamental issues that need to be resolved in order to implement a load sharing scheme in a distributed system are identified and possible solutions suggested. A load sharing scheme has been designed and implemented on an existing Unix United system. The performance of this load sharing scheme is then measured for different types of programs. It is demonstrated that a load sharing scheme can be implemented on the Unix United systems using the existing mechanisms provided by the Newcastle Connection, and without making any significant changes to the existing software. It is concluded that under some circumstances a substantial improvement in the system performance can be obtained by the load sharing scheme.Science and Engineering Research Counci

Telecommunication Infrastructure Development and Economic Growth: A Panel Data Approach

World is going to be global village due to the introduction of new and advanced technology and new innovations in technology make it more possible day by day. The widely spread economic activities both in real as well as in credit market is possible when they use advance technology to communicate. This is a fact that the world is rapidly moving towards an economic system based on the continuous and ubiquitous availability of information. Developing countries try to maintain and develop their technology in such a way that they can become a part of this global village. Recent developments in telecommunication technology have been an important tool to exchange the information to develop a sharp and valuable commodity market. During 21st century to move into post-industrial, information based economic growth, countries and sector try to equip themselves with the necessary telecommunication system. A modern telecommunication infrastructure is not only important for economic growth but also to connect domestic market of commodities as well as credit with international commodity and financial markets. This would develop the smooth flow of foreign investment, positive value of net exports, increase the value addition in GDP of an economy etc. Once the industrial and agriculture development was considered to be a best tool to enhance economic growth of a country, every country gave more importance to these sectors in its plans and policies, but now the trend has changed because the advancement and development of these two major sector of an economy sustain on the development of other factors, the role of service sector, advancement in technology, and the contribution of foreign sector in economic growth by different ways increases, and the major area of interest for foreign sector or investment was service sector and still it is, countries with the existence of GATS, started to privatise their set up, and after realising the importance of communications, the telecommunication sector is now on their main priorities. With the advancement of telecommunication services, a new market mechanism, low cost structure and expanded value chain of firms is possible [Kambil and Short (1994)], on other hand in developing countries, the average price of agricultural commodities is high in the area where there is telephone facilities available than the area where there is no facilities to communicate [Bayes, et al. (1999)]

Decentralisation in Indonesia: The Impact on Local Health Programs

Background: After more than a decade of implementation, the outcomes of decentralisation in Indonesia, particularly for the health sector are still obscure. Government health expenditure in a number of districts has increased considerably, but despite this health system performance to a large extent seems unaffected, calling into question how health stakeholders actually interpret local needs and how this interpretation can influence the consequent process for developing health programs. The main objective is to reveal the impact of decentralisation on health programs. Methods: In order to explore the complexity of the process, thirty-six stakeholders from eight different districts were interviewed, individually. These stakeholders consisted of representatives of the executive and legislative bodies, and the head of the district health office. Using purposive sampling, districts as the unit of analysis were selected on the basis of different degrees of fiscal strength and of urbanisation. The data were explored using framework approach. Results: One feature of decentralisation was the transfer of central government-that includes the discretion to develop and financing local initiative health programs to the local governments. However, the extent of health programs in each local government depends on factors such as local fiscal capacity, regulations, and the political process. In the case of Jamkesda, local fiscal capacity will determine the coverage and benefit of the health scheme that usually was supported by local regulations. However, the amount of local budget allocated for Jamkesda, relied greatly on the political process. The role of Jamkesda as a vote-getter for local politicians is significance, both in term of local commitment (budget allocation and regulation) and the sustainability of the program. Conclusion: Decentralisation has changed the development of local health program, nevertheless, the scope of local initiative health programs is determined by local fiscal capacity and the political process

Probing the Nature of Pakistan’s Money Supply

Historic development of monetary economics encompasses two different school of thoughts on functioning of central banks in management of money supply and the level of economic activities, indirectly. “Monetarists” argue that “Money supply is exogenously determined” while “Post Keynesians” claim endogenously determined nature of money supply. In order to explore the real scenario of endogenous nature of money supply, there is a dire need of empirical studies covering different economies at different stages of development. the present study was planned to examine nature of money supply in Pakistan. study period covered a span ranging from 1995 to 2019 and Semi-annual data is used for analysis. Three hypothesis are tested in this study. i.e. accomodationists view, structuralists view and liquidity preference view. variables of the study comprised of monetary base, bank credit, money multiplier, M2 money supply and money income. Co-integration and error correction mechanism (ECM) were applied for determining long run relationships and short run deviations. results revealed that structuralists and liquidity preference view both hold true in case of Pakistan. Liquidity preference view holds true completely; whereas structuralists view was partially supported by the results of our study. &nbsp

Maintaining Seed Quality of Maize and Wheat through Dry Chain Technology in Pakistan

