Evidence Portfolio
1.
Name of Research Grouping: “International Development and Agricultural
Economics”
2.
Home Panel: “Economics, Commerce and Management” (Panel 10)
3.
RFDC Codes: 3402 80% : 3502 20%
SEO Codes: 7202 60% : 7203 40%
4. Name of
Researchers
1. Eddie Oczkowski
2. Kishor Sharma
3. Parikshit Basu
4. Hailu Kidane
5. Hazbo Skoko
5.
Level
E
D
C
B
B
M/F
M
M
M
M
M
FTE
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
ECR
No
No
No
No
No
RFCD
Code
3402
3402
3402
3402
3502
SEO
Code
7202
7203
7203
7202
7202
The Context Statement
History, strategic focus and research objectives
The strategic focus of the international development and agricultural economics
(IDAE) research group is to preform research in two related areas: 1) international
economics and development, and 2) agricultural economics and regional
development. The focus primarily involves theoretically driven rigorous empirical
economic research which has important policy and/or strategic implications. The
group’s research works towards enhancing the economic and environmental
sustainability of both Australian regional communities and international developing
countries.
A subsidiary strategic focus of the group is the development and fostering of
research collaboration with a range of Charles Sturt University (CSU) international
partner institutions. The Faculty of Business at CSU has important strategic and long
standing course delivery relations with a number of partners in China and Malaysia.
Group members have developed and continue to foster the human research
capability of these partner institutions.
In a historical context, the group has evolved and developed in response to the
University’s mission to support research into regional and rural communities. Initially
(prior to 2003) an informal group within the economics discipline of the University
was formed to pursue research. The first formal group was (2003-2005) the
University funded ($35k) community of scholars named: Economic Research into
Sustainable Agriculture, Trade and Regional Development. Members of the group
were (2003-2006) also part of the Australian Centre for Co-operative Research and
Development (ACCORD), which from CSU’s prespective had a strong focus on
economics issues for co-operatives in a regional and rural Australia context. Since
2006 group members have become part of the Economics and Regional
Development (ERD) group of the Institute of Land Water and Society (ILWS).
CSU provides strong financial and strategic management support for its Centres of
Excellence, which are identified with particular areas of research strength. The ILWS
was formed in 2005, from two predecessor groups to contribute to the designated
major research area of “Agriculture, Wine Science, Land, Water and Rural Society”.
The ILWS mission is “to be an internationally recognised provider of integrated
research that is contributing to enhanced social and environmental sustainability in
rural and regional areas”. The Centre has been formally accredited by the University
up to 2011 and support has been guaranteed over this period. The University
provides approximately $350,000 per annum to support the Institute, including base
level operating funding, performance based funding (based on grants income and
publications) and targeted funding to support particular initiatives. Funding for PhD
scholarships and to free teaching and research staff to undertake a period of
research only activity is also provided directly to accredited centres.
In summary, the IDAE group aims to achieve excellence in research quality and
positively impact on the development of regional and international communities. The
over arching objective of the group is to conduct rigorous and methodically sound
economics research which is ‘novel’ in theory or technique development and/or in the
application of existing theory to a new and important context.
Main achievements of the group over 2001-2006
The five members of this group published 43 refereed journal articles, 3 books, 12
book chapters and 30 refereed conference papers. This averages to 2.93
publications per member per year. Eight of the journal articles have appeared in
Thomson ISI listed journals. In economics an ISI listing equates to approximately the
top 25% of all journals. Two of the best outputs, those published in Structural
Equation Modeling and World Development have impact factors of over unity and are
considered world leading journals. Members received $275,233 worth of external
grants for research projects, which averages to $9,170 research funding per member
per year.
During the period under review, members of this group were involved in leadership
roles and cultivating the research environment within CSU and with international
partners. Oczkowski was appointed Sub-Dean (Graduate Training) of the Faculty,
overseeing higher degree research students. Basu acted as the professional
doctorate program director for six months. Oczkowski was the CSU director of
ACCORD. At the international level, Sharma was appointed Sub-Dean (International
Research) within the Faculty, a role designed to cultivate the research culture at
international partner institutions. In addition, Sharma, Basu and Skoko have
undertaken joint research with academic staff at partner institutions in China,
Malaysia, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro and Switzerland.
