IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jknowl/v15y2024i4d10.1007_s13132-024-01900-5.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Contribution of Economic Complexity to Social Welfare in Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Stéphane Mbiankeu Nguea

    (University of Dschang)

  • Issidor Noumba

    (University of Yaoundé II)

Abstract

Using data collected on 27 African countries over the period 1996–2017 and Driscoll-Kraay standard errors and instrumental variable (IV) techniques, this paper investigates the extent to which economic complexity contributes to improving social welfare. Human Development Index (HDI), infant mortality rate, life expectancy at birth, household consumption expenditure and human capital are the main indicators chosen to capture social welfare. The results show that, as economies produce and export highly complex goods, social welfare is enhanced. This study also indicates that GDP per capita and globalization moderate the effects of economic complexity on social welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Stéphane Mbiankeu Nguea & Issidor Noumba, 2024. "The Contribution of Economic Complexity to Social Welfare in Africa," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(4), pages 20349-20369, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:15:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1007_s13132-024-01900-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s13132-024-01900-5
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s13132-024-01900-5
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s13132-024-01900-5?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Emanuele Pugliese & Guido L Chiarotti & Andrea Zaccaria & Luciano Pietronero, 2017. "Complex Economies Have a Lateral Escape from the Poverty Trap," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(1), pages 1-18, January.
    2. Stéphane Mbiankeu Nguea & Issidor Noumba & Armand Gilbert Noula, 2020. "Does Foreign Direct Investment Contribute to Poverty Reduction in Cameroon? An ARDL-Bounds Testing Approach," Working Papers halshs-02570072, HAL.
    3. Yin, Jianhua & Zheng, Mingzheng & Chen, Jian, 2015. "The effects of environmental regulation and technical progress on CO2 Kuznets curve: An evidence from China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 97-108.
    4. Chu, Lan Khanh & Hoang, Dung Phuong, 2020. "How does economic complexity influence income inequality? New evidence from international data," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 44-57.
    5. Noumba, Issidor & Noula, Armand Gilbert & Nguea, Stéphane Mbiankeu, 2022. "Do globalization and resource rents matter for human well-being? Evidence from African countries," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 49-65.
    6. Daniel Sakyi & Isaac Bonuedi & Eric Evans Osei Opoku, 2018. "Trade facilitation and social welfare in Africa," Journal of African Trade, Springer, vol. 5(1), pages 35-53, March.
    7. Hervé Kaffo Fotio & Stéphane Mbiankeu Nguea, 2022. "Access to water and sanitation in Africa: Does globalization matter?," International Economics, CEPII research center, issue 170, pages 79-91.
    8. Constantine, Collin & Khemraj, Tarron, 2019. "Geography, economic structures and institutions: A synthesis," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 371-379.
    9. Athanasios Lapatinas, 2016. "Economic complexity and human development: a note," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 36(3), pages 1441-1452.
    10. M. Hashem Pesaran, 2021. "General diagnostic tests for cross-sectional dependence in panels," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 60(1), pages 13-50, January.
    11. Ricardo Hausmann & Jason Hwang & Dani Rodrik, 2007. "What you export matters," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 1-25, March.
    12. Uddin, Gazi Salah & Shahbaz, Muhammad & Arouri, Mohamed & Teulon, Frédéric, 2014. "Financial development and poverty reduction nexus: A cointegration and causality analysis in Bangladesh," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 405-412.
    13. James H. Stock & Motohiro Yogo, 2002. "Testing for Weak Instruments in Linear IV Regression," NBER Technical Working Papers 0284, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    14. Douglas Staiger & James H. Stock, 1997. "Instrumental Variables Regression with Weak Instruments," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 65(3), pages 557-586, May.
    15. Hartmann, Dominik & Guevara, Miguel R. & Jara-Figueroa, Cristian & Aristarán, Manuel & Hidalgo, César A., 2017. "Linking Economic Complexity, Institutions, and Income Inequality," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 75-93.
    16. Maëlan Le Goff & Raju Jan Singh, 2014. "Does trade reduce poverty? A view from Africa," Journal of African Trade, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 5-14, March.
    17. Loayza, Norman V. & Olaberría, Eduardo & Rigolini, Jamele & Christiaensen, Luc, 2012. "Natural Disasters and Growth: Going Beyond the Averages," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(7), pages 1317-1336.
    18. Ferraz, Diogo & Moralles, Hérick Fernando & Suarez Campoli, Jéssica & Ribeiro de Oliveira, Fabíola Cristina & do Nascimento Rebelatto, Daisy Aparecida, 2018. "Economic Complexity and Human Development: DEA performance measurement in Asia and Latin America," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 25(4), pages 839-853.
