Growth and Development Commons^™

Doing More Good For Less: Salvaging Development Aid, Trey Dykeman

Richard T. Schellhase Essay Prize in Ethics

In stark contrast to its peak in the Marshall Plan era, professional sentiment towards international development aid has become increasingly pessimistic as its shortcomings have become apparent. Inter alia, leading thinkers charge development aid with enabling and sustaining economic dependency, governmental corruption, political power imbalances, and paternalism. Even so, there may be diamondlike programs in the development aid rough. Cash and voucher assistance (CVA) programs—a subset of development aid—have seen moderate success. In particular, as compared to other forms of aid, unconditional cash transfer programs (UCTs)—a specific type of CVA—appear economical and effective and avoid many of the above …

Beyond The Stats: Empirical Analysis Of The Impact Of Performance Metrics And Nationality On Major League Soccer Player Salaries: A Panel Data Analysis, Daniel Pereira

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper investigates the possibility of how player in-game individual performance and nationality shape the salary system in Major League Soccer (MLS). The objective is to evaluate the direct relationship between key performance indicators (KPIs) such as field position, goals, assists, appearances, and defensive contributions, and how these factors are different between domestic and international players.

Ai Adoption And Wage Growth In U.S. Industries: A Sectoral Analysis, Demitrius Andrellos

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming nearly every sector and has significant implications for workers and their wages. This paper examines the impact of the utilization of AI on wage growth across various industries in the United States. Through analysis of trends, examination of current research, and regression analysis using real industry data, the research demonstrates the disparate impacts of AI. Research suggests that AI raises wages in tech- and finance-centric sectors where it complements humans but keeps wages down in labor-intensive sectors where it replaces them. Understanding this disparity is important to build equitable workforce policies for the AI age.

Empirical Analysis Of The Impact Of Macroeconomic Determinants On Equity Reit Performance, Chris Morello

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper investigates how equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) respond to key macroeconomic factors: stock market performance, interest rate changes, and inflation. Using annual data from 1972 to 2024, multiple linear regressions are conducted to assess which variables significantly explain REIT returns. The results reveal a strong and consistent relationship between equity REIT performance and S&P 500 returns, while interest rates and lagged inflation measures show no statistically significant impact. These findings suggest that REITs behave more like equities than fixed-income assets, particularly in the long term. While the models have limited explanatory power, the analysis supports the idea …

Determinants Of Wealth Inequality In Central America: A Panel Data Analysis Of Socioeconomic And Institutional Factors, Jose Manuel Fernandez Pou

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This study applies a non-linear panel threshold regression model to examines the factors of economic development in Central America, with an emphasis on institutional and socioeconomic factors. Using data acquired between 2000 and 2023 the research evaluates how different variables like trade openness, FDI, financial development, education spending, inflation and population growth impacts the growth of GDP at different levels of institutional quality. The results demonstrate that institutional quality levels create a distinct threshold effect when trade openness and FDI fail to promote growth in weak institutional settings while inflation volatility strongly hinders growth. FDI and financial development show positive …

Beyond The Road Trip: Investigating The Impact Of Travel Fatigue On Nba Team Performance, Anthony Pugliese

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper investigates the impact of travel fatigue on NBA player performance. In this paper we will look at key variables such as back-to-back games and long-distance travel. By using specific team by team data on factors like game results, travel distance, and rest days. This study examined how specific factors like time zone shifts and travel length influences winning percentage and player efficiency. This paper will also show a regression analysis and visual data to back up results using real life data. The results showed that team performance decreased significantly when teams were at a higher rate of travel …

The Contemporaneous Impact Of Unemployment And Income Inequality On Violent Vs Property Crime Rates In New England: A Panel Data And Machine Learning Approach, Cora Sousa

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper investigates the possible impact of unemployment and income inequality on property and or violent crimes in the New England region in the United States from 2003 to 2022. Using a panel data analysis looking at unemployment rates and factors of income inequality in New England states, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont, along with demographic factors like race and gender aim to find a relationship between unemployment and income inequality with crime rates. Economic distress, usually caused by unemployment, can cause an individual to commit crimes due to hard times. Using machine learning decision trees …

The Price Of Victory: A Machine Learning Analysis Of How Salary Dispersion Influences Team Success In Major League Baseball, Joseph Belsanti

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper examines the effect of salary dispersion on team success in Major League Baseball (MLB). Using data from 29 MLB teams over eight seasons (2012-2019), this study uses multiple models, such as Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), panel data regressions, and Random Forest machine learning, to investigate the degree – if any – that inequalities in a team's payroll impacts success, measured by winning percentage. The study's results show that, contrary to prevailing theories, salary dispersion – measured by a Gini coefficient – is not a significant predictor of a team's winning percentage (team success). Instead, team performance metrics, such …

