OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development
Open access peer-reviewed journal
Strengthening Pakistan’s Economic Development through International Trade
Shabbir Ahmad a, Noor Al-Huda Abdul Karim b
a Department of Economics, CEMIS, University of Nizwa, Oman.
b Department of Economics, FME, Sultan Idris Education University, Malaysia
Volume 04, Issue 04, Pg. 11-18, 2012
Abstract: In the present era of globalisation, trade policy in Pakistan has been made more liberal in order to gain more socio-economic benefits for local people. The main objective of this paper is to analyse Pakistan’s foreign trade and discuss how the variable, which is an important component of national income can help strengthen the country’s economic development. A set of annual time series data on Pakistan’s gross domestic product (GDP) from 1981 to 2010 was used to estimate the model of economic development that relates to trade variable. Using a simple regression method, the findings suggest that there is a significant influence of foreign trade on the country’s economic development in which the GDP variable is taken as its proxy. It confirms the theories of international trade that argue, in order for economic development to be achieved, foreign trade activity must be promoted. In the classical free trade theories of Adam Smith (1776) and David Ricardo (1817), discussion on international trade activity was focused on comparison of labour productivities between countries. The main point of these theories is that, economic development is strengthened when a country can minimise cost of labour and maximise production of output to increase level of exports to other country. In relation to Pakistan’s trade, the size of imports is always larger than the size of exports, which indicates trade deficit. Government intervention through strategic trade policy is therefore needed to increase exports through productivities of factors of production from potential economic sectors. Efforts to expand and increase overseas markets for exports are also important.
Keywords: Economic Development, Gross Domestic Product, International Trade, Productivities, Socio-Economic Benefits
Meaningful Public Participation in Decision-Making Matters: Does South Africa Comply with this Directive of the African Charter?
Dane Ally a
a Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa.
Volume 04, Issue 04, Pg. 19-26, 2012
Abstract: Public participation in decision-making matters is a relatively new development in sub-Saharan Africa. The African Charter entered into force during 1986, and South Africa acceded to it during 2006. One of the duties of the monitoring body of the African Charter – the African Commission – is to protect the fundamental rights guaranteed by the African Charter. To this end, the African Commission has interpreted the African Charter so as to determine whether violations of the rights guaranteed by it have occurred. When the African Commission was seized to interpret articles 16 (right to heath care) and 24 (right to development) of the African Charter, it explained that these rights place an obligation on member states to facilitate public participation in the decision-making process. However, it is submitted that article 13 of the African Charter pertinently deals with the issue of public participation. This provision states in plain terms that member states must allow the public to directly and effectively participate in the public affairs of government. Article 13 of the African Charter finds expression in several provisions of the Constitution of South Africa. The Constitutional Court of South Africa has had the opportunity to interpret those provisions. These decisions are explored in order to determine the meaning of the concept “meaningful public participation”. The author concludes that public participation cannot be meaningfully undertaken without access to information. It is further concluded that South Africa has observed the directives of the African Charter relating to public participation, but the author raises concern about recent developments in Parliament. Parliament allegedly introduced a policy of indirect “censure”, ostensibly designed to “discipline” journalists that refuse to disclose the sources of their information. Such a policy may thwart access to information, thus obstructing the purposes sought to be advanced by effective public participation in decision-making matters.
Keywords: accountability, decision-making, democratic, participation, public
Marriage Of Convenience (Expert Perspectives on General Detective-Public Prosecutor Relations in South Africa)
Jacob T. Mofokeng a, Ian D. de Vries b
a, b Department of Safety and Security Management, Faculty of Humanities, Tshwane University of Technology, Soshanguve South Campus, Pretoria, South Africa.
