The Experts below are selected from a list of 318 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Andreas Knabe - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Marginal wage subsidies: a rent‐extracting instrument for Employment Creation
Journal of Economic Studies, 2009Co-Authors: Andreas KnabeAbstract:Purpose - This paper aims to examine the effects of marginal and general wage subsidies on Employment and income distribution. Design/methodology/approach - The paper constructs a theoretical, partial-equilibrium model of an economy in which a large number of competitive firms produce a homogeneous output good. Involuntary unEmployment arises from a too high and rigid wage. By conducting comparative static analyses, the paper evaluates the impact of general and marginal wage subsidies on Employment and incomes. Findings - The paper shows that a marginal wage subsidy is a fiscally more efficient instrument for Employment Creation than a general wage subsidy because it resembles a combination of a general wage subsidy with a profit tax. These favorable effects persist even if between-firm displacement effects are taken into account. Research limitations/implications - In line with most of the literature on marginal Employment subsidies, attention is restricted to a partial-equilibrium analysis in which the wage is assumed to be fixed. This helps to sharpen the focus on between-firm competition, but is perhaps implausible when analyzing a general-equilibrium setting. The inclusion of endogenous wage setting is bound to provide an interesting area for future research. Practical implications - If politicians want to implement a wage subsidy scheme that has to be self-financing, marginal wage subsidies are an effective policy instrument for Employment Creation. Its downside is an inefficient allocation of labor among firms, because some firms become larger than is necessary. Originality/value - The paper provides a novel approach to model the between-firm displacement effects of marginal wage subsidies and derives policy conclusions.
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Marginal wage subsidies: a rent‐extracting instrument for Employment Creation
Journal of Economic Studies, 2009Co-Authors: Andreas KnabeAbstract:Purpose – This paper aims to examine the effects of marginal and general wage subsidies on Employment and income distribution.Design/methodology/approach – The paper constructs a theoretical, partial‐equilibrium model of an economy in which a large number of competitive firms produce a homogeneous output good. Involuntary unEmployment arises from a too high and rigid wage. By conducting comparative static analyses, the paper evaluates the impact of general and marginal wage subsidies on Employment and incomes.Findings – The paper shows that a marginal wage subsidy is a fiscally more efficient instrument for Employment Creation than a general wage subsidy because it resembles a combination of a general wage subsidy with a profit tax. These favorable effects persist even if between‐firm displacement effects are taken into account.Research limitations/implications – In line with most of the literature on marginal Employment subsidies, attention is restricted to a partial‐equilibrium analysis in which the wag...
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marginal wage subsidies a rent extracting instrument for Employment Creation
Journal of Economic Studies, 2009Co-Authors: Andreas KnabeAbstract:Purpose – This paper aims to examine the effects of marginal and general wage subsidies on Employment and income distribution.Design/methodology/approach – The paper constructs a theoretical, partial‐equilibrium model of an economy in which a large number of competitive firms produce a homogeneous output good. Involuntary unEmployment arises from a too high and rigid wage. By conducting comparative static analyses, the paper evaluates the impact of general and marginal wage subsidies on Employment and incomes.Findings – The paper shows that a marginal wage subsidy is a fiscally more efficient instrument for Employment Creation than a general wage subsidy because it resembles a combination of a general wage subsidy with a profit tax. These favorable effects persist even if between‐firm displacement effects are taken into account.Research limitations/implications – In line with most of the literature on marginal Employment subsidies, attention is restricted to a partial‐equilibrium analysis in which the wag...
Bruce Tether - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Small firms, innovation and Employment Creation in Britain and Europe
Technovation, 2000Co-Authors: Bruce TetherAbstract:Abstract It is an abiding perception, with considerable currency amongst politicians and policy-makers in London, Brussels and elsewhere, that new and small firms are an important source of innovation , new technology and Employment Creation , three of the crucial dynamics of economic development, but areas in which the UK and Europe have struggled against world-wide competition. Despite this, relatively little evidence is available on the contribution of new and small firms to these economic phenomena. This paper provides a succinct review of the evidence on the contribution of new and small firms to technological innovation, and the extent of Employment Creation amongst innovative or technology based new and small firms. Our contention is that expectations of small firms as “atomistic” innovators and Employment creators have become over-inflated, which is important given the amount of attention they have received, and continue to receive, from policy-makers in London, Brussels and elsewhere.
