| 1. |
- Abolhosseini, Shahrouz, et al.
(författare)
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Energy security and competition over energy resources in Iran and Caucasus region
- 2017
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Ingår i: AIMS Energy. - : AIMS Press. - 2333-8326 .- 2333-8334. ; 5:2, s. 224-238
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Energy security as a dominant factor in international stability is of great importance for major economies. The global energy market with its current level of supply and demand relies on energy sources in the Middle East, Caucasus, Central Asia and Russia. After the Fukushima disaster nuclear powers in Europe view renewable energy sources as a serious alternative. Europe’s energy vulnerability has deteriorated due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, renewable energy sources are not large enough to replace nuclear power completely. This trend will continue with climbing demand especially in the natural gas sector as clean energy. In this research, Caucasus and Iran are considered the main sources and routes for energy transmission to the global market, including Europe. Caucasus plays a key role in bridging Europe and Asia. Also, Iran is an alternative for energy transmission to Europe after lifted sanctions. As part of the European active supply diversification policy Iran has capacity to reduce Europe’s energy dependency on Russia. However, changes in US new administration America First Policy is harmful for the EUs energy security. Caucasus aims to catch a large share of the European energy market since the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline has started operations and Iran is also trying to expand its market to become a sustainable source of energy for major consumers. Therefore, Iran and Caucasus are considered reliable energy suppliers for Europe. In this regard, we analyze the best motivation for changing the direction new suppliers’ energy policies towards Europe and suggest alternative solutions to compete with rival countries in order to enhance energy security.
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| 2. |
- Heshmati, Almas, et al.
(författare)
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An assessment of the Swedish health system’s efficiency during the Covid-19 pandemic
- 2023
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Ingår i: International Journal of Healthcare Management. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2047-9700 .- 2047-9719. ; 16:3, s. 336-352
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Countries’ success in managing the Covid-19 pandemic was independent of their level of education or development and institutional quality. Similarly, different provinces in countries performed differently as compared to their neighboring provinces and the country. This study assesses the efficiency of Sweden’s different municipalities in managing the Covid-19 pandemic. Its aim is determining whether the relative efficiency of Sweden’s primary healthcare system during the Covid-19 pandemic was different in different in regions and whether the regions can learn from each other to improve their efficiency in the provision of healthcare in the future. Performance is measured as efficiency in keeping the number of infected cases and deaths low. We use a data envelopment analysis for measuring efficiency. Variations in the level of efficiency are attributed to the differences in the municipalities’ demography, population concentration, economic and industrial structures, labor markets, geographic locations, and national and local policies during the pandemic. The empirical part is based on a panel of the population of 290 Swedish municipalities observed on a weekly basis during April 2020 to February 2021. The results show large variations in municipalities’ performance that can, to some extent, be attributed to their observable socioeconomic, locational, and demographic characteristics.
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| 3. |
- Heshmati, Almas, et al.
(författare)
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Assessment of the urban circular economy in Sweden
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 310
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study proposes a general standard for the circular economy (CE), and estimates a multidimensional parametric index composed of eight components which is in line with the principles of a circular economy. The concept and index are used for evaluating the practices of a circular economy at the municipality level. The index is regressed on a number of indicators influencing the level and development of circular economy. The empirical analysis is based on data from 273 municipalities in Sweden observed 2012–18. The results suggest that there are significant differences between the municipalities in the CE index and its sub-components. Variations in the index's level are mainly attributed to their regional location, population size and density, concentration of industries, and investment programs in the circular economy's infrastructure. At a disaggregate level, the municipalities of Gotland, Härjedalen, and Mörbylånga performed well in the CE index. In contrast, Stockholm, Uppsala, and Burlöv municipalities had the lowest ranks in the CE index. The index had a growth rate of 9.7 percent over 7 years at an average annual growth rate of 1.3 percent. One policy implication of these results is that each municipality should implement a policy adapted to the sectorial structure of its economy and availability of resources. The central government should apply strict environmental regulations and provide necessary incentives for achieving environmental quality objectives. Incentive programs can target a wider application of technologies and policies used by the best performing municipalities and provide support in transferring knowledge and resources for strengthening the weak performing municipalities.
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| 4. |
- Heshmati, Almas, et al.
(författare)
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Estimation of technical change and TFP growth based on observable technology shifters
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Productivity Analysis. - : Springer. - 0895-562X .- 1573-0441. ; 53:1, s. 21-36
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper models and estimates total factor productivity (TFP) growth parametrically. The model is a generalization of the traditional production function model where technology is represented by a time trend. It decomposes TFP growth into an unobservable time trend induced technical change, scale economies and an observable technology shifter index's components. The empirical results are based on unbalanced panel data at the global level for 190 countries observed over the period 1996-2013. It uses a number of exogenous growth factors in modeling four technology shifter indices to explore development infrastructure, finance, technology and human development determinants of TFP growth. Our results show that unobservable technical change remains the most important component of TFP growth. Our findings also show that technical changes and TFP growth are unexpectedly negative across all country income groups and years.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Heshmati, Almas, et al.
