IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jrpoli/v90y2024ics0301420724002137.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Impact of fintech readiness, natural resources, and business freedom on economic growth in the CAREC region

Author

Listed:
  • Razzaq, Asif

Abstract

The CAREC region, particularly Central Asian economies, traditionally rely on mineral resources. However, there is an increasing awareness of the significant potential and growing interest in financial technology, and supportive business regulations. Hence, this study investigates the pivotal role of fintech, natural resources, and economic freedom in shaping the economic growth trajectory of the CAREC region between 2000 and 2020. So far, no publicly available fintech index exists for this region. This study constructed a comprehensive index considering digitalization and financial development to analyse fintech readiness. It applies fixed and random effect models to examine the relationships between these variables. To account for non-linearity stemming from structural shifts and global financial shocks, it employs method of moment quantile regression (MMQR). The findings from the fixed effect models substantiate the positive impact of fintech, economic freedom, and natural resources on economic growth, albeit with varying degrees of marginal influence. A one-percentage-point improvement in fintech, economic freedom, and natural resources yields economic growth boosts by 0.102%, 0.903%, and 0.176%, respectively. Parallel results emerge from the random effect models with differing magnitudes and parameter significance levels. The MMQR outcomes consistently highlight the potency of fintech and economic freedom, with their impact being more pronounced at higher and lower quantiles of economic growth, respectively. This suggests that countries in the CAREC region experiencing higher growth levels stand to gain more from Fintech adoption, while those with lower growth levels can reap greater benefits from enhanced economic freedom. This study sheds light on the multifaceted interplay of these factors, offering valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in the CAREC region.

