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Article
Publication date: 1 October 2018

Vincent Konadu Tawiah, Evans John Barnes, Prince Acheampong and Ofori Yaw

This paper has examined the effectiveness of foreign aid on Ghanaian economy under different political regimes.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper has examined the effectiveness of foreign aid on Ghanaian economy under different political regimes.

Design/methodology/approach

Using vector error correction and co-integration models on the annual data set over a period of 35 years, the authors demonstrate that foreign aid has had varied impacts on economic growth depending on the political ideology of the government in power.

Findings

With capitalist political philosophy, foreign aid improves private sector growth through infrastructural development. On the other hand, a government with socialist philosophy applies most of its foreign aid in direct social interventions with the view of improving human capital. Thus, each political party is likely to seek foreign aid/grant that will support its political agenda. Overall, the results show that foreign aid has a positive impact on the growth of the Ghanaian economy when there is good macroeconomic environment.

Practical implications

This implies that the country experiences economic growth when there are sound economic policies to apply foreign aid.

Originality/value

The practical implication of the findings of this paper is that donor countries and agencies should consider the philosophy of the government in power while granting aid to recipient countries, especially in Africa. The results are robust to different proxies and models.

Details

International Journal of Development Issues, vol. 18 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1446-8956

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2014

James H. Williams

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of similarities and distinctions between development and educational assistance in the USA as compared with other countries…

1213

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of similarities and distinctions between development and educational assistance in the USA as compared with other countries, this paper provides a general review of relevant materials on US foreign aid.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper reviews published books and articles as well as US government budget and Congressional reporting materials and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development statistics.

Findings

Beginning with the Marshall Plan following Second World War, the USA has always been a leader in foreign aid. In many ways, US development agencies resemble counterparts in other countries – foreign aid is part of larger network of bilateral relationships, funding requests must compete with requests from other sectors, etc. In other ways, the US stands apart. Because of US Congressional reporting requirements and for philosophical reasons, the US has been reluctant to join other countries in provision of budgetary support. The US coordinates its work with host country governments, but generally organizes its activities in project mode, relying largely on US contractors. The US Agency for International Development and the Department of State are the largest US government development agencies. Still, unlike other donors, development funding and technical assistance is provided by up to 25 agencies with relatively little coordination. US foreign aid has always included a security as well as humanitarian and development dimensions. In recent years, as development assistance is increasingly coordinated with diplomacy and defense, the military dimension has been heightened. Perhaps the most original finding is the notion that public and government support of US foreign aid has required both security and development/humanitarian rationales to remain viable.

Originality/value

The paper brings together information from a range of existing sources, but provides a unique perspective on US foreign aid in education.

Details

Asian Education and Development Studies, vol. 3 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-3162

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 30 September 2021

Kesuh Jude Thaddeus, Chi Aloysius Ngong, Njimukala Moses Nebong, Akume Daniel Akume, Jumbo Urie Eleazar and Josaphat Uchechukwu Joe Onwumere

The purpose of this paper is to examine key macroeconomic determinants on Cameroon's economic growth from 1970 to 2018.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine key macroeconomic determinants on Cameroon's economic growth from 1970 to 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from the World Development Indicators and applied on time series data econometric techniques. The auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds model analyzed the data since the variables had different order of integration.

Findings

The results showed long and short runs’ positive and significant connection between economic growth in Cameroon and government expenditure; trade openness, gross capital formation and exchange rate. Human capital development, foreign aid, money supply, inflation and foreign direct investment negatively and significantly affected economic growth in the short and long-runs. Hence, the macroeconomic indicators are not death.

Research limitations/implications

The present research paper has tried to capture the impact of nine macroeconomic determinants on economic growth such as the government expenditure (LNGOVEXP), human capital development (LNHCD), foreign aids (AID), trade openness (LNTOP), foreign direct investment (LNFDI), gross capital formation (INVEST), broad money (LNM2), official exchange rate (LNEXHRATE) and Inflation (LNINFLA). However, these variables have the tendency to affect each other in a unidirectional or bidirectional manner. Further, the present research paper is unable to capture the impact of other macroeconomic variable due to the unavailability of data.

Practical implications

The study recommends that Cameroon should use proper planning and strategic policy interventions to achieve higher sustainable economic growth with human capital development, foreign aid, money supply, foreign direct investment and moderate inflation.

Social implications

Macroeconomic indicators, if managed well, increase economic growth.

