Journal of Development Policy Research & Practice (JoDPRP)

Dynamics of Digitalization and Energy Efficiency in Developing Countries: An Empirical Analysis

2024-05-29T05:43:35+00:00

This study examines the impact of digitalization on energy and environmental efficiency in developing countries using panel data from 2010 to 2020. Energy efficiency is measured using energy intensity per unit of output while environmental efficiency is measured using CO₂ emissions per economic output. The estimates of the two-step system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) reveal that all proxies of digitalization except telephone subscription show a negative effect on energy intensity, leading to enhanced energy efficiency. The research finds significant differences in the effect of digitalization on energy intensity and carbon emission intensity indicating that although developing countries have gained significant benefits of the digitalization process in terms of achieving environmental efficiency, they require focused actions in terms of improving energy efficiency and achieving sustainable development goals. The findings of the research provide valuable insights regarding the promotion of digital transformation particularly in the energy sector in the developing countries where they lack in accelerating the effect of the digitalization process.

JEL Code: O13; O31; O33; P18; P28; P33; Q21

The Impact of Institutional Quality and Reforms on Control of Corruption: An Empirical Evidence through Decentralization

2024-09-23T05:27:08+00:00

This study analyzed the viability of fiscal devolution for controlling state corruption in Pakistan. Specifically, the study focused on investigating the role of different types and magnitude of fiscal decentralization for controlling corruption after accounting for institutional quality and fiscal reforms. The results from FMOLS from 1976-2020 indicated a non-linear relationship between fiscal decentralization and corruption and implied that decentralization worsens the transparency of state affairs at the initial stages and improves it later. The findings suggested that composite decentralization should be considered instead of revenue and spending decentralization separately and that a minimum of 57 percent composite decentralization is necessary for successful corruption control. The findings also postulated that institutional structure comprising of low institutional quality and non-transparent fiscal reforms did not substantiate the benefits of fiscal decentralization for controlling state corruption. The study recommended that fiscal devolution be coordinated with the economy's overall institutional framework to realize the promised benefits of devolution.

JEL Classification: D73; E6

Towards the Development of Economically Vibrant Special Economic Zones in Pakistan

2024-09-18T08:19:02+00:00

This study explores the dynamic landscape of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Pakistan, shedding light on the pivotal role they can play in driving industrial growth and nurturing economic development. It examines SEZs' critical success factors in Pakistan through a comprehensive analysis of policy frameworks, case studies, observations and surveys with stakeholders. It highlights the importance of establishing a conducive regulatory environment and robust infrastructure within these zones to facilitate business operations and investor confidence. The research underscores the need for strong institutions, transparent governance, effective policies and mechanisms to ensure that SEZs promote effective industrialization. It emphasizes the importance of aligning SEZs policies with broader economic objectives and international standards while focusing on economic growth. In conclusion, this paper is a comprehensive guide for policymakers, investors, and stakeholders interested in SEZs' potential to drive industrialization, attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), generate employment, and increase economic prosperity in Pakistan.

JEL Classification Codes: O11, O14, O25

Peacebuilding Through Dialogue: A Case Study of Afghan Pakistan Track III Dialogue

2024-08-01T10:05:03+00:00

Peacebuilding is as sensitive an issue as it is important. Societies that have suffered localized or national conflicts are prone to lingering underlying tensions. Conflict transformation theory highlights that these tensions can be transformed through strategic interventions, one of which is dialogue. Dialogues enable conflicting parties to address preconceived notions and work toward mutual understanding, making them a valuable tool for policy practitioners in conflict-prone areas. This paper examines grassroots peacebuilding efforts between Pakistani locals and Afghan refugees, focusing on the role of dialogue in changing perceptions. The study uses convenience sampling to survey 70 participants, with a control group of 20, assessing the impact of dialogues on intergroup relations. Findings indicate that dialogues have a positive effect on participants’ perceptions and demonstrate a multiplier effect, influencing non-participants within the broader community. These results underscore the importance of dialogue in fostering sustainable peace between conflicting communities.