Suggested Citation

  • Razzaq, Asif, 2024. "Impact of fintech readiness, natural resources, and business freedom on economic growth in the CAREC region," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:90:y:2024:i:c:s0301420724002137
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2024.104846
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301420724002137
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.resourpol.2024.104846?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pedroni, Peter, 2004. "Panel Cointegration: Asymptotic And Finite Sample Properties Of Pooled Time Series Tests With An Application To The Ppp Hypothesis," Econometric Theory, Cambridge University Press, vol. 20(3), pages 597-625, June.
    2. Machado, José A.F. & Santos Silva, J.M.C., 2019. "Quantiles via moments," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 213(1), pages 145-173.
    3. Zhou, Guangyou & Zhu, Jieyu & Luo, Sumei, 2022. "The impact of fintech innovation on green growth in China: Mediating effect of green finance," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    4. Belaid, Fateh & Dagher, Leila & Filis, George, 2021. "Revisiting the resource curse in the MENA region," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    5. Lu, Yin & Tian, Tian & Ge, Chen, 2023. "Asymmetric effects of renewable energy, fintech development, natural resources, and environmental regulations on the climate change in the post-covid era," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).
    6. Razzaq, Asif & Sharif, Arshian & Ozturk, Ilhan & Skare, Marinko, 2023. "Asymmetric influence of digital finance, and renewable energy technology innovation on green growth in China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 310-319.
    7. Buchak, Greg & Matvos, Gregor & Piskorski, Tomasz & Seru, Amit, 2018. "Fintech, regulatory arbitrage, and the rise of shadow banks," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(3), pages 453-483.
    8. Christian Bjørnskov, 2017. "Growth, Inequality, And Economic Freedom: Evidence From The U.S. States," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 35(3), pages 518-531, July.
    9. Liu, Kaiyuan & Afzal, Ayesha & Zhong, Yifan & Hasnaoui, Amir & Yue, Xiao-Guang, 2023. "Investigating the resource curse: Evidence from MENA and N-11 countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    10. Luo, Sumei & Sun, Yongkun & Yang, Fan & Zhou, Guangyou, 2022. "Does fintech innovation promote enterprise transformation? Evidence from China," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    11. Yang, Yuxue & Su, Xiang & Yao, Shuangliang, 2021. "Nexus between green finance, fintech, and high-quality economic development: Empirical evidence from China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    12. Molla, Alemayehu & Biru, Ashenafi, 2023. "The evolution of the Fintech entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa: An exploratory study and model for future development," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 186(PA).
    13. Tang, Chang & Irfan, Muhammad & Razzaq, Asif & Dagar, Vishal, 2022. "Natural resources and financial development: Role of business regulations in testing the resource-curse hypothesis in ASEAN countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    14. Awais, Minahil & Afzal, Ayesha & Firdousi, Saba & Hasnaoui, Amir, 2023. "Is fintech the new path to sustainable resource utilisation and economic development?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    15. Li, Na & Wu, Di, 2023. "Nexus between natural resource and economic development: How green innovation and financial inclusion create sustainable growth in BRICS region?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    16. Compton, Ryan A. & Giedeman, Daniel C. & Hoover, Gary A., 2011. "Panel evidence on economic freedom and growth in the United States," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 27(3), pages 423-435, September.
    17. Wang, Jiangbo & Xue, Yefei & Han, Mingyang, 2023. "Impact of carbon emission price and natural resources development on the green economic recovery: Fresh insights from China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    18. Liao, Qi & Zeng, Heng, 2023. "How do financial development and ICT moderate financial resource curse hypothesis in developing countries?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    19. Ze, Fu & Yu, Wence & Ali, Anis & Hishan, Sanil S. & Muda, Iskandar & Khudoykulov, Khurshid, 2023. "Influence of natural resources, ICT, and financial globalization on economic growth: Evidence from G10 countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    20. zhang, Ling & Niu, Guangli, 2023. "Role of financial performance and natural resources development on economic recovery: Empirical evidence from an Asian perspective," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    21. Wu, Qihan & Yan, Dong & Umair, Muhammad, 2023. "Assessing the role of competitive intelligence and practices of dynamic capabilities in business accommodation of SMEs," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 1103-1114.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Xie, Chengyuan & Huang, Lu, 2024. "How to drive sustainable economic development: The role of fintech, natural resources, and social vulnerability," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    2. Zheng, Xiaxuan & Yang, Biqin, 2024. "Do financial institutions and financial markets evenly influence natural resource and growth nexus in the caucasus and central Asia," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    3. Song, Xianyun & Hou, Wenwen, 2024. "Mineral resources and growth nexus in ASEAN countries: What role do trade diversification, ICT, and financial inclusion play in the resource curse spectrum?