All members are actively involved in supervising doctoral students and examining
theses. Six doctoral students graduated under the principal supervision of members
during the period. Some of these students are now publishing their research findings
in ISI listed journals such as the International Journal of Energy Research and
Applied Economics and are having their research cited in reports by government
authorities such as Airservices Australia.
Members of the group have also made significant contributions in research
dissemination through conference organisation. Basu was the co-organiser of the
International Conference on Contemporary Business (ICCB) hosted by the Faculty of
Business in Australia in September 2006 (attended by 110 academics from Australia
and overseas). Selected proceedings of the conference are being published as an
edited book in 2007 by a leading Australian academic publisher (Australian Academic
Press) with Basu as a joint editor. AusAID provided a grant (2005) to Sharma to host
2
an international conference on Child Labour and WTO issues in Asia. This
conference brought together about 35 leading experts in the field. The conference
deliberations have resulted in the publication of a major book (2007) on this issue by
a leading academic publisher (Ashgate). Oczkowski organised, with funding from the
NSW Office of Fair Trading an ACCORD forum on ‘Water Reform, Co-operation and
the Role of Co-operatives’ with various academic and industry speakers and
attended by more than 100 participants.
Collaboration with other researchers, cohesion within the Research Grouping
and national and international research links
All group members are very actively involved in collaborative research, both within
and outside the group. For example, within the group Oczkowski and Sharma have
worked on various projects including the efficiency of manufacturing firms in Nepal
and the analysis of the performance of the Australian manufacturing sector. Basu
has conducted research with other ERD members (not members of the IDAE RQF
submission) including Professor John Hicks the Dean of the Faculty and Dr Richard
Sappey. Within the university but outside the IDAE group, group members have
worked on numerous joint research projects. For example, Oczkowski has worked
with Professor Andy Smith on various projects (grants of over $50K) pertaining to
enterprise training and with Professor Mark Farrell on research relating to marketing
orientation. In essence Oczkowski has brought his econometric expertise to projects
in other business related areas.
Collaborative research has also been conducted with researchers outside the
University. All group members have conducted joint projects with researchers from
universities such as: Australian National University, University of Technology Sydney,
Deakin University, La Trobe University, Macquarie University, Griffith University and
Central Queensland University. These projects have related to issues such as: water
reform and co-operatives; financial markets in India and south-east Asia; corporate
social responsibility; and economic development in south Asia. Evidence of
collaboration is demonstrated through research funding (over $200k with researchers
from UTS) and publications in journal such as: Journal of Economic and Social
Policy, International Business and Economics Research Journal, Delhi Business
Review, and the Australian Journal of Communication.
The International research collaboration of members has extended to universities
and institutions in the UK (University of Nottingham),China (Changchun Taxation
University), India (Institute of Development Studies Kolkata), Malaysia (HELP
University College), Croatia (University of Pula, University of Primorska) Serbia
(University of Belgrade, University of Montenegro) and Switzerland (University of
Applied Science). Skoko has been a visiting fellow at several universities in the
Balkan region. These projects have related to issues such as: ICT Adoption in SMEs;
welfare economics in transitional economies; complex systems application in SMEs
ICT investment evaluation; parallel imports and its protection; and the management
of ICT in SMEs. Evidence of collaboration is demonstrated through publications in
journal such as: Economic Research, Managing Global Transitions International
Research Journal and the Zagreb International Review of Economics and Business.
Through his research collaboration leadership role with CSU partner institutions
Sharma’s mentoring of international academics is expected to bring major outcomes
in future. Mentored researchers from CSU partner institutions have started
presenting papers at international conferences. For example, the participation of
Chinese scholars from CSU partner institutions at ICCB conference in 2006 was
supported by a grant from AusAID.
3
6.
Eligible Researcher’s four best outputs.
