Growth Convergence and Spending Efficiency among Filipino Households

A growth model is used in the context of Sala-i-Martin’s definition of conditional convergence to assess the household income dynamics in segmented groups at the provincial level in the Philippines. There is a direct relationship between spending efficiency and income growth convergence across income groups. The lower income convergence rate among low income households can be attributed to their relatively less efficient access to the factors of production. The study provides tools in identifying targeted intervention strategies that will facilitate poverty alleviation among the households at the provincial level. The viability of poverty alleviation strategy can be assessed in terms of convergence of the different income groups. Low income groups converging slower than the high income groups support the recent data on measures of inequality in the Philippines (very minimal movement among the indicators). In order to alleviate inequality, the low-income group should be targeted for poverty-alleviating interventions like the conditional cash transfer.

Determining radii of meromorphy via orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle

19 pages, no figures.-- MSC2000 codes: 30E10, 42C05, 41A20, 30D30.MR#: MR2016676 (2004k:30087)Zbl#: Zbl 1051.30033Using a convergence theorem for Fourier–Padé approximants constructed from orthogonal polynomials on the unit circle, we prove an analogue of Hadamard's theorem for determining the radius of m-meromorphy of a function analytic on the unit disk and apply this to the location of poles of the reciprocal of Szegö functions.The research of D.B.R. and G.L.L. was supported, in part, by Dirección General de Investigación, Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, under grant BFM 2000-0206-C04-01 and the research of G.L.L. was also supported by Ministerio da Ciencia e do Ensino Superior, under Grant PRAXIS XXI BCC-22201/99, and by INTAS under Grant 2000-272. The research of E.B.S. was supported, in part, by V.S. National Science Foundation Grant DMS-0296026.Publicad

Convergence in agriculture of some Asian countries

An agricultural growth model is proposed to verify the agricultural convergence hypothesis among some Asian countries following the method of Barro and Sala-i-Martin (1992) and Sala-i-Martin (1996). Conditional convergence of agriculture is facilitated by foreign aid intended for agriculture and spatial externalities associated with foreign trade. However, foreign aid for agriculture may not serve the purpose of mobilizing resources for an environment conducive to development, but rather may function as a substitute to public expenditure for the sector

Spatial effect in the efficient access of rural development

The search for an effective policy direction to contribute to the alleviation of rural poverty requires understanding of various socio-economic dynamics affecting the household. The central issue in the economic dimension is inefficiency in production, which may contribute to the widening income gap among rural households. Spatial externalities are introduced into a stochastic frontier model in the analysis of rural households' efficiency in utilizing various factors of production including development interventions (infrastructure and capability-building activities) and other localized endowments. Output is measured in terms of income and perceptions on various aspects of rural development summarized into an index. Provision of rural roads and other rural infrastructure should be bundled properly with support services and capacity building activities. This can enhance the demand for other infrastructure and services resulting in a dynamic evolution of essential elements in the pursuit of rural development. Bundles of intervention improve production efficiency of rural households at the different stages of production in-farm and/or off-farm. Spatial indicators illustrate the role of geographical dynamics (physical, social and cultural factors) in rural development, justifying a site-specific, participatory approach in development intervention. Although site-specific interventions may be costly at first, they become more efficient in the long-run. Benefits from an intervention in one community are expected to produce ripple effects that reach its spatial neighbors. Stakeholders' contribution in maintenance is feasible provided that there is a true sense of ownership of the infrastructure/project, usually evolving through a participatory approach. Public investment in infrastructure and user's fees can complement one another; continuous provision of new infrastructure and maintenance of existing infrastructure can add up to a sustainable track towards rural development. A socialized user's fee system can be used as a vehicle to prevent the potential widening of income disparity in rural areas. It is important however to carefully choose a suitable and acceptable basis for the socialized user's fee rates. An incorrect choice can be perceived as a disincentive for access or might stimulate distrust among the affluent segment of the rural society regarding the sincerity of the government in pushing rural development. An unsuitable basis for user's fee rates could thus eventually lead to more social problems instead of bridging inequality

Dynamics of development in rural communities

This paper explores the complex process of rural development at the community level in the Philippines. From the complementation among the essential elements of rural development (social infrastructure, physical infrastructure, and financial services), linkages are traced towards the attainment of goals. Roads initiate the delivery of other physical infrastructure to the usually isolated rural community. Roads also facilitate the delivery of capacity building activities and community organizing, which empower the community. An empowered community, in turn, will be able to stride a sustainable path towards development. Although development assistance requires a certain density of a bundle to exhibit an effect in a community, expansion of the coverage from the current rate will be needed. Without expansive coverage of a comprehensive package of interventions similar to those provided through official development assistance, manifestation of rural development may be delayed further. A comprehensive package of development projects may be identified and formulated through a participatory approach. Substantial funding that will enable both intensity of intervention and wider coverage will be more efficient than a project implemented in phases spread over time covering different communities. This simultaneous implementation will generate rural development constructs and an expected multiplier effect, both of which are long-term outcomes. This effort will require efficient coordination and synchronized implementation of various development assistance intended for the rural sector

The Effect of Aging on Calcium Transients in Rat Cardiomyocytes: Impact of NOX Inhibition

Contents: Iowa State experts\u27 analysis helps Groschopp improve products, satisfy customers; Iowa manufacturers should watch reshoring numbers closely, CIRAS research finds; CIRAS prompts $3.4M economic impact by helping Ryko Solutions build better funnel; CIRAS Innovation Summit seeks to map future for Iowa machinery makers; Iowa workforce: Fill empty jobs by wooing women?: Book by Iowa State professor probes history of discrimination against women studying engineering; Engaging, educating, and embedding—everywhere; CIRAS-led innovation process leads MAson City nonprofit to seek stability in cremation urns; Jackson Manufacturing values work of disabled individuals; Iowa partnership and networking events help companies find allie sin government contracting; Changes coming soon to ISO 9001 quality standardshttps://lib.dr.iastate.edu/ciras_news/1050/thumbnail.jp