The Relative Efficiency of Private and Public Schools: The Case of Thailand

Cost-effectiveness is a key consideration in the policy debateon the appropriate role of private schools in predominantlypublic school systems. This article analyzes the relative performanceof public and private schools in Thailand in enhancing eighthgrade student scores in standardized mathematics tests, givenstudent background and school characteristics. Its main conclusionis that private schools are, on average, more effective andless costly than public schools in improving student performancein mathematics.     

Determinants of equity return correlations: a case study of the Amman Stock Exchange

This paper seeks to explain time-varying correlations among equity returns. The literature has shown that fundamental and economic factors can explain stock returns or the volatility of markets. Here, panel data analysis is employed to examine whether these factors can also explain the comovement of stock returns. Time-varying correlations among sectoral indexes are estimated using a restricted multivariate threshold GARCH model with dynamic conditional correlation controlling for the asymmetric effects of news and the influence of financial crises. The empirical results from this panel data analysis show that equity return correlations can be explained not only by macroeconomic variables but also by fundamentals within an industry.     

A reexamination of capital controls’ effectiveness: Recent experience of Thailand

This paper investigates the impact of the Unremunerated Reserve Requirement (URR) measure recently imposed in Thailand by applying three quantitative techniques of Edison and Reinhart (2001). We find that the URR measure was not completely effective in stabilizing the exchange rate, which was its original purpose. Although the THB onshore rate became more stable and less interdependent after the implementation of the URR, it was not completely isolated from other Asian currencies. Meanwhile, the URR measure was successful in reducing the total of net capital inflow and altering its composition toward preferable long-term investment, but it was unsuccessful in reducing short-term private external debt. In addition, since foreign equity investment was exempted from the measure, short-term capital inflows were forced to go mainly through the stock market; consequently, the URR had a limited impact on the equity market. Lastly, we find some side-effects of the measure, namely a wider spread between onshore and offshore rates, a bearish market sentiment, an obstacle to the debt market development, and a negative effect on the credibility of the Monetary Authority.     

Competing Logics in the Islamic Funds Industry: A Market Logic Versus a Religious Logic

Journal of Business Ethics - In contrast to the conventional fund management industry with a profit-oriented logic based on risk and return, ethical and faith-based funds should follow the...