OECD Member Countries Research Articles

Policy approaches to increase external investment by US pension funds in African countries

AbstractLimited external investment has dampened the prospect for a prosperous African continent that capitalises on economic integration and its demographic dividend. This article explores US pension funds as a candidate for increased investment by framing it through an institutional lens and the scholarly understanding of the risk–return dynamics in private capital allocation. The original research is centered on interviews of senior‐level professionals who work in the US pension fund investment ecosystem as well as experts at multilateral organisations. It identifies the primary investment impediments articulated in interviews and offers approaches policymakers in OECD member countries could undertake to increase the scale of US pension fund investment in African countries. These include: (1) Transform guarantee programs in size, scope, and risk tolerance; (2) Establish large pass‐through investment vehicles; (3) Focus resources to improve capital markets in African countries; and (4) Mandate development organisations to coordinate and proactively collaborate with firms in the US investment ecosystem.

Public responses to hard climate policies in OECD member countries: prevalence of contention at the post-adoption stage

ABSTRACT Effective climate action is likely to require hard climate policies (e.g. regulation, pricing, phase-outs), but such policies are often contested. Contention can arise not only during policy development and decision making but also at the post-adoption stage where adopted policies may be challenged, threatening policy durability. However, existing research has not systematically analyzed patterns of actual public responses to hard climate policies following their adoption. This is needed to understand response variety and the prevalence of contention. In this paper, we systematically assess public responses in a sample of 50 national-level hard climate policy packages (covering framework and energy policies) across 21 OECD member countries between 2009 and 2022. We categorize public responses (support, acceptance, non-acceptance, backlash) using a typology involving disapproval and mobilization to assess the prevalence of post-adoption contention among mass publics. We draw on newspaper data specific to each case to detect contention. Findings reveal a relatively low prevalence of post-adoption contentious responses to hard climate policies. Nonetheless, contention is pronounced in some cases and is mainly associated with carbon taxation/pricing although not exclusively. The most contentious responses, labeled as backlash, cluster in the latter half of the study period. Findings suggest a need to analyze drivers of contention among mass publics which may be complex and involve factors spanning policy design, institutional politics, and societal context.

Do conference-journal articles receive more citations? A case study in physics

Conference-journal articles, which are expanded versions of conference proceedings papers, play an essential role in disseminating scientific knowledge but remain understudied. In the context of increasingly stringent research evaluation systems, this study focuses on conference-journal articles, examining the effectiveness of journals in selecting conference-derived publications. We also explore the factors influencing the citations of conference-journal articles. Here, we focused on Physics, analyzing 59,329 conference-journal articles published between 2012 and 2020, matched with general journal articles and conference proceedings papers based on the conference and journal. Results show that conference-journal articles receive significantly more citations than conference proceedings papers but fewer than general journal articles. Conference-journal articles in special issues receive fewer citations than those in regular issues. A U-shaped pattern emerges between the duration from the conference convening to the journal publication and the citation. We also found that conferences with sponsorship and those held in OECD member countries are more likely to produce highly cited conference-journal articles. Additionally, results indicate that conferences held in the USA, Japan, France, China, and Poland produce the most conference-journal articles, with articles from conferences in the USA, Japan, and France receiving relatively high citation counts. In contrast, articles from conferences held in China and Poland receive relatively low citation counts. This research provides valuable insights for academic conference committees, journal managers, and conference participants.

Revaluating the Sustainable Development Thesis: exploring the moderating influence of Technological Innovation on the impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on Green Growth in the OECD Countries

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocate for advancing green growth, a concept that balances economic prosperity with environmental protection. At the core of this vision are principles of sustainable consumption, production, and energy usage, all aimed at mitigating climate change and safeguarding ecosystems. This study investigates how technological innovation influences the relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and green growth in OECD member countries. Specifically, we examine two facets of green growth: production-based CO2 productivity and demand-based CO2 productivity. We employ empirical analyses using the EKC and STIRPAT framework, which includes Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), smoothed instrumental-variables quantile regression (SIVQR), and System GMM methodologies, to uncover significant insights. Our analysis reveals that FDI impedes green growth, while technological innovation is pivotal in enhancing it. This pattern holds steady across various time frames and renewable energy sources. Furthermore, our findings indicate that combining FDI and technological advancement leads to heightened production-based CO2 productivity but diminished demand-based CO2 productivity. We also identify the presence of an environmental Kuznets curve for production-based CO2 productivity. Adding to significant scientific value by demonstrating how technological innovation moderates FDI's impact on green growth in OECD countries, we advocate for fostering collaborative partnerships between foreign investors and local innovators to leverage global expertise while advancing green objectives. Additionally, policy interventions should focus on stimulating demand for eco-friendly products and services to bolster demand-based CO2 productivity.

