Volume 54 / 2022
RELEVANT ASPECTS REGARDING LABOR FORCE MARKET IN THE CONTEXT OF POST-COVID-19 AND THE TERRITORIAL COHESION
Daniela ANTONESCU
Abstract:At global level, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic displays a general character affecting both humans and economies, under the current post-Covid conditions. At present, it is obvious that the effects of the crisis (either negative or positive, direct or indirect, on medium- and long term) are not well known.Thus, little is known yet about multiple other coordinates:time,magnitude,reactions at sectorial or territorial level,etc.In this mixture of unknown we find the individual regarded from the social (demographic-social) and economic(labor force resources) perspective. However, a series of obvious effects are identified by which the sanitary crises impact on the lives of people–from the personal one to the professional one. These changes might be considered as development opportunities but, at the same time, they might lead to increased socio-economic territorial disparities.Looking ahead, the pandemic accelerated the ongoing digital transformation of the UE economy, with teleworking and the use of digital technology becoming more prominent. Taking into account the fact that diminishing territorial disparities remains the strategic objective of the current territorial Cohesion Policy, the present paper attempts to provide an updated image on the effects of the pandemic crisis at regional level and regarding the state/existing trends on the labor force market.This article is focusing on resilience of labor at European regional level. The results of the analysis indicated the potential and the importance of labor forces in the context of territorial resilience and post pandemic Covid crisis.
Classification-JEL:R10,R50,R51,R58,R59
Keywords:COVID-19, regional development,convergence/divergence,work force,mountain area,territorial cohesion
THE IMPACT OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN THE ENERGY FIELD ON ECONOMIC GROWTH
Monica-Lavinia DAN
Abstract:Under pressure to solve a multitude of problems, the public authority is looking for new and additional sources of funding capable of participating in meeting social needs, involving different private sectors by participating in the provision of public services that best meet the needs of the community. Public-private partnership (PPP) expresses a way of cooperation between the public authority and the private sector, in order to provide public services with high quality. Fundamentally, the public-private partnership provides the public service entirely or in part, depending on the private funds attracted and draws on the know how of the private sector. The main goal of this study is to analyze the short-run impact of increasing the value of public-private partnership in energy on economic growth, based on a panel of emerging economies. The outcomes suggest that an increase in the value of public private partnership leads to an increase in GDP growth but only across extreme quantiles. This suggests that public-private partnership in energy is beneficial to economic development, but only during periods of economic booms.
Classification-JEL:H57,O47,P18
Keywords:public-private partnership,economic growth,energy
REDUCING CHILD POVERTY IN ROMANIA: THE ROLE OF UNIVERSAL CHILD BENEFIT
Alina Ionela ARSANI, Georgiana BALABAN, Elena-Madalina ZAMFIR (AVRAM)
Abstract:Child poverty is a structural issue and a persisting challenge in Romania.According to the latest figures published by Eurostat, 4 in 10 children were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2020, almost double compared to the EU27 average. For 2022, the Government decided to increase the universal child benefit by 14% and 41%, depending on the age and the health status of children. The aim of this analysis is to gauge the impact of rising universal child allowance in reducing child poverty in Romania. For this purpose, our paper makes use of the EUROMOD, the EU tax-benefit microsimulation model based on the 2019 EU-SILC database. The main takeaway of this analysis is that increasing universal child allowance has only a marginal impact on children poverty and should not be seen as the sole ingredient to solve this multidimensional phenomenon. In order to tackle this delicate situation, authorities should put in place a coherent strategy at national level, with targeted measures and effective investment. Furthermore, the Government should take full advantage of the Recovery and Resilience Fund and implement reforms to improve the welfare of children, with focus on disadvantaged groups.
Classification-JEL:I32,I38
Keywords:universal child benefit,child poverty,microsimulation,EUROMOD universal child benefit,child poverty,microsimulation,EUROMOD
L'IMPACT DE L’OUVERTURE ÉCONOMIQUE SUR LA CROISSANCE RÉGIONALE EN TUNISIE
Zied AKROUT
Abstract:Cette étude essaye de dévoiler la contribution de l'ouverture économique sur la croissance régionale en Tunisie. Nos résultats empiriques pour la période 2007-2020, ont montré que l'ouverture à travers ses deux vecteurs (IDE totalement et partiellement exportateurs) a un effet positif sur la croissance régionale en général. Néanmoins, cet effet positif ne touche pas la totalité des régions tunisiennes dont l'étude de l'ouverture sur la croissance de chaque région a montré que l'effet varie d'une région à l'autre, certaines ont tiré profit de l'ouverture et d'autres non. L'absence d'une coordination étroite entre les politiques d'ouverture économique et celles de développement régional a empêché d'arriver à un développement territorial équilibré. Par conséquent ces résultats soutiennent l’idée qu’il est primordial de renouveler à la fois les politiques d'ouverture et de développement régional en fonction des spécificités de chaque région.