Eddie Oczkowski
[1] Oczkowski, E., (2001) 'Hedonic Wine Price Functions and Measurement Error,'
Economic Record, 77 (239), 374-382. (Impact Factor 0.351) (ISI ranking: 142
/175 Economics) (Citation rate: 6 ISI, 26 Google)
This paper develops a technique for recognising measurement error in hedonic
market price functions. It applies the technique to Australian table wine using various
indicators of wine quality and reputation. It makes a contribution to technique
development and provides a substantive applied contribution. The citations indicate
the research’s impact in various countries including: Australia, France, United States
and Germany. The Economic Record was established in 1925. It is the Journal of
the Economic Society of Australia and is ranked 58 out of 159 journals in the
authoritative European Economic Association ranking study (2003). It is the highest
ranked Australian economics journal and is published by Blackwell.
[2] Oczkowski, E., (2002) 'Discriminating Between Measurement Scales using Nonnested Tests and 2SLS: Monte Carlo Evidence,' Structural Equation
Modeling, 9 (1), 103-125. (Impact Factor 2.143) (ISI ranking: 3 / 31 Social
Sciences Mathematical Methods) (Citation rate: 3 ISI, 6 Google) (Acceptance
Rate: 10%-12%)
This research further develops and assesses the statistical properties of techniques
for discriminating between statistical models which use competing measurement
scales. The techniques are broadly applicable to various disciplines where
measurement scales are used in developing models. The technique has been
applied to Australian wine and measures of quality and reputation in publication [1]
and my other research on enterprise training, and the marketing and learning
orientation of firms. The citations of this article relate to areas such as: sociology and
communication. The journal was established in 1994 and is published by Lawrence
Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
[3] Oczkowski, E., (2006) ‘Modelling Winegrape Prices in Disequilibrium,’ Agricultural
Economics, 34 (1), 97-107. (Impact Factor 0.584) (103 / 175 Economics)
(Citation rate: 1 ISI, 2 Google) (Acceptance Rate: 25%)
This paper extends the hedonic price approach to disequilibrium markets.
Traditionally hedonic price functions assume that markets trade in equilibrium, this
paper recognises that given the existence of contractual arrangements, supply fixity
and market concentration, hedonic prices may be the outcome of a disequilibrium
price adjustment process. The notion and method is applicable to any market which
faces similar market circumstances. The novel application of this principle is to winegrapes in Australia. The journal was established in 1986. It is the journal of the
International Association of Agricultural Economists, published by Blackwell and has
an international editorial board with members from 15 countries.
4
[4] Oczkowski, E., (2006) ‘Nash Bargaining and Co-operatives,’ Australian Economic
Papers, 45 (2), 89-98.
This article develops the appropriate economic theory to explain how an agricultural
co-operative may interact with a large food processor in a bilateral monopoly market
situation. The paper makes a contribution to economic theoretical literature dating
back to the 1960s. The paper was the lead article in its issue. The journal was
established in 1965, is published by Blackwell and its editorial board consists of
members from seven countries and has been re-admitted into the ISI database for
2007. The journal description suggests, Australian Economic Papers publishes
‘innovative and thought provoking contributions which extend the frontiers of the
subject, written by leading international economists.’
Kishor Sharma
[1] Sharma, K (2006), ‘The Political Economy of Civil War in Nepal’, World
Development, 34(7), 1237-53. (Impact Factor 1.298) (ISI ranking: 32 / 175
Economics) (Acceptance Rate: 19%)
This paper develops a framework, using the political economy literature, to
investigate how failed development can contribute to civil conflict in developing
countries. The paper challenges the conventional view and demonstrates that
development failure rather than ethnic discrimination is the root of conflict. World
Development is highly regarded in economics and many prominent scholars,
including several Nobel Laureates have published their research findings in this
journal. It falls within the top 18% economics journals listed in the ISI database.
[2] Oczkowski, E. and Sharma, K. (2005), ‘Determinants of Efficiency in Developing
Countries: Further Evidence from Nepal’, Journal of Development Studies, 41
(4), 617-630. (Impact Factor 0.878) (ISI ranking: 67 / 175 Economics)
(Citation rate: 1 ISI) (Acceptance rate: 20%)
This paper estimates and models the determinants of efficiency in the Nepalese
manufacturing firms using a translog stochastic production frontier and maximum
likelihood methods. The paper challenges the results of the previous studies based
on highly aggregated data and provides some very useful policy insights. The Journal
of Development Studies ranks among the top 38% of ISI listed economics journals.
The journal was established in 1964. My contribution in writing this paper is about
40%.
