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The doing business indicators, economic growth and regulatory reform

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  • Hanusch, Marek

Abstract

Improving the investment climate is among the top priorities in development. The World Bank Group's Doing Business reports have become an important guide and benchmark to inform regulatory reforms aimed at unleashing the potential of the private sector. This paper discusses the potential role of the Doing Business Indicators in the reform process. Generally, the Doing Business studies are constrained in their prescriptive power for policy making. However, governments that nonetheless choose to use the Doing Business reports for guidance in the reform process can aim to improve their Doing Business ranking to enhance the visibility of their general reform efforts; or they can aim at maximizing the impact of reform on economic growth. In this case, the evidence suggests that focusing on indicators relating to credit and the enforcement of contracts is the most important. Indicators related to cost have the largest potential for fostering growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Hanusch, Marek, 2012. "The doing business indicators, economic growth and regulatory reform," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6176, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6176
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Noel Ihebuzor & Damiete O. Lawrence & Anthony Wakwe Lawrence, 2021. "Policy Coherence and Mandate Overlaps as Sources of Major Challenges in Public Sector Management in Nigeria," International Business Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 14(1), pages 1-68, January.
    3. Al Raee, Mueid & Ritzen, Jo & Crombrugghe, Denis de, 2017. "Innovation policy & labour productivity growth: Education, research & development, government effectiveness and business policy," MERIT Working Papers 2017-019, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    4. Rafiou Raphaël Bétila, 2021. "The impact of Ease of Doing Business on economic growth: a dynamic panel analysis for African countries," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 1(10), pages 1-34, October.
    5. Richard Adjei Dwumfour, 2020. "Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Role of Business Regulations, Policies and Institutions," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 149(3), pages 861-890, June.
    6. Zia Qureshi & Jose L. Diaz-Sanchez & Aristomene Varoudakis, 2015. "The Post-crisis Growth Slowdown in Emerging Economies and the Role of Structural Reforms," Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies, Emerging Markets Forum, vol. 7(2), pages 179-200, May.
    7. Agnieszka Głodowska, 2017. "Business Environment and Economic Growth in the European Union Countries: What Can Be Explained for the Convergence?," Entrepreneurial Business and Economics Review, Centre for Strategic and International Entrepreneurship at the Cracow University of Economics., vol. 5(4), pages 189-204.

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