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Business Dynamics, Knowledge Economy, and the Economic Performance of African Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Simplice A. Asongu

    (Yaoundé/Cameroon)

  • Voxi H. S. Amavilah

    (REEPS, Arizona, USA)

  • Antonio R. Andres

    (VSB TU Ostrava Ostrava, Czech Republic)

Abstract

This paper develops a framework (a) to examine whether or not the African business environment hinders or promotes the knowledge economy (KE), (b) to determine how the KE affects economic performance, and (c) how economic performance relates to the inequality-adjusted human socioeconomic development (IHDI) of 53 African countries during the 1996-2010 time period. We estimate the linkages with three related equations. The results support a strong correlation between the dynamics of starting and doing business and variations in KE. The results also show that there exists a weak link between KE and economic performance. Nonetheless, KE-influenced performance plays a more important role in socioeconomic development than some of the conventional control variables like foreign direct investment (FDI), foreign aid, and even private investment.

Suggested Citation

  • Simplice A. Asongu & Voxi H. S. Amavilah & Antonio R. Andres, 2019. "Business Dynamics, Knowledge Economy, and the Economic Performance of African Countries," Working Papers 19/004, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    • Handle: RePEc:exs:wpaper:19/004
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Business Dynamics; Knowledge Economy; Economic Performance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L59 - Industrial Organization - - Regulation and Industrial Policy - - - Other
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O20 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - General
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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