JEL Classification Codes: D74, F51

Peacebuilding through Development Aid Projects: A Critical Analysis of the Conflict-Affected Region of South Waziristan, Pakistan

2024-09-23T05:36:18+00:00

Post-conflict peacebuilding is not a direct road to achieving prosperity however, peacebuilding has become a very warm matter in merged district of Pakistan, particularly in South Waziristan after the militancy and terrorism, and military operations by Pakistani forces. In this context, the role of development aid projects has gained broader acknowledgment in post development peacebuilding, where organizations and implementing partners have filled the gap through their development assistance projects. The objective of the study is to explore the effectiveness and weaknesses of development aid projects toward peace and prosperity in the merged district of south Waziristan. The mixed method approach was applied and in total 50 respondents including 12 government and NGOs officials were selected and interviewed. The research finding indicates that development projects involved local communities in the peace process for provision of basic social and economic services to affected population in order to sustain peace and development. However, lack of professional skills among government and NGOs officials affected the efficiency of peacebuilding initiatives in the region. The influence of local elders in peacebuilding measures has largely induced the goals of projects. Lack of institutional coordination and gaps in peacebuilding efforts are significant roadblocks that need to be revisited for peace in the region.

JEL Classification Codes: I01, M02, L03, R04, R41, R42, R43, R44, R45, C5

Gendered Narratives: Viewing Disasters from a Cultural-Religious Lens

2024-10-03T09:34:29+00:00

Pakistan, as an environmentally vulnerable country, has experienced many natural catastrophes over the last two decades, resulting in significant human, socio-economic, infrastructural, and agricultural losses. These events have had diverse impacts on people based on class, gender, geography, and cultural diversity leading to varied perceptions influenced by their intersectionality. This study explores the prevailing cultural-religious interpretations regarding the causes of disasters within the local community of Upper Dir, one of the vulnerable districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Qualitative research methods were used to conduct interviews with the local community, ensuring gender balance among participants to capture their diverse views. The study’s major findings reveal that the causes of disasters are interpreted through religious and cultural narratives, attributing deviation from these normative structures as responsible for their occurrence. Notably, these narratives are gendered as women’s actions and their departure from traditional feminine traits and roles are considered the primary reasons for the divine retribution manifesting as disasters. Public awareness is considered crucial in communities dominated by cultural and religious perceptions in order to mitigate the impact of disasters.

JEL Classification Codes: Q54

AI and Public Policy: A Developing Country’s Perspective

2024-06-10T12:57:44+00:00

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a disruptor for the public and society on multiple levels. This includes human learning, knowledge comprehension, technology application and process efficiencies. These multi-level disruptions require comprehensive policy formulation and effective application for the overall good of society.

The development of AI policy in developing countries is vital and unique due to a multitude of factors. They have typically higher population densities, lower internet penetration, variable rates of technology adoption and evolving legislation around emerging technologies due to less exposure (Filgueiras 2022). These factors make the formulation of AI policy in developing countries distinctly different from developed countries where either the legislation is developed fully or close to the developed ones (Scherer 2015).

Within the developing countries, Pakistan can be considered as a representative sample as it consists of most of the population which is young, and tech-savvy and the IT industry is vital for the country’s export revenues (Chohan and Akhter 2021). Exploring the design of the public AI policy for a country with these unique characteristics is quite interesting.

Early approaches to public policymaking usually follow one of the two approaches. One is restrictive, early and often gets ahead. Whereas others are passive, multi-stakeholders based and adapt as you go. As we are unaware of the future of AI so advocating any of the two can result in uncertainty and risks for society at large (Valle-Cruz et al. 2019).

Our limited knowledge at this stage of this emerging technology can result in a policy which can be proscriptive and top-down. This can be counterproductive as AI architecture has shown Algorithm bias and hallucinations which are high risks to its wider implementations. Therefore, overall, policy contours should incorporate these key factors: should have legal oversight but enough freedom of use and application to be allowed, sufficient safeguards against misuse, foster collaboration, room for innovation, increase awareness and breaking new grounds of discovery for future breakthroughs.

In conclusion, if proper legal framework and policy guidelines are made available soon for developing countries like Pakistan it will give them a head start in AI innovations and its associated fields like healthcare, IT, supply chain, finance and learning technologies. It will also aid in the emergence of a knowledge economy where humans and technology interact for the betterment of society and long-term sustainable progress.