Institutional Quality Research Articles

Finding explanations for weak economic complexity in resource-rich African countries: Exploring the role of natural resource endowment and institutional quality

Finding explanations for weak economic complexity in resource-rich African countries: Exploring the role of natural resource endowment and institutional quality

Evaluation of the Effect of Nurse-Driven Algorithm in Prevention of Central Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections in Intensive Care Units.

Infection control in intensive care units is important for both patients' quality of life and institutions. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a nurse-driven algorithm in preventing central catheter-related bloodstream infections in intensive care units. This intervention research was implemented in a training and research hospital in Turkey between July 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021. The research was carried out in 3 stages after the creation of the algorithm. The data were collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Form for Nurses, the Descriptive and Medical Characteristics Form for Patients, the algorithm knowledge test, and the Algorithm Parameters Follow-up form. After obtaining the necessary permissions for the study, consent was obtained from the nurses participating in the study. Number, percentage, Wilcoxon, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U test values were used in the study. With the algorithm, a decrease was found in the rate of infections in the intensive care units. As a result, it was observed that the nurse-driven, central catheter-related bloodstream infection prevention algorithm, prepared using evidence-based clinical guidelines, reduced the rates of infection. Therefore, it is recommended to use algorithm studies as a long-term guide in intensive care units.

Appreciative Inquiry for Inclusive Schools: Preliminary Results from a Scoping Review on Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

Inclusion is widely recognized as one of the founding principles for the quality of educational institutions and it is strictly related to the ICF perspective. Actually, the conceptualization of educational needs is associated to the enhancement of everyone’s strengths and potential, and to the influence the (physical and social) environment may have. For these reasons schools should pay attention on these factors and on what is positive to lead to transformative and generative processes that may promote inclusion. In this sense, a useful framework may be that of the Appreciative Inquiry as it is strength-based process through which people act in partnership to determine and co-create how to move an organization forward. Based on this premises, this contribution aims at exploring existing literature on the adoption of this strength-based approach in the inclusive educational field and presenting preliminary results of a Scoping review. The PRISMA-ScR checklist will be used to report the review and five databases and global search engines. As a final point, this preliminary investigation will pay special attention to the adoption of the Appreciative Inquiry to encourage full participation and learning process of students who use Virtual Learning Environment at school. Results show that only few studies adopt the AI in this specific educational field, but an interesting investigation propose the adaptation of the Appreciative Learning. Hence, more studies should be done to make clear how this process may support inclusive process. Keywords: appreciative inquiry, inclusion, virtual learning environments, scoping review

Pathways to Achieving Low Energy-Poverty Problems in Central African Nations with Government Effectiveness, Technology, Natural Resources and Sustainable Economic Growth

Central African nations, just like other African nations, have serious energy poverty problems, both in the rural and urban settings. With increased energy-accessibility problems, citizens have resorted to the use of conventional fuels, causing severe environmental degradation and affecting the health systems due to pollution. In this study, we address how energy poverty is alleviated with technology, natural resources and improved institutional quality. The interplay between these factors in improving energy accessibility is not widely understood; hence, key policies are lacking in the field. The data of Central African nations for the time period from 2004 to 2021 are utilized. The data are also analyzed with the ‘Methods of Moments Quantile Regression’ technique, ensuring the correction of ‘cross-sectional dependence’ and ‘heterogeneity’ that exists. The key findings depict that natural resource rent, government effectiveness and technology help in lowering energy poverty in Central African nations. Economic growth increases energy poverty, while green finance and foreign direct investment do not present a significant effect on energy poverty. Therefore, natural resources are a blessing in improving the accessibility of energy in this region, and this is also made possible with advancements in sustainable technology and proper institutional quality.

Institutional factors and economic policy uncertainty: An asymmetric analysis

This study examines the relationship between economic policy uncertainties and institutional infrastructure or institutional quality. Countries with strong institutional quality may reduce economic policy uncertainty. In the effectiveness of this situation, it is particularly important that well-functioning institutions make economic decision-making processes more predictable, stable, and reliable. Institutional quality can help build confidence, stability, and predictability in the economy. This condition may decrease economic policy uncertainty, resulting in improved growth and prosperity. Strong institutional quality in European Union countries may additionally serve to promote long-term growth by lowering economic policy uncertainty. In the study, the effect of economic policy uncertainty was analyzed using the ARDL nonlinear analysis method and data from eight European countries for the period 2002-2021. As a result of the analysis, it was concluded that there is an asymmetric relationship between corruption control and economic policy uncertainty. Negative shocks to the quality of regulation positively affect economic policy uncertainty. Positive shocks to voice, accountability, political stability, and the absence of violence positively affect economic policy uncertainty.

