Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research

About: Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research is a facility organization based out in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Monetary policy & Inflation. The organization has 307 authors who have published 1021 publications receiving 18848 citations.

A nonlinear optimal control approach to stabilization of a macroeconomic development model

Abstract: A nonlinear optimal (H-infinity) control approach is proposed for the problem ofstabilization of the dynamics of a macroeconomic development model that is known as the Grossman-Helpman model of endogenous product cycles. The dynamics of the macroeconomic developmentmodel is divided in two parts. The first one describes economic activities in a developed country andthe second part describes variation of economic activities in a country under development which tries tomodify its production so as to serve the needs of the developed country. The article shows that throughcontrol of the macroeconomic model of the developed country, one can finally control the dynamicsof the economy in the country under development. The control method through which this is achievedis the nonlinear H-infinity control. The macroeconomic model for the country under developmentundergoes approximate linearization round a temporary operating point. This is defined at each timeinstant by the present value of the system’s state vector and the last value of the control input vectorthat was exerted on it. The linearization is based on Taylor series expansion and the computation of theassociated Jacobian matrices. For the linearized model an H-infinity feedback controller is computed.The controller’s gain is calculated by solving an algebraic Riccati equation at each iteration of thecontrol method. The asymptotic stability of the control approach is proven through Lyapunov analysis.This assures that the state variables of the macroeconomic model of the country under developmentwill finally converge to the designated reference values.

Does autonomy matter in state owned enterprises? Evidence from performance contracts in India

Abstract: The empirical effect of enterprise autonomy on the performance of state-owned enterprises is surprisingly scant despite autonomy being a preferred reform instrument in many countries, and often chosen over privatization. Using longitudinal data on performance contracts for state-owned enterprises in India, this paper empirically examines whether granting increased autonomy to state-owned enterprises through such contracts positively impacts enterprise profitability. Further, using the unique reform experience of India as a natural experiment, whereby enterprise autonomy has been simultaneously pursued with partial privatization for a sub-set of enterprises, a unique contribution of the study lies in investigating whether ownership divestiture through partial privatization has any effect once enterprises are imparted managerial autonomy, or whether ownership per se matters. Classifying state owned enterprises into three types, namely those that have been granted autonomy, those with autonomy and partially divested ownership, and those with neither, the study finds robust evidence of a positive impact of managerial autonomy on enterprise profitability. Additionally, once autonomy is controlled for, the study finds at best a weak effect of partial privatization. These results raise doubt on earlier findings of a robust positive effect of partial privatization in India in studies that did not explicitly control for enterprise autonomy thereby raising the possibility that the positive privatization effect that showed up was in actuality, an autonomy effect.

An alternate to survey methods to measure work from home

Abstract: In the times of COVID-19, it is desirable to know jobs that can be performed from home. A most common way to estimate jobs that can be performed from home is by carrying out surveys. However, unavailability of surveys in the home country compels researchers to estimate a work from home index using other countries’ surveys. This can potentially lead to large measurement errors. We believe that to overcome these challenges rating-based methodology provides a reasonable alternative which can easily be replicated in any country. Using rating-based methodology and statistical tools like inter-rater reliability we attempt to provide a robust index of WFH for India. © 2021 Economic and Political Weekly. All rights reserved.

The way forward for India's National Pension System

Abstract: This paper examines the existing implementation of the National Pension Scheme against the goals with which it was created. It finds that there are certain critical areas in which the NPS has deviated. These include multiplicity of schemes, lack of investment choice, low transparency of the system, and a lack of focus on keeping asset management fees low. These gaps are well understood and can be corrected with regulatory interventions. There remain other policy issues that need to be addressed. These include well designed payout policies, and occupational pension systems that will leverage the institutional development of the NPS to include the informalworkforce.