R. S. Cass - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Investigating Interdependent and Conflicting Objectives in South African SMME Policies: Competitiveness vs. Employment Creation
Computers & Industrial Engineering, 2012Co-Authors: R. S. CassAbstract:The National Small-Business Strategy, as proposed in the 1995 White Paper on Small Business, was developed to assist the processes of Employment Creation and economic growth through assisting SMMEs in becoming more competitive in the global marketplace. Debate as to the effectiveness of this strategy and the subsequent development programmes has given rise to claims of conflict between the goals of economic growth and Employment Creation through SMMEs. The purpose of this research was therefore to determine links between Employment Creation potential, and growth potential through increased competitiveness, of ten South African SMMEs. Interviews were conducted with owner-managers of each of the SMMEs. The interviews focussed on issues of competition and competitive practices, labour issues, technology issues and perspectives on the South African business environment. Thematic Content Analysis was used to extract themes emerging from the interviews from which links between competitiveness of the SMMEs and Employment Creation potential could be drawn. Results show that SMMEs aiming to become more competitive will tend to limit their dependence on labour to minimise costs and productivity constraints. Therefore, the policy objectives of economic growth and Employment Creation through SMMEs are divergent.
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INTERDEPENDENT AND CONFLICTING OBJECTIVES IN SOUTH AFRICAN SMME POLICIES: COMPETITIVENESS VS. Employment Creation
2012Co-Authors: R. S. CassAbstract:The National Small-Business Strategy, as proposed in the 1995 White Paper on Small Business, was developed to assist the processes of Employment Creation and economic growth through assisting SMMEs in becoming more competitive in the global marketplace. Debate as to the effectiveness of this strategy and the subsequent development programmes has given rise to claims of conflict between the goals of economic growth and Employment Creation through SMMEs. The purpose of this research was therefore to determine links between Employment Creation potential, and growth potential through increased competitiveness, of ten South African SMMEs. Interviews were conducted with owner-managers of each of the SMMEs. The interviews focussed on issues of competition and competitive practices, labour issues, technology issues and perspectives on the South African business environment. Thematic Content Analysis was used to extract themes emerging from the interviews from which links between competitiveness of the SMMEs and Employment Creation potential could be drawn. Results show that SMMEs aiming to become more competitive will tend to limit their dependence on labour to minimise costs and productivity constraints. Therefore, the policy objectives of economic growth and Employment Creation through SMMEs are divergent.
W. D. Thwala - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Employment Creation through public works programmes and projects in South Africa : experiences and potentials
Acta Commercii, 2008Co-Authors: W. D. ThwalaAbstract:Purpose/objectives: The aim of this article is to look at the experiences, problems and the potential contribution of Employment Creation programmes in alleviating the unEmployment problem in other African countries through the construction of public infrastructure through the use of labour-intensive methods. The article then describes the problems and experiences that have been encountered in South Africa in relation to Employment Creation through the construction of public infrastructure. Problem investigated: In South Africa the levels of unEmployment and poverty are extremely high and unEmployment is one of South Africa's most pressing problems. At the same time there is a lack of capacity and skills at institutional, community and individual levels. Labour-intensive programmes generate more direct and indirect local Employment opportunities and income by using locally available inputs (materials, simple tools and local labour) and thus creating a greater demand for local products and services than do high-technology programmes reliant on imported technology and equipment. Design/Methodology/Approach: Drawing on research on labour-intensive, public works programmes and projects, the paper is mainly a literature review. From a theoretical perspective supported by experience elsewhere in Africa, there are reasons for considering that properly formulated Employment Creation programmes based on the use of labour-intensive methods could be established to construct and maintain the required physical infrastructure, thus creating Employment, skills and institutional capacities. The article closes with some recommendations for the future programmes success. Findings/Implications: The article attributes the failure of projects and programmes in South Africa to different factors which must be avoided in future in order for projects and programmes to be successful in South Africa. Investment in infrastructure has a huge potential to redress the high unEmployment and poverty levels in South Africa and also to correct the skill shortages. Originality/Value: This article challenges the project-based approach and recommends a programme-based approach which is long-term as to address the problem of unEmployment and skills shortages in South Africa. Conclusion: Public works programmes and projects in South Africa should change as the policy environment changes, from relief, emergency to a long-term structured Employment-generation programme. The approach should link economic growth, Employment and investment policies.
