Risky Winds: Investing in Wind Energy Projects in Pakistan
Investment in renewable energy sectors in many developing countries has grown significantly in the last decade. Developing countries now seek to attract investment in the renewable energy sector. Foreign investment in developing countries hinges on factors such as security of investment, entry barriers, cost of doing business, repatriation of profits, dispute resolution, etc. This is where the role of the government and policy-makers becomes critical. Unless a sector-specific policy is adopted that is not only coherent and adaptable but also extends the right incentives, foreign investors will remain reluctant to invest in the renewable energy sector even if a huge investment potential exists. This article highlights Pakistan as a case study to examine law and policy issues pertaining to investment and transaction costs associated with investing in a developing country that possesses significant wind energy potential.
Consumers’ intention-based influence factors of renewable energy adoption in Pakistan: a structural equation modeling approach
As the adoption of renewable energy (RE) is a complex and intricate procedure affected by a wide range of factors, it prompts traction among researchers to examine these influence factors. The aim of this study is to scrutinize the factors affecting consumers’ intention to adopt RE for household use in Pakistan. The current research has contributed through expanding the structural framework of the theory of planned behavior by incorporating three novel factors (perception of self-effectiveness, perception of neighbor’s participation, and belief about RE benefits) to have a deep insight into the factors that motivate or inhibit consumers to adopt RE. Outcomes are based on the primary data compiled from 353 households in the five main cities of Pakistan accompanying an inclusive survey. The state-of-the-art structural equation modeling was utilized to test and analyze the proposed hypotheses. The results signify that the influencing factors such as perception of self-effectiveness, awareness of RE, and perception of neighbor’s participation impart a positive effect on consumers’ intention to adopt RE, whereas cost of RE generation has an opposite effect. Interestingly, environmental concern and belief about RE benefits found to have neutral effects. Research results emphasize the need to enhance public awareness, reform policy structure, transform social norms, and highlight the benefits that RE provides, all through an integrative and coherent way.
The myth of a de facto Asian economic bloc: Japan's foreign direct investment in East Asia
Abstract Asia has not been left out of the furor surrounding regional trading blocs. The worlds current fear is that, soon, the EC and NAFTA might well be joined by an “AFTA” (Asian Free Trade Area) that would further insulate Asian markets from the rest of the world. Graham and Anzai debunk the myth of Japan's overwhelming investment in the region and identify what they find more disturbing: the future problems Japan could have as a result of the yen's continued overvaluation and its effect on reduced manufacturing in Japan. Perhaps Japan is becoming less competitive, and a little more like everyone else.