This book analyses the household demand for consumer goods using a diverse database, consisting of 45 developed and developing countries. Household consumption patterns have undergone dramatic changes due to rapid economic growth, increasing household income and changing demographics. Using the most recent data available and the latest econometric techniques, the authors model demand for 12 different commodities such as food, alcohol and tobacco, housing, health, transport, health communication, and recreation and provide insightful comparisons of consumption patterns in developed and developing countries. The analysis presented in this book highlights valuable policy insights for planning government budgetary allocations and implementing policies towards an enhanced standard of living for people. The book also provides some important guidance for researchers interested in the theory and empirical application of the analysis of consumer demand.

This book is the first to present an extensive analysis of the international evidence for the similarities of the consumption patterns of such controversial commodities as alcohol, tobacco and marijuana, using recent data from a number of developed and less developed countries over a number of years. The book also presents analysis of the consumption patterns of food in general and soft drinks in particular. In addition the book provides a detailed analysis of the consumption restrictions and regulations in place in various countries in relation to issues associated with taxation, availability, and marketing of these products. The book's focus is on rigorous empirical analysis and presents the estimates of demand elasticities of these five commodities across different countries. Such estimates are key inputs for government economic models that are used for the purpose of social policy analysis. Furthermore, the book presents hypothesis testing results on various demand theory hypotheses such as demand homogeneity and Slutsky symmetry.

This insightful book analyzes the impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in China as well as making valuable contributions to the theory of FDI more broadly. The authors provide empirical analysis of key factors including the location-specific determinants of FDI; the impact of FDI on domestic investment, income distribution, consumption and tourism; the relationship between FDI inflows and income inequality; causality between FDI, domestic investment and economic growth; and causality between FDI and tourism. The study concludes that FDI plays a crucial and positive role in the economic development of China. Rather than crowding out domestic