Volume 04, Issue 04, Pg. 27-34, 2012
Abstract: This paper examines perceptions of the general detective and public prosecutor relations held by presiding officers, public prosecutors and investigating officers using the findings from focus group interviews and questionnaire data from a recent study conducted at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). The plethora of literature on criminal justice system implicitly assumes that individuals, to a certain degree the public, the police, presiding officers as well as public prosecutors are well-informed about crime detection, arrest and conviction rates (as well as sentencing policies) and, therefore, respond immediately to any changes and challenges in the criminal justice system. Although widely used, perception based studies in a qualitative research design have proved to be a difficult tool to use for directing policy and strategic interventions, more so regarding the performance of the police and the courts. Despite the obvious practical difficulties of ‘direct measurement’, this paper attempts to provide a strategic analysis in an attempt to supply knowledge to bridge the perceived gap between the investigating officers and public prosecutors relations, with the holistic view of improving public perceptions on the performance of the criminal justice system in South Africa. The paper concludes with some operational measures to improve general detective and prosecutor relations in South Africa.
Keywords: Case dockets, Criminal Justice System, Detective, Focus Group, Interviews
Challenges Faced in Sustainably Managing the Tropical Rainforest in Papua New Guinea
Patricia Blazey a
a Macquarie University, Epping Road, Ryde, Sydney Australia.
Volume 04, Issue 04, Pg. 35-60, 2012
Abstract: Papua New Guinea houses the largest remaining tropical rainforest in the Asia Pacific Region yet it is under grave threat from ongoing deforestation and degradation. This article looks at the challenges faced in introducing an international treaty to protect tropical rainforests particularly as almost all tropical rainforests are housed in developing countries due to their geographical position between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer. Lack of effective legal governance, poor development of land laws and the presence of systemic corruption prevent its sustainable management. In PNG the manipulation of tribal landowners and the continuing disregard by local and foreign enterprises is causing the continual destruction of the rainforest. Customary ownership resides with over 800 different tribe’s. Few surveys have been undertaken to determine ownership boundaries as rainforest territories pass from one generation to the next. It is therefore not surprising that under these circumstances corrupt dealings are regular events whereby aggressive logging companies enter into contracts with naïve tribe’s people depriving the tribes of their timber rights. This article explores these issues and the underlying reasons for them and argues that a rainforest treaty is essential if rainforests are to survive in their present form.
Keywords: Corruption, Deforestation, Degradation, Papua New Guinea, Rainforest
Undermining Legitimacy of Constitutional Rights: the Legal and Economic Aspects of Social Conflicts
Reza Eftekhari a
a Islamic Azad University – Gonabad Branch, Iran.
Volume 04, Issue 04, Pg. 59-64, 2012
Abstract: Legal dimensions of social conflicts are not limited to rising crimes. Social conflicts in contemporary societies have become a dynamic that affects social life in all dimensions. The social powers that must serve the rights of people, adversely undermines the constitutional rights, legal and economic institutions, and cultural values. We argue that social conflicts, whatever their origins and nature may be, result in the weakness of legal establishments and legitimacy of constitutional and human rights. Our purpose is to examine the so-called legal, political and economical outcomes and to suggest some ways that may help to minimize the harmful effects of social conflicts. The way to control political and economic system, administering criminal justice, defining the relation between power and the mass, protecting value-based structures and private rights, and redirecting social dynamics toward constructive and reformative ends can be considered in this regard. In this paper, since we consider the social changes and movements partly appear in the form of social conflict as the dynamics that can positively or negatively affect the constitutional rights and the legitimacy of social status, we try to denote some direct or indirect influences of social conflict on these issues. However, as it is articulated in so many sociological works that the conflict theory, whether in its Marxist or non-Marxist form, has been the subject of different interpretations, the economic, legal, and cultural dimensions of its influence seems relevant in modern society.
Keywords: Social conflicts, Constitutional rights, Legitimacy, Economics, Legal Theory.
