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The 15 West African countries as an optimum currency area and the role of labour mobility in the adjustment to asymmetric shocks

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  • Nchor, Dennis

Abstract

This paper assesses the nature and correlation of shocks in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries and investigates the readiness of member countries for the formation of a monetary union. It also assesses the role of labour mobility as an adjustment mechanism to asymmetric shocks. Structural vector autoregression (SVAR) models are used in assessing the nature and correlation of shocks while cointegrated panel autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) models are employed to examine the role of labour mobility in the adjustment process to asymmetric shocks. The results show that the ECOWAS region is characterised by asymmetric shocks. The study also finds that most countries failed to consistently meet the convergence criteria for the formation of the monetary union and that labour mobility in the region is low to act as an efficient adjustment mechanism to asymmetric shocks. It takes about 2–5 years for member countries to adjust to asymmetric shocks through labour mobility.

Suggested Citation

  • Nchor, Dennis, 2023. "The 15 West African countries as an optimum currency area and the role of labour mobility in the adjustment to asymmetric shocks," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 1204-1222.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reveco:v:88:y:2023:i:c:p:1204-1222
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iref.2023.07.087
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xavier Debrun & Paul Masson & Catherine Pattillo, 2005. "Monetary union in West Africa: who might gain, who might lose, and why?," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 38(2), pages 454-481, May.
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    4. Alagidede, Paul & Coleman, Simeon & Cuestas, Juan Carlos, 2012. "Inflationary shocks and common economic trends: Implications for West African monetary union membership," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 34(3), pages 460-475.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Macroeconomic shocks; Monetary union; ECOWAS; Labour mobility; SVAR;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • F33 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - International Monetary Arrangements and Institutions
    • F41 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Open Economy Macroeconomics
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General
    • J08 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics Policies
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers

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