(författare)
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Measurement and analysis of multidimensional well-being in Rwanda
- 2018
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Ingår i: Rwanda Handbook of Economic and Social Policy. - Jönköping : Jönköping University, Jönköping International Business School. - 9789186345785 ; , s. 291-325
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The well-being of families and their children is given high priority in development goals. Children’s well-being in Africa is important since the growing number of children is the greatest resource of this continent. Rwanda was one of the first countries that ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The country, despite its very low GDP per capita, also has one of the best child well-being indicators in Africa. In the recent past the country has also had two important achievements: protection of children by establishing the National Commission for Children and launching a Strategy for National Child Care Reform. The measures aim to protect children’s rights and integrate children into families that are supported to provide needed care to them. These achievements are largely the result of strong laws and policies many of which have been developed with support from UNICEF. Investments in children’s well-being will help in addressing many persistent difficulties that society may have to face in the future. What happens during the early years is of crucial importance for every child’s development. This period offers great opportunities, but children are also vulnerable to negative influences. The objective of this research is to estimate multidimensional well-being of children and their families in Rwanda. The aim is to compute an overall well-being index decomposed into its underlying main components. The households are ranked by the level of well-being and by various household and community characteristics. The results shed light on the state and changes in the well-being of children and their families in Rwanda indicating which provinces and districts offer relatively better conditions for them. This can serve as a model for public policies aimed at improving general well-being in the country.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Heshmati, Almas, et al.
(författare)
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Measurement and Analysis of Multidimensional Well-Being in Rwanda
- 2019
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Ingår i: Efficiency, equity and well-being in selected African countries. - Cham : Springer. - 9783030114190 ; , s. 37-68
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The well-being of families and their children is given high priority in development goals. Children’s well-being in Africa is important since the growing number of children is the greatest resource of this continent. Rwanda was one of the first countries that ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The country, despite its very low GDP per capita, also has one of the best child well-being indicators in Africa. In the recent past the country has also had two important achievements: protection of children by establishing the National Commission for Children and launching a Strategy for National Child Care Reform. The measures aim to protect children’s rights and integrate children into families that are supported to provide needed care to them. These achievements are largely the result of strong laws and policies many of which have been developed with support from UNICEF. Investments in children’s well-being will help in addressing many persistent difficulties that society may have to face in the future. What happens during the early years is of crucial importance for every child’s development. This period offers great opportunities, but children are also vulnerable to negative influences. The objective of this research is to estimate multidimensional well-being of children and their families in Rwanda. The aim is to compute an overall well-being index decomposed into its underlying main components. The households are ranked by the level of well-being and by various household and community characteristics. The results shed light on the state and changes in the well-being of children and their families in Rwanda indicating which provinces and districts offer relatively better conditions for them. This can serve as a model for public policies aimed at improving general well-being in the country.
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| 9. |
- Heshmati, Almas, et al.
(författare)
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Measurement and Analysis of Poverty in Rwanda
- 2019
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Ingår i: Efficiency, equity and well-being in selected African countries. - Cham : Springer. - 9783030114190 ; , s. 11-35
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study examines the extent of poverty in different provinces and districts in Rwanda using both consumption and income per capita. It also looks at the determinants of household poverty and focuses on four categories for studying the determinants of poverty in the country. The income-based study of poverty is based on information from the household survey and uses 14,810 observations in 2006, 2009, and 2012, while the consumption-based poverty analysis is based on 7498 observations from 2012 database. The results are found to be very sensitive to the definition of poverty line and use of income or consumption in the analysis of poverty. This study shows that older household heads and female-headed households are more likely to be poor. Also living in rural and semi-urban areas increases the probability of being poor. Asset ownership (having a garden, cash crops, banana trees) decreases the probability of being poor. The findings of this study serve as evidence for policymakers to employ poverty alleviation policies. Increasing investments in physical infrastructure, creating jobs for female-headed households, and improving educational levels of household heads should also be focused on.
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| 10. |
- Heshmati, Almas, et al.
(författare)
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Measurement and analysis of urban infrastructure and its effects on urbanization in China
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Infrastructure Systems. - : American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). - 1076-0342 .- 1943-555X. ; 26:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper studies urbanization in China using composite indices of urban infrastructure. It has two objectives. First, it computes a multidimensional composite index of urban infrastructure for ranking 31 provinces and six regions in China by their level of urbanization and infrastructure development during the period 2005-2014. The infrastructure index is composed of 15 components: consumption, culture, economic, education, employment, environment, finance, human development, health, housing, social security, social services, technology, transport, and utilities. Second, the paper estimates the effects of the aggregate urban infrastructure index and its underlying components on urbanization levels. Our empirical results suggest that provincial and regional disparities are significant and allocations for urban infrastructure are not balanced between the different provinces and regions. Guangdong and Tibet have the highest and lowest values of urban infrastructure respectively while the Eastern and Southeastern regions have the highest and lowest urbanized populations, respectively. One policy implication of these results is that each province should implement a different urbanization plan based on its own characteristics and the resources available. The central government should improve the allocation of resources and the location of key industries between poor and rich provinces. Our estimation results indicate that the economics, employment, human development, health, housing, security, utilities, and technology components of urban infrastructure had positive and significant effects on China's urbanization. We suggest that the government should guide investments to more efficient transportation systems that include all age cohorts. After discussing the findings and how they are reached, this paper concludes by providing policy recommendations for city planners and policymakers.
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