The study’s main objective is to empirically examine the cost efficiency scores to identify the best and worst performance of all scheduled commercial banks operated by bank groups in India by applying the frontier techniques of Data Envelopment Analysis and Stochastic Frontier Analysis. The study also examines the determinants of cost efficiency using the Logit model from 2005 to 2022. This study aims to fill the gaps in the existing empirical studies on banking cost efficiency in India. The results of the Data Envelopment Analysis show that the public and private banks in India operated more efficiently than foreign banks in India during the study period. However, private banks operating in India have performed better in terms of cost savings with the technology than public banks. Most foreign banks are found to have the least cost efficiency, which means that these banks generate less income, and profit may be incurred due to unwanted costs. The logit results reveal that the coefficients of liquidity risk, diversify mitigate risk, and bank size are expected signs and significant effects on the cost technical efficiency of commercial banks by all bank groups. The findings of the study will be helpful to investors, customers, policymakers, and bank owners in evaluating the economic performance of commercial banks operating in India.

Keywords: Cost efficiency, Indian banks, Data Envelopment Analysis, Logit model, Stochastic Frontier Analysis

This paper uses the econometric method to show, measured by steady state of per-capita output, the relative positions of five Latin American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico) remained slightly below the average level of a test sample of 112 countries during the 1970-2019 period, which means, even measured by steady state of per-capita output, the above five countries were still typical “middle income trap”
countries during this period. This paper also verifies China’s relative position was much lower than the overall level of the five Latin American countries in 1970s but kept rising rapidly since then, and almost caught up with theirs in 2010s, which means, measured by steady state of per-capita output, China was not a “middle income trap” country during the 1970-2019 period, but China started to face the problem in 2010s, and the future changes in China’s steady state of per-capita output will determine whether China can cross the “middle income trap”. Combining the convergence theory with the practical data of the above countries, this paper also makes explanations for the situations in their steady states of per-capita output. In addition, this paper’s analysis includes USA as well, USA is chosen as a subject country only to reveal the typical gap between developed countries and “middle income trap” countries.

Keywords: Five Latin American countries; China; steady state of per-capita output; B convergence; social infrastructure

The study examines the types of economic news and recency affecting investment choices in Nepal’s securities market, with an emphasis on rational and irrational factors that determine individual investor behavior. In this study, 390 individual investors were chosen using a non-probability convenience sampling technique and a descriptive research methodology has been used. The results show that macroeconomic news and recency have a considerable influence on investment choices, and corporate reputation and market news have a substantial impact on investment decisions. This study suggests that financial managers should be concerned about their disclosures and monthly reports. Also, personal investors need to be concerned about the macroeconomic information in the stock market. Future research can lead more to behavioral finance, which can add knowledge to the role of habits and investments in the economic prosperity of the nation.
 

Keywords: Company reputation, Investment decisions, Irrational factors, Macroeconomic news
JEL Codes: G11; G14; G41

Microfinance, aimed at alleviating poverty and promoting economic development among the unbanked and underprivileged population, has witnessed significant growth and evolution over the decades. While traditional microfinance institutions have made commendable progress in extending financial services to marginalized communities, the sustainability of the microfinance model remains a pressing concern. In this context, technology adoption and enterprise development play pivotal roles in ensuring the long-term viability and effectiveness of microfinance initiatives, presenting a transformative approach to foster enterprise development, and amplifying the potential of technology, resulting in alleviating poverty and economic empowerment.

Based on secondary data sources, this paper explores the interplay between technology adoption and enterprise development, emphasizing their collective importance in maintaining the sustainability of the microfinance model. Facilitating access to reasonable microloans, offering entrepreneurship training, establishing market linkages, and encouraging diversification of income sources are vital strategies to empower microentrepreneurs
and alleviate poverty.

Keywords: Micro-credit, Financial Inclusion, Poverty, Technology, Enterprise Development

This paper contends the National Innovation System (NIS) approach in agriculture in India. It also attempts to scrutinize the linkages between agricultural innovation and Research development that have evolved. The implementation of strategies enabled by institutional and organizational frameworks has contributed to enhancing agriculture production. Technological change and IPR still have been hostilely debated issues in India, yet agriculture activities are perused with agriculture innovation. Thus, the paper attempts to explore the technological transfer and its appropriation in a local milieu where varieties of patterns are followed by agricultural activities. By implication, it presents a case for a theoretical extension of understanding agriculture innovation in the line of NIS. Furthermore, the paper substantiates the growth in terms of research and development and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in the country’s spatial pattern of agricultural development.

Keywords: National Innovation System, Agriculture Innovation, Intellectual Property Rights, Research and Development, Crop production,
JEL Classifications: O13; O34; Q16

The study assessed women exclusion practices in Igbo Apprenticeship System (IAS) and its effects on the entrepreneurial capacity of Igbo women in Akure, Nigeria. The study is based on primary data and the major questions asked were what is the level of female gender exclusion from the IAS and what is the effect of excluding the female gender in IAS on the entrepreneurial capacity of women in Akure, Nigeria? The objectives of the study were to examine female gender exclusion in Igbo Apprenticeship System and investigate the effects of excluding the female gender in IAS on the entrepreneurial capacity of Igbo women in Akure Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed exclusion of female gender in IAS and female gender exclusion in IAS affects the entrepreneurial capacity of women in the study area. The study concludes that there are culturally assigned roles for men and women in Igbo society and this affects the entrepreneurial capacity of women in the study area. The study, therefore, recommends that significant steps should be taken by all stakeholders to incorporate women into the IAS as way of encouraging economic empowerment and entrepreneurship among Igbo women.

Keywords: Gender differentials; Entrepreneurial capacity; Women entrepreneurs; Igbo apprenticeship system; Nigeria