[3] Sharma, K (2004),‘Horizontal and Vertical Intra-Industry Trade in Australian
Manufacturing: Does Liberalisation Have any Impact?’, Applied Economics,
36, 1723-1730. (Impact Factor 0.522) (ISI ranking: 113 / 175 Economics)
(Citation rate: 5 Google)
This paper, for the first time, disentangles Australia’s intra-industry trade (IIT) into
horizontal and vertical intra-industry trade and models trade in the context of trade
liberalisation. The paper demonstrates how the failure to disentangle IIT into
horizontal and vertical components can produce misleading results. The paper
makes an important contribution to the literature on IIT in general and international
trade in particular. Applied Economics was established in 1968 and is published by
Taylor & Francis Group. It has worldwide readership.
5
[4] Sharma, K. (2003), ‘Factors Determining India’s Export Performance’, Journal of
Asian Economics, 14,(3), 435-446. (Citation rate: 24 Google, includes 22 cites
of the Yale Discussion Paper No. 816) (Acceptance rate: 35%)
This paper investigates India’s export performance in a simultaneous equation
framework and makes an important contribution to the debate about the role of
foreign direct investment (FDI) in India’s export success. The paper has been
increasingly cited which demonstrates its usefulness. The Journal of Asian
Economics is regarded as one of the best Journals in Asian studies, and is published
by Elsevier. The Journal has attracted contributions from many leading scholars,
including Prof. T. N. Srinivasan (Yale University) and Prof. J. N. Bhagwati (Colombia
University), reflecting its academic standing.
Parikshit Basu
[1] Basu, P. K., Hicks, J., and Sappey, R. (2005). Chinese Attitudes to Trade
Agreements in the Context of the Proposed Australia-China Free Trade
Agreement, Economic Papers, 24(4), 294-308.
The paper is significant because it is an early study of general Chinese attitudes to
an FTA with Australia based on primary surveys and interviews conducted in China.
In the policy area, this study suggests that government and business may well need
to find ways to reassure China but still proceed with difficult FTA discussions.
‘Economic Papers’ is a peer reviewed journal of the Economic Society of Australia
that publishes articles on discussion of applied economic issues and policies. I
conducted surveys and interviews in China and wrote the analysis sections – about
50% of total contribution.
[2] Basu, P. K., Hicks, J., and Sappey, R. (2006). Free Trade Agreements and
Investment: A Chinese Perspective, Agenda, 13(2), 179-192. (Acceptance
rate: 45%)
The significance of this article is the use of primary data to analyse Chinese attitudes
towards free trade agreements (FTA) to stimulate foreign direct investments (FDI).
Based on surveys and interviews conducted in China, it contributes to an area where
evidence-based research is very scanty. ‘Agenda’ is a peer reviewed quarterly
journal of the College of Business and Economics at The Australian National
University. Agenda articles are indexed in ‘EconLit’, the electronic database of the
American Economic Association. I conducted surveys and interviews in China and
wrote the analysis sections – about 50% of total contribution.
[3] Barker, M.; Basu, P. K. and McCarthy, P. (2001) ‘ Managing community
involvement: Towards a benchmarking schema’, Australian Journal of
Communication, 28(1),123-136. (Citation rate: 2 Google)
This paper examined corporate community involvement in Australia through a survey
of a sample of leading corporations. It suggested a benchmarking schema. Survey
based studies in this area are very few. Thus, this paper’s contribution is considered
to be significant. AJC is a peer reviewed international scholarly journal (published
from the University of Queensland). It publishes original papers on human
communication research, theory, and practice and multidisciplinary areas of
6
research. I conducted field surveys, analysed and written results section - about 40%
of total contribution.
[4] Datar, M. and Basu, P. K. (2003) ‘Role of ownership and organisational forms in
labour market outcomes: An exploratory analysis’, The Indian Journal of
Labour Economics, 46(4), 537-547.
This paper identified some new factors that impact the labour market outcomes. The
paper was first presented at the 45th Annual Conference of the ISLE. IJLE is the
major peer reviewed international journal in labour economics from India published
by the Indian Society of Labour Economics. The journal in indexed and abstracted in
COREJ, LABORDOC, EconLit, e-JEL and JEL of the American Economic
Association (produced by Journal of Economic Literature), GEOBASE : Human
Geography and International Development Abstracts. My contribution was in
literature review and methodology areas - about 50% of total contribution.
