An economic perspective on the influence of social interaction on risky behaviours

Includes abstract.Includes bibliographical references.This thesis presents the theme of social interaction and risk taking. There is a growing interest in incorporating the influence of social interaction in the economic modelling of human choices. Although the current economic literature is awash with the topic of social interaction a disproportionate bias is towards theoretical as opposed to empirical work. Of the existing empirical literature, a small proportion deals with sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries as case studies. This is quite surprising given that the cultural characteristic of close-knit social kinship and ties in this region makes it more likely that human choices will be influenced by social interaction. Further to this the existing empirical literature is abounds with criticism regarding the lack of sound methods to curb identification problems which include the effects of unobservables, selection bias, simultaneity and the related reflection problem. Against this backdrop the thesis makes an empirical investigation into the role of social interaction on risk taking behaviour. The thesis consists of three self-contained papers, each with the aim of unearthing the influence of social interaction on risk taking. Two types of risky behaviours apparent in SSA are investigated. The first is risky sexual behaviour associated with the HIV infection. This risk is covered in two papers that constitute chapters 2 and 3. The second type of risky behaviour relates to crimes of social behaviour, specifically contact crimes and contact related crimes, and this is covered in one paper which forms chapter 4

Volatility Analysis of Exchange Rate of Emerging Economies: A Case of East African Countries (1990-2010)

The aim of this study is to analyze the volatility of exchange rates of the currencies of the five East African Community (EAC) countries. Time series modeling is applied to the data of these countries. Various models were fitted and compared using Maximum Likelihood approach in order to select the best fitting model for each of these countries. The paper also aims atestablishing whether NEWS affects the smooth movements of the exchange rates. Static and dynamic forecasts were obtained for periods of unrests to ascertain the contribution of the NEWS to abrupt shifts in the exchange rates movements. The results show that all the economies yield significant volatility models implying that the exchange rate volatility does exist in these countries. Furthermore, forecasts show that the exchange rate volatility in these countries reduce after the date of each one’s joining the EAC. This implies that openness of these economies should be encouraged to reduce the exchange rate volatilities of their currencies. The existenceof high rates of exchange volatility could be explained by the fact that these currencies are not pegged to any major international currency. The countries are thus advised to peg their currency to avoid future fluctuations. Keywords: Exchange rate volatility, East Africa, EGARCH, GARCH, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ugand

Testing for Volatility and Market Efficiency of Uganda Securities Exchange

This study presents empirical evidence of volatility and market efficiency of Uganda Securities Exchange. Results indicate that the Uganda Securities Exchange exhibits a weak-form efficiency based on Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH), Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) and the serial correlation tests. This may be attributed to few listed companies and less liquidity hence the need to implement the over the counter facility, two tier market, more listing and promotion of collective investment schemes. Firms and individuals should be encouraged to buy or sell securities outside their face values, as a means of encouraging financial activities in the economy

Scenario analysis of the long-term impact on energy demand and emissions of B10 use as a clean transport fuel

Sustainable energy sources are continually advocated as the globe strives to transition from non-renewable forms. Energy security risks associated with the gradual depletion of petroleum resources and the related climate change effects require remedies. Nations have enacted laws stipulating biofuel blending mandates to reverse these adverse effects. Using the Low Emissions Analysis Platform (LEAP) software, this study assessed the potential long-term impact on energy demand and CO2 emissions from implementing B10 (10% biodiesel and 90% conventional diesel blend) in Uganda’s petroleum sub-sector was assessed. Four scenarios were analysed from 2019 to 2050: baseline (100% fossil diesel), B10, B20 (20% biodiesel and 80% conventional diesel blend), and electric-powered transport, were analysed for 2019 to 2050. The analysis revealed that replacing fossil diesel with B10 reduces fossil-derived energy demand by 3.52% and projects an 8.38% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to the baseline scenario. The B20 and electric vehicle scenarios offer an even greater reduction. Specifically, the B20 scenario shows an 8.46% decrease, and the electric scenario shows a 9.98% decrease in fossil-derived energy demand. These reductions are attributed to the lower proportion of fossil fuels in biodiesel blends and the higher energy efficiency of electric vehicles. B10 use as a substitute fuel for diesel-powered vehicles is expected to mitigate transport sector emissions in Uganda with minimal impact on final energy demand. B20 and electrification scenarios with lower final energy demand and higher environmental impact reductions are more advantageous relative to the B10 and baseline scenarios. Future analyses should establish the optimal renewable fuel and vehicular technologies mix for a net zero scenario by 2050 for Uganda’s transport sector

