Urbanization, Industrialization and Inequalities in Africa: does threshold matter?

This paper examines the impact of urbanization and industrialization on observed inequalities in a sample of 48 African countries. We specify and estimate a panel data model using the Generalized Method of Moments-System (GMM-S) over the period 1980-2016 along the different dimensions of inequality. Our results show that urbanization increases income, environmental and housing inequalities in Africa, while industrialization reduces them. Our results remain robust with the use of Panel Smooth Transition Regression Model (PSTR) and Panel Transition Regression Model (PTR). We suggest taking into account the disparities identified in the inclusive urbanization and industrialization policies of African cities.

Is Inequality Slowing Down Africa’s Industrialization?

Africa has also experienced a decline in the level of industrialization for at least three decades. Examining the dynamics of industrialization, and its effect on inequality, therefore remains a strikingly topical issue. This paper assesses the effects of industrial transformation on inequality in Africa over the period 1980-2016. Using a sample of 48 African countries, we estimate a dynamic panel data model using the Generalized Method of Moments in System (GMM-S). Our results show that strong industrialization would reduce inequality in Africa. The robustness of the results is tested using a PSTR (Panel Smooth Transition Regression) model and a PTR (Panel Transition Regression) model. The study recommends that economic, social and environmental disparities be taken into account in the process of industrial transformation on the continent.

The asymmetric impact of institutional ownership on firm performance: panel smooth transition regression model

Purpose This study aims to test the asymmetric impact of institutional ownership on firm performance. This study does it through an examination of the hypotheses of efficient monitoring and convergence of interests from the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE). Design/methodology/approach Using a panel smooth transition regression model, as a new econometric technique, this paper examined the data to explore the asymmetric impact of institutional ownership on firm performance. With regard to 177 firms for the period 2009 to 2018 from TSE. Performance proxies are returned on asset (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and Tobins’ Q. Findings The empirical for three performance proxies results strongly rejected the null hypothesis of linearity and the test for no remaining nonlinearity indicated a model with one transition function and one threshold parameters. The first regime (levels of institutional ownership below 28.5% and 43.5% for ROA and Tobins’ Q) showed that performance increases with institutional ownership while the trend was reversed in the second regime (levels of institutional ownership above 28.5% and 43.5% for ROA and Tobins’ Q percent). Also, institutional shareholders percent between 4.2 and 14.1 explain the positive relationship between institutional shareholders and ROE. Originality/value Furthermore, the findings of this study suggest that the application of institutional ownership theories calls for more inquiry.

Inflation Dynamics and Exchange Rate Pass-Through in Nigeria: Evidence from Augmented Nonlinear New Keynesian Philips Curve

This paper estimates a nonlinear augmented New Keynesian Philips Curve for Nigeria using the Smooth Transition Regression model for the period 1995Q1 to 2018Q2. The empirical evidence reveals the existence of two inflation regimes during the period under review. Food inflation, energy inflation, firms’ marginal cost, and imported inflation account for most of the changes in the prices of composite consumers’ basket in low exchange rate depreciation regime. However, the exchange rate solely explains price changes in the composite consumers’ basket when inflation switches to high regime. Similarly, the results show that regime change in inflation is largely caused by exchange rate (transition variable) depreciation or devaluation of the naira. Furthermore, the paper finds that the threshold in exchange rate devaluation (depreciation) that triggers a regime switch from low to high inflation regime is about N75 relative to a dollar. The speed of regime switch was found to be significantly high at about 70% per quarter. The paper argues that achieving exchange rate stability is a necessary condition for disinflation during this regime. Therefore, this paper recommends that monetary policy response to low inflation regime must target the various components of the consumption basket while effort to curtail persistent high inflation must include a stable exchange rate of the naira.

Does Convertible Arbitrage Risk Exposure Vary Through Time?

We model the returns of the convertible arbitrage strategy using a non-linear framework. This strategy has generated long periods of positive returns and low volatility, followed by shorter periods of extreme negative returns and high volatility, associated with market upheaval. We specify a smooth transition regression model to assess performance, a class of model particularly suited to this type of strategy as it allows gradual transition between risk regimes. We show that in alternate regimes, the strategy exhibits relatively high (low) exposure to risk factors and alpha is high (low). The evidence reported can account for abnormal returns demonstrated in previous studies.