The Causality between Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth in Botswana: A Multivariate Analysis

The paper empirically investigates the short and long-run causal relationship between foreign direct investment, credit to the private sector, trade openness, gross national expenditure and economic growth in Botswana. In doing this, the paper employs multivariate Granger-Causality within an ARDL-bounds approach to co-integration and unrestricted error correction model (UECM). The paper finds that FDI inflow does not spur economic growth but rather, it is economic growth which promotes FDI inflow, credit to the private sector, trade and national expenditure. However, the paper finds a bi-directional relationship between FDI inflow and credit to the private sector both in the short and the long runs. Thus, policies should be targeted at improving the investment climate for existing domestic and foreign investors through infrastructure development and that external capital inflow should be complemented by domestic savings and investors on other to boost economic growth in Botswana

A PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF FIVE SWEETPOTATO SHIPPING CONTAINERS

Using a six x six latin square experimental design, five box types in two different markets were evaluated over a six-week period in 1986 to determine if sweetpotato arrival damage could be reduced through use of alternative shipping containers. Findings indicated that skinning, cut and break damage, and bruising could be reduced through use of either a 40-pound container or the 45-pound MUM box rather than using the current 50-pound box. Economic considerations, receiver preferences, and the actions of shippers resulted in the selection of a 40-pound shipping carton as the new standard for the North Carolina sweetpotato industry.Agribusiness,

LIBERALIZACIJA KAMATNIH STOPA U DRŽAVAMA ZAPADNE AFRIKE: IZAZOVI I POSLJEDICE

This paper reviews the challenges and implications of the interest rate liberalisation policies implemented in some West African countries. The literature reviewed so far shows that, the outcomes of interest rate liberalisation, as implemented in Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast, are positive. However, in some instances the implementation of the policy has led to challenges in other sectors of the economy. The paper, therefore, is of the view that, careful consideration should be given to the interest rate liberalisation policy in developing countries, especially primary commodity exporters like Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast. In all three countries, the results of implementing these policies support numerous past studies that have reported positive outcomes regarding the effects of interest rate liberalisation on economic growth. The paper thus concludes that interest rate liberalisation polices, together with other real sector policies, have a positive impact on economic growth in the countries under review. However, policy makers should put in place alternative policies in order to deal with any possible challenges that may occur as a consequence of the implementation of interest rate liberalisation in these countries.U ovom se radu razmatraju izazovi i posljedice liberalizacije kamatnih stopa u nekim zemljama Zapadne Afrike. Pregled dosadašnje literature ukazuje da su ishodi liberalizacije kamatnih stopa pozitivni u slučaju Nigerije, Gane i Obale Bjelokosti. Primjena ove politike pokazala se u nekim slučajevima izazovnom za neke druge sektore gospodarstva. Stoga se u radu upozorava na potrebu opreznog postupanja pri uvođenju politike liberalizacije kamatnih stopa u zemljama u razvoju, a to je posebno važno za zemlje izvoznice roba, kao što su Nigerija, Gana i Obala Bjelokosti. Za sve tri navedene države rezultati provođenja ovih politika potvrđuju brojne ranije studije koje su ustanovile da postoje pozitivni rezultati uvođenja liberalizacije kamatnih stopa na ekonomski rast. U ovom se radu također zaključuje da politike liberalizacije kamatnih stopa zajedno s drugim politikama usmjerenim prema realnom sektoru imaju pozitivan učinak na gospodarski rast navedenih država. Također se upozorava nositelje ekonomske politike na potrebu razmatranja alternativnih politika, kako bi se moglo postupati u slučaju mogućih posljedica pri uvođenju liberalizacije kamatnih stopa u tim zemljama

The Dynamics Of Financial Liberalisation In Ghana

This paper examines the role of financial liberalisation policies in Ghana and it finds that financial liberalisation policies have had positive effects in Ghana. However, the paper also finds that the same financial liberalisation policies have brought with them a number of interrelated problems that should be addressed by the country. These include the large interest rate spread, an increase in foreign currency deposits, constant depreciation of the domestic currency, a drastic increase in imports, and the reduction of credits to the productive sectors of the economy, as well as the problem of high lending rates which has discouraged investment in the productive sectors of the economy. The extent to which the government should intervene in the financial market to “guide” credit is still under discussion. The paper concludes that, on the whole, financial liberalisation policies have had beneficial effects in Ghana

Aboveground Biomass and Carbon content of a cocoa –Gliricida sepium agroforestry system in Ghana

To help overcome the challenge faced in re-establishing cocoa in degraded lands, some agroforestry trials were established with exotic leguminous tree species to determine their suitability for cocoa cultivation. However, our understanding of biomass accumulation and carbon sequestration in such specific agroforestry practices is still limited. In this study, the above-ground biomass and carbon storage and partitioning in a gliricidia-cocoa agroforestry system was investigated. Above-ground biomass accumulation and carbon stock varied significantly between the components of the system, with the gliricidia shade trees having the highest values and the cocoa trees having the lowest. The inclusion of the gliricidia shade trees in the system increased above-ground biomass and carbon capture of the system by some 60%, a greater proportion of which was contained in the branches of the shade trees. This pattern of dry matter distribution makes the species appropriate for use as a biomass producing species in agroforestry systems and demonstrates the potential of cocoa agroforestry systems for capturing and storing more atmospheric carbon than sole cocoa systems