Moving forward: Tackling stigma in a Tanzanian community

The International Center for Research on Women, the Muhimbili University College of the Health Sciences, the Population Council, and Family Health International conducted an evaluation of a community-based effort to reduce stigma surrounding HIV infections in a peri-urban community in Tanzania. Results presented a mixed, but hopeful, picture for a way forward in tackling stigma at the community level. Tackling stigma requires that the individuals tasked with doing this undergo personal change. Programs can start by focusing stigma-reduction efforts on a smaller, more manageable geographical area and adding specific anti-stigma components to their portfolio of activities. Engaging community opinion leaders (e.g., political, religious, and youth leaders, and healthcare workers) is a promising way forward for scaling up stigma-reduction at the community level

Unpacking Stakeholder Perceptions of the Benefits and Challenges Associated With Urban Greenspaces in Sub-Saharan Africa

Urban greenspaces underpin ecosystem service provision in cities and are therefore indispensable for human well-being. Nevertheless, they are increasingly disappearing from cities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding how the stakeholders influencing urban greenspace management perceive the benefits provided by urban greenspaces and the challenges to its conservation and management is critical for reversing this trend. Using Malawi’s capital city, Lilongwe, as a case study, we conducted 44 semi-structured interviews to explore the profiles and perceptions of stakeholders who currently hold influence over greenspace planning, conservation and management. Stakeholders with influence over urban greenspace management described the main focus of their organisation as relating to urban planning, natural resources protection and management, development work, or the hospitality business sector. Critically, only a third of all stakeholders focused on natural resources protection and management. Stakeholders had nuanced and varied appreciations of the benefits that greenspaces provide. Regulation and maintenance ecosystem services, as well as cultural services were frequently mentioned. However, provisioning services were mostly mentioned by those in development work. Stakeholders also identified an additional suite of societal benefits that do not directly map onto ecosystem service frameworks, such as the generation of financial income and the provision of employment opportunities. Challenges identified as hampering the planning, conservation and management of greenspaces included inappropriate urbanisation, lack of coordination and participation, and population growth. Lack of coordination was however not widely acknowledged among those focusing on natural resources protection, who conversely identified population growth more often than any other groups. Highlighting how stakeholders with varying priorities perceive ecosystem services a first step towards improving greenspaces management both for their better acceptation and for improving their potential for biodiversity conservation. Specifically, we bring attention to need for stakeholders working with natural resources protection to recognise more the need for collaborations and engagement. Additional research is also necessary to understand how those different perspectives might be integrated into ongoing processes and procedures to manage greenspaces in Sub-Saharan Africa

Understanding Gender Inequality in Poverty and Social Exclusion through a Psychological Lens:Scarcities, Stereotypes and Suggestions

Poverty and social exclusion are a gendered phenomenon. They are rooted deeply in the stereotypes, biases, prejudices, and discriminations against women, especially those suffering from poor living conditions. Unfortunately, gender inequality is manifested in most, if not all, major life domains. It is therefore important to understand the gender aspect of poverty and social exclusion through a psychological lens. We begin this chapter by introducing the concepts of multi-dimensional poverty and social exclusion with a sketch of the gender disparities displayed in these areas. We turn next to several mainstream psychological theories which have attempted to investigate and interpret the relationship between poverty and gender inequality from the dispositional, motivational, cognitive, and behavioural perspectives. Finally, we evaluate the reliability, objectivity, and generalisability of the reviewed theories and studies and offer suggestions for future research.</p