Peroral Endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in pediatric achalasia: a retrospective cohort on institutional experience and quality of life

BackgroundAchalasia is a rare esophageal motility disorder with an estimated annual incidence of 1–5/100.000 and a mean age at diagnosis > 50 years of age. Only a fraction of the patients has an onset during childhood (estimated incidence of 0.1–0.18/ 100.000 children per year). No curative treatment is currently available. Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) is a widely accepted treatment option to improve symptoms in adults. Studies evaluating safety and efficacy of POEM in children are scarce and no data exist regarding the quality of life in patients after POEM.MethodsWe evaluated the effectiveness and safety of POEM in a cohort of children that was treated for achalasia and we prospectively evaluated their quality of life. We compared the results to a previous cohort evaluating Pneumatic Dilation (PD) and Laparoscopic Heller’s Myotomy (LHM) in children with achalasia.ResultsThirty-three achalasia patients (age at time of POEM 14.1(± 2.5) years, 54.5% female) were included. Twenty-nine (87.8%) percent had received previous treatment (PD (n = 20); LHM (n = 1); PD + LHM (n = 7); PD + Botox (n = 1). POEM was technically successful in all patients and no major complications occurred. Mean follow-up duration was 33 (± 25) months. Twenty three (70%) patients did not need retreatment after POEM during the follow up period. Quality of life after POEM did not differ from the population norms. Patients with an Eckardt score > 3 had a significantly worse general (Kidscreen-52: physical score 44.7 vs. 52.4; p = 0.011; mental score: 42.5 vs. 51.3; p = 0.038) and disease specific (35 vs. 16; p = 0.017) quality of life compared to those with an Eckardt ≤ 3. The SF-36 mental health component score was significantly lower (44.2 vs. 53.1; p = 0.036) in patients treated with POEM compared to those treated with PD and LHM. These lower scores could be related to a selection bias, as more severe patients received POEM, and other influences such as the Corona pandemic. However, the overall, quality of life after POEM was not significantly different to PD and LHM.ConclusionPOEM is an effective and safe treatment for achalasia in children. Quality of life after POEM is comparable to the results obtained after PD and Heller.

The impact of using tax havens on classification shifting: evidence from public and private UK firms

PurposeThis paper empirically examines how tax haven use affects classification shifting by public and private UK firms.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conduct multivariate regression analyses of classification shifting on proxies of tax haven use for a broad sample of UK non-financial public and private firms from 2010 to 2018. An array of additional tests is conducted to ensure the robustness of the findings.FindingsFirms using tax havens engage in more classification shifting relative to those that do not. The result is concentrated for public firms. While private firms’ classification shifting is generally pronounced, it appears unaffected by tax haven use. The findings suggest that the use of tax havens facilitates public firms’ classification shifting due to the lower institutional environment quality of these jurisdictions. In addition, classification shifting may be a less costly earnings management device for public firms using tax havens due to their political sensitivity.Practical implicationsThe study highlights the need for regulatory intervention to constrain classification shifting, especially when firms use tax havens. It also calls for further scrutiny by auditors and financial analysts on the classification of income statement items.Originality/valueWhile prior research focuses on accrual and real earnings management by public firms, this study investigates the consequences of using tax havens on classification shifting, a largely underexplored but heavily exploited earnings management strategy. Differences between public and private firms are also tested. Overall, this study offers an advanced understanding of how a firm’s institutional and political environments influence its financial reporting.

Policy uncertainty and earnings quality in banks: the role of institutional quality in emerging markets

Purpose This paper aims to explore the relationship between economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and earnings quality in banks in the context of Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) as an emerging economic bloc. The study further explores the role of institutional quality in moderating the impact of EPU on bank earnings quality. Design/methodology/approach The study has used earnings management (EM) as a proxy for earnings quality, measured using discretionary loan loss provisions. The higher the EM, the lower the quality of earnings. The study has collected data from 74 banks spanning the years 2014 to 2020 and used fixed effects (FE) and generalized methods of moments (GMM) estimators to test the hypotheses. Findings The study has found a positive impact of EPU on EM, suggesting that banks in the BRIC region react to EPU by increasing earnings opacity. However, the study found that better institutional quality can reduce the EM in the presence of EPU. Originality/value The study has made an early attempt to establish the relationship between bank EM and EPU in a cross-country setting. In addition, the study shows that the level of institutional quality in emerging markets moderates the impact of EPU on bank EM, which remains unexplored in prior research.

