Empirical Economic Review

Gender Dynamics within the Tech-Industry and Financial Services and the Resultant Effects on Gender Inequality

2024-11-13T11:31:03+00:00

Due to the widespread adoption of digital technology, the labor market is undergoing a paradigm shift, resulting in its reorganization in terms of employment opportunities. On the other hand, financial development is also affecting the livelihood of individuals. This shift towards a tech-based economy and financial access is also affecting the opportunities available to females. For gender-based inequalities to be fully addressed, it is crucial to comprehend how the digital divide and financial access affect and shape the lives of women. The current study used panel data for 22 developing countries in Asia spanning the time period 2010-2022. Panel ARDL was used and the Hausman test showed that Pooled Mean Group (PMG) is appropriate. The findings showed that female access to credit significantly affects gender inequality in both the short-and long-run. While, women's participation in tech-related jobs affects gender inequality in the long-run only. The current study also suggested policies to reduce gender inequality in the developing economies.

Effects of IMF Funding Announcement on Pakistan’s Stock Market Performance

2024-11-13T11:39:27+00:00

When the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announces loans to different economies, stock markets often respond differently. These loans are usually drawn with strict terms that may conflict with the political and economic goals of the country borrowing the money. It leads stock market participants to frequently view IMF announcements unfavorably. The current study aimed to investigate how the stock market in Pakistan's heavily indebted economy has performed in relation to the IMF's announcements about funding the country. To conduct this research, a quantitative approach was utilized to collect the data and determine the results. Secondary data was acquired from several websites dealing with IMF loaning as well as its effects on the performance of Pakistani stock market. The researcher subsequently employed descriptive statistics and regression analysis for data analysis. Additionally, secondary information regarding the impact of IMF lending announcement on Pakistan’s share market positions was obtained from the IMF platform and other relevant sources. IMF has been one of the main lenders to Pakistan since the late eighties. Therefore, this research sought to help understand the dynamics of how IMF loan announcements have affected Pakistan's stock prices from the time period (2015-2022). The results were established through acquired time series quantitative data. Findings indicate a strong positive correlation between IMF loan announcements and equity security performance indicators in Pakistan. Generally, when the IMF announces loans for Pakistan, the stock market tends to rise, suggesting that investors have confidence in the country's economy. Nevertheless, it must be noted that this relationship is not always consistent; there are instances where stock prices may decline following an IMF announcement. Hence, one may realize that IMF alone cannot account for variations in equity prices. Many other factors, such as political stability and global economic situation also play significant roles in stock market performance.

Powering Asia’s Future: How Energy Infrastructure Investments Drive Renewable Energy Growth in Developing Economies

2024-12-17T06:04:50+00:00

The current study aimed to assess and compare the impacts of energy infrastructure investment on renewable electricity production in Asia’s growing nations (China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand) using Public Private Partnership (PPP). The study used annual data from 1993 through 2017. To do this, specific panel econometric methods were employed: Augmented Mean Group (AMG) and Grouped-Mean Group Estimators (GMGE). The findings in H1 suggest that the impacts of improved energy infrastructure are greater in increasing the production of renewable electricity in developing Asian nations. Additionally, it was also determined that Financial Development (FD), economic expansion, and openness increase the volume of renewable electricity production. Furthermore, the authors suggested new ways in which the investment of energy infrastructure might be encouraged by development agencies and present models for sustainable development in developing Asian nations. For instance, the governmental and private sectors’ collaboration towards the construction of cost-effective green energy and renewable energy sources, that are not renewable, would provide tangible steps towards renewable energy.

Unravelling the Interplay between Personality Traits and Financial Behaviour among Young Adults in Pakistan

2025-01-02T10:13:17+00:00

The current study aimed to explore the intricate relationship between personality traits and financial satisfaction among young adults in Pakistan, emphasizing the mediating role of financial behaviour. Analyzing the data collected from 470 respondents through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), the study investigated the associations between personality traits (neuroticism, openness to experience, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and extraversion), financial behaviour, and financial satisfaction. The findings revealed significant relationships: openness, extraversion, and conscientiousness positively impact the financial satisfaction, while neuroticism and agreeableness negatively influence it. Moreover, the study also highlighted that financial behaviour mediates the connection between personality traits and financial satisfaction. Additionally, this study elucidated how personality traits affect financial contentment through financial behaviour mediation. The focus on Pakistani young adults added originality and relevance to the study, since their financial behaviours impact education, policy-making, and government efforts to enhance the financial skills. Practical implications extend to educators, policymakers, and government bodies, enabling tailored interventions to improve financial literacy and well-being. Acknowledging the influence of personality traits on financial behaviours and satisfaction may enhance financial education programs and strategies, ultimately promoting better financial decision-making among young adults in Pakistan and beyond.

Microcredit for Socioeconomic Well-being: Impact Analysis of Selected Beneficiaries from Prime Minister’s Youth Business Loan Scheme

2025-01-02T07:01:59+00:00

For developing countries, reducing poverty and upgrading living standards remain a crucial issue. To address these issues, microcredit is an important pillar of poverty reduction strategies. Therefore, the current study centered on the impact of microcredit on the socioeconomic well-being of selected beneficiaries of the Prime Minister’s Youth Business Loan (PMYBL) Scheme. Social well-being indicators incorporated in this research
included children’s education, health status, water facilities, sanitation facilities, and housing conditions. On the other hand, economic welfare indicators were income and consumption. The study used a questionnaire to collect data from the borrowers of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The data from 120 clients was collected using a simple random sampling technique. Descriptive analyses as well as parametric tests were employed. After
analyzing the data, the results indicated that using loans significantly upgrades the borrowers' living standards.

SPILL-OVER IN MEAN AND VOLATILITY FROM BITCOIN TO OTHER CRYPTO-CURRENCIES

2025-01-02T10:12:40+00:00

Worldwide interest in cryptocurrencies has grown significantly. Understanding the nature of cryptocurrency volatility is becoming increasingly important. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine the spillover in mean and volatility from Bitcoin (BTC) to other cryptocurrencies. Seven cryptocurrencies for the time period (2017-2023) were used in the study and they were chosen based on market capitalization. The ARMA (1,1) GARCH (1,1)-M model was utilized to measure the spillover in volatility and mean from BTC to other cryptocurrencies. According to the findings, there exists mean spillover from BTC to other digital currencies except one, that is, Tether. However, spillover in volatility exists from BTC to other cryptocurrencies. The study
provided guidance to investors, portfolio managers, and policymakers to allocate assets and
diversify their risks.