The Impact Of Tariffs And Institutional Quality On Economic Growth In Latin America: A Panel Data Analysis, Blaisedel Frampton

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper investigates the relationship between tariffs and economic growth in Latin American countries and how institutional quality may impact this relationship. The study will use data from the World Development Indicators Data Bank. The data used comes from 18 high- or middle-income countries within South America and the Caribbean from the years 2003 to 2023. Results from this study were found using a fixed-effects regression model. The results from this study show that overall, there is a negative correlation between tariffs and economic growth in South America. There is also a positive correlation between institutional quality and economic growth …

Passive Vs. Active Etfs: A Comparative Data Analysis Of Market Performance And Investor Behavior, Herrick Louis

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper investigates the long-term performance of passive vs active ETFs. Using a comparative analysis of historical returns from 2015 to 2024, Regression modeling, and time Series Analysis, I assessed whether passive investing offers a strategic advantage overactive management. Drawing on data from VOO Passive, SWANX active, Bitcoin, and MAG 7 technology ETFs, and the Financial Sector.

Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Gendered Happiness: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Oecd Countries, Anusha Khan

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This paper explores how socioeconomic factors influence life satisfaction across OECD countries and how these effects vary by gender. Using a cross-sectional dataset, the study runs three separate regressions, total, men’s, and women’s happiness to test whether factors like health, education, safety, and support networks impact life satisfaction differently for men and women. A Random Forest model is also used to validate the robustness of selected predictors. Findings show that health and support matter universally, but men’s well-being is more closely tied to educational attainment, while women’s happiness is more sensitive to feelings of safety.

Decarbonization Under Carbon Policy And Pricing Shifts: A Machine Learning-Driven Synthetic Control And Panel Data Analysis, Chanboremey Teng

Empirical Economic Bulletin, An Undergraduate Journal

This study evaluates the effectiveness of carbon pricing instruments – Carbon taxes and Emissions Trading Systems (ETS) – in reducing CO2 emissions per capita across 152 countries from 1990 to 2023 using dynamic panel regressions with fixed effects. The analysis estimates both short-run and long-run effects while controlling economic structure, energy mix, and environmental policy stringency (EPS). The results show that ETS policies yield the strongest long-term reduction in emissions at approximately 7.35%, followed by carbon taxes at 5.6%, and EPS regulatory measures at 6.35%. However, when all three instruments are modeled together, the marginal effects of pricing mechanisms weaken, …

Effects Of Bureaucratic Corruption On Firms' Financial Constraints, Obinna Franklin Ezeibekwe

The Journal of Entrepreneurial Finance

This study provides the first empirical assessment of the causal impact of bureaucratic corruption on firms' financial constraints in Nigeria by calculating treatment effects using linear and non-linear estimators to account for potential heterogeneous treatment effects across firm groups. Formally, the theoretical framework models how corruption may facilitate or restrain firms' financial access by shaping their cost functions, which consequently influences their success or failure and ability to raise the collateral for borrowing. My analysis, using the bivariate probit method and two binary instruments, reveals that corruption significantly increases the probability of a representative MSME and firm being financially constrained …

Assessing Awareness And Trade Facilitation Under The Afcfta: A Focus On Small-Scale Cross-Border Traders In The Southern African Development Community, Faith Mbakhwa

Southern African Journal of Policy and Development

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Trade present significant opportunities for trade facilitation reforms, particularly for small-scale crossborder traders (SSCBTs). However, the success of these initiatives hinges on the awareness and participation of these key stakeholders. This study investigates the awareness levels of SSCBTs regarding the AfCFTA, and analyses their understanding of trade facilitation reforms and their perceptions of the benefits and challenges of these reforms. Drawing on border reviews across 12 SADC commercial border posts and on interviews with traders and customs officials, the study identities significant gaps in …

Preparing Youth For Careers In Drone Aviation: Evaluating Washington County 4-H Drone Camps, Paul A. Hill, Aubree L. Miller, Katarina J. Aikens

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Drone technology presents growing career opportunities, yet youth access to education in this field remains limited. This study evaluates the Washington County 4-H Drone Camps, which aimed to equip youth in 4^th – 8^th graders with essential knowledge and skills in drone aviation. The Drone Camps focused on competencies such as drone anatomy, FAA regulations, and piloting skills. Evaluation results indicated youth improved in all competency areas after completing the camp. The Washington County 4-H Drone Camps effectively allowed youth to explore drone technologies and prepare them for a possible career pathway.