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Employment Creation through the provision of low cost housing in South Africa
2005Co-Authors: W. D. ThwalaAbstract:Poverty and unEmployment are problems that South Africa has not been able to overcome successfully. In the urban areas, poverty has led to the growth of Informal Settlements which are basically, but not necessarily so, residential areas for the low-income groups. The most noted cause of Informal Settlements is high migration from rural areas by people who are in search of job opportunities and better living conditions than what is available in the rural areas. This has led to more demand for low cost housing in most urban areas in South Africa. History has shown that labour-based methods of work have long been used in creating remarkable infrastructure works. Labour-intensive programmes generate more direct and indirect local Employment opportunities and income by using locally available inputs (materials, simple tools and local labour) and thus creating a greater demand for local products and services than do hightechnology programmes reliant on imported technology and equipment. Investment in low cost housing has a huge potential to redress the high unEmployment and poverty levels in South Africa and also to correct the skill deficits in disadvantaged communities. From a theoretical perspective supported by experience elsewhere in Africa, there are reasons for considering that properly formulated labour-intensive programmes could be established to construct and maintain the required physical infrastructure, thus creating Employment, skills and institutional capacities. The paper looks at the experiences, problems and outlines the potential contribution of Employment Creation programmes in alleviating the unEmployment problem in other African countries through the construction of low cost housing through the use of labour-intensive methods. The paper then describes the potential and problems that have been encountered in South Africa in relation to Employment Creation through the construction of low cost housing. The paper closes with some recommendations for the future. 1 Senior Lecturer in the Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. XXXIII IAHS, September 27-30, 2005, Pretoria, South Africa
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Employment Creation THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IN SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH THE USE OF LABOUR-INTENSIVE METHODS: EXPERIENCES AND PROBLEMS
2005Co-Authors: W. D. ThwalaAbstract:History has shown that labour-based methods of work have long been used in creating remarkable infrastructure works. Labour-intensive programmes generate more direct and indirect local Employment opportunities and income by using locally available inputs (materials, simple tools and local labour) and thus creating a greater demand for local products and services than do high-technology programmes reliant on imported technology and equipment. Investment in infrastructure has a huge potential to redress the high unEmployment and poverty levels in South Africa and also to correct the skill deficits in disadvantaged communities. From a theoretical perspective supported by experience elsewhere in Africa, there are reasons for considering that properly formulated Employment Creation programmes based on the use of labour-intensive methods could be established to construct and maintain the required physical infrastructure, thus creating Employment, skills and institutional capacities. The paper looks at the experiences, problems and outlines the potential contribution of Employment Creation programmes in alleviating the unEmployment problem in other African countries through the construction and maintenance of public infrastructure through the use of labour-intensive methods. The paper then describes the problems and experiences that have been encountered in South Africa in relation to Employment Creation through the construction and maintenance of public infrastructure. The paper closes with some recommendations for the future.
Micheline Goedhuys - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Young innovative companies and Employment Creation, evidence from the Pakistani textiles sector
World Development, 2019Co-Authors: Waqar Wadho, Micheline Goedhuys, Azam ChaudhryAbstract:Abstract Using unique innovation survey data collected among a homogenous sample of firms active in the textiles and apparel sector in Pakistan, this paper analyses the role of innovation for Employment growth. In particular, it develops and tests the hypothesis that innovation is conducive to Employment Creation, and that this is especially the case for smaller and younger firms, supporting the hypothesis that young innovative companies grow faster by engaging in riskier and more radical innovation to catch up with incumbent firms. We find empirical evidence for these hypotheses, which is robust to different model specifications and estimation techniques and to different measures of innovation. Young innovative companies also perform well in absolute Employment Creation making them interesting targets from a policy perspective.
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Employment Creation and Employment Quality in African Manufacturing Firms
Research Papers in Economics, 2002Co-Authors: Micheline GoedhuysAbstract:This study, applying econometric methods to a unique longitudinal data set of Tanzanian manufacturing firms put together by the World Bank, explores differences in net Employment Creation in firms of different sizes, and relates them to characteristics of firms and entrepreneurs and the business environment. Compared to larger firms, micro and small firms, as well as younger firms, grow faster but suffer from a higher variability of their growth rate, in Tanzania as well as in other African countries. In addition, entrepreneurs' wealth and level of academic education are found to have a significant positive impact on firms' performance and their capacity to generate additional Employment. The lack of access to inputs is a major external constraint to growth, especially for informal small enterprises. In Tanzania as well as in other African countries, the unfriendly business environment might be at the origin of the 'missing middle' as small firms are forced to remain small and informal. Formality, by facilitating access to inputs, relieves one of the highest constraints faced by MSEs. Interestingly, despite high barriers to entry into the formal sector, econometric evidence points out to the superior Employment Creation potential of small formal firms compared to informal ones. These findings confirm that creating a conducive environment for small enterprises can make a substantial contribution to Employment Creation and increase productivity and wages.