A Concept Analysis: Adherence in Type 2 Diabetes

Aim: The aim of this analysis is to develop a better understanding of the concept of adherence among individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. Background: The incidence and prevalence of diabetes in the United States continues to increase at epidemic proportions yearly. Design: The analysis was conducted using Rodgers\u27 evolutionary method including database searches from Cumulative Index to Nursing Health Literature (CINAHL), COCHRANE, EBSCO, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and SocINDEX. Keywords included adherence, compliance, diabetes care, type 2 diabetes and theories. Results: Rodgers\u27 evolutionary method guided this inquiry of concept of adherence across several disciplines. Analysis revealed definitions, related terms, attributes, references, antecedents, consequences, and related concepts that helped construct a model case for a client. Conclusion: Researching the concept of adherence across diverse disciplines revealed that the definition of adherence in nursing and medicine entails persistence in following a health care provider\u27s recommendation. Future studies must define adherence in relation to culture to establish a framework for holistic and client-centered care

Bird Species Diversity and abundance in the Abiriw Sacred Grove in the Eastern Region of Ghana

The sacred grove concept is one of the strategies developed by many human societies to conserve biological resources using a traditional approach. Sacred groves are currently under threat from anthropogenic activities due to lack of enforcement of traditional edicts to check encroachment. The birds inhabiting the Abiriw Sacred Grove in the Akwapim North District in the Eastern Region of Ghana were surveyed between February and April 2005 to determinethe current ecological status of the grove, and to establish a bird species list. The transect count method was used to sample the birds in the grove. A total of 411 individual birds belonging to 22 families and 66 species was recorded, out of which 211 individuals of 41 species occurred in the forest-cultivated land boundary, 111 (36 species) in pristine forest, and 89 (40 species) in secondary forest. A significant proportion of species in the grove were savanna specialists. Similarity indices indicated different levels of degradation of the various blocks. The current situation needs immediate attention to stem the tide of fragmentation and degradation

Thermoelectric prospects of nanomaterials with spin-orbit surface bands

Nanostructured composites and nanowire arrays of traditional thermoelectrics like Bi, Bi(1-x)Sb(x) and Bi(2)Te(3) have metallic Rashba surface spin-orbit bands featuring high mobilities rivaling that of the bulk for which topological insulator behavior has been proposed. Nearly pure surface electronic transport has been observed at low temperatures in Bi nanowires with diameter around the critical diameter, 50 nm, for the semimetal-to semiconductor transition. The surface contributes strongly to the thermopower, actually dominating for temperatures T < 100 K in these nanowires. The surface thermopower was found to be -1 T microvolt/(K^2), a value that is consistent with theory. We show that surface electronic transport together with boundary phonon scattering leads to enhanced thermoelectric performance at low temperatures of Bi nanowire arrays. We compare with bulk n-BiSb alloys, optimized CsBi(4)Te(6) and optimized Bi(2)Te(3). Surface dominated electronic transport can be expected in nanomaterials of the other traditional thermoelectrics.Comment: 18 pages, 3 figure

CASE 3: Melcom and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Working Toward a Resilient Food Business Industry

The COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating effects on all aspects of life, with everything from the business sector to schools having been affected by it. It has given the world a chance to realize new and emerging diseases that can cause pandemics are a constant threat. Additionally, the pandemic has shown with greater clarity how much people rely on food as a daily necessity, and how easily food access can be threatened. The pandemic has left many grocery stores, supermarkets, restaurants, bars, bakeries, cafés, and coffee shops in the food retail and food service industry struggling to survive even though food is so essential. With many people staying home because they are fearful of contracting the virus and they are heeding public health advice, food service businesses have fewer customers. Although many people are still getting food delivered and ordering takeout, the pandemic has simply resulted in fewer customers overall. This drop in orders, coupled with periodic government restrictions on dine-in options, has led to reduced overall food retail business profitability. Although the government has helped by introducing some financial COVID-19 benefits and services, these programs have restricted eligibility requirements that have not worked for every business. As a major grocery chain, Melcom has taken this opportunity to make an impact on the communities it serves by enhancing its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. Melcom has always engaged in socially responsible community projects such as back-to-school food drives and university scholarships for children from low-income neighbourhoods. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food industry, Melcom decided to partner with HEALab to expand their corporate social responsibility to affected businesses. This new project would entail conducting research into the food business industry and researching what measures could be taken to help Melcom’s partners and possible research into communities facing food insecurity during the pandemic. This case uses Melcom as an example of a grocery store chain that has engaged in new corporate social responsibility initiatives because of the pandemic. By examining this case, information can be drawn about how local, provincial, federal governments, local partners/stakeholders and corporate partners can support food business industry during a public health emergency