Tiago Neves Sequeira

Does tourism influence economic growth? A dynamic panel data approach

On average, tourism-specialized countries grow more than others. This is not consistent with the core of modern economic growth theory that suggests that economic growth is linked to sectors with high-tech intensity and large scale. In this article, we use appropriate panel data methods to study the relationship between tourism and economic growth. In general, we show that tourism is a positive determinant of economic growth both in a broad sample of countries and in a sample of poor countries. However, contrary to previous contributions, tourism is not more relevant in small countries than in a general sample. † This is a fully modified version of a working-paper co-authored by one of the authors.

International Tourism and Economic Growth: A Panel Data Approach

On average, tourism-specialized countries grow more than others. This fact is inconsistent with economic theory as, in particular, endogenous growth theory suggests that economic growth is linked with: (1) sectors with high intensity in RD (2) large scale. In this paper, we use panel data methods to go further in treating the endogeneity problem. In general and contrary to previous works, we conclude that tourism, on its own, cannot explain the higher growth rates of these countries.

Profitability in Portuguese service industries: a panel data approach

Based on various panel models, we study the profitability determinants of Portuguese service industries. The results obtained show that profitability is persistent over time, and that for larger companies with greater growth, a lower level of debt and lower level of fixed assets are more profitable. Considering the results obtained, we can conclude that diversification of activities and motivation as well as the tendency to innovate contribute positively to increased profitability in Portuguese service industries, whereas the need to pay off debt charges periodically harms profitability. The government would be well advised to create special credit channels that would permit the greater growth of Portuguese service industries, especially those most inclined to innovate.

R&D Spillovers in an Endogenous Growth Model with Physical Capital, Human Capital and Varieties

There is a family of models with Physical, Human capital and R&D for which convergence properties have been discussed (Arnold, 2000a; Gomez, 2005). However, spillovers in R&D have been ignored in this context. We introduce spillovers in this model and derive its steady-state and stability properties. This new feature implies that the model is characterized by a system of four differential equations. A unique Balanced Growth Path along with a two dimensional stable manifold are obtained under simple and reasonable conditions. Transition is oscillatory toward the steady-state for plausible values of parameters.

An Endogenous Growth Model with Human and Social Capital Interactions

Abstract Social capital has recently been introduced in the economic literature as a source of economic growth. In this paper we study the interactions between social and human capital, and their contributions to economic growth in an endogenous growth model. The model indicates an increase in the relative importance of human capital when compared to social capital throughout the development process of the economy, as also described in some of the empirical literature on the topic. We derive theoretical and policy implications from our endogenous growth model, concluding that a subsidy for human capital has important implications for economic growth and allocation redistribution. A subsidy to social capital is not relevant for economic growth. Its only effect would be the increase in the social to human capital ratio of the economy.

Firms’ leverage and labour productivity: a quantile approach in Portuguese firms

We show that the leverage of Portuguese firms tends to negatively affect its labour productivity for firms with relatively lower labour productivity but to positively affect this variable for firms in the right-hand side of the productivity distribution. This is particularly important in a country where labour productivity is persistently lower compared with the richer countries in Europe. Thus, we have concluded that, controlling for the usual effects, increasing leverage cannot be a solution for the less productive (and consequently the majority) of Portuguese firms.

Does Country Risk Influence International Tourism? A Dynamic Panel Data Analysis*

International tourism determinants have been studied in recent research, and focus has been given to estimation of demand equations. Country risk has been somewhat neglected in the analysis. Given adequate controls for price and income, we show that country risk is a robust and significant determinant of tourism specialisation of countries: a 1 per cent increase in country risk causes a 0.2 per cent fall in tourism specialisation. Policy-makers should be aware of the negative effect country risk has in tourism, as this is seen as one of the most promising sectors for development.

Transitional Dynamics of an Endogenous Growth Model with an Erosion Effect

The convergence features of an Endogenous Growth model with Physical capital, Human Capital and R&D have been studied. We add an erosion effect (supported by empirical evidence) to this model, and fully characterize its convergence properties. The dynamics is described by a fourth-order system of differential equations. We show that the model converges along a one-dimensional stable manifold and that its equilibrium is saddle-path stable. We also argue that one of the implications of considering this “erosion effect” is the increase in the adherence of the model to data.

The Transitional Dynamics of an Endogenous Growth Model: Generalizing Production Functions

Abstract This paper devises a class of endogenous growth models with physical capital, human capital and product varieties. Unlike previous literature, we introduce a general specification of production that allows for disentangling the gains from specialization from the monopolistic markup. The consequences of separating both parameters on the equilibrium dynamics of the model are analyzed. We find that the long-run growth rate ceases to depend on the markup when it is disentangled from the returns to specialization, and the same happens with the conditions for saddle-path stability. Numerical simulations show that the steady-state equilibria are more prone to be stable in the model that disentangles parameters. Furthermore, the model is able to generate a rich variety of development scenarios, accounting for a number of stylized facts related to the development process of industrialized countries.

Relationship between growth and R&D intensity in low‐tech and high‐tech Portuguese service SMEs

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine if the relationship between growth and research and development (R&D) intensity is of a different nature in the context of low‐ and high‐tech Portuguese service small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approach – The System Analysis of Iberian Balance Sheets database is used. Based on the European Unions recommendation, L124/36 (2003/261/CE), the authors select 764 low‐tech and 139 high‐tech Portuguese service SMEs for the period 1999‐2006. As method of analysis, panel data are used.Findings – A negative relationship between growth and R&D intensity for low‐tech Portuguese service SMEs is identified, whatever the level of R&D intensity. For high‐tech Portuguese service SMEs, a quadratic U‐shaped relationship between growth and R&D intensity is identified. Moreover, the authors find that relationships between growth and determinants are of a special nature in the context of high‐tech Portuguese service SMEs with high levels of R&D inte...