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Article
Publication date: 7 June 2022

Désiré Avom, Nesta Ntsame Ovono and Emmanuel Ongo Nkoa

This study aims to analyze the effects of natural resource rents on income inequality.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the effects of natural resource rents on income inequality.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a panel quantile regression (QR) approach for 42 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries over the period 1998–2018.

Findings

The results show that natural resource rents have a negative and statistically significant effect on income inequality. Regarding the types of resources, the results show that coal rents increase inequality, while forestry and oil rents reduce income inequality. The results also show that the effects of mining and gas rents vary along the income inequality distribution. Finally, the results reveal a negative and significant effect of natural resource rents on income inequality in all sub-regions except Southern Africa.

Practical implications

The results suggest that the SSA Governments should intensify the implementation of income redistribution policies such as family allowances to poor families with multiple children and public sector job creation. SSA policymakers should also increase access to electricity, and internet, and allocate a portion of oil revenues to create an intergenerational sovereign wealth fund.

Originality/value

First, few studies have analyzed the effects of various types of natural resource rents on income inequality. To this end, this study used the QR method to examine the impact of natural resource rents on inequality, by laying emphasis on various types of natural resources. This study takes into account the likely heterogeneity across countries that may exist when considering a sample such as SSA countries, by examining the effects in the different sub-regions that make up this part of Africa (Central Africa, West Africa, Southern Africa and East Africa).

Details

International Journal of Development Issues, vol. 21 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1446-8956

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 September 2011

Jenine Beekhuyzen, Liisa von Hellens and Sue Nielsen

This paper aims to investigate the rules and rituals for joining and operating within underground music file sharing communities as well as the members' motivations for joining.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the rules and rituals for joining and operating within underground music file sharing communities as well as the members' motivations for joining.

Design/methodology/approach

Actor‐network theory is combined with an ethnographic methodology to explore the structure, technology and rules of these communities from an actor‐oriented, member perspective. Empirical data include in‐depth interviews with three file sharers, and participant‐observations for 120 days within an online community.

Findings

The paper provides an increased understanding of the structured and orderly nature of underground music file sharing communities and the perceived importance of strong rules and rituals for membership. Many communities use the same open‐source software.

Research limitations/implications

Only a small number of file sharers (three) were interviewed. However they provide rich insights into this under‐researched topic.

Practical implications

An understanding of these sophisticated underground file sharing communities assists the further development of legitimate online music systems to appeal to the large number of individuals involved in music file sharing communities.

Social implications

This paper provides an understanding of the practices within a subculture that is currently regarded as deviant and illegal, and contributes to the discussion and policy formulation on file sharing.

Originality/value

This study is the only known ethnography investigating underground music file sharing communities. These communities have not been systematically studied previously and the paper addresses this lack of research literature. This study is also novel as it applies actor‐network theory to a context to which it has not previously been applied.

Details

Online Information Review, vol. 35 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1468-4527

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 August 2013

Sizwe Timothy Phakathi

This paper aims to examine the interaction between formal and informal organisation of work inside the pit, with reference to the informal working or coping strategy of “making a…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the interaction between formal and informal organisation of work inside the pit, with reference to the informal working or coping strategy of “making a plan” (planisa).

Design/methodology/approach

The research for this paper was ethnographic in nature and the participant observation was the main research technique used in the field.

Findings

The underground gold miners make a plan or engage in planisa to offset the production bottlenecks which affected their capacity to achieve their production targets and increase their bonus earnings. They “get on and get by” underground in order to cope with organisational constraints and management inefficiencies.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the limits of formal organisation of work and the significance of gold miners’ informal work strategy of making a plan (planisa) as an existing and alternative working practice that shapes their subjective orientation, agency and resilience to work structures and managerial strategies. Any strategy designed to improve the health, safety and productivity of underground miners must recognise, elaborate and systematically articulate the workplace culture of planisa as an existing work practice in the day‐to‐day running of the production process down the mine.