The Role Of Affordable Housing In Enhancing Tenants' Economic Stability In Connecticut: A Focus On Income, Employment, And Housing Stability, Osaid Zubi

Dissertations

This study examined the role of affordable housing in promoting economic stability among low- and moderate-income households in Connecticut. Focusing on income security, employment opportunities, and housing retention, this research highlighted the significance of affordable housing as a means to alleviate financial strain, support job retention, and foster community resilience. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, the study gathered insights from tenants, policymakers, and developers through conducting interviews and a focus group. Connecticut was chosen as the study site due to its high cost of living and affordable housing shortage, exacerbated by its proximity to New York City. Findings underscore the economic …

Firm Selection And Growth In Carbon Offset Markets: Evidence From The Clean Development Mechanism, Qiaoyi Chen, Nicholas Ryan, Daniel Yi Xu

Discussion Papers

We study carbon offsets sold by firms in China under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). We find that offset-selling firms, meant to cut carbon emissions, instead increase them by 49% after starting an offset project. In a model of firm investment decisions and offset review, we estimate that CDM firms increase emissions due to both the selection of higher-growth firms into projects (35 pp) and because offset projects themselves boost firm growth and therefore emissions (14 pp). The CDM reduces global surplus by causing damages from increased emissions four times greater than private gains from trade in the offset market.

Working Paper No. 87, The Double-Edged Sword Of American Philanthropy, Nathan Lewis-Lusso

Working Papers in Economics

This inquiry seeks to establish that American philanthropy, often hailed as a moral virtue, is in part a reflection of systemic policy failures that have forced private individuals to address public needs. While one blade of the philanthropic sword has historically provided essential support in areas such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation, the other blade of the sword has also allowed for wealthy individuals to shape public priorities, often reinforcing existing inequalities. By analyzing the historical development of philanthropy, its role in addressing policy gaps, and its potential in undermining democratic governance, this inquiry highlights the complex and often …

Analysis Of Systematic Trade-Offs Between Military And Healthcare Expenditure Alongside Gdp Growth Of Select Asian And Western Exporting Economies In The 21st Century, Rahul Balamurugan, Carlos Gershenson, Preethi Nanjundan, Hiroki Sayama

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

This study explores the complexity in the trade-offs between military expenditure, healthcare expenditure, and GDP growth across select Asian nations and major weapon-exporting countries, examining how nations allocate finite resources between national security and human well-being over the past two decades. Using a systems science approach, the research integrates Granger causality testing to analyze temporal and directional relationships among GDP growth, military expenditure, and healthcare expenditure, uncovering their dynamic interdependencies. The methodology includes trend and slope analysis, Granger causality testing, outlier detection, and clustering to identify heterogeneity in resource allocation strategies. Developed, weapon-exporting nations exhibit complementary trends, with strong causality …

A New Induction Proof Of The Gibbard-Satterthwaite Theorem, Sarvesh Bandhu, Rohit Kumar

Working Papers

In this paper, we provide a new induction proof of the Gibbard–Satterthwaite theorem, where the induction argument builds on n = 1 rather than the existing proofs using n = 2. The provided proof is much shorter, and the arguments are very intuitive, which will be helpful in teaching and for beginners in this field.

Queueing Problem With Dynamic And Heterogeneous Opportunity Costs, Sarvesh Bandhu, Parikshit De, Devwrat Dube

Working Papers

We study queueing problems in which agents have heterogeneous per-period waiting costs (their private information), which can vary with queue position and are thus dynamic. Our goal is to implement a Rawlsian allocation rule that minimises the maximum of individual waiting costs among all agents. Under complete information, we introduce the Just Algorithm, a simple method that always selects a Rawlsian queue. However, in settings with incomplete information where agents possess multidimensional private types i.e., the vector of their per-period waiting costs for each period, we prove that no Dominant Strategy Incentive-Compatible (DSIC) mechanism can implement the Rawlsian queueing rule …

Impact Of Foreign Remittances, Foreign Direct Investment And Financial Development On Human Development Of Selected Asian Countries, Sumra Khalid, Ayesha Rehan, Bushra F. Malik

Accounting, Business Analytics, Economics, and Finance Department Faculty Articles

Foreign remittances play a contributing role in determining the growth potential of the nations of the world. Considering its significant role, the existing research has analyzed the major factors affecting the economic growth of some selected Asian nations. The data was utilized from 2005 to 2020 in some selected Asian countries. Human development was used as the dependent variable. However, foreign remittances, financial development and foreign direct investment, trade openness and labor force participation rate were taken as independent variables. The OLS regression results indicated that foreign remittances, foreign direct investment, and financial development led to enhanced nations' human development. …

Implementing Efficiency With Equality, Sarvesh Bandhu, Ratul Lahkar

Working Papers

We consider the implementation of efficiency with minimum inequality in a large population model of negative externalities. Formally, the model is one of tragedy of the commons with the aggregate strategy at the efficient state being lower than at the Nash equilibrium. A planner can restore efficiency by imposing an externality equivalent tax and then redistributing the tax revenue as transfers to lower inequality. We characterize the payment scheme that minimizes inequality, as measured by the Gini coefficient, at the efficient state subject to incentive compatibility and budget balance. We then construct a mechanism that implements efficiency with minimum inequality …