The Impact of Oil Price on Carbon Dioxide Emissions in the Transport Sector: The Threshold Effect of Environmental Policy Stringency

Carbon dioxide emissions from the transport sector make a significant contribution to global greenhouse gases, and understanding the factors that influence these emissions is beneficial for devising effective emission reduction policies. Oil prices are an important influencing factor since the fuel used in the transport sector is primarily based on oil, and fluctuations in oil prices directly impact the sector’s CO2 emissions. Additionally, environmental policies, as a key means of controlling CO2 emissions, can affect the relationship between oil prices and CO2 emissions in the transport sector. Therefore, this study aims to examine the impact of oil prices on CO2 emissions in the transport sector and explore the nonlinear role of environmental policy stringency in this relationship. Based on data from 27 OECD member countries and 6 non-member countries from 1990 to 2019, we used the environmental policy stringency index as a threshold variable to construct a panel threshold regression model. The analysis results indicate a double-threshold effect: when the environmental policy stringency index is low, the impact of oil prices on CO2 emissions in the transport sector is not significant. However, when the index reaches the first threshold, the impact of oil prices significantly increases; upon reaching the second threshold, the effect is further intensified. This paper also analyzes the three subindicators—market-based policies, non-market-based policies, and technology support policies—to clarify the distinct impact mechanisms of different types of environmental policies. Finally, based on the research findings, we propose policy recommendations to achieve carbon dioxide emission reduction targets in the transport sector.

Factors Affecting Location-Based Career Planning of Freelance Employees: An Asymmetric Analysis by OECD Member Countries

The growing interest in freelancing after the 1980s has led to the need to deepen the academic scope. Although there are various studies on freelancing, location-based studies have remained at a basic level. The study aims to identify the factors affecting the location-based career planning of freelancers in the context of OECD countries. In this context, the methodology of the research is a theoretical comparative qualitative analysis based on asymmetric analysis (Fuzzy Set QCA). The adequacy/requirements, configurations and country-specific clusters of effective conditions suitable for self-employment are revealed. According to the research findings, while all variables are found to be sufficient for the freelancing score in a singular sense, the absence of demand for freelancers reveals the absence of demand for the freelancing score as an absolute requirement. Based on the configuration results, specific results are found that could potentially suggest a model for freelancing status (FS) and non-freelancing status (~FS) of countries. Ultimately, the findings are instrumental in identifying the most favorable conditions and countries for freelancers. In this way, the research enables employees to plan their careers by taking into account the conditions that they deem important for them individually.

The consumption of natural resources and its effects on environmental quality: Evidence from the OECD countries

The existing body of literature has extensively investigated and debated the pivotal role of natural resources in the dynamics of economic growth. However, the explicit impact of natural resources on the quality of the environment is yet to be explored comprehensively. Amid this backdrop, this study explores the significant role that natural resources play in the growth processes of OECD member economies and the potential impact on environmental management. For our research model, the data for the OECD member countries (1997–2021) was collected from the “World Development Indicators (WDI)”. We applied econometric tools namely, fixed effects, generalized least squares and two stages least squares for empirical results. A causality exercise based on the Dumitrescu and Hurlin (DH) is conducted to identify the direction causation. Our results show that the use of natural resources adversely impacts the quality of the environment in OECD economies. The square term of natural resources is negative and significant, confirming the validity of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis between the use of natural resources and environmental degradation. When the cubic term of natural resources is entered into the estimated model positively, it shows that the potential shape of the EKC hypothesis is N-shaped. Our results also demonstrate that energy consumption and urbanization have worsened environmental quality, while trade openness and per capita income have improved the quality of the environment in OECD countries. The causality analysis showed several one-way as well as two-ways relationships. Our study's findings provide valuable insights from the OECD economies, which can be used to design and execute policies for managing natural resources to address environmental problems.