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    4. Fan, Min & Lu, Zhixi & Zhou, Yun & Wang, Jian, 2024. "Threshold and spillovers effects of fintech on China's energy dependence on fossil fuel," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    5. Liu, Nan & Hong, Cencen, 2024. "How export and import concentration influence natural resources and green growth nexus in OECD countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    6. Gao, Xinxiang & Yu, Jiawen & Pertheban, Thillai Raja & Sukumaran, Sheiladevi, 2024. "Do fintech readiness, digital trade, and mineral resources rents contribute to economic growth: Exploring the role of environmental policy stringency," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    7. Wang, Haoliang & Li, Jingwen, 2024. "Does oil, gas, and mineral rents reduce amid rising environmental policy stringency? Mediating role of financial development in G11 countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    8. Dong, Xueqin & Dong, Dongdong & Yu, Qing, 2024. "Impact of oil, gold, and energy prices on resources footprint: Evaluating the role of digital governance and financial development," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Han, Zhanbing & Heng, Yixin, 2024. "Do fintech and trade diversification discard the natural resource dependency in MENA countries?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    2. Chen, Fu & Zhang, Weiwei & Li, Fangfang & Sun, Yongtai & Yu, Huiyuan, 2024. "Does fintech positively moderate the impact of mineral resources on green growth? Role of economic policy uncertainty in OECD economies," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    3. Wang, Shubin & Li, Jiabao & Zhao, Erlong, 2024. "Exploring the role of financial technologies and digital trade in shaping trade-adjusted resource consumption in E7 countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    4. Zheng, Xiaxuan & Yang, Biqin, 2024. "Do financial institutions and financial markets evenly influence natural resource and growth nexus in the caucasus and central Asia," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    5. Savranlar, Buket & Atay Polat, Melike & Aslan, Alper, 2023. "What are the mistakes we think are correct about the ‘Natural resource curse’ hypothesis? New insights from quantile regressions via method of moments for EU," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    6. Yadav, Sanjeev & Samadhiya, Ashutosh & Kumar, Anil & Luthra, Sunil & Pandey, Krishan Kumar, 2024. "Nexus between fintech, green finance and natural resources management: Transition of BRICS nation industries from resource curse to resource blessed sustainable economies," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    7. Zhang, Yanhua & Cui, Xiaoyan, 2024. "Fintech, business regulations, and urbanization: Shaping the landscape of natural resource rent in G10 countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    8. Shan, Haipeng & Wong, Wing-Keung & Hu, Haichuan & Shraah, Ata Al & Alromaihi, Abdullah & The Cong, Phan & Thi Minh Uyen, Pham, 2024. "Fintech innovation for sustainable environment: Understanding the role of natural resources and human capital in BRICS using MMQR," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    9. Fan, Chenguang & Bae, Seongho & Liu, Yu, 2024. "Can FinTech transform corporate liquidity? Evidence from China," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 3(2).
    10. Chien, FengSheng & Zhang, YunQian & Lin, ZiQi & Lin, YuChao & Sadiq, Muhammad, 2024. "An integrated perspective on fintech, green innovation and natural resource rent: Evidence from Asia," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    11. Ding, Guangyuan & Xiong, Yunbiao & Wang, Yashu, 2024. "Moderating effect of digital governance and eco-policy stringency in realizing natural resources-growth nexus: Role of financial development and FDI in G20 countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    12. Tiwari, Sunil, 2024. "Impact of Fintech on natural resources management: How financial impacts shape the association?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    13. Iqbal, Mubasher & Arshed, Noman & Chan, Ling-Foon, 2024. "Exploring the dynamics: Biodiversity impacts of natural resource extraction with moderating influence of FinTech for sustainable practices in resource-rich nations," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    14. Destek, Mehmet Akif & Hossain, Mohammad Razib & Aydın, Sercan & Shakib, Mohammed & Destek, Gamze, 2023. "Investigating the role of economic complexity in evading the resource curse," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    15. Ahmad, Mahmood & Peng, Tao & Awan, Ashar & Ahmed, Zahoor, 2023. "Policy framework considering resource curse, renewable energy transition, and institutional issues: Fostering sustainable development and sustainable natural resource consumption practices," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    16. Awais, Minahil & Afzal, Ayesha & Firdousi, Saba & Hasnaoui, Amir, 2023. "Is fintech the new path to sustainable resource utilisation and economic development?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    17. Yu, Dan & Wang, Shenghu & Yi, Yuting & Ren, Yu, 2024. "The role of fintech, natural resources and trade policy uncertainty towards SDGs in China: New insights from nonlinear approach," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    18. Avani Raval & Rajesh Desai, 2024. "Reviews and directions of FinTech research: bibliometric–content analysis approach," Journal of Financial Services Marketing, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 29(3), pages 1115-1134, September.
    19. Wang, Tianyang & Umar, Muhammad & Li, Menggang & Shan, Shan, 2023. "Green finance and clean taxes are the ways to curb carbon emissions: An OECD experience," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    20. Wu, Zihao & Gao, Jun & Xu, Hui & Shi, Guanqun & Zaidan, Amal Mousa & Ageli, Mohammed Moosa, 2023. "Visualizing symmetric and asymmetric settings in MMQR for natural resources extraction and economic performance: A COVID-19 perspective," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:90:y:2024:i:c:s0301420724002137. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/inca/30467 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.