Abstract: The study examined the impact of Foreign Private Investment on economic growth using annual time series data from Nigerian economy. Cointegration and Error Correction Mechanism (ECM) techniques were employed to empirically analyze the relationship between foreign private investment and economic growth and to draw policy inferences on the observed relationship. The result revealed that there was a substantial feedback of 116% and 78% from previous disequilibria between long-run economic growth and foreign private investment respectively. The findings also indicated that a substantial proportion of capital inflow were not productively invested however the relatively small proportion (22%) of net capital inflows invested, contributed significantly to economic growth in the Nigerian economy. The political environment was found to be unfavorable and overwhelmed the positive impact of foreign private investment. The paper concluded that there is high prospect for foreign private investment to boost economic growth if conducive environment, such as: political and macroeconomic stability are provided in Nigeria.

Abstract: In this paper, we analyze the behaviour of the stock market cycles in emerging countries in the region of Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile Colombia and Mexico) and Asia (Philippines, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand) and we compare their characteristics with those of the United States between 1975 and 2005. We make a distinction between the pre and post-financial reform periods to study the effects of financial liberalization over time. We use the uni and multivariate unobserved components structural time series models. We find that the amplitude and volatility of American Latin countries have declined substantially after the date of financial liberalization to achieve less than those detected during the financial repression. The cycle’s synchronization with the United States has also grown considerably to around 70%. For the Asian countries, the positive effects of financial liberalization on the cyclical characteristics are not yet clear in medium term. The amplitude and volatility cycles of the Asian countries have been strengthened following the implementation of financial liberalization. But in recent years, there is a downward trend in the amplitude and volatility with improved synchronization of market cycles with those of the United States.

Abstract: This article constructs a speculative framework to explain significance of Innovation in business value chains. It draws on three streams of literature – need, significance and developing innovation capabilities in order to identify three important variables which contribute a greater role in influential how value chains are directed and changed accordingly to the Innovation process in business world. These are: (1) Need of Innovation to Energize, Growth and Profit, and Survival of firms (2) Significance of innovation in Business Process, and (3) Development of Innovation Capabilities. Thus, the article highlights the concept of value and it’s progress as value chain then it focus on the needs and importance of value chain triggered by innovation. It also helps to integrate small firms and corporate sector and establish a link between small firms and international markets through effective value chain system. In addition, it describes the value chain innovation capabilities and roles of various dimensions in the innovation. So that innovation in the business process can facilitate appropriate participation of the small and corporate sector firms through suitable policy framework.

Abstract: India is the fastest growing economy of the world but still there is a large area of darkness in the rural hinterland. Over 70% percent of our population lives in Villages areas and majority of people depend on agriculture for their livelihood. The pace of industrialization in Assam is slow and tardy. Thus, there is need to strengthen employment opportunities in the rural areas by promoting rural entrepreneurship. The present descriptive study is made in the Sonitpur district of Assam based on data collected from 288 rural entrepreneurs through structured schedule. The study analyses the impact of socio-economic background on growth of rural entrepreneurship. It was found that age, gender, qualification; annual income etc of rural entrepreneurs had a direct impact on the growth of rural entrepreneurship. The findings of the study suggest that there is a need for concerted efforts by the government and rural masses to enhance the growth of rural enterprises.

Abstract: This paper examines the determinants of public healthcare expenditure in Ghana using annual time series data from 1970 to 2008. The paper explored the stationarity and cointegration properties between public healthcare expenditure, and environmental and socio-economic indicators using ERS optimal point unit root test, and Engle-Granger cointegration tests. By this, we examined the long-run impacts of real GDP, CO₂ emissions, crude birth rate, life expectancy, inflation, and urbanization on public healthcare expenditure in Ghana. FMOLS technique was applied to estimate the long run multipliers of public health expenditure model. The results of the paper show that public health expenditure in Ghana is positively affected by real GDP, policies that aim to improve healthiness of the population as measured by life expectancy and crude birth rates. We find strong evidence that healthcare is a necessity in Ghana. These variables need more and critical attention to achieve improved healthcare.