The Effects of Schooling Rates and Income Levels on Energy Consumption in Households: A Panel Data Analysis on OECD Countries

AbstractWhile energy consumption affects many different areas, it is also affected by many different factors. Therefore, policies aiming to reduce energy consumption gain a multidimensional feature. Income level and education play an important role in the success of these policies. Because as the income and education levels of individuals increase, the success rate of policies aiming to reduce energy consumption is higher. In this way, while energy consumption is reduced or used more efficiently, environmental problems are prevented. In this study, the effects of average schooling rate and income level on energy consumption in residences were investigated. For this purpose, the panel data analysis was used within the scope of the annual data of 19 OECD member countries for the 1990–2019 period. As a result of the analysis, a cointegration relationship was detected between the variables and long-term coefficients and error correction coefficient and short-term coefficients were obtained with the Augmented Mean Group (AMG) estimator. The findings show that the long-term average schooling rate has a negative effect on energy consumption in households, but income level has a positive effect on a panel basis. On the other hand, it was also found that the error correction mechanism works and that the income level has a positive effect on the energy consumption in the households in the short term, but the average schooling rate does not have a significant effect on the energy consumption in the households in the short term.

Performance evaluation using multi-stage production frameworks: Assessing the tradeoffs among the economic, environmental, and social well-being

Aiming to achieve sustainable development, a constantly growing number of countries have strived to promote economic growth while simultaneously mitigating environmental degradation and maximizing social welfare. However, despite the importance attributed to social well-being in contemporary discourse, its role has not received much attention in the performance evaluation literature. We propose a novel, multi-stage framework based on three dimensions of performance allowing us to assess the tradeoffs between the economic, environmental, and social efficiency in 28 OECD member countries from 2000 to 2019. We construct several scenarios representing policymakers' preferences by altering the weights assigned to the different performance pillars, allowing us to assess the environmental and social repercussions of economic growth. Our findings suggest that policies promoting relatively balanced growth patterns can offer opportunities for higher performance across all three pillars. At the same time, prioritizing development along any single dimension can trigger a relatively significant drop in progress in terms of the other two pillars. We also demonstrate that the sustainable development potential has varied across time and space. Comparisons suggest that the European OECD member countries have outperformed their non-European counterparts in terms of the economic performance, health outcomes, life expectancy, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Our results can provide policymakers with insights into strategies for promoting economic growth that account for sustainable development objectives.

Comparative Analysis of Higher Education Financing Policies Used by OECD Member Countries and Financing Policy Proposal for Türkiye

The Turkish higher education system has developed remarkably in parallel with the developments and changes in the world today. With the ease of access to higher education for students and the increase in the number of students, higher education costs are increasing. This situation puts the higher education system under financial pressure in countries that provide higher education financing from public sources. In this study, higher education financing methods used worldwide are compared and the most appropriate financing method for Türkiye is discussed. For this purpose, the Entropy method was used in weighting the criteria determined for the evaluation of financing policies, and the performance analysis of the alternatives was carried out with the TOPSIS method, which is one of the multi-criteria decision-making methods. Alternative decision options for financing higher education are based on "No Fee", "Pre-charging" and "Income-Contingent Loan-ICL" methods and the main criteria are enrollment, education expenditures and labor force. In this context, sub-criteria were created and the financing methods used by OECD countries were analyzed. Within the scope of the study, it has been determined that the financing methods used by Norway, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom in higher education systems are in the top three. In this context, it has been determined that the "Income-Contingent Loan" method used by the first and third ranked countries is the most preferred method in terms of performance.

A Comparative Perspective on Fee Policies Used in OECD Countries for Financing Higher Education

One of the biggest problems faced by countries globally is the financing of higher education. Especially in the face of increasing demand for higher education and limited public resources, countries are in need of reform in terms of financing higher education. In recent years, there has been a global trend towards the adoption of higher education financing strategies that focus on cost sharing. The purpose of this study is to examine the higher education financing policies of countries with different systems compared to Turkey, to address the financial challenges in Turkish higher education financing, to recognize alternative financing options and to suggest strategies for Türkiye to expand its financing sources. For this reason, the study is “descriptive” and the data on the countries are analyzed by using the “documentary scanning” method. A comparative perspective on higher education financing is presented by analyzing the current higher education financing policies in OECD countries and their current remuneration schemes. The study covers all OECD member countries. As a sample, the current state of financing models and fee structures in seven countries, including the United States, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Japan, Russia, the United States, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Japan and Russia, each with different higher education finance policies, are presented. In order to improve higher education financing in Türkiye, it is suggested that the “Income- Contingent Loan” method, which is offered to the student on an optional basis in the collection of debts in higher education financing systems, should be implemented as an alternative student borrowing method, even if it is not generally used in every country.