A Design Study of Sustainable Infectious Waste Management Systems for Small Healthcare Providers in North-Eastern Thailand
Thawon Niyompanitpatana a, Elivio Bonollo b
a, b Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra, Bruce, Canberra ACT, Australia
Volume 04, Issue 04, Pg. 65-76, 2012
Abstract: This paper outlines the methodology, based on a systems design approach, used to investigate and develop an improved model of an infectious waste management system for small healthcare providers in North-Eastern Thailand, mindful of sustainability and health care requirements. As will be explained, this research is based on quantitative and qualitative mixed-methods of enquiry and data collection including surveying the views of groups of professionals from ten representative small healthcare providers. These groups of participants (representing the main stakeholders) included administrative staff and medical doctors, nurses and practitioners, and unskilled operational staff. Based on empirical interview survey data obtained from these groups, a parametric model of an infectious waste management system (IWMS) has been developed in order to identify the relevant parameters and constituent variables underpinning the effectiveness of the system. This model of an IWMS has seven important functional parameters, namely: (1) planning and design of the system, (2) administration and policy, (3) individual departmental procedures, (4) sustainable, infectious waste disposal methods, (5) periodic and monitoring and control, (6) commonly used products and equipment, and (7) prevailing cultural and social norms. It is supported by detailed empirical data of which a relevant sample will be presented and discussed. It will be shown that the systems design approach, along with related empirical investigations (inclusive of stakeholder views) can lead to improvements in the design and operation of infectious waste management systems for small health care providers in NE Thailand.
Keywords: infectious waste, infectious waste management system, small healthcare providers, system design
Empirical Investigation of Government Green Procurement (GGP) Practices in Malaysia
Khairul Naim Adham a, Chamhuri Siwar b
a, b Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), National University of Malaysia (UKM)
Volume 04, Issue 04, Pg. 77-88, 2012
Abstract: Malaysian Government procurement plays an important role as a catalyst to economic development. However, as a rapidly developing countries, due consideration must be given to environmental conservation during the development process to avoid environmental degradation. For this reason, Malaysian government can use its immense purchasing power of 24-33 percent of GDP to minimize environmental impacts by implementing government green procurement (GGP) which is seen as a powerful tool to protect the environment. In the context of Malaysia, GGP is refers to the procurement of supplies, services and works by the public sectorr that takes into account environmental criteria to conserve and minimize the impact on the environment, accelerate the national economy and promote sustainable development. GGP is relatively a new concept in Malaysia and there is no such policy, regulation and legal framework with regards to GGP at this point of time. This study is one of the first attempts to empirically investigate the practice of GGP in Malaysia. This study is crucial to identify opportunities and barriers in implementing GGP in Malaysia and the findings will be expected to assist the Malaysian government to formulate strategies and adopt an appropriate approach to effectively implement the GGP.
Keywords: government procurement, green procurement, government green procurement (GGP), sustainable development
Copyright Law Development and Protecting Organizational Innovations as Intellectual Property
Reza Eftekhari a, Hossein Mokhtarian b
a Islamic Azad University – Gonabad Branch, Iran
Volume 04, Issue 04, Pg. 89-94, 2012
Abstract: Scientific research and knowledge innovations today can not only escape researcher’s hold to be available on global network but also put forward an important question. Should they be protected by law? It is a permanent question whether the traditional copyright law contributes to this aim through protecting individual and organizational achievements as intellectual property or not. As Peter Lee suggests conventional wisdom holds that patents contribute to progress.(2004) There are two main concerns about such an approach. Firstly, powerful IP regimes deter investments in research programs and doing so, the innovation in scientific areas. Secondly, availability of research tools may be limited due to the decrease of organizations’ investments. It can be said that patent law system is useful for organizations in the same way that copyright law may protect individuals’ right on their expressions and abstract theories. So, it is often stated that a patent protects ideas and copyright protect expressions. We argue that legal and administrating protection policies must be managed to provide for the coexistence of these two as private interests and a public interest and prevent a public challenge. Patents normally protect research products in scientific areas which entail huge investments such as pharmaceutical formula as they are intellectual property belonging to organization and manufacturer. We suggest that scientific humanities are intellectual property and must be patented. Patenting this salient part of organizational entity may conflict with scientific norms of communal sharing and as it is said, it can discourage investment in primary levels. Local and international rules may help improve the IP systems. If knowledge should be considered as a shared and public asset, there would be logically an expectation on behalf of investing organizations in scientific research to have the exclusive right over the products of their investment.
