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Convergence on Alternative Human Capital Proxy Variables: A Cross Country Empirical Investigation

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  • D. Stamatakis

Abstract

This article conducts an empirical investigation comparing human capital convergence in three country groups of significantly different development levels: G7, developed and less developed. The contribution of this work is that Human capital evaluation surpasses enrolment and/or attainment rates. In addition to enrollment rates and government spending, alternative factors that determine the contribution of human capital are incorporated, such as book availability, researchers per capita and students per teacher. The results indicate moderate evidence of convergence among the three-country groups when 'traditional' variables are included. Nevertheless, the convergence 'picture' becomes remarkably transformed in reference to unconventional human capital proxies; indicating the incapacity of traditional variables to capture the complexity of human capital creation, implying the existence of a 'convergence trap' that emphasizes on ‘more’ qualitative variables -ignored by traditional variables, suggesting a possible scenario of worldwide polarization, ultimately reinforced by political factors.

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  • D. Stamatakis, 2016. "Convergence on Alternative Human Capital Proxy Variables: A Cross Country Empirical Investigation," International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), vol. 0(1), pages 86-109.
  • Handle: RePEc:ers:ijebaa:v:iv:y:2016:i:1:p:86-109
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    Cited by:

    1. Cismas Laura Mariana & Miculescu Andra & Otil Maria, 2017. "Human Capital and Its Influence on Sustained Economic Growth in Romania," International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), vol. 0(4), pages 35-55.
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    3. Petrovskaya N.E. & Kozyr N.S. & Nasybullina V.P., 2018. "G20 Competitiveness in Human Development," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(Special 2), pages 914-922.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic Development; Growth; convergence; Developing Country; Developmental State; Innovation; Least Developed Country; human capital; education;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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