Hailu Kidane
[1] Kidane, H. (2006) ‘Export impediments and opportunities for Australian processed
food industry’, Journal of Asia – Pacific Business, 7(3), 23-43. (Acceptance
Rate: 11-20%).
The paper applies regression analysis to identify the impediments to exporting faced
by Australian processed food producers and investigates the prospects for increasing
the volume of exports to Australia’s traditional as well as to potential and emerging
export markets. The Journal of Asia – Pacific Business is an international and peer
reviewed journal. Articles published in this journal are indexed in Ulrich’s International
Periodicals Directory and in Search Premier EBSCOHOST (volume 7, 2006). Many
prominent academics from the USA, Asia, UK and Australia, including Professors A.
B. Sim from University of Wollongong, Youngok Kim from University of New South
Wales and Ron Breth from Deakin University have published in this journal. The
journal was established in 1993.
[2] Kidane, H. (2005) ‘Structural impediments and prospects for improved Australian
cotton production’, Journal of Natural Fibres, 2(2), 69-88.
The article uses a theoretical framework to identify the structural problems and to
investigate the potential for improved cotton production and thereby increase the
profitability of cotton for growers. The journal is an international journal and it
presents peer reviewed articles on basic and applied research. Articles published in
this journal are indexed in Ulrich’s International Periodicals Directory and in Scopus,
the world’s largest abstract and citation database. The journal of Natural Fibres is an
invaluable resource for scientists, researchers, consultants, and academics working
with research and development institutes, and universities.
[3] Kidane, H. (2003) 'Australian meat industry: Challenging issues and prospects on
world export markets', Journal of Food Products Marketing, 9(2), 69-89.
The paper discusses the problems related to the marketing of Australian meat and
investigates the prospects for increasing Australian meat exports on world export
markets, and also presents the implications of the findings for other meat exporting
countries. The journal is an international and peer reviewed journal. Articles
published in this journal are indexed in Ulrich’s International Periodicals Directory,
7
USA, Academic Search Premier EBSCOHOST (2003-2006) and in Scopus, the
world’s largest abstract and citation database. Many prominent academics from the
USA, UK, Australia including Prof J. Wiley from Western Sydney University have
published their research in this journal. The journal was established in 1992.
[4] Kidane, H. (2002) 'Identification of potential and emerging export markets for
Australian dairy products'. Asian Profile, 30(3), 263-276. (Acceptance Rate:
30%)
The paper uses intensity index to identify potential and emerging export markets, and
examines the effect of deregulation on the market environment for Australian dairy
product manufacturers. Implications of the paper’s findings for other dairy exporting
countries are also highlighted. The journal is an international and refereed journal.
Articles published in this journal are indexed in over 10 academic publications. Some
of them are, Asia-Pacific Economic Literature, Rural Development Abstract and
World Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology Abstract including in Ulrich’s
International Periodicals Directory, USA. The journal was established in 1973.
Hazbo Skoko
[1] Cerić, A. , Škare, M. and Skoko, H. (2006). ‘Dynamics of “Invisible Hands” and
Information Economics.’ Economic Research, 19 (1), 17-22.
This is a conceptual paper that discusses the applicability of Smith’s famous
metaphor and its relevance to the new area of information economics. The journal is
published by University of Pula, Department of Economics and Tourism. It publishes
scientific and professional papers on economic and related scientific fields, and is
referred by CAB Abstracts, Journal of Economic Literature, ERIC and Elsevier
Science.
[2] Skoko, H., Krivokapic-Skoko, B., Skare, M., and Ceric, A. (2006). ’ICT adoption
policy of Australian and Croatian SMEs.’ Managing Global Transitions
International Research Journal, 4(1), 25-40.
This paper builds the model of information and communication technology adoption
in Australian and Croatian SMEs. It used an innovation methodological approach
(Boolean methods and Qualitative Comparative Analysis) to identify necessary and
sufficient factors for ICT adoption. The journal publishes ground breaking work in
management research. The journal is indexed/abstracted in the International
Bibliography of the Social Sciences, and EconLit. Full texts are also included in the
RePEc database. The impact of this paper can be demonstrated through the number
of downloads (25) and abstract views (over 100) through the RePEc database
[3] Walker, G. & Skoko, H. (2005). Macro Policy and its Implications for SME
Development: The Australian Experience. Zagreb International Review of
Economics and Business, 8 (1), 35-54.