Accounting for Systemic Risk in Analysis of Crisis Scenarios

Systemic risk is ubiquitous in our increasingly globalised world owing to the interconnections within and across sectors. However, a review of National Risk Assessments performed in OECD member countries reveals that systemic risk is rarely mentioned, and it is never accounted for in those assessments. A powerful method accounts for systemic risk and identifies mitigating strategies using participatory modelling with stakeholders: strategy mapping with Strategyfinder. The risk model is represented as a directed graph consisting of risk nodes and directed edges (arrows) expressing causal influences. The method originated in the management of large, complex projects, and it has been applied to systemic risks in critical infrastructures and pandemics. We demonstrate the Strategyfinder method using a scenario describing a cyberattack on electronic communication infrastructure leading to serious consequences for health and lives. The scenario is borrowed from the report Analysis of Risk Scenarios by the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection.

An exploratory diagnosis and proposed index of technological change and sustainable industrial development in selected OECD member countries

Industrial development has resulted in economic progress and the well-being of the society. At the same time, the impact of the industrial complex has disrupted the environment and resulted in climate change related impacts. The purpose of this study was to carry out an exploratory diagnosis and propose a technological change and sustainable industrial development index at the international level. Therefore, a network study was conducted to identify the main nodes and thematic clusters associated with cleaner production. A patent analysis was applied to technologies related three selected/relevant areas of cleaner production, i.e. carbon footprint, wastewater treatment, and renewable energy. Additionally, based on factor analysis, an index including different indicators related to scientific, technological, economic, environmental, and social issues was developed and proposed in this study.

Porezna autonomija lokalne samouprave

The paper measures the total (two-tier) local tax autonomy (cities/municipalities and counties combined) in Croatia applying the OECD methodology in terms of the definition and scope of taxes and their classification according to taxing power and autonomy. First, it follows the methodology of previous studies for Croatia, which considered only nominal taxes. This results in a relatively small share of autonomous taxes in local tax revenues. The change from a formal recording of taxes to an effective one based on the OECD definition of taxes leads to more than a doubling of local autonomous taxes. However, compared to other OECD unitary countries (countries with only the local level), Croatia still lags significantly behind the OECD average and also behind the average of EU member countries that are also OECD member countries. The weighting of different categories, despite the risk of arbitrariness, and the resulting tax autonomy index show an additional improvement of the Croatian situation. Further calculation of the tax autonomy index and, in particular, the composite indicator of tax autonomy (share of autonomous local taxes in total general government taxes), as well as the composite tax autonomy index (local tax autonomy index divided by total general government taxes), lead to a further improvement of the Croatian position. Although the country is still below the OECD average, it has improved to an almost median position. The indicators suggest that the taxing powers of local governments need to be further strengthened.

Influence of environmental technologies and income on the environment in OECD member countries transitioning to low carbon societies.

This paper focuses on examining the effects of per capita environmental technology development on the load capacity factor (LCF) within the context of OECD member countries during the period spanning 1990 to 2021. To investigate these relationships, we employ the AMG estimator and FM-LS estimator. Additionally, we explore the validity of the load capacity curve for these countries and estimate the inflection points in the income per capita-environmental sustainability relationship. Our findings lead us to the conclusion that there is no significant impact of environmental technologies on environmental sustainability. Furthermore, we observe a negative influence on the development of environmental technologies, which can be attributed to the negative externalities associated with their implementation and the lack of societal adoption. Moreover, our estimations reveal an inflection point at $45,251.90 in terms of GDP per capita, beyond which the sustainability condition of the studied countries improves.

Family-preschool relationship and family engagement in distance preschool education in the time of COVID-19 in Chile: toward a change of Principals' mentality?

ABSTRACT Chile was one of the OECD member countries where schools stayed closed the longest during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study provides information about the type of relationship constructed between families and preschools and the conditions under which parental involvement occurred in distance learning experiences during the interruption of in-person educational activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, from the perspective of 83 principals who lead preschools located in urban and rural areas affected by poverty in Chile. Our findings show that the principals viewed the pandemic as an opportunity to raise awareness and improve educators’ knowledge about students’ family contexts, diversify and adapt families’ modes of participation to their knowledge and living conditions, and incorporate them into the pedagogical decisions that distance learning prompted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings pose questions regarding the sustainability of these new post-pandemic practices; in other words, whether it is sustainable to shift from a collaborative and instrumental logic of family participation to another that is based on recognition and dialogue and that takes into account families’ needs, interests, and possibilities regardless of the economic, digital, and territorial precariousness that characterises their life.