The Impact of the Institutional Quality on the Development of Sustainable Innovation: A Multilevel Analysis

The Impact of the Institutional Quality on the Development of Sustainable Innovation: A Multilevel Analysis

The role of institutional quality, education and fertility in shaping female labour force participation: evidence from selected Asian countries

This study analysed the role of institutional quality, education and fertility in female labour force participation across a panel of 36 Asian nations, while also investigating the interacting impacts of these variables. The Driscoll and Kraay Fixed Effects Estimator was used to analyzed annual data from 1996 to 2021, ensuring strong and efficient results, especially in cross-sectional dependence. The findings uncovered in the research shows that fertility rates were observed to adversely affect female labour force participation in all models, although education exhibited a beneficial impact. The influence of institutional quality on female workforce participation differed markedly based on the particular institutional measure employed. The interactions between fertility rates and indices of institutional quality positively influenced female labour force participation, whereas the interaction between education and institutional quality exhibited more intricate dynamics. The report recommends a more comprehensive, context-specific policy strategy to improve female labour force participation in the region.

Financial inclusion and human development in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU): the role of institutional quality

Financial inclusion and human development in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU): the role of institutional quality

Digital finance, institutional quality, and carbon dioxide emissions in Africa

ABSTRACT The impact of digital finance on carbon dioxide emissions has generated conflicting findings, with some studies suggesting emissions reduction while others point to the contrary. To gain clarity amidst this contradictory evidence, examining the moderating role of institutional quality is crucial. This research delved into the intricate relationship between digital finance, institutional quality, and CO2 emissions across 45 African countries from 2004 to 2021. By employing the dynamic system-generalized method of moment (sys-GMM) technique, the study revealed a positive relationship between digital finance and CO2 emissions. However, a key discovery emerged as the analysis considered the moderating role of institutional quality. The results highlighted the significant decrease in CO2 emissions that results from the interaction between institutional quality and digital finance. Furthermore, there is a critical point at which well-established institutions start to offset the environmental consequences associated with digital finance. The positive impact of digital finance on emissions is mitigated when institutions reach a certain threshold level of quality.

Testing the Impact of Renewable Energy and Institutional Quality on Consumption-Based CO2 Emissions: Fresh Insights from MMQR Approach

Testing the Impact of Renewable Energy and Institutional Quality on Consumption-Based CO2 Emissions: Fresh Insights from MMQR Approach

Institutional Quality and Sustainable Firm Growth: Evidence From North African Countries

Institutional Quality and Sustainable Firm Growth: Evidence From North African Countries

Impact of foreign direct investment on economic growth in developing countries: The role of institutional quality

This paper empirically examines the impact of institutional quality on FDI-driven economic growth in 135 developing countries from 1996–2020. Given that improved institutions lower business costs, reduce uncertainty, and attract FDI inflow, the study hypothesizes that enhancing institutional quality will likely foster higher economic growth in developing countries through FDI. We apply dynamic and static panel estimation techniques for this investigation. The research employs six measures of institutional quality from the World Governance Indicators (WGI) and their interaction with FDI inflow to identify key institutional quality indicators for developing countries. Results indicate a positive and significant effect of FDI on economic growth in developing countries. Moreover, enhancements in three specific institutional quality indicators—government effectiveness, regulatory quality, and the rule of law—strengthen FDI’s impact on economic growth. The study also underscores the greater significance of institutional quality in driving FDI-led economic growth in developing countries, compared to its limited impact on all countries. Ultimately, the study recommends that policymakers in developing countries devise effective strategies to enhance government effectiveness, regulatory quality, and the rule of law to expedite economic growth through FDI.

Succeeding in Energy Transition in Sub-Saharan Africa: Does Institutional Quality Matter?

The objective of this article is to examine the effect of the quality of institutions on energy transition in 19 sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries over the period 1996-2016. To achieve this, we proceed in two steps. We first use the principal component analysis (PCA) to construct a composite indicator of institutional quality, from Kaufmann’s (1996) six indicators of governance. Then, we estimate an autoregressive distributive lag model (ARDL) on panel data using the pooled mean group (PMG) estimation technique. Our results show that the quality of institutions determines the energy transition in SSA. The associated coefficient is positive and statistically significant. In addition, our results show that economic growth and trade openness promote energy transition. On the other hand, it emerges that CO2 emissions hinder energy transition, due to the high dependence of the countries considered on fossil fuels. We suggest an improvement in the quality of institutions and the implementation of political incentives favorable to the adoption of new technologies.

Can monetary and fiscal policy reduce CO2 emissions? Analysis of regional country groups

