Modelling asymmetric relationship between exports and growth in a developing economy : evidence from Namibia
- Authors: Mosikari, Teboho Jeremiah , Eita, Joel Hinaunye
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Economic growth , Export , Asymmetric modelling
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/437114 , uj:37942 , ISSN: (Online) 2222-3436 , Citation: Mosikari, T.J. & Eita, J.H., 2020, ‘Modelling asymmetric relationship between exports and growth in a developing economy: Evidence from Namibia’, South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences 23(1), a2905. https://doi.org/ 10.4102/sajems.v23i1.2905
- Description: Abstract: Background: Namibia is an open economy where international trade accounts for a greater proportion of gross domestic product (GDP). Openness of the Namibian economy for the period 2010 to 2018 has been on average 111% of GDP. The high level of openness of the economy raised an important question on the relationship between export and economic growth in Namibia. Previous studies investigated the linear relationship between these two variables. The investigation was also done at an aggregate level. This raises important questions on whether the relationship between export and economic growth is asymmetric. It also raises an important question on whether this relationship is sector specific. Aim: In order to fill the gap in previous research, this study investigates the asymmetric or non-linear relationship between the main export sectors and economic growth in Namibia. A non-linear relationship between the two variables will indicate that negative and positive values of the explanatory variables have different effects on the dependent variable. This analysis is done for the main export sectors of the Namibian economy in order to ensure the policy recommendations are sector specific. Setting: Standard economic theoretical models on the relationship between export and economic growth are used to test the non-linear relationship between the two variables. The study covers the period 2010–2018 and focuses on the three main export sectors (diamonds, manufactured food and live animal products) and growth of the Namibian economy. Methods: This study uses non-linear autoregressive distributive lag in order to estimate the asymmetric relationship between the main export sectors and economic growth of Namibia. The estimation is done for the three main exporters of the Namibian economy. Results: The results indicate that there is a symmetric relationship between main export sectors and economic growth of the Namibian economy. The results show that an increase (positive values) in export of the three main export products will cause economic growth to improve. Negative values (decrease in export) will cause economic growth to deteriorate. Conclusion: The results suggest that estimating the non-linear relationship for different sectors of the economy (instead of estimating the relationship at aggregate level for total exports) will ensure that economic policies are sector-specific. The results further suggest that when exports are declining, expansionary policies will be the appropriate responses.
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The relationship between managers’ goal-setting styles and subordinates’ goal commitment
- Authors: Van Lill, Xander , Roodt, Gerhard , De Bruin, Gideon P.
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Work motivation , Goal-setting styles , Supervisor-focused interactional justice
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/456718 , uj:40470 , Citation: Van Lill, X., Roodt, G. & De Bruin, G.P., 2020, ‘The relationship between managers’ goal-setting styles and subordinates’ goal commitment’, South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences 23(1), a3601. https://doi. org/10.4102/sajems. v23i1.3601 , ISSN: (Online) 2222-3436
- Description: Abstract: Background: Convincing employees to set aside their self-interests and commit to collective goals is essential for the effective functioning of organisations. It is critical that the impact of different managerial goal-setting styles, and the associated impressions of fair interpersonal treatment in the workplace, is understood from subordinates’ perspective. This might clarify the psychological mechanisms involved in motivating subordinates to commit to organisational goals. Aim: The primary aim of this article is to determine the relationship between managers’ goalsetting styles and subordinates’ goal commitment. The secondary aim is to determine whether this relationship is mediated by interactional justice. Setting: A total of 451 working adults completed an online or paper-and-pen survey. Methods: A mediator model was conducted in structural equation modelling with maximum likelihood estimation and Bollen-Stine bootstrapping, with 5000 bootstrap resamples, to test the hypotheses. Results: The perception that managers are deliberative had the greatest positive direct relationship with subordinates’ goal commitment, followed by the directive style. Subordinates’ perception of managers as complaisant, in turn, were unrelated to goal commitment (amotivational), whereas the perception of managers as hostile had a negative relationship with goal commitment. Informational justice, not interpersonal justice, emerged as the only mediating variable. Conclusion: Managers should be encouraged to actively seek feedback from subordinates on their goal-setting styles. Managers can accordingly adapt their behaviour to effectively motivate subordinates to commit to organisational goals.
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The subjective well-being of day labourers in South Africa : the role of income and geographical location
- Authors: Blaauw, Phillip F. , Botha, Ilse , Schenck, Catherina
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/273320 , uj:29115 , Citation: Blaauw, P.F., Botha, I. & Schenck, C., 2018, ‘The subjective well-being of day labourers in South Africa: The role of income and geographical location’, South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences 21(1), a2087. https://doi.org/10.4102/ sajems.v21i1.2087 , ISSN: (Online) 2222-3436
- Description: Abstract: Background: The informal economy in South Africa provides employment to large numbers of people who would otherwise have no opportunity to earn a living. Yet informal activities, such as day labouring, generate highly uncertain returns. Although it seems reasonable to conclude that day labourers would be dissatisfied with their lives, this is not necessarily the case as several factors contribute to people’s subjective well-being. Aim: This study is in response to a call for more research on the subjective well-being of marginalised groups in South Africa’s informal labour market. Setting: The day labour market in South Africa, whose members congregate at hiring sites hoping to be picked up by passers-by in need of temporary, casual workers. Methods: Using Sen’s Capability Approach, the study builds on earlier research conducted on the general well-being of day labourers in South Africa, with specific focus on their subjective well-being and geographical location. The results from a countrywide survey of 3830 day labourers were used in a regression analysis to compare the subjective well-being among day labourers across the nine provinces of South Africa. Results: There are statistically significant differences in the well-being of day labourers across the nine provinces. Economic variables play a role in both objective and subjective measures of well-being, while attitudinal and comparison variables are significant for the objective and subjective measures, respectively. Conclusions: Although they have to operate in harsh conditions, day labourers in South Africa display agency by choosing to migrate to richer provinces in search of greater economic opportunity and reward. However, these potential gains are often negated by increased levels of competition and thus depressed wage levels. How to nurture marginalised groups’ abilities to exercise agency and take more control of their lives represents fertile ground for researchers in future.
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