Originality/value

This paper to the best of the researcher's knowledge presents new background information to both policymakers and researchers on the main macroeconomic determinants using econometric analysis.

Details

Journal of Business and Socio-economic Development, vol. 4 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2635-1374

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Expatriate Leaders of International Development Projects
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83909-631-0

Article
Publication date: 4 May 2020

Eric Akobeng

This paper examines the relationship between foreign aid, institutional democracy and poverty. The paper explores the direct effect of foreign aid on poverty and quantifies the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper examines the relationship between foreign aid, institutional democracy and poverty. The paper explores the direct effect of foreign aid on poverty and quantifies the facilitating role of democracy in harnessing foreign aid for poverty reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper attempts to address the endogenous relationship between foreign aid and poverty by employing the two-stage least squares instrumental variable (2SLS-IV) estimator by using GDP per capita of the top five Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries sending foreign aid to SSA countries scaled by the inverse of the land area of the SSA countries to stimulate an exogenous variation in foreign aid and its components. The initial level of democracy is interacted with the senders’ GDP per capita to also instrument for the interaction terms of democracy, foreign aid and its components.

Findings

The results suggest that foreign aid reduces poverty and different components of foreign aid have different effects on poverty. In particular, multilateral source and grant type seem to be more significant in reducing poverty than bilateral source and loan type. The study further reveals that democratic attributes of free expression, institutional constraints on the executive, guarantee of civil liberties to citizens and political participation reinforce the poverty-reducing effects of aggregate foreign aid and its components after controlling for mean household income, GDP per capita and inequality.

Research limitations/implications

The methodological concern related to modeling the effects of foreign aid on poverty is endogeneity bias. To estimate the relationship between foreign aid, democracy and poverty in SSA, this paper relies on a 2SLS-IV estimator with GDP per capita of the top five aid-sending OECD countries scaled by the inverse of land area of the SSA countries as an external instrument for foreign aid. The use of the five top OECD's Development Assistance Committee (OECD-DAC) countries is due to the availability of foreign aid data for these countries. However, non-OECD-DAC countries such as China and South Africa may be important source of foreign aid to some SSA countries.

Practical implications

The findings further suggest that the marginal effect of foreign aid in reducing poverty is increasing with the level of institutional democracy. In other words, foreign aid contributes more to poverty reduction in countries with democratic dispensation. This investigation has vital implications for future foreign aid policy, because it alerts policymakers that the effectiveness of foreign aid can be strengthened by considering the type and source of aid. Foreign aid and quality political institution may serve as an important mix toward the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and the Africa Union Agenda 2063.

Social implications

As the global economy faces economic and social challenges, SSA may not be able to depend heavily on foreign partners to finance the region's budget. There is the need for African governments to also come out with innovative ways to mobilize own resources to develop and confront some of the economic challenges to achieve the required reduction in poverty. This is a vision that every country in Africa must work toward. Africa must think of new ways of generating wealth internally for development so as to complement foreign aid flows and also build strong foundation for welfare improvement, self-reliance and sustainable development.

Originality/value

This existing literature does not consider how democracy enhances the foreign aid and poverty relationship. The existing literature does not explore how democracy enhances grants, loans, multilateral and bilateral aid effectiveness in reducing poverty. This paper provides the first-hand evidence of how institutional democracy enhances the poverty-reducing effects of foreign aid and its components. The paper uses exogenous variation in foreign aid to quantify the direct effect of foreign aid and its components on poverty.

Details

Journal of Economic Studies, vol. 47 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3585

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 December 2009

Teresa C. Smith and Patricia L. Nemetz

This paper sets out to describe several contemporary models of social entrepreneurship, along with the historical context of African nations typically receiving aid. It also seeks…

1287

Abstract

Purpose

This paper sets out to describe several contemporary models of social entrepreneurship, along with the historical context of African nations typically receiving aid. It also seeks to critique three aid‐providing sectors – i.e. charity, government, and social entrepreneurship – with benefits and to explore the limits of each. It also aims to explore the perceptions of aid recipients in an East African village to determine their views of social entrepreneurship compared with other types of foreign aid.

Design/methodology/approach

Open‐ended interviews were conducted with village elders to establish an exploratory research foundation.

Findings

In general, village leaders were more favorable to social entrepreneurship efforts because they offered the possibility of self‐reliance and sustainability over time. Large government foreign aid largesse rarely reached villagers, so had little effectiveness in relieving their poverty.

