IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijfss/v11y2023i1p43-d1089494.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Do Technological Innovation and Financial Development Affect Inequality? Evidence from BRICS Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Mduduzi Biyase

    (Department of Economics and Econometrics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2092, South Africa)

  • Talent Zwane

    (Department of Economics and Econometrics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2092, South Africa)

  • Precious Mncayi

    (School of Economic Sciences, North-West University, Vanderbijlpark 1900, South Africa)

  • Mokgadi Maleka

    (Department of Economics and Econometrics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2092, South Africa)

Abstract

While technological innovation and financial development are broadly credited as important drivers of economic growth of developed nations, their impact on inequality (especially in emerging economies) remains understudied. Thus, the objective of this study is to investigate the impact of technological innovation and financial development on income inequality in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries using panel dynamic ordinary least squares (PDOLS) and panel fully modified ordinary least squares (PFMOLS) with annual data sourced from the Standardized World Income Inequality Database, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank (1990–2017). The results suggest that technological innovation increases income inequality in the BRICS nations, while financial development has an income reducing effect on inequality. Our results are robust, using alternative estimation with various sub-indicators of financial development (such as financial markets and financial institution), including other measures proxied by access to credit provided by commercial banks. The study’s results have important implications for policy and practice in the BRICS countries. By providing a nuanced understanding of the relationship between technological innovation, financial development and inequality, the study will inform the design and implementation of policies aimed at reducing inequality and promoting inclusive growth in these emerging economies.

Suggested Citation

  • Mduduzi Biyase & Talent Zwane & Precious Mncayi & Mokgadi Maleka, 2023. "Do Technological Innovation and Financial Development Affect Inequality? Evidence from BRICS Countries," IJFS, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijfss:v:11:y:2023:i:1:p:43-:d:1089494
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7072/11/1/43/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7072/11/1/43/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    Other versions of this item:

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Romer, Paul M, 1986. "Increasing Returns and Long-run Growth," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 94(5), pages 1002-1037, October.
    2. de Haan, Jakob & Sturm, Jan-Egbert, 2017. "Finance and income inequality: A review and new evidence," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 171-195.
    3. Murat Cetin & Harun Demir & Selin Saygin, 2021. "Financial Development, Technological Innovation and Income Inequality: Time Series Evidence from Turkey," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 156(1), pages 47-69, July.
    4. YOUNSI, Moheddine & BECHTINI, Marwa, 2018. "Economic Growth, Financial Development and Income Inequality in BRICS Countries: Evidence from Panel Granger Causality Tests," MPRA Paper 85182, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Dominguez Lacasa, Iciar & Jindra, Björn & Radosevic, Slavo & Shubbak, Mahmood, 2019. "Paths of technology upgrading in the BRICS economies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 262-280.
    6. Francesco Caselli, 1999. "Technological Revolutions," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 89(1), pages 78-102, March.
    7. Alan B. Krueger, 1993. "How Computers Have Changed the Wage Structure: Evidence from Microdata, 1984–1989," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 108(1), pages 33-60.
    8. Hasan, Iftekhar & Horvath, Roman & Mares, Jan, 2020. "Finance and wealth inequality," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    9. Costanza Naguib, 2017. "The Relationship between Inequality and Growth: Evidence from new data," Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics (SJES), Swiss Society of Economics and Statistics (SSES), vol. 153(III), pages 183-225, September.
    10. Christine Greenhalgh & Mark Rogers, 2010. "Innovation, Intellectual Property, and Economic Growth," Economics Books, Princeton University Press, edition 1, volume 0, number 9221.
    11. Robert G. King & Ross Levine, 1993. "Finance and Growth: Schumpeter Might Be Right," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 108(3), pages 717-737.
    12. Seven, Unal & Coskun, Yener, 2016. "Does financial development reduce income inequality and poverty? Evidence from emerging countries," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(C), pages 34-63.
    13. Philippe Aghion & Ufuk Akcigit & Antonin Bergeaud & Richard Blundell & David Hemous, 2019. "Innovation and Top Income Inequality," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 86(1), pages 1-45.
    14. Thomas Sampson, 2014. "Selection into Trade and Wage Inequality," American Economic Journal: Microeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 6(3), pages 157-202, August.
    15. Samuel M. Jung & Hyungju Edmond Cha, 2021. "Financial development and income inequality: evidence from China," Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(1), pages 73-95, January.
    16. Mirza, M. Usman & Richter, Andries & van Nes, Egbert H. & Scheffer, Marten, 2019. "Technology driven inequality leads to poverty and resource depletion," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 215-226.
    17. Claudia Goldin & Lawrence F. Katz, 1998. "The Origins of Technology-Skill Complementarity," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 113(3), pages 693-732.
    18. Charu Rastogi & Sanjaykumar M. Gaikwad, 2017. "A Study on Determinants of Human Capital Development in BRICS Nations," FIIB Business Review, , vol. 6(3), pages 38-50, July.
    19. Asli Demirgüç-Kunt & Ross Levine, 2009. "Finance and Inequality: Theory and Evidence," Annual Review of Financial Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 1(1), pages 287-318, November.
    20. Anginer, Deniz & Demirgüç-Kunt, Asli & Mare, Davide S., 2018. "Bank capital, institutional environment and systemic stability," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 97-106.
    21. Caiani, Alessandro & Russo, Alberto & Gallegati, Mauro, 2016. "Does Inequality Hamper Innovation and Growth?," MPRA Paper 71864, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    22. Florence Jaumotte & Subir Lall & Chris Papageorgiou, 2013. "Rising Income Inequality: Technology, or Trade and Financial Globalization?," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Monetary Fund, vol. 61(2), pages 271-309, June.
    23. Mehmet Akif Destek & Avik Sinha & Samuel Asumadu Sarkodie, 2020. "The relationship between financial development and income inequality in Turkey," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 9(1), pages 1-14, December.
    24. Huan Zhang, 2021. "Technology Innovation, Economic Growth and Carbon Emissions in the Context of Carbon Neutrality: Evidence from BRICS," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-22, October.
    25. Mr. Ross Levine, 2021. "Finance, Growth, and Inequality," IMF Working Papers 2021/164, International Monetary Fund.
    26. Zhu, Susan Chun & Trefler, Daniel, 2005. "Trade and inequality in developing countries: a general equilibrium analysis," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 65(1), pages 21-48, January.
    27. Chiu, Yi-Bin & Lee, Chien-Chiang, 2019. "Financial development, income inequality, and country risk," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 1-18.
    28. Muhammad Shahbaz & Faridul Islam, 2011. "Financial Development And Income Inequality In Pakistan: An Application Of Ardl Approach," Journal of Economic Development, Chung-Ang Unviersity, Department of Economics, vol. 36(1), pages 35-58, March.