Keywords: Intellectual Property, Organizational Innovation, Patent Law, Copyright, IP Regimes.
Integrated Solid Waste Management as a Tool for Effective Sustainable Practice
Jibril D.J. a, Ibrahim A.S b, Dodo, Y.A.c , Sheelah S. d , Suleiman A.S e
a, b, d, e Centre for Real Estate Studies, Faculty of Geo-information and Real Estate,c Department of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM Skudai, Johor Malaysia
Volume 04, Issue 04, Pg. 95-104, 2012
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to deal with the minimization of solid waste collection system in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The university has an approximately 35,000 staff and students, with increase in students population and infrastructural expansion hence, makes the management of UTM solid waste become a critical environmental issue in order to carter for this services. Design/methodology/approach – This paper evaluates the state of generation, source separation, collection, transfer/transport, disposal, characteristics, and management of the solid waste within the university environment. However, the paper x-rays the significances of effective cost reduction to the university using the integrated method of solid waste management, globally the per capital solid waste generation for every individual per day is between 0.5 to 0.8kg, and the university generation per day is between 15 – 16 tone thus given a chance for private waste collectors to be involved in managing the solid waste that is being generated in the university. Findings This paper proposes a new institutional and legislation framework for the proper management of solid waste and it also designed an integrated and cost effective management system, with priority to the environmental and public health protection. Meanwhile 3R system; Reduce, Re-use and Recycle were used in this study for the solid waste management hierarchy with emphasis on source reduction, intermediate treatment and final disposal. Practical implications this will help UTM tackle the problems cost effectiveness and environmental impacts related to solid waste management through the application of integrated solid waste management within the campus.
Keywords: Integrated Solid waste management, Practice, Sustainable, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
Human Capital and the Development of Manufacturing Sector in Malaysia
Noor Al-Huda Abdul Karim a, Shabbir Ahmad b
a Department of Economics, FME, Sultan Idris Education University, Malaysia.
b Department of Economics, CEMIS, University of Nizwa, Oman.
Volume 04, Issue 04, Pg. 105-114, 2012
Abstract: The First Industrial Master Plan (IMP1), 1986-1995 was introduced by the Government of Malaysia to accelerate the development of manufacturing sector in potential industries with a strategy of export-orientation. In the latest or the Third IMP, 2006-2020, industrialisation in Malaysia is riding on the theme “Malaysia-Towards Global Competitiveness”. In realising the existing series of industrial master plans, this paper is mainly aimed at examining the components of human capital and discussing their roles in achieving sustainable industrial development. For analysis purpose, a single-equation regression model of Malaysia’s development of manufacturing sector is formed, which covers the period from 1981 to 2010. The findings highlight the significance of human capital in which the variable of employment has the highest elasticity in contributing to the share of gross domestic product (GDP) of manufacturing sector. It is followed by labour productivity and human capital investment in education and health. Increasing in the number of job creations is expected to increase production of output to meet the market demand of local people and for exports. Moreover, increasing in labour productivity reduce cost of production and investment in education and health programmes assist in strengthening the skills, knowledge and capabilities of individual workers in the sector. The development of manufacturing sector clearly needs the development of human capital, which is an important input for the growth of output in a country. Cooperation between private sector and relevant institutions is thus encouraged to improve and upgrade human skills and talents in industrial activities. By this way, human capital can be enhanced to increase value-added products in various industries.
Keywords: Manufacturing Sector, Human Capital, Employment, Education, Health