Research limitations/implications

Several limitations are evident with the case study method used for the research. Future research is necessary to transfer the findings of the study to larger population segments, other organizations, and other national groupings. Expanded research methodologies, based on theoretical development and quantitative methods, will be required to further enhance the findings. Thus, the research is limited in both methodology and sampling population. The efficacy and limitations of various models of social entrepreneurship must also be tested for effectiveness, scope, scale, and sustainability. Comparative research would lend credibility to the findings.

Practical implications

The research findings suggest that villagers are generally more positive about local efforts compared with larger government projects, which rarely had a visible, significant impact on the villagers' lives. Leaders and villagers will continue partnerships that develop their businesses with the intention of providing for the social good of the community. Practical programs that develop marketing activities targeted to the specific goal of the business model would be an important step in furthering the goals of each model. For example, developing investment capital markets may require more advertising and promotion to raise awareness of their existence among potential donors. Additionally, local entrepreneurs involved in a social program may benefit from marketing education that enhances knowledge of customer needs and product development.

Originality/value

Because of the difficulties in establishing large research programs abroad, as well as in gaining the trust of local populations on a short‐term basis, the interviews represent a meaningful first step in understanding perceptions about social entrepreneurship and larger foreign aid programs.

Details

Journal of Research in Marketing and Entrepreneurship, vol. 11 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1471-5201

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Future Governments
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78756-359-9

Article
Publication date: 16 January 2019

Moheddine Younsi, Hasna Khemili and Marwa Bechtini

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between foreign aid and income inequality (IIQ) reduction for 16 African countries using unbalanced panel data covering…

1074

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between foreign aid and income inequality (IIQ) reduction for 16 African countries using unbalanced panel data covering the period 1990–2011. This paper attempts to answer the critical question: does foreign aid lead to IIQ reduction?

Design/methodology/approach

To examine the effect of foreign aid on IIQ, this paper uses an RE model with robust OLS regression and system-GMM estimator, which are useful in dealing with the endogeneity problems.

Findings

Results of RE model indicate that foreign aid, foreign direct investment, trade openness as well as corruption have a positive and statistically significant effect on IIQ. Government spending and inflation have a negative and statistically significant effect on IIQ, while GDP per capita growth has a negative but statistically insignificant relationship with IIQ. The results are robust by using system-GMM dynamic panel model which confirms that the coefficients of all considered variables remain same sign and significance.

Research limitations/implications

This study implies that an increase in foreign aid is associated with an increase in IIQ. As an effective strategy to foreign aid, this paper suggests that improving of financial sector development, and institutional quality and policies can reduce income inequalities and stimulate economic growth.

Originality/value

This paper is the first of its kind to empirically explore the relationship between IIQ and foreign aid measured here by net aid transfers as a share of GDP in African countries, using modern econometric techniques, time period and a variety of control variables.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 46 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

Expert briefing
Publication date: 29 January 2018
Expert Briefings Powered by Oxford Analytica

Aid cuts would hit US influence

On January 18, a Gallup study found that global approval of US leadership had fallen to 30%, a record low, down from 48% in 2016 and 1 percentage point behind China; Germany has…

Article
Publication date: 7 April 2021

Olumide Olusegun Olaoye, Oluwatosin Odunayo Eluwole and Faraz Lakhani

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of foreign capital inflows on economic growth in 15 Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries over the period…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of foreign capital inflows on economic growth in 15 Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries over the period 2008–2018. Specifically, this paper investigates whether selected foreign capital inflows, namely, foreign debt, foreign aid and foreign direct investments substitute or complement government spending in ECOWAS.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts the two-step system generalized method of moments (GMM) method of estimation to address the problem of dynamic endogeneity inherent in the relationship.

Findings

The result shows that foreign capital inflows into ECOWAS region have not transmitted into economic growth in the region. Further, the findings reveal that foreign capital inflows to ECOWAS have substituted for government spending. The results might be as a result of the high level of corruption in ECOWAS. The results also show that when institutional quality is interacted with foreign capital inflows, the result shows a negative and statistically significant effect on economic growth.

Originality/value

Unlike previous studies which pooled both developed and developing economies together, the authors investigate this relationship in a regional study, using ECOWAS to create a roughly optimum size. In addition, the authors adopt the GMM-system method of estimation to address the problem of dynamic endogeneity inherent in the relationship, which has largely been ignored in extant studies.

Details

Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, vol. 38 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1026-4116

Keywords

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