    29. Nokulunga Mbona, 2022. "Impacts of Overall Financial Development, Access and Depth on Income Inequality," Economies, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-23, May.
    30. Sala-i-Martin, Xavier, 1997. "I Just Ran Two Million Regressions," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 87(2), pages 178-183, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Alex Borodin & Irina Vygodchikova & Galina Panaedova & Irina Mityushina, 2023. "Rating of Stability of Russian Companies in Oil and Gas and Electric Power Industries Based on Interval Volatility," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-16, July.
    2. ASEMOTA, Georgina Okpoa & ASEMOTA, Osamede Imelda & OMOREGIE, Charity Lucky, 2023. "An Analysis of Financial System Development and Banking Sector Performance in Nigeria," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(5), pages 1459-1472, May.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Cong Minh Huynh & Nam Hoai Tran, 2023. "Financial development, income inequality, and institutional quality: A multi-dimensional analysis," Cogent Economics & Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(2), pages 2242128-224, June.
    2. Brei, Michael & Ferri, Giovanni & Gambacorta, Leonardo, 2023. "Financial structure and income inequality," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    3. Barhoom Faeyzh, 2023. "Revisiting the Financial Development and Income Inequality Nexus: Evidence from Hungary," Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Economics and Business, Sciendo, vol. 11(1), pages 227-257, October.
    4. Murat Cetin & Harun Demir & Selin Saygin, 2021. "Financial Development, Technological Innovation and Income Inequality: Time Series Evidence from Turkey," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 156(1), pages 47-69, July.
    5. Nokulunga Mbona, 2022. "Impacts of Overall Financial Development, Access and Depth on Income Inequality," Economies, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-23, May.
    6. Njangang, Henri & Beleck, Alim & Tadadjeu, Sosson & Kamguia, Brice, 2022. "Do ICTs drive wealth inequality? Evidence from a dynamic panel analysis," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(2).
    7. Henri Njangang & Alim Beleck & Sosson Tadadjeu & Brice Kamguia, 2021. "Do ICTs drive wealth inequality? Evidence from a dynamic panel analysis," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 21/057, African Governance and Development Institute..
    8. Roya Taherifar & Mark J. Holmes & Gazi M. Hassan, 2023. "Does economic openness matter in the impact of financial development on income inequality?," Working Papers in Economics 23/04, University of Waikato.
    9. Henri Njangang & Alim Beleck & Sosson Tadadjeu & Brice Kamguia, 2021. "Do ICTs drive wealth inequality? Evidence from a dynamic panel analysis," Working Papers 21/057, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    10. Victoria I. Okafor & Isaiah O. Olurinola & Ebenezer Bowale & Romanus Osabohien, 2023. "Financial development and income inequality in Africa," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    11. Boukraine, Wissem, 2020. "The finance-inequality nexus in the BRICS countries: evidence from an ARDL bound testing approach," MPRA Paper 101976, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. Joshua D. Hall, 2019. "Measuring the Diffusion of Technologies Through International Trade," International Advances in Economic Research, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 25(4), pages 445-459, November.
    13. Tomás Gómez Rodríguez & Humberto Ríos Bolívar & Adriana Zambrano Reyes, 2022. "Desigualdad del ingreso y desarrollo del sistema financiero un enfoque multidimensional," Remef - Revista Mexicana de Economía y Finanzas Nueva Época REMEF (The Mexican Journal of Economics and Finance), Instituto Mexicano de Ejecutivos de Finanzas, IMEF, vol. 17(1), pages 1-23, Enero - M.
    14. Ongo Nkoa Bruno Emmanuel & Song Jacques Simon & Balla Mekongo Célestin Ghislain, 2021. "Inequalities in Africa : Does financial integration matter?," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 41(3), pages 1983-1993.
    15. Jakob Haan & Regina Pleninger & Jan-Egbert Sturm, 2022. "Does Financial Development Reduce the Poverty Gap?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 161(1), pages 1-27, May.
    16. Biruk B. Ashenafi & Dong Yan, 2023. "Financial intermediation, inclusion, Fintech, and income inequality in Africa: Robust evidence from the supply and demand side data," Economic Notes, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA, vol. 52(2), July.
    17. Mallela, Keerti & Singh, Sunny Kumar & Srivastava, Archana, 2023. "Remittances, financial development, and income inequality: A panel quantile regression approach," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 171-186.
    18. Günay ÖZCAN, 2020. "Financial development and income inequality: An empirical analysis on the emerging market economies," Theoretical and Applied Economics, Asociatia Generala a Economistilor din Romania - AGER, vol. 0(3(624), A), pages 85-96, Autumn.
    19. Inekwe, John Nkwoma & Jin, Yi & Valenzuela, Maria Rebecca, 2018. "A new approach to financial integration and market income inequality," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 134-147.
    20. Samargandi, Nahla & Fidrmuc, Jan & Ghosh, Sugata, 2015. "Is the Relationship Between Financial Development and Economic Growth Monotonic? Evidence from a Sample of Middle-Income Countries," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 66-81.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijfss:v:11:y:2023:i:1:p:43-:d:1089494. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.