Influencing subjective well-being for business and sustainable development using big data and predictive regression analysis

YesBusiness leaders and policymakers within service economies are placing greater emphasis on well-being, given the role of workers in such settings. Whilst people’s well-being can lead to economic growth, it can also have the opposite effect if overlooked. Therefore, enhancing subjective well-being (SWB) is pertinent for all organisations for the sustainable development of an economy. While health conditions were previously deemed the most reliable predictors, the availability of data on people’s personal lifestyles now offers a new dimension into well-being for organisations. Using open data available from the national Annual Population Survey in the UK, which measures SWB, this research uncovered that among several independent variables to predict varying levels of people's perceived well-being, long-term health conditions, one's marital status, and age played a key role in SWB. The proposed model provides the key indicators of measuring SWB for organisations using big data

Dar es Salaam Urban Parks and Green areas Survey - 2016

The survey is part of a project on Ecosystem Services Accounting for Development (ESAfD) in six different countries: Beijing (China), San José (Costa Rica), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Nairobi (Kenya), Cape Town (South Africa), and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). The surveys were jointly designed. However, local surveys are contingent to local realities. The ESAfD project is jointly executed by the Environment for Development (EfD) initiative and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), and funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The objective of the project is to conduct ecosystem services valuation using techniques robust with the System of National Accounts (SNA). By rigorously linking biophysical and socioeconomic data, the results are relevant not only for national accounting but also for local and regional landscape planning. This submission consists of data from Dar es Salaam Urban Parks and Green areas Survey collected by EfD Tanzania.The survey is part of a project on Ecosystem Services Accounting for Development (ESAfD) in six different countries: Beijing (China), San José (Costa Rica), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Nairobi (Kenya), Cape Town (South Africa), and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). The surveys were jointly designed. However, local surveys are contingent to local realities. The ESAfD project is jointly executed by the Environment for Development (EfD) initiative and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), and funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The objective of the project is to conduct ecosystem services valuation using techniques robust with the System of National Accounts (SNA). By rigorously linking biophysical and socioeconomic data, the results are relevant not only for national accounting but also for local and regional landscape planning. This submission consists of data from Dar es Salaam Urban Parks and Green areas Survey collected by EfD Tanzania

Dar es Salaam Urban Parks and Green areas Survey - 2016

The survey is part of a project on Ecosystem Services Accounting for Development (ESAfD) in six different countries: Beijing (China), San José (Costa Rica), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Nairobi (Kenya), Cape Town (South Africa), and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). The surveys were jointly designed. However, local surveys are contingent to local realities. The ESAfD project is jointly executed by the Environment for Development (EfD) initiative and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), and funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The objective of the project is to conduct ecosystem services valuation using techniques robust with the System of National Accounts (SNA). By rigorously linking biophysical and socioeconomic data, the results are relevant not only for national accounting but also for local and regional landscape planning. This submission consists of data from Dar es Salaam Urban Parks and Green areas Survey collected by EfD Tanzania.The survey is part of a project on Ecosystem Services Accounting for Development (ESAfD) in six different countries: Beijing (China), San José (Costa Rica), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Nairobi (Kenya), Cape Town (South Africa), and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). The surveys were jointly designed. However, local surveys are contingent to local realities. The ESAfD project is jointly executed by the Environment for Development (EfD) initiative and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), and funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The objective of the project is to conduct ecosystem services valuation using techniques robust with the System of National Accounts (SNA). By rigorously linking biophysical and socioeconomic data, the results are relevant not only for national accounting but also for local and regional landscape planning. This submission consists of data from Dar es Salaam Urban Parks and Green areas Survey collected by EfD Tanzania