Seed is inevitably deteriorated during storage and higher seed moisture content is the primary cause of this decline in seed quality. Dry Chain is a valuable tool, by using moisture proof hermetic containers to preserve seed quality throughout supply chain. This study evaluated and compared the performance of wheat and maize seed in different hermetic storage packaging (Super bag, Anaaji bag and drum) with conventionally used woven polypropylene bags after six months storage in ambient conditions. Seed moisture content was increased up to 11.53 and 13.55% in wheat and maize respectively when packed in polypropylene bags while it remained low (approximately 10 and 11.4% in wheat and maize respectively) when packed in hermetically sealed bags and drum. Germination was maintained in both cereal seeds stored in hermetically sealed Super bag, anaaji bag and drum while it reduced in polypropylene bags as compared to initial seed quality. Seed stored in polypropylene bag deteriorated quickly, which resulted in loss of seed vigour as indicated by higher malondialdehyde contents and electrical conductivity of seed leachates. It can be concluded that maintenance of seed dryness with hermetic storage is useful in preservation of seed quality and related attributes under high relative humidity environment

Trade Liberalisation and Industrial Productivity: Evidence from Manufacturing Industries in Pakistan

This study examines the impact of trade liberalisation on the industrial productivity for a panel of twenty seven 3-digit manufacturing industries in Pakistan over the period 1980-2006. Using a variant of the Cobb-Douglas production function for industrial sector, we estimated output elasticities. The results show positive output elasticities with respect to labour, capital and raw materials for the pre-trade liberalisation period (1981 –1995) as well as post-trade liberalisation period (1996-2006). For the pre-liberalisation period, we observe positive output elasticity with respect to energy, while it turns out to be negative in the post-liberalisation period probably due to energy crisis in Pakistan. In the second stage, we calculate total factor productivity (TFP) and examine the impact of trade liberalisation on TFP for pre-and post-trade liberalisation periods. The results reveal that trade liberalisation proxied by import duty has positive but negligible impact on the TFP in the pre-as well as post-liberalisation periods. On the other hand, effective rates of protection exert large negative impact on the TFP in the post-liberalisation than the pre-liberalisation period. JEL Classifications: F14, F13, O53, L60 Keywords: Trade Liberalisation, Total Factor Productivity, Manufacturing Sector of Pakista

Measuring Water Poverty Index in Urban Areas of Punjab

The urban population of Punjab is growing rapidly. It is projected that there will be a 25 to 30 percent increase in urban population by 2020. This rapid population increase is causing major problems in the efficient provision of urban services in these cities. To evaluate the effect of this population increase, this paper tries to produce an integrated assessment of water stress and scarcity, linking physical estimates of water availability with socioeconomic variables that reflect poverty, i.e., a Water Poverty Index. It is understood that poor households face the problem of the accessibility of potable water, and this results in a significant loss of time and effort, especially for women. On the basis of multiple data sources, this paper evaluates water poverty in three panels of large, intermediate, and small cities of Punjab. The results show the same water poverty level within the panels but a higher poverty level in large cities than small and intermediate cities

The Surgical Results in Pure Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal Surgeries in 403 Pituitary Adenomas: An 8-Years of Experience from a Single Neurosurgical Unit

Objective:  To review and report the results in pure endoscopic endonasal trans-sphenoidal surgery done at our unit for pituitary adenomas (PAs) in last 8 years. Material and Methods:  We reviewed 403 consecutive patients who underwent pure endoscopic endonasal trans-sphenoidal surgery for newly diagnosed pituitary adenomas between August 2012 and July 2020 at our neurosurgical unit. Endocrinological, demographic features and outcomes, their complications, and duration of stay in hospital were assessed in these patients who were operated in our neurosurgical Unit. The Mean Follow-up on average was 3.5 months. Results:  403 consecutive cases were reviewed. Majority of cases were in the 4th decade of life at presentation. 227 (56%) were non-functioning pituitary tumors and 176 (44%) were hormone secreting pituitary adenomas. Thirty-one (7.7%) complications were observed in 28 post-operative patients. The most frequently observed complication was diabetes insipidus (temporary in 19 (5%) and permanent in 3 (0.7%) cases), cerebrospinal fluids leaks (5 cases) (5.7%), Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (1 case) (0.2%), internal carotid injury (1 case) (0.2%), Empty Sella syndrome (1) (0.2%) and post-operative cardiac complication (1 case) (0.2%). The Follow-up on average was 3.5 months. Conclusions:  The pure endoscopic endonasal trans-sphenoidal surgery of pituitary adenomas provides acceptable and reasonable results representing a safe alternative procedure to the traditional Trans-sphenoidal microscopic approach

Impact of Firm Size on Earnings Management; A Study of Textile Sector of Pakistan

The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of firm size on earnings management for the textile sector of Pakistan. For this purpose annual ten years data was obtained from 2004 to 2013 for fifty selected firms from the textile sector of Pakistan. Natural logarithm of total assets was used as the proxy of firm size. On the other hand earning management was the dependent variable of this study. Earnings management was measured through discretionary accruals by using modified Jones model. Descriptive statistics, correlation and panel data analysis was used for capturing the impact of firm size on earnings management. The statistical results of this study revealed that there is positive and significant impact of firm size on earnings management. Keywords: Firm Size, Discretionary Accruals, Earnings Management, Karachi Stock Exchang