Amar Iqbal Anwar

Do Migrant Remittances React to Bouts of Terrorism

This paper examines the short-run behaviour of migrant remittances in the face of terrorism. Using monthly data for post 9/11 terrorist attacks in Pakistan, the study finds evidence of increase in the volume of remittances sent from abroad. This increase is evident in the aggregate, as well as for the three main source regions of North America, the Persian Gulf and Europe. The positive association holds for all the top five migrant-hosting countries of Pakistan. The findings point in favour of an altruistic behaviour of migrant remittances at the macroeconomic level.

Business undergraduates’ perceived use outcomes of Moodle in a blended learning environment: The roles of usability factors and external support

Abstract This study was designed to explore the effects or roles of usability factors (i.e., perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and satisfaction) and external support (i.e., teacher and peer support) on undergraduates’ use outcomes of Moodle in a blended learning environment. The research hypotheses derived from relevant constructs taken from the technology acceptance model, information systems continuance model, and the theory of reasoned action. The study’s dependent variable is use outcomes, which was conceptualized with factors such as academic performance, perceived learning assistance, and perceived impacts on learning. We conducted a cross-sectional survey and collected data from 126 undergraduate students attending a university in the Maritime region of Canada. The partial least squares technique was used to test the hypothesized relationships in the proposed research model. We found that usability factors have positive effects on students’ use outcomes; contrarily to predictions teacher and peer support did not. The findings of the study offer useful insights that can help HE administrators gain an understanding of antecedent factors likely to enhance students’ use outcomes of Moodle.

Migrant remittances and fertility

ABSTRACT This study examines the role of migrants’ remittances in developing countries’ fertility transition. Employing an unbalanced panel of South Asian countries and controlling for various economic and socio-demographic factors, we find that remittances are significantly associated with a lower number of children born to women of childbearing age. This suggests the remittances’ substitution effect to be at play rather than the income effect, and may result from decreased need for children for financing the household’s future needs as well as from better access to healthcare and contraceptive methods available to migrant households. Remittances’ association with fertility appears to be more important than the transfer of fertility norms from migrants’ host countries. The monetary aspects of international migration may therefore be more important for the region’s demographic transition than social remittances.

Impact of terrorism on FDI flows to Pakistan

This study explores the adverse impacts of terrorism on the net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows to Pakistan. Since 2003, terrorist violence has killed over 52,000 individuals in Pakistan. The unrelenting violence has substantially increased investment and security risks. This study uses time series econometrics to develop theoretically and empirically sound estimates for the impact of terrorism on FDI flows. This study has found that an increase in terrorist violence reduces FDI. Furthermore, the disaggregated analysis by individual sectors explores the nuances in considerations for FDI, where some sectors are affected while others remain immune to terrorism-related risks.

Out of Africa? Locational determinants of South African cross-border mergers and acquisitions

ABSTRACT South Africa is the Africa’s biggest source of outward foreign direct investment. This study examines the principal locational motives of cross-border mergers and acquisitions CBMA by South African firms for the 1990–2014 period. The role of inter-country cultural and economic linkages is also studied. Firm-level data of South African merger and acquisition activities in 74 host countries are used to estimate a number of model specifications that control for host-country economic, geographical, cultural and institutional characteristics. Estimations are carried out using random-effects negative binomial panel model. Capturing the host-economy market and enhancing efficiency are found to be the two major motives driving South African corporations’ CBMA activities. Natural resources acquisition seems a less important motive, while strategic assets such as patents and technology do not appear to be attractive. The role of cultural and economic linkages between the home and the host country is found to be substantial. South African firms prefer investing in Africa, particularly in countries bordering South Africa. In light of the study’s findings, South African CBMA activities can be compared with those from other emerging economies.

Fertility Responses to Migrant Remittances in Pakistan

Migration and fertility are two of the main components of demographic dynamics. Both are individual or household-level responses to the chang- ing economic conditions that occur in urbanization industrialization, and higher returns to human capital accumulation. Migration is often in itself a household’s strategic response to the economic difficulties that high fertil- ity generates in an economy undergoing a transition. The two phenomena are thus closely associated, and hold a special significance in developing countries that experience demographic evolution from high-birth, high- mortality societies to low-fertility, low-mortality ones. In the developing countries, poor and irregular provision of healthcare and low penetration of the financial system means that migration can prove as a reliable strategy to cover risks related to household income and consumption (Massey et al., 1993). In particular, given its higher earning potential, international migra- tion can therefore be a means to better household health outcomes.