Classification-JEL:F43,F62
Keywords:ouverture économique,croissance régionale,Tunisie
STOCK MARKET LIQUIDITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIA
Babatunde Wasiu ADEOYE, Ojo Samson ISUMAILA
Abstract: The study analyzed the impact of stock market liquidity on economic growth in Nigeria during periods of regulation and deregulation of the stock market. It seeks to ascertain if the stock market can serve as a reliable avenue to grow the Nigerian economy so that the government can quit excessive public borrowing that has been the practice in recent times. Time series data from 1960-2020 on stock market liquidity, government expenditure, foreign direct investment, interest rate and per capita income, obtained from Statistical Bulletin of the Central Bank of Nigeria (2020) are used for the study. The data are divided into two periods such as 26years of stock market regulation (1960-1985) and another 26 years of stock market deregulation (1995-2020). These compared the impact of stock market liquidity on economic growth between the two periods. Two stage least squares (2SLS) and Granger Causality methods were employed for the analysis The results showed that the impact of stock market liquidity on economic growth in Nigeria is positive and significant during the periods of stock market regulation and stock market deregulation. These results are consistent with the argument of the supply leading hypothesis. As such, development of the Nigerian stock exchange contributes to the growth of the Nigerian economy. However, the results revealed that the impact of stock market liquidity on economic growth in Nigeria was stronger during periods of stock market regulation. This goes to show that deregulation of the stock market has not promoted economic growth as much as regulation of the stock market has done in Nigeria. The adoption of deregulated policies in the Nigerian stock market came with volatility in stock market liquidity. This variation lowers the contributions of the stock market towards Nigeria economic performance. In other words, periods of high volatility in the Nigerian stock market lowers the positive contributions of the market to the domestic performance of the economy. The study concluded that economic growth in Nigeria is better enhanced when there are mild variations in stock market liquidity. Hence, stock market liquidity has stronger positive contributions to economic growth in Nigeria when volatility is low in the market. It is recommended that policy makers should come up with administrative actions and policies that address these issues of volatility in the Nigerian Stock market. Doing so would not only improve rational investment decision making, but would also help to remove uncertainty as often envisaged by players in the market. This can encourage increasing domestic productivity in Nigeria.
Classification-JEL:G23,O16
Keywords:stock market liquidity,financial deepening,economic performance,regulation,deregulation and stock price volatility
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF ACCOUNTING AS A RESULT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN ACCOUNTING
Veronica GROSU, Gabriela STAFIE
Abstract:Today's accounting is the consequence of a long historical process characterized by a series of transformations caused by technological progress. The accounting system has been marked by a series of changes over time, and the digital age has imposed the least possible use of the traditional accounting system, generating beneficial improvements in the field of accounting. The main objective of the paper is the analysis of the current debates on the digital transformation of accounting, by reviewing the recent literature. When processing the data we used the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus platforms. The obtained results illustrate that the penetration of technologies based on artificial intelligence in accounting, such as expert systems, automation of processes through robotics or blockchain, can add value to accounting activities by reducing errors and increasing the efficiency of accounting and financial processes.
Classification-JEL:M40,M41,M48
Keywords:digital accounting,process automation through robotics,artificial intelligence,blockchain
DO WOMEN BOARD DIRECTORS CONTRIBUTE TO THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF LISTED FIRMS? INSIGHTS FROM NIGERIA
Sunday Oseiweh OGBEIDE, Grace.N.ABUTU
Abstract:This study examined the effect of women board directors on the financial performance of listed firms in Nigeria in the reference period 2015 to 2020. The population of the study consists of all the quoted firms as at 31st December, 2020. A sample of eight seven (87) quoted firms in the non -financial sector was selected and data were collected over the period. Inferential statistics consisting of the General Method of Moment were used for the data analysis. The findings from the analysis showed that the proportion of women board members exerted a negative and non-significant effect on the financial performance of the sample firms. Board nationality, however, exerted a positive and insignificant effect on the firm’s finance performance in the reference period. The study concludes that while women board directors have no significant effect on firm financial performance, board nationality does. Based on the empirical findings obtained, the study recommends that the regulatory authority needs to come up with a policy to respond to the marginalization of females on the board of listed firms in Nigeria. The aim of this policy thrust should be targeted at reducing politics and biass against women on the corporate boards of listed insurance firms.
Classification-JEL:M41,M42
Keywords:women board directors,board nationality,firm size,financial performance.