Paris West University Nanterre La Défense

About: Paris West University Nanterre La Défense is a education organization based out in Paris, France. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Finite element method. The organization has 895 authors who have published 1430 publications receiving 21712 citations.

Estimating Informal Trade across Tunisia's Land Borders

Abstract: This paper uses mirror statistics and research in the field to estimate the magnitude of Tunisia's informal trade with Libya and Algeria. The aim is to assess the scale of this trade and to evaluate the amount lost in taxes and duties as a result as well as to assess the local impact in terms of income generation. The main findings show that within Tunisian trade as a whole, informal trade accounts for only a small share (5 percent of total imports). However, informal trade represents an important part of the Tunisia's bilateral trade with Libya and Algeria, accounting for more than half the official trade with Libya and more than total official trade with Algeria. The main reasons behind this large-scale informal trade are differences in the levels of subsidies on either side of the border as well as the varying tax regimes. Tackling informal trade is not simply a question of stepping up the number of controls and sanctions, because differences in prices lead to informal trade (and to an increase in corruption levels among border officials) even in cases where the sanctions are severe. As local populations depend on cross-border trade for income generation, they worry about local authorities taking action against cross-border trade. At the same time, customs officials are concerned about the risk of local protests if they strictly enforce the tariff regimes in place. This issue will become even more significant if fuel prices in Tunisia rise again as a result of a reduction in the levels of domestic subsidies.

Sustainable Effectiveness of a Transformational Leadership Development Program: An Exploratory Study

Abstract: This article explores the impact of a transformational leadership development program on the lives of its participants after a one year interval. We address three fundamental questions: (1) What does a transformational leadership program transform? (2) How does the change process occur? (3) How are behavioral changes maintained over time? We present the results of an exploratory longitudinal outcome study of a leadership development program for senior executives. Individual changes are evaluated both quantitatively, through test-retest results of a 360-degree survey across 12 key leadership dimensions, and qualitatively, through semi-structured interviews with the participating executives. We found that for a cohort of 11 participants, executives' individual ratings had improved in several aspects one year after the end of the program. Participants' self-assessment scores were significantly higher on key dimensions such as Rewarding & Feedback and Life balance. Ratings by observers showed a significant improvement on Visioning and Team-building dimensions. The elements of the program consistently cited by participants retrospectively as contributing positively to the change process were: involvement in group coaching, realistic action plans, acting out or experimenting with new behaviors, and subsequent follow-up with a partner from the cohort.

Fossil fuel subsidies, income inequality, and poverty: evidence from developing countries

Abstract: The past two decades have witnessed widespread attempts to reform fossil fuel subsidies in developing countries. If the reforms are likely to improve economic efficiency, the expected effects on income distribution and poverty are more controversial. This paper reviews the recent literature that examines the impacts of fossil fuel subsidies and their reforms on income inequality and poverty in developing countries. It identifies the different channels that have been explored in the literature and surveys the empirical evidence on the importance of these channels in practice. Drawing on diverse country experiences, it also discusses why fossil fuel subsidies are particularly challenging to reform and highlights several ways in which efforts to reform may be feasible and successful.