Abstract: Providing cost-effective quality healthcare services have been of increasing interest to purchasers, providers, and patients in recent years, especially, for low – income economies. Recent discussions have focused on provider payment methods and how to restrict needless demand for healthcare services. The reason is that providers, patients, or payers face different kinds of incentives for efficiency, quality, and usage of healthcare services produced by payment methods. This paper presents a review of literature on healthcare provider payment mechanisms to enable purchasers and providers play a win-win game to protect patients.

Abstract: This research presents a methodology to estimate freight flows along corridors serving international trade. A methodology to disaggregate regional flows from the Federal Highway Administration’s Freight Analysis Framework (FAF³) to the state level was developed and applied to the State of Texas. To keep international trade moving in a timely and efficient manner, it is important to have accurate information identifying and anticipating capacity shortfalls and congestion nodes. As trade levels increase, the strain on existing infrastructure serving international trade will only get worse; therefore, this information is important for improving strategic investment decisions. This research presents findings from literature reviewed about the FAF³ structure and existing methodologies to estimate freight flows at statewide and regional levels. A methodology to disaggregate national FAF³ data and then assign and estimate the tons of international freight flows through statewide roadways and railroads was developed. Texas’s international trade corridors are used as a case study to apply the methodology and estimate current and future freight demand. Results from the case study demonstrate encouraging findings about this methodology. Conclusions and recommendations to refine and improve this methodology and the FAF³ are provided.

Abstract: A healthy and productive workforce is important for both industrial and economic growth. For without health labour cannot transform their stock of knowledge into production of goods and services. Improving the health status of labour has been of increasing interest to employers and stakeholders. However, this concern has received little attention from recent studies. This paper therefore sought to review theoretical literature on health investment, restricting attention to health as an investment commodity, to highlight factors having impact on health investment to enable the study to provide policy measures.

Abstract: Literature on ‘self-employment’ have implied and focused on sole-proprietorship. What is missing from the extant literature is the relationship between entrepreneurship education and partnership venture formation. This study explored this gap. This study investigated the impact of entrepreneurship education on partnership venture intentions using entrepreneurship students at Kumasi Polytechnic, Ghana, as case study. The study employed cross-sectional data. Using the convenient sampling method, a sample size of 220 was used for the study. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out. A logistic regression model was employed to estimate the objectives of the study. The study found that entrepreneurship education positively impacts on the intentions to form partnership venture. Stakeholders, academic and training institutions should structure their entrepreneurship programmes to include partnership venture formation. At 5% error level, the study found large scale production, previous experience in running partnership venture, continuity of business as well as access to funds statistically significant to impact on the intentions to form a partnership venture after graduation. Prospective entrepreneurs should pay more attention to these variables to consider partnership venture in their entrepreneurial undertakings.

Abstract: Introduction: Obesity is one of the leading causes of preventable morbidity and mortality world-wide. The behavioural nature of the condition has been highlighted by the fact that it is largely the result of an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. In that respect, obesity related morbidity and mortality can be reduced through preventive behaviours. As behavioural scientists, economists have done little to date to explain and understand why the demand for obesity preventing activities is low. The aim of this paper is to develop an economic theory-based dynamic model to gain better understanding of people’s obesity preventive behaviours. Methods: A literature search using a PICO approach was developed to identify the relevant variables considered to influence the demand for obesity preventive goods. To inform the model, a framework was developed to group variables and help determine appropriate linkages between them. Results: Anchors, anxiety and anxiety driven variables are fundamental influences of people’s risk reduction actions. The anchors, which are environmental as well as personal in character, serve as references and stimulate anxieties. However, anxiety levels are driven by many other variables including stigma and perceived health outcomes. In response to one’s anxiety an individual will take actions which can be explained, at least in part, by conventional economic theories particularly in terms of costs and utilities. Conclusions: Conventional economic theories of consumer behaviour cannot fully explain the demand for obesity preventive goods. The model demonstrates that many factors have to be considered including health economic, psychological and behavioural economic theories. The model should be tested through a well designed questionnaire before using it in a general adult population.