    19. Arif, Imran, 2021. "Productive knowledge, economic sophistication, and labor share," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    20. Mbiankeu Nguea, Stéphane & KAGUENDO, Ulrich Vianney Elisée, 2022. "Are growth effects of foreign capital significant for increasing access to electricity in Africa?," MPRA Paper 111604, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    21. Khezri, Mohsen & Heshmati, Almas & Khodaei, Mehdi, 2022. "Environmental implications of economic complexity and its role in determining how renewable energies affect CO2 emissions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PB).
    22. Dithmer, Jan & Abdulai, Awudu, 2017. "Does trade openness contribute to food security? A dynamic panel analysis," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 218-230.
    23. Daniel Hoechle, 2007. "Robust standard errors for panel regressions with cross-sectional dependence," Stata Journal, StataCorp LLC, vol. 7(3), pages 281-312, September.
    24. David Dollar & Aart Kraay, 2004. "Trade, Growth, and Poverty," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 114(493), pages 22-49, February.
    25. Sheilla Nyasha Author-Name: Yvonne Gwenhure & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2017. "Poverty and Economic Growth in Ethiopia: A Multivariate Causal Linkage," Journal of Developing Areas, Tennessee State University, College of Business, vol. 51(1), pages 343-359, January-M.
    26. Welander, Anna & Lyttkens, Carl Hampus & Nilsson, Therese, 2015. "Globalization, democracy, and child health in developing countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 136, pages 52-63.
    27. Fotio, Hervé Kaffo & Nguea, Stéphane Mbiankeu, 2022. "Access to water and sanitation in Africa: Does globalization matter?," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 79-91.
    28. Madhu Sehrawat & A K Giri, 2016. "Financial development and poverty reduction in India: an empirical investigation," International Journal of Social Economics, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 43(2), pages 106-122, February.
    29. Paulo Gala & Igor Rocha & Guilherme Magacho, 2018. "The structuralist revenge: economic complexity as an important dimension to evaluate growth and development," Brazilian Journal of Political Economy, Center of Political Economy, vol. 38(2), pages 219-236.
    30. Issidor Noumba & Armand Gilbert Noula & Stéphane Mbiankeu Nguea, 2022. "Do globalization and resource rents matter for human well-being? Evidence from African countries," International Economics, CEPII research center, issue 170, pages 49-65.
    31. Gazi Salah Uddin & Muhammed Shahbaz & Mohamed Arouri & Frédéric Teulon, 2014. "Financial Development and Poverty Reduction Nexus: A cointegration and causality analysis in Bangladesh," Working Papers 2014-291, Department of Research, Ipag Business School.
    32. Mbiankeu Nguea, Stéphane & Kaguendo, Ulrich Vianney Elisée & Noumba, Issidor, 2022. "Are growth effects of foreign capital significant for increasing access to electricity in Africa?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    33. Hausmann, Ricardo & Hidalgo, Cesar, 2014. "The Atlas of Economic Complexity: Mapping Paths to Prosperity," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262525429, December.
    34. Stéphane Mbiankeu Nguea, 2024. "Does Demographic Dividend Enhance Economic Complexity: the Mediating Effect of Human Capital, ICT, and Foreign Direct Investment," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(4), pages 19678-19699, December.
    35. Vu, Trung V., 2020. "Economic complexity and health outcomes: A global perspective," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    36. Kang-Kook Lee & Trung V. Vu, 2020. "Economic complexity, human capital and income inequality: a cross-country analysis," The Japanese Economic Review, Springer, vol. 71(4), pages 695-718, October.
    37. Emilie Le Caous & Fenghueih Huarng, 2020. "Economic Complexity and the Mediating Effects of Income Inequality: Reaching Sustainable Development in Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-26, March.
    38. Ricardo Hausmann & César Hidalgo, 2011. "The network structure of economic output," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 16(4), pages 309-342, December.
    39. Stéphane Mbiankeu Nguea & Issidor Noumba & Armand Gilbert Noula, 2020. "Does Globalization improve Health in Sub-Saharan African countries?," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 40(4), pages 3033-3045.
    40. Shujin Zhu & Renyu Li, 2017. "Economic complexity, human capital and economic growth: empirical research based on cross-country panel data," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(38), pages 3815-3828, August.
    41. Mbiankeu Nguea, Stéphane, 2024. "Uncovering the linkage between sustainable development goals for access to electricity and access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation services," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 345(C).
    42. Miguel R. Guevara & Dominik Hartmann & Manuel Aristarán & Marcelo Mendoza & César A. Hidalgo, 2016. "The research space: using career paths to predict the evolution of the research output of individuals, institutions, and nations," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 109(3), pages 1695-1709, December.
    43. Dinda, Soumyananda, 2004. "Environmental Kuznets Curve Hypothesis: A Survey," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 49(4), pages 431-455, August.
    44. Stéphane Mbiankeu Nguea & Hervé Kaffo Fotio & Louise Angèle Baida, 2022. "Investigating the effects of globalization on economic sophistication in selected African countries," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 34(3), pages 324-338, September.