Details

Journal of Organizational Ethnography, vol. 2 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6749

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 August 2023

Dinesh Sivaguru and Kamal Tilakasiri

The purpose of the study is to examine the available literature to comprehend what the underground banking system is, for what purposes this method is used and how policymakers…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to examine the available literature to comprehend what the underground banking system is, for what purposes this method is used and how policymakers should proceed to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach involved conducting this study and combining it with a critical analysis of the available literature as well as the available historical data. The sources the study has explored include government documents, public hearings, academic articles, case studies and articles available on the internet.

Findings

The study revealed prevention of illegal proceeds is critical, still regulating one entity, is a phenomenon of Boyle’s law, “squeezing the balloon”. If one end of the balloon is squeezed, making the volume smaller, the pressure inside increases, making the un-squeezed part of the balloon expand out. The real issue is not how criminals transfer their illegal earnings; it is the criminals themselves. Hence, the policy decision on this issue needs to be carefully considered.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the complexity of the operating system of Undiyal, this study had a number of limitations, as do many others. Firstly, there are no records of the Undiyal agents or the volumes of transactions publicly available. However, comprehending the scope of the underground operation that exists in the country is quite difficult.

Practical implications

The study contributes to the academic researchers grasping what type of future research should be focused on in this area according to the study.

Social implications

From the point of view of its practical application, the study seeks to resolve social issues that the middle-class population experiences on a daily basis and that have a huge and adverse impact on GDP.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is an original contribution.

Details

Journal of Money Laundering Control, vol. 27 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-5201

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 March 2020

Lisa Ringblom and Maria Johansson

This study aims to deepen the understanding of inequality regimes in male-dominated industries, specifically in Swedish forestry and mining, by exploring how conceptions of…

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to deepen the understanding of inequality regimes in male-dominated industries, specifically in Swedish forestry and mining, by exploring how conceptions of gender, class and place are articulated and intertwined when doing gender equality in these organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

The article draws on empirical material from four research and development projects inspired by a feminist action research methodology.

Findings

This paper shows how gender equality works in these male-dominated organizations simultaneously constructing gender, class and place. When men are at the focal point of gender equality, our empirical findings suggest that blue-collar workers in rural areas are described as “being the problem” for gender inequality in these organizations. Addressing specific groups such as women or blue-collar workers in rural areas is not enough to challenge the inequality regimes that exist in these organizations, since a unilateral focus on certain groups leads to skewed problem formulations.

Originality/value

Research on gender equality work and its relation to intersectionality in male-dominated industries is limited, and by focusing on men and masculinities, this paper contributes to knowledge concerning gender equality in male-dominated industrial organizations.

Details

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, vol. 39 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7149

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 October 2017

Georgios L. Vousinas

This paper aims to bring into surface two major socioeconomic problems of Greece, tax evasion and shadow economy.

1331

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to bring into surface two major socioeconomic problems of Greece, tax evasion and shadow economy.

Design/methodology/approach

It examines the determinants and the factors that led to the formation and expansion of tax evasion and subsequently of black economy. Empirical data and related research are used to provide a clearer view of the existing situation.

Findings

Tax evasion and shadow economy are proved to remain two of the most severe problems that torture Greek economy. The factors that contribute the most to the formation of these phenomena are the lack of tax awareness, the tax burden, the structure of the tax system, the role of the state, the level of approvement of public authority, self-employment, unemployment and the level of organization of the economy. Except from the negative characteristics, positive ones are also identified, and certain policies are suggested so as to combat tax evasion and black economy.

Originality/value

The paper highlights two major issues that constitute the deadly weakness of the Greek economy, providing a holistic view of the current situation, identifying the roots of the problem and suggesting specific measures.

Details

Journal of Money Laundering Control, vol. 20 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-5201

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 March 2023

James Temitope Dada, Folorunsho M. Ajide and Marina Arnaut

The purpose of this examine the impact of income inequality and shadow economy on environmental degradation given the growing income inequality, shadow economy and ecological…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this examine the impact of income inequality and shadow economy on environmental degradation given the growing income inequality, shadow economy and ecological degradation in developing countries. Thus, this study is motivated to offer empirical insight into how income inequality and shadow economy influence the environment in African countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 29 countries in Africa between 2000 and 2017 were used, while the novel method of moments quantile regression of Machado and Silva (2019) and Dumitrescu and Hurlin (D-H) (2012) granger causality is used as the estimation techniques.