Gender Inequality And Productivity Impact In Egypt, Hammad Elsaid Omar

The Undergraduate Research Journal

This study examines the relationship between gender inequality in Egypt's workforce and productivity across various sectors. Utilizing a comparative research design, the analysis employs quantitative data from sources such as the World Bank and the International Labor Organization. Key indicators of gender inequality—including the gender pay gap, the percentage of women in managerial positions, and female labor force participation rates—are correlated with productivity metrics like GDP per capita and productivity per employee (Figure 3). Findings reveal a strong negative correlation between the gender pay gap and productivity, with sectors exhibiting smaller pay disparities achieving higher productivity levels. Regression analysis indicates …

The Jamaica Now Leadership Council: A Study Of Stakeholder Participation In The Revitalization Of Downtown Jamaica, Queens, Melva M. Miller

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Urban revitalization in the United States has often been characterized by uneven community development, where marginalized communities bear the costs while receiving limited benefits. This dissertation examines how the dynamics of stakeholder participation impacts the practice of Community Economic Development (CED), focusing on the Jamaica Now Leadership Council (JNLC) as a case study. Formed to oversee the Jamaica Now Neighborhood Action Plan, the JNLC represents a model of inclusive, stakeholder-driven urban development aimed at addressing historical disinvestment and promoting equitable economic growth in Downtown Jamaica, Queens.

The study explores how power dynamics, stakeholder histories, and role expectations shape participation in …

The Cashew Nut Industry In Mongu District: Origins, Development, And Impact, 1972–2011, Namushi Situtu

Zambia Social Science Journal

This article explores the contribution of the cashew nut industry to the economic development of Mongu district. The industry was introduced in Mongu district after the Zambian government embarked on the creation of agricultural schemes to reduce the economic imbalance, inherited from the colonial government, between urban and rural areas. The new United National Independence Party government, which came to power in 1964, wanted to develop rural areas through an improved peasantry class. This led to the establishment of agricultural schemes in various rural parts of the country. Due to the sandy terrain of Mongu district, the cashew nut industry …

Has The Iasb Successfully Achieved Its Stated Goals? A Literature Synthesis And Theoretical Model, Stephen B. Salter, Hong Kim Duong, Gaurav Gupta

Accounting Faculty Publications

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) has been successful in achieving its stated objective of enhancing the comparability of financial reports produced across the globe. According to IFRS.org, "IFRS Accounting Standards bring transparency by enhancing the international comparability and quality of financial information, enabling investors and other market participants to make informed economic decisions." To meet our research objective, we summarize the research on international financial reporting standards (IFRS) found in seven relevant ABDC A and A* journals for 2016-2021. Based on the examination of published research, we create a model …

Renewable Energy And Economic Growth: Evidence From A Global Panel Data Analysis Of Advanced And Emerging Economies, Ryan A. Campbell

Soaring: A Journal of Undergraduate Research

This study assesses the impact of renewable energy consumption on economic growth using a global panel dataset of 136 advanced and emerging and developing economies. Drawing on classifications from the International Monetary Fund, it employs econometric modeling to analyze the long-term effects of renewable energy consumption on economic output and development, while also examining how returns differ based on a country's level of economic development. The results indicate that while renewable energy consumption initially incurs costs for all economies, emerging and developing economies generally experience more moderate returns compared to advanced economies, which ultimately realize greater economic benefits in the …

China’S Economic Slowdown: How Does It Affect New Zealand’S Economy?, Haven Qin

CMC Senior Theses

This paper examines the impact of China’s economic slowdown on New Zealand’s economy, focusing on sector-specific linkages across real estate, the stock market, exports, and import prices. As a small open economy, New Zealand’s deep integration with global markets makes it particularly vulnerable to external shocks from its largest trading partner. Employing OLS regression models and monthly economic data, this study reveals the nuanced pathways through which China’s economic conditions influence New Zealand. Key findings include the sensitivity of New Zealand’s housing market to Chinese property investments and Chinese stock market performance, the influence of Chinese financial market performance on …

The Causes And Impact Of Evictions In Southern Nevada, Mohit Pande

Student Research

As the Southern Nevada region continues to quickly grow, evictions have become a structural feature of the region’s rental market. The region has one of the highest eviction filing rates in the country and this trend has continued to increase in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. This paper examines the availability of market-rate affordable housing and the expansion of subsidized affordable housing to understand how the local housing conditions contribute to the number of evictions in Southern Nevada. Additionally, the paper studies local legal processes, such as the summary eviction system and habitability procedures, to understand the relationship between …