    45. Todtling, Franz & Trippl, Michaela, 2005. "One size fits all?: Towards a differentiated regional innovation policy approach," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(8), pages 1203-1219, October.
    46. Madhu Sehrawat & A K Giri, 2016. "Financial development and poverty reduction: panel data analysis of South Asian countries," International Journal of Social Economics, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 43(4), pages 400-416, April.
    47. Levine, David I. & Rothman, Dov, 2006. "Does trade affect child health?," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 25(3), pages 538-554, May.
    48. Stéphane Mbiankeu Nguea, 2023. "Improving human development through urbanization, demographic dividend and biomass energy consumption," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(4), pages 2517-2535, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Eslam A. Hassanein & Nagwa Samak & Salwa Abdelaziz, 2024. "The synergetic effect of economic complexity and governance on quality of life: policy thresholds," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Stéphane Mbiankeu Nguea, 2023. "Improving human development through urbanization, demographic dividend and biomass energy consumption," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(4), pages 2517-2535, August.
    3. Dominik Hartmann & Flavio L. Pinheiro, 2022. "Economic complexity and inequality at the national and regional level," Papers 2206.00818, arXiv.org, revised Jun 2022.
    4. Noumba, Issidor & Nguea, Stéphane Mbiankeu, 2023. "Assessing the role of globalization for universal electricity access," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 180-195.
    5. Gnangnon, Sèna Kimm, 2022. "Effect of the utilization of non-reciprocal trade preferences offered by the QUAD countries on beneficiary countries' economic complexity," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    6. Stéphane Mbiankeu Nguea, 2024. "Does Demographic Dividend Enhance Economic Complexity: the Mediating Effect of Human Capital, ICT, and Foreign Direct Investment," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(4), pages 19678-19699, December.
    7. Diogo Ferraz & Fernanda P. S. Falguera & Enzo B. Mariano & Dominik Hartmann, 2021. "Linking Economic Complexity, Diversification, and Industrial Policy with Sustainable Development: A Structured Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-29, January.
    8. Vu, Trung V., 2020. "Economic complexity and health outcomes: A global perspective," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    9. Trung V. Vu, 2022. "Does institutional quality foster economic complexity? The fundamental drivers of productive capabilities," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 63(3), pages 1571-1604, September.
    10. Gbolonyo, Emmanuel Y. & Ofori, Isaac K. & Ojong, Nathanael, 2024. "Does Economic Complexity Promote Inclusive Green Growth," EconStor Preprints 298785, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    11. Hermann Ndoya & Bruno Emmanuel Ongo Nkoa & Francis Hypolite Kemeze & Tii N. Nchofoung, 2024. "Financial development and economic complexity: The role of country stability," Economics of Transition and Institutional Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(2), pages 415-447, April.
    12. Mohamad Taghvaee, Vahid & Saboori, Behnaz & Soretz, Susanne & Magazzino, Cosimo & Tatar, Moosa, 2024. "Renewable energy, energy efficiency, and economic complexity in the middle East and North Africa: A panel data analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).
    13. Ashraf, Junaid, 2022. "Do political instability, financial instability and environmental degradation undermine growth? Evidence from belt and road initiative countries," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 44(6), pages 1113-1127.
    14. Mbiankeu Nguea Stéphane & Isssidor Noumba, 2024. "Does Being Globalized Matter for Happiness in African Countries?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 1-27, March.
    15. Nguyen, Canh Phuc, 2021. "Gender equality and economic complexity," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 45(4).
    16. Nguyen, Canh Phuc, 2022. "Does economic complexity matter for the shadow economy?," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 210-227.
    17. Stéphane Mbiankeu Nguea & Hervé Kaffo Fotio & Louise Angèle Baida, 2022. "Investigating the effects of globalization on economic sophistication in selected African countries," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 34(3), pages 324-338, September.
    18. Dung Phuong Hoang & Lan Khanh Chu, 2023. "Progression to Higher Economic Complexity: The Role of Institutions," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 14(4), pages 4339-4366, December.
    19. Trung V. Vu, 2022. "Linking LGBT inclusion and national innovative capacity," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 159(1), pages 191-214, January.
    20. Behrooz Shahmoradi & Nejla Ould Daoud Ellili, 2024. "Bibliometric review of research on economic complexity: current trends, developments, and future research directions," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 51(4), pages 859-891, December.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic complexity; HDI; Heath; Household consumption; Education;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:spr:jknowl:v:15:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1007_s13132-024-01900-5. 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: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.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.