Findings

The results established the presence of cross-sectional dependence and slope heterogeneity in the panel, while Westerlund panel cointegration confirmed the long-run cointegration among the variables. The results from the quantile regression suggest that income inequality increases environmental degradation from the 5th to the 30th quantiles, while from the 70th quantiles, income inequality reduces ecological degradation. The shadow economy negatively influences environmental degradation across the quantiles, strengthening environmental quality. Per capita income (economic growth) and financial development positively impact environmental degradation throughout the quantiles. However, urbanization reduces environmental degradation from 60th to 95th quantiles. The D-H causality established a two-way relationship between income inequality and environmental degradation, while one-way from shadow economy, per capita income and urbanization to environmental degradation were established.

Originality/value

This study provides fresh insights into the nexus between shadow economy and environmental quality in the presence of higher levels of income inequality for the case of African region. The study applies quantile analysis via moment proposed by Machado and Silva (2019). This technique shows that the impact of income inequality and shadow economy on environmental degradation is heterogeneous across the quantiles of ecological footprints in Africa.

Details

International Journal of Development Issues, vol. 22 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1446-8956

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1995

John E. Elliott

Examines the process of systemic disintegration in the USSR broughtabout by perestroika, demokratizatsiya and glasnost.Places Soviet economic crises in a broader political and…

Abstract

Examines the process of systemic disintegration in the USSR brought about by perestroika, demokratizatsiya and glasnost. Places Soviet economic crises in a broader political and nationalities context. Concludes that liberalization and democratization led both to the break‐up of the Communist system and that of the imperial state.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 22 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 January 2018

Wai Weng Yap, Tamat Sarmidi, Abu Hassan Shaari and Fathin Faizah Said

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nonlinear relationship between shadow economy and income inequality and determine whether the size of shadow economy can influence…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nonlinear relationship between shadow economy and income inequality and determine whether the size of shadow economy can influence the level of income inequality.

Design/methodology/approach

Both parametric (panel OLS) and nonparametric/semiparametric regression suggested by Robinson (1988) will be used to capture the dynamic nonlinear relationship between these variables using unbalanced panel data of 154 countries from 2000 to 2007. Additionally, the relationship between income inequality and shadow economy on both developed and developing countries will be analyzed and compared.

Findings

First, semiparametric analysis and nonparametric analysis are significantly different than parametric analysis and better in nonlinear analysis between income inequality and shadow economy. Second, income inequality and shadow economy resemble an inverted-N relationship. Third, the relationship between income inequality and shadow economy is different in developed countries (OECD countries) and developing countries, where OECD countries have similar inverted-N relationship as before. However, for developing countries, income inequality and shadow economy show an inverted-U relationship, similar to the original Kuznets hypothesis.

Practical implications

This study suggests that there is a possible trade-off between income inequality and shadow economy and helps policy makers in solving both problems effectively.

Originality/value

Despite the growing importance of income inequality and shadow economy, literature linking the two variables is scarce. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no literature that nonlinearly links these two variables. Furthermore, the dynamics of the relationship between these two variables in developed countries and developing countries will be explored as well.

Details

Journal of Economic Studies, vol. 45 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3585

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1984

Fuat M. Andic and Suphan Andic

Income and wealth inequality is a constant concern in our society. It becomes more acute at certain times than at others. The Great Depression raised the concern; so did the…

Abstract

Income and wealth inequality is a constant concern in our society. It becomes more acute at certain times than at others. The Great Depression raised the concern; so did the political circumstances in the 1960s when attention was focused on the state of the poor and of racial groups who were failing to participate in the national affluence.

Details

International Journal of Social Economics, vol. 11 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0306-8293

1 – 10 of 575