일생활균형정책과 지방분권화에 따른 출산율의 변화: OECD 회원국을 중심으로

In Korea's Basic Plan for a Low Fertility and Aging Society, the work-life balance policy aims to create a society that works together and takes care of each other, and seeks to promote regional coexistence due to demographic changes. To this end, this study aims to empirically examine the relationship between the characteristics of work-life balance policies and fertility rates in OECD member countries according to the degree of fiscal decentralization. Based on data provided by the OECD and the International Network on Leave Policy and Research, we find that maternity and parental leave are significantly associated with fertility. Maternity leave duration is positively related to fertility, while women's parental leave, both unpaid and paid, is negatively related to fertility. The relationship between decentralization and fertility shows that the more fiscal autonomy local governments have, the higher the fertility rate. Based on the results of the regression analysis, it is necessary to implement policies in the direction of promoting autonomy in the combination of parental leave duration and salary level through the autonomy and discretion of local governments, and strengthening the duration of maternity leave and economic support. This study examines the characteristics and basic elements of leave policies (maternity leave and parental leave), which are key work-life balance policies, and how the degree of decentralization affects fertility rates in 35 OECD countries, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life of not only parents but also infants and young children.

The effect of FDI regulatory barriers: evidence from OECD countries

ABSTRACT This study aims to analyse the impact of the OECD FDI Regulatory Restrictiveness Index on actual FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) flows into the 38 OECD member countries. Using PPML (Poisson Pseudo Maximum Likelihood), GLS (Generalized Least Squares method), and Heckman’s sample selection estimator, this paper undertakes to identify the impact of FDI Regulatory Restrictiveness Index on FDI inflows to all OECD member countries from 129 partner countries from 2006 to 2021. It finds that the overall level of restrictions, screening and approval measures, and other operational restrictions all have a statistically significant negative sign, except for equity restrictions (ER). This suggests that the higher the level of restrictions on FDI, the less direct investment flows into OECD countries. In other words, liberalizing or reforming FDI restrictions can lead to an increase in inward FDI. Moreover, results show that the impact of even small regulatory relaxations is not negligible. While previous studies have mainly analysed the determinants of FDI inflows based on theories from the investor (supplier) perspective, this study differs in that it provides a reference analysis of FDI policies and laws from the host country’s (demander) perspective, in which areas and to what extent they need to be liberalized.

OECD Ülkelerinde Askeri Harcamaların Gelişmişliğe Yansımaları

It is argued that the military expenditures have negative effects on economic development, most probably, due to the diversion of the country’s resources to the unproductive sectors and its adverse impact on civilian production and welfare level. Nevertheless, it is also recognized that the military expenditures, when coupled with openness to innovation and its evolution into civilian sectors, can contribute to sustainable development. This study investigates the functioning of the mechanism of transforming military expenditures into R&D, R&D into patents and patents into income for the period 1995-2020 for 32 OECD member countries with data available, through the Phillips and Sul (2007, 2009) club convergence analysis. The findings reveal that the countries in the first group with a high military expenditure share within GDP such as Australia, Canada, South Korea, and the United States, engage in military expenditures within the context of development and innovation hypotheses. On the other hand, findings show that the countries also in the first group such as Chile, Colombia, Greece, Portugal, and Türkiye, make their military expenditures with the aim of coping with external threats and deterrence, and this situation, by leading to an inefficiency of the resource utilization, results in these countries’ staying within the undeveloped group. Based on the findings of the study, it is concluded that, in countries exceeding a certain level of development, military expenditures can contribute to the development of the strategic sectors by stimulating civil sectors and foster the sustainable development of the countries through the direction of this to the high-technology fields.

재정분권이 공공부문 성과에 미치는 영향 분석

This study empirically analyzes the impact of fiscal decentralization on public sector performance, focusing on national competitiveness and government efficiency. It also explores whether the effects of fiscal decentralization on public sector performance differ based on the income level of countries. This study uses a panel dataset of 25 OECD member countries, covering the period from 2001-2020. The results show that fiscal decentralization improves national competitiveness and government efficiency. Moreover, the impact of revenue decentralization on public sector performance is larger than expenditure decentralization. Finally, the impact of fiscal decentralization on national competitiveness and government efficiency varies depending on the national income level. It is also found that the impact of fiscal decentralization on public sector performance is insignificant among 13 countries with a GDP per capita of less than $40,000.