Showing papers by "Sameeksha Desai published in 2018"

Corruption, Entrepreneurship, and Social Welfare

Abstract: Income inequality is not a recent phenomenon. However, there is a renewed interest among scholars to determine the trend and cause behind this unequal distribution of wealth. Footprints of colonialism on income inequality are visible in many of the developing countries and remnants of the institutions and legal systems set up by the colonizers remain influential. Yet their impact on the economic activity is still debatable. La Porta et al. (1998, 1999, 2000) in a series of articles argue that countries that were colonized by the British have strong legal system compared to the other countries. Engerman and Sokoloff (2002) suggested that colonizers distributed labors based on the local endowment. For instance, colonizers saw Brazil as a better sugar producer than the United States. Therefore Brazil had a higher share of slave laborer that eventually led to hierarchical society than the United States. Banerjee and Iyer (2005) studies the land ownership structure in India. India was colonized by British over a long period of time. Some of the property rights institutions created by the British colonizers were changed while others remained intact. Areas with higher land ownership rate by the cultivator also had higher investment rate in health and education than areas with land ownership held by the landlords.

Corruption: An Unsolved Puzzle

Abstract: Corruption is not a new problem. Even though it is considered a social ill and almost universally viewed as a problem, it remains present in many of the developing countries. Although the existence of corruption is common knowledge, people are reluctant to admit that they take and pay bribes, and therefore measuring and assessing corruption can be a challenge. In this chapter, we look at what types of corruption exist, how corruption is measured in different sources, and some of the causes that have been found to contribute to engaging in corruption. We have also examined how corruption is present in different sectors and it affects stakeholders in developing countries. With a growing concern regarding the size of government, we also examine how corruption and the size of government affect the recipients of the services, especially entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurship: An Overview

Abstract: Entrepreneurial activity can be influenced by many factors linked to individual characteristics and cultural and contextual settings Yet not all countries experience similar levels or types of entrepreneurial activity; rather, this varies significantly across country incomes and regions In this chapter, we discuss the current debates regarding the operationalization and measurement of entrepreneurship in the literature We also examine trends in male and female entrepreneurship around the world Resources and personal characteristics necessary for taking on entrepreneurial activity may be the same for both the male and female entrepreneurs, but challenges they face in different contexts vary and can stem from the social, cultural, and regulatory environments

The Grand Challenges of Social Welfare

Abstract: Economic inequality has been a dominant issue in political arenas across the world, and has taken on a different picture as globalization is gained speed. Welfare states can modify the interplay of social and market forces in order to achieve greater equality in a society. A government can provide private goods such as education and healthcare services, important resource entrepreneurs. These and other services, combined with greater entrepreneurial activity, can help to reduce income inequality. However, the resources necessary for providing these services can be a challenge, particularly in developing countries which tend to face fewer sources of revenue, larger informal economies, and lower tax morale than developed countries.

Corruption, Regulatory Regime, and Entrepreneurship

Abstract: Starting a business requires licenses and permits as well as dealing with other regulations. These regulations vary vastly across country. Prior research indicates that regulatory procedures and administrative burden deter entrepreneurial activity. In this chapter we examine how corruption and regulations can interact to influence female entrepreneurial activity. Our analysis suggests that inefficient regulations can create necessity for corruption in order to avoid being exploited by the government officials and engage in entrepreneurship.