PurposeThis study examines the impact of monetary and fiscal policy on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel energy consumption. The study extends the literature by linking monetary and fiscal policy to climate action for achieving the net zero emissions goal.Design/methodology/approachIn the empirical analysis, the monetary policy indicator is the lending interest rate, the fiscal policy indicator is the tax revenue to GDP ratio while CO2 emissions from fossil fuel energy consumption is the CO2 emissions indicator.FindingsContractionary monetary and fiscal policy jointly reduce CO2 emissions in the regions of the Americas and Africa. Contractionary monetary and fiscal policy combined with higher renewable energy consumption jointly reduce CO2 emissions in the regions of the Americas, Asia and Europe. Also, contractionary monetary and fiscal policy combined with higher institutional quality jointly reduce CO2 emissions in African countries. Higher renewable energy consumption reduces CO2 emissions in Africa, Asia, Europe and Americas regions while strong institutional quality consistently reduce CO2 emissions in Europe and the Americas.Practical implicationsMonetary and fiscal authorities should strengthen existing institutions, increase renewable energy consumption, and increase interest rate and taxes on the fossil fuel economy in a coordinated manner to reduce CO2 emissions from fossil fuel energy consumption.Originality/valueThere are calls for monetary and fiscal authorities to use policy tools to support ongoing efforts to achieve the net zero emissions goal. However, limited attention has been paid to the regional differences in the relationship between monetary-fiscal policy and CO2 emissions.

Renewable energy consumption, institutional quality and life expectancy in EU countries: a cointegration analysis

BackgroundAlthough some socioeconomic, environmental, and political factors could impact life expectancy, the economic literature loses sight of the relationship between the widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies and their potential effect on global life expectancy. An insightful analysis of the socio-economic and environmental benefits associated with renewable sources forms the foundation for investigating the broader implications for public health and well-being. Using panel data from 27 European countries over the period 2000–2020, this study examines the effects of renewable energy consumption on human life expectancy as well as how institutional quality and investment in renewable energy projects might promote better health outcomes.MethodsThe methodological approach is carefully selected to address salient estimation issues and includes a qualitative sequential methodology involving empiric analysis that provides coherence and viability for our study, but also quantitative methods, including factor analysis, panel fully modified least squares (FMOLS), unit root tests, and cointegration techniques.ResultsWe find that renewable energy consumption and institutional quality can improve life expectancy in EU countries. Furthermore, the empirical evidence indicates that sustaining longevity as a new government strategy requires strong institutional quality, capable of influencing the status of renewable energy and promoting long-term sustainability.ConclusionsOur findings bear essential policy implications regarding sustaining longevity as new government strategies and exploring the scale of the target to increase healthy life expectancy. The entire EU health policy and the government's recommitment to narrowing the gap in healthy life expectancy should be focused on improving institutional quality and reducing carbon emissions through promoting projects capable of increasing renewable energy consumption. The results suggest that, on average, a 1% change in renewable energy consumption leads to a 0.331 change in life expectancy, and a 1% change in institutional quality leads to a 0.316 change in life expectancy.

Long-term effects of institutional quality on financial inclusion in Asia–Pacific countries

Financial inclusion has recently emerged as an important pillar for sustainable economic growth, poverty eradication, and social transformation globally. While the effects of institutional quality on financial inclusion have been widely investigated, their long-term effects have largely been underexplored, particularly for the Asia–Pacific region. We are especially interested in these long-term effects because institutional reforms require time for implementation and their impacts on various socioeconomic issues are only gradually observed. This paper has developed a new index of institutional quality for countries in the Asia–Pacific region from 2004 to 2020 using the principal component analysis. We estimate the long-term effects of institutional quality on financial inclusion using long-term estimators, including the augmented mean group and the common correlated effects mean group estimators. In our study, institutional quality is proxied by the new index developed in this paper and then by each of the five fundamental aspects of institutional quality: (i) business freedom, (ii) regulatory quality, (iii) investment freedom, (iv) government effectiveness, and (v) the rule of law. We find that improved institutional quality is fundamental to achieving financial inclusion in the region. These effects are particularly prominent in high-income countries in the Asia–Pacific region. However, a closer look at these long-term effects reveals that this effect is conditional on the income level. Interestingly, this long-term effect can be established for high-income countries such as Australia and Japan but not for Singapore. In addition, in the case of middle-income countries, the long-term effect can be confirmed for countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines but not for Thailand and Vietnam. Our results show that institutional reform, albeit very important, should not be considered the only fundamental pillar ensuring financial inclusion, sustainable economic growth, and social transformation in the long run.

The impact of digitalization on economic activity in Sub-Saharan Africa

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between digitalization and economic activity in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The study also aims to discuss the effects of digitalization on human capital, financial development, institutional quality and firm-level productivity and how these channels matter for the relationship between digitalization and economic activity.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs two-stage least squares (2SLS) on an unbalanced panel data set comprising 33 SSA countries over the period from 1996 to 2019. This methodology addresses the potential endogeneity between digitalization and economic activity.FindingsThe results indicate that digitalization has a statistically significant positive effect on the level of per capita GDP in SSA countries. Specifically, a one percentage point increase in the digitalization index is associated with a 2.13% increase in gross domestic product per capita. The study discusses some of the channels through which this effect manifests.Originality/valueThe study comprehensively examines the impact of digitalization on economic activity in SSA. The study also attempts to address the potential endogeneity issues in the relationship and discusses the mechanisms at work.