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). 11 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