Ryuichi Shibasaki, Masahiro Abe, Wataru Sato, Naoki Otani, Atsushi Nakagawa and Hitoshi Onodera
This study predicts the growth of Africa's international trade from 2011 to 2040 by accounting for the uncertainties in the continent.
Abstract
Purpose
This study predicts the growth of Africa's international trade from 2011 to 2040 by accounting for the uncertainties in the continent.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applies a scenario planning method (SPM) to develop multiple future scenarios considering uncertainties inherent in African socio-economies related to the success or failure of economic and industrial policies (EIPs) and economic corridor development policies (ECDPs). Subsequently, based on these future scenarios, the growth of African international trade from 2011 to 2040 is predicted using the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) model.
Findings
The predictions reveal that if the EIPs and the ECDPs are successfully implemented, Africa, as a whole, will experience a significant increase in trade, estimated at US$ 1,905 billion and US$ 1,599 billion for exports and imports, respectively, compared to the scenario in which they fail. However, the effects vary greatly by country or region and industrial sector. The results also show that African intra-regional trade is rapidly expanding and is the second-largest after trade with Europe followed by other continents.
Originality/value
SPM, which allows us to reflect the uncertainties affecting African international trade prediction, is applied to build the future scenarios. The study comprehensively predicts African future international trade by setting a wide range of exogenous variables and parameters (input conditions for the GTAP model) related to EIPs and ECDPs.
Details
Keywords
In relation to institution type and employment status, this study aims to identify the requisite skills, knowledge and attitudes (SKAs) listed in job advertisements for Japanese…
Abstract
Purpose
In relation to institution type and employment status, this study aims to identify the requisite skills, knowledge and attitudes (SKAs) listed in job advertisements for Japanese library staff.
Design/methodology/approach
This study collected data on 545 posts advertised on major Japanese librarian job advertisement websites from March 2019 to January 2021. The data included institution type, employment length, application requirements and job descriptions. Job descriptions were classified into 16 categories based on required SKAs. Data were analyzed using content, cross-tabulation and cluster analyses.
Findings
The results demonstrate that 82.2% of job advertisements targeted nonregular employees. The essential SKAs are the client and technical services. The job advertisements for nonregular employees had detailed descriptions of the requisite generic and soft skills and knowledge, whereas these competencies were not specified in the advertisements for regular employees.
Originality/value
To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study on job advertisements in Japanese libraries. This serves as a benchmark for the content and methods of continuing education for librarians. It also demonstrates the impact of Japan's social and historical environment on job advertisements and related research.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between the geographic market size of businesses and the competitiveness of being able to bid at low prices.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between the geographic market size of businesses and the competitiveness of being able to bid at low prices.
Design/methodology/approach
The design of this study is based on a natural experiment approach. Firstly, after controlling for the firm size and other factors, the author sees that firms participating in bidding in a large region are more competitive to bid at lower prices than firms doing business in a smaller region. The author then tests for causality in a natural experiment of the exogenous event.
Findings
The results show that firms participating in the bidding process in a large area are more competitive to bid at lower prices than firms doing business in a small area. This is tested in a natural experiment, and the result is that they are more competitive because they do business in a larger area.
Practical implications
The practical implication is that, when aiming for competitiveness, it is most important to consider the nature of the business and to see the essence of the business, for example, that networks are important in the construction industry, and that doing business over a wide area is the way to become competitive.
Social implications
The social implications are that to make firms more competitive, we must look at the characteristics of the industry and come up with policies that fit the reality, such as encouraging them to do business in a wide area.
Originality/value
The originality of this study is that this study viewed competitiveness as being able to bid low prices for public procurement and found that doing business in a wide area is competitive. Furthermore, the causal effect of the study was to test the fact that doing business in a wide area does not mean doing business in a wide area because it is competitive, but that doing business in a wide area creates a competitive advantage.