Recent Australian experience is used as a case study for the exploration of possible
causal links between macro and small business support policy. The article provides a
basis for reflecting on the broader trend within modern capitalist economies, to
stimulate individual initiative and entrepreneurialism as a solution to contemporary
8
social and economic problems. This journal is a fully refereed and published by
Faculty of Economics and Business, Zagreb, Croatia. On the basis of this article the
authors were invited to give a key note address at the 3rd International Conference on
Entrepreneurship and Macroeconomic Management , Pula, April 2005.
[4] Skoko, H. (2006). Information or Quantum Economics: Essays. Beograd:
Andrejevic Endowment.
This is a collection of essays about the evolution of the new economics and its
connection to the physics and complex systems. It is a fairly new area in Economics.
In those essays I have attempted to analyse different aspects of this exciting area
and topics ranging from my own experience brought about by researching this field to
the complex systems theory. The book is used as a compulsory reference book at
the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Economics of the University of
Montenegro and at the Faculty of Commerce and International Business of the
University of Donja Gorica.
7.
DEST Reported Research Income for the Group
Type
2001
2002
-
-
2006
$41,700
$75,000 $82,647
$60,566
-
$15,320
$233,533
Category 3
-
-
-
-
-
-
Category 4
-
-
-
-
-
-
TOTAL
$75,000 $82,647
$60,566
-
$57,020
$275,233
Category 1
-
Category 2
2003
-
2004
2005
TOTAL
$41,700
8. Individually Earned DEST Publication Points
2001
4.67
2002
2.25
2003
3.00
2004
4.75
2005
5.33
2006
8.91
TOTAL
28.91
Book
Chapters
1.50
-
2.79
-
1.50
2.18
7.97
Books
-
-
-
5.00
5.00
5.00
15.00
2.25
4.48
2.00
3.25
3.82
17.80
4.50
10.27
11.75
15.08
19.91
69.68
Journal
Articles
2.00
Refereed
Conference
Publications
8.17
TOTAL
9. Research Higher Degree Students
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
TOTAL
Total No of
students
supervised
6
5
5
6
7
7
36
No of
students
graduating
1
-
1
1
1
2
6
9
10. IMPACT STATEMENT
The IDAE group has primary expertise in the areas of international development and
agricultural economics. Over several years, this group has produced research of
national and international significance to inform policy makers and planners in
Australia and overseas. A significant amount of the research undertaken by this
group has been funded by leading Australian funding bodies (such as Rural Industry
Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), National Centre for Vocational
Educational Research (NCVER), AusAID and NSW Office of Fair Trading ) and
international development agencies such as the United Nations Industrial
Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). These
research grants reflect the policy influence of this research group at both the national
and international levels.
In this case study, we demonstrate how the group has made both an economic and
societal impact with its research on the manufacturing sector of Nepal. This focus
integrates novel rigorous economic research with the international development of
developing countries.
In the mid 1990s Sharma undertook a path-breaking thorough study of the impact of
policy reform on the Nepalese manufacturing sector. During the data collection and
information gathering stages of this research, he worked very closely with Nepalese
policy-makers/planners and produced his doctoral dissertation, leading to several
journal publications with Oczkowski. By early 2000, their work was widely known to
policy makers in Nepal as well as to international development agencies. On the
strength of these publications and the working relations that Sharma had developed
over the years with end-users in Nepal, Sharma was invited by UNIDO to undertake
an assessment of industrial efficiency in Nepal. This research was requested with a
view to provide policy recommendations for the formulation of a long-term Industrial
Development Perspective Plan: Vision 2020.
This large research project involved five international consultants and eleven national
consultants (Project NC/NEP/00/009)1 and began in November 2001. The project
essentially undertook a thorough investigation of industrial efficiency in Nepal, and
identified and documented the long-term perspectives and the challenges for
improving industrial efficiency in the country. Although the approach taken in this
research was largely academic, the collection of massive volumes of quantitative
secondary, primary and qualitative data, was guided by the need to develop
significant policy implications given the importance of the Industrial Development
Plan in raising employment and income levels. All stakeholders, who directly or
indirectly were involved in industrialization in Nepal, were interviewed to ensure that
research output reflected the ‘ground reality’. Before submitting the final report to the
Government of Nepal (through UNIDO), preliminary findings were discussed at a
workshop in Kathmandu on 29 August 2002. The workshop participants included
policy makers, planners, industrialists and people involved in the business
community. After extensive consultation with stakeholders, the final report was
submitted to the Government which appears to have offered useful policy insights to
policy makers and planners.2 This is reflected by the following comments from Joint
Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (Mr. Govind Prasad Kusum):
1
The other members of international research team included Dr Peter de Valk, Mr. Mikael Brenning,
Dr. Shafiq Dhanani and Professor Prema-Chnadra Athukorala.
2
A detailed report is published by Government of Nepal (September 2002) and is also available on the
UNIDO web site (http://www.unido.org/userfiles/PuffK/Nepal_AnalyticalReport.pdf).
10
“..he (Sharma) critically dealt with the issues and modality of enhancing
productivity efficiencies in manufacturing industries in Nepal and
competitiveness of its products in export markets. His findings and
recommendations have been factual, realistic and practical; these have
figured prominently in the main output of the project namely ‘‘Industrial
Development Perspective Plan: Vision 2020. …His outputs have been
unanimously regarded substantial by all stakeholders of the project, coming
from both the public and private sector”. (27 Aug 2003)
The research findings appear to have provided useful policy insights for enhancing
the industrial efficiency in Nepal, benefiting both the public and private sectors. In the
long-run, the benefits which are likely to accrue to the public and private sectors
should result in an improvement in manufacturing efficiency and hence improved
export performance. In developing countries the generation of greater export
earnings has significant economic and societal benefits through directly increasing
employment opportunities and income levels and thereby improving the capacity of
governments to implement more equitable income re-distribution policies. The
research findings also appear to have benefited the UNIDO in designing its
assistance package for industrialisation in Nepal. For instance, UNIDO assistance to
Nepal now focuses heavily on institutional building and labour market reforms and
training with a view to improving the efficiency of Nepalese manufacturing sector, a
key to success in the global market.
Through this research project we continue to educate policy makers and elite groups
who are engaged in improving industrial efficiency in Nepal in particular, and other
developing countries in general. This is achieved by disseminating research results
through accessible reports and journal articles. We have published three journal
articles in leading international journals based on data collected for this research
[Sharma (2005), Oczkowski and Sharma (2005) number [2] under Sharma’s best
outputs, and Athukorala and Sharma (2006)].
Sharma, K. (2005) ‘The Impact of Policy Reforms on Labour Productivity, Price Cost
Margin and Total Factor Productivity: The Nepalese Experience’, South Asia
Economic Journal, 5(1), 55-68.
Oczkowski, E. and Sharma, K. (2005), ‘Determinants of Efficiency in Developing
Countries: Further Evidence from Nepal’, Journal of Development Studies, 41
(4), 617-630.
Athukorala, P. and Sharma, K. (2006) ‘Foreign Investment in a Least Developed
Country: The Nepalese Experience’, Transnational Corporations, 15(2), 125146.
End-user Details
1)
Name:
Dr. Philippe Roger Scholtes
Position:
UNIDO Resident Representative & Head, Regional Office
Organisation: United Nations Industrial Development Organisation
Contact Details: PO Box 3059, 55 Lodi Estate, New Delhi, INDIA
Telephone:
(+911-1) 24643484 Fax: (+911-1) 24620913
Email:
scholtes@unido.org.vn
Relationship: Overall management of the UNIDO Nepal project (Project:
NC/NEP/00/009).
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2)
Name: Mr. Govind Prasad Kusum
Position: Joint Secretary
Organisation: Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies
Contact Details: Singh Durbar, Kathmandu, NEPAL
Telephone: (+977-1) 42266
Fax (+977-1) 42203
Email: moc@wlink.com.np
Relationship: National Project Director of the UNIDO project.
11.
Self - Assessment of Ratings
Quality = 3
Impact = C
12