Exist convergence across Latinamerican countries

This paper studies the evolution of per capita income disparities across Latin America between 1950 and 2008 through an analysis of beta and sigma convergence. Our main objective is to detect whether countries have converged to a common stead state in per capita income or if on the contrary, there is evidence of convergence to differentiated stationary states. A log-lineal neoclassical production function with technology is estimated through dynamic data panel methods. In particular system GMM estimators" are used to remove diverse sources of bias affecting convergence models, including those produced by the spatial dependence among neighboring countries. The results show that until 1985 there seems to be a slow process of convergence of the Latin American countries to a common level of per capita income. From that moment, we find a divergence process, which together with an increase in the dispersion in per capitaincome across countries, let us conclude that the beta convergence is conditional. The main determinants of this process are the rate of investment and public spending.Convergence, disparities, econonomic growth

¿Existe convergencia entre los países de América Latina?

This paper studies the evolution of per capita income disparities across Latin America between 1950 and 2008 through an analysis of beta and sigma convergence. Our main objective is to detect whether countries have converged to a common stead state in per capita income or if on the contrary, there is evidence of convergence to differentiated stationary states. A log-lineal neoclassical production function with technology is estimated through dynamic data panel methods. In particular system GMM estimators" are used to remove diverse sources of bias affecting convergence models, including those produced by the spatial dependence among neighboring countries. The results show that until 1985 there seems to be a slow process of convergence of the Latin American countries to a common level of per capita income. From that moment, we find a divergence process, which together with an increase in the dispersion in per capitaincome across countries, let us conclude that the beta convergence is conditional. The main determinants of this process are the rate of investment and public spending

¿Existe convergencia entre los países de América Latina?

This paper studies the evolution of per capita income disparities across Latin America between 1950 and 2008 through an analysis of beta and sigma convergence. Our main objective is to detect whether countries have converged to a common stead state in per capita income or if on the contrary, there is evidence of convergence to differentiated stationary states. A log-lineal neoclassical production function with technology is estimated through dynamic data panel methods. In particular system GMM estimators" are used to remove diverse sources of bias affecting convergence models, including those produced by the spatial dependence among neighboring countries. The results show that until 1985 there seems to be a slow process of convergence of the Latin American countries to a common level of per capita income. From that moment, we find a divergence process, which together with an increase in the dispersion in per capitaincome across countries, let us conclude that the beta convergence is conditional. The main determinants of this process are the rate of investment and public spending

Convergencia en América Latina. Un análisis dinámico

[ES] Este documento estudia la evolución de las disparidades en el nivel de renta per cápita en los países de América Latina entre 1950 y 2008 a través de análisis de convergencia beta y sigma. Partiendo de una función de producción neoclásica con tecnología s se aplica una metodología de datos de panel dinámicos (GMM de sistema). Los resultados obtenidos muestran un lento proceso de convergencia hasta 1985 de los países Latinoamericanos hacia niveles de renta per cápita comunes. A partir de ese momento, el proceso de convergencia se dinamiza, lo que unido a un aumento en la dispersión en los niveles de renta per cápita, nos permite llegar a la conclusión de que el proceso de convergencia beta es condicional, es decir, hacia estados estacionarios diferenciados. Los principales factores determinantes han sido la tasa de inversión y el gasto público[EN] This paper studies the evolution of disparities in per capita income across Latin American countries between 1950 and 2008 through beta and sigma convergence analysis. We assume a neoclassical production function with technology and apply dynamic data panel methodologies (GMM system estimators). The results show a slow beta convergence process in per capita income up to 1985 across Latin American countries. Since then, the convergence process augment, which together with an increase in the dispersion in per capita income, let us conclude that the process is conditional, to different steady states. The main determinants of this process were the rate of investment and public spendin

El impacto de las remesas en el crecimiento económico de América Latina, 1975-2012

La presente investigación analiza el efecto de las remesas en el crecimiento económico de los países de América Latina durante el período 1975-2012, controlando la posible endogeneidad de los regresores a través de estimadores GMM de sistema para modelos dinámicos de datos de panel. Los resultados muestran que no existe relación signi?cativa entre remesas y crecimiento económico en la mayor parte de países de América Latina, aunque su efecto sí es signi?cativo a partir de la crisis ?nanciera internacional de 2008. Por otro lado, el mayor crecimiento de las remesas se produce en aquellos países con un menor nivel de renta per cápita a corto plazo, lo que estaría evidenciando su carácter contracíclico y lo limitado de sus efectos al estar destinadas principalmente hacia el consumo.</p

The role of population, investment and technology in the convergence process across spanish regions

Aunque existe una abundante literatura sobre los procesos de convergencia entre las regiones españolas, la mayor parte de trabajos realizados al respecto han utilizado o bien técnicas de sección cruzada o bien técnicas estáticas de datos de panel, que tienen importantes limitaciones en modelos dinámicos. Además, en pocos de dichos análisis se ha considerado de forma explícita el efecto de las variables clásicas responsables del estado estacionario. El objetivo del presente trabajo consiste en tratar de solventar estas limitaciones mediante la aplicación de técnicas dinámicas de datos de panel a una ecuación de convergencia que incorpora diferencias regionales en las variables responsables del estado estacionario. La principal conclusión obtenida es que el factor explicativo más relevante de las aproximaciones en el estado estacionario entre las regiones españolas han sido las diferencias en las tasas de crecimiento de la población, principalmente debidas a movimientos migratorios inter-regionales.Although there exists abundant literature about convergence across the Spanish regions, most of the research has been developed by using cross-section regressions or data panel techniques with fixed effects, resulting in biased estimates that may make their conclusions less tenable. In addition, many of these studies donot explicitly account for the effect of the traditional variables determining the steady state. This paper is aimed at overcoming these limitations. The main conclusion that stems from our analysis is that the deep reduction in steady-state disparities across the Spanish regions can be attributed to a large extent to the differences in their population growth rates, which are due mainly to inter-regional migrations

A study of the leather industry in the district of Cotacachi (Ecuador) according to the theoretical Marshallian-Becattinian scheme

El presente trabajo es el resultado de la primera parte de una investigación en curso sobre los rasgos característicos del distrito manufacturero ecuatoriano, usando como marco analítico de referencia el esquema teórico de matriz marshalliana-becattiniana. En este artículo se analiza el sector del cuero de Cotacachi (provincia de Imbabura, Ecuador), con el fin de conocer su contribución al desarrollo socioeconómico del territorio y determinar si puede ser considerado un distrito industrial en el sentido marshalliano-becattiniano. A través de métodos cuantitativos y cualitativos se propone un ejercicio de lectura del caso de Cotacachi en base al esquema teórico del distrito industrial italiano, sistematizado sobre la experiencia de Prato (Italia). La principal conclusión es que el sector del cuero de Cotacachi se encuentra aún en un estado de desarrollo embrionario del modelo de distrito industrial de Marshall-Becattini, donde no existe una “atmósfera industrial” que permita una “eficiencia colectiva” atada a procesos de innovación. La presencia de microrredes a su interior, que en potencia pueden generar un “efecto distrito” como en el caso de Prato, choca con un panorama casi ausente de iniciativas de subcontratación, donde no existen articulación entre actores productivos ni relaciones entre empresas (sino sólo en las microrredes) y falta un apoyo institucional adecuado; elementos, éstos, que limitan su potencial de desarrollo.The present work is the first part of an ongoing investigation into the characteristic features of an Ecuadorian manufacturing district, using the Marshallian-Becattinian theoretical scheme as a reference framework. This article analyses the leather sector of Cotacachi (Province of Imbabura, Ecuador) to establish its contribution to the socioeconomic development of the territory, and determine if it can be considered an industrial district in Marshallian-Becattinian terms. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, an examination of its socioeconomic characteristics is offered with respect to the theoretical scheme of an Italian industrial district, based on the experience of Prato (Italy). The main conclusion is that the leather sector of Cotacachi is still in a state of embryonic development as an industrial district in the theoretical scheme of Marshall-Becattini. This is because there is no ‘industrial atmosphere’ that enables a ‘collective efficiency’ connected to innovative processes. The presence of micro-networks in its interior, which can potentially generate a ‘district effect’ as in the case of Prato, clashes with an almost complete absence of subcontracting initiatives, with no articulation between productive actors, nor relationships between companies (except for micro-networks), and a lack of adequate institutional support. The absence of these elements limits the development potential of the district

Managing an Online Survey about Influenza Vaccination in Primary Healthcare Workers

Online surveys are increasingly used due to their speed and efficiency. The aim of this study was to analyze factors that may have contributed to the quality and speed of response of an online survey on influenza vaccination in primary healthcare workers. A multicenter study including family physicians, nurses and pediatricians from primary healthcare teams from seven Spanish Autonomous Communities was designed. The centers were selected by simple random sampling. The survey remained active and accessible for 56 days and four reminders were sent. The odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to assess the association of sociodemographic variables and responding to the survey before the second reminder. Complete, validated information was obtained from 1965 primary healthcare workers. The total response rate was 36.2%. More nurses (46.3%) responded before the second reminder and more family physicians (52.8%) after the second reminder. The adjusted OR shows that family physicians responded later (AOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.2¿1.8) than nurses. The responses obtained in the first 24 h after the initial sending and the reminders accounted for 41.7% of the completed surveys, indicating the importance of reminders

Knowledge of and attitudes to influenza vaccination in healthy primary healthcare workers in Spain, 2011-2012

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for healthcare workers, but many do not follow the recommendation. The objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with seasonal influenza vaccination in the 2011– 2012 season. We carried out an anonymous web survey of Spanish primary healthcare workers in 2012. Information on vaccination, and knowledge and attitudes about the influenza vaccine was collected. Workers with medical conditions that contraindicated vaccination and those with high risk conditions were excluded. Multivariate analysis was performed using unconditional logistic regression. We included 1,749 workers. The overall vaccination coverage was 50.7% and was higher in workers aged ≥ 55 years (55.7%), males (57.4%) and paediatricians (63.1%). Factors associated with vaccination were concern about infection at work (aOR 4.93; 95% CI 3.72–6.53), considering that vaccination of heathcare workers is important (aOR 2.62; 95%CI 1.83–3.75) and that vaccination is effective in preventing influenza and its complications (aOR 2.40; 95% CI 1.56–3.67). No association was found between vaccination and knowledge of influenza or the vaccine characteristics. Educational programs should aim to remove the misconceptions and attitudes that limit compliance with recommendations about influenza vaccination in primary healthcare workers rather than only increasing knowledge about influenza and the characteristics of the vaccine

Economic evaluation of health services costs during pandemic influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 infection in pregnant and non-pregnant women in Spain (2009)

Background: The healthcare and socio-economic burden resulting from influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 in Spain was considerable. Our aim was to estimate and compare the management (resource utilization) and economic healthcare impact in an at-risk group of unvaccinated pregnant women with an unvaccinated group of non-pregnant woman of childbearing age (15-44 yr old). Methods: We addressed this question with a longitudinal, observational, multicentre study. Inputs were the require-ments in managing both groups of women. Outcome measures were healthcare costs. Direct healthcare (including medical utilisation, prescriptions of antivirals, medication, diagnostic tests, and hospitalisation) costs and indirect (productivity loss) costs were considered. Unit of cost was attributed to the frequency of health service resources utili-sation. The mean cost per patient was calculated in this group of women. Results: We found that the influenza clinical pattern was worse in non-pregnant women as they had a high medical risk of 20.4% versus 6.1% of pregnant women. Non-pregnant required more antipyretics and antibiotics, and needed more health service resource utilisation (338 medical visits in non-pregnant women vs. 42 in pregnant women). The total cost of non-pregnant women was higher ( 4,689.4/non-pregnant and 2,945.07/pregnant). Conclusions: Cost per (H1N1) pdm09 was lower for pregnant women, probably due to more preventive measures adopted for their protection in Spain. The highest costs were incurred by hospitalisations/day and work absenteeism for non-pregnant than for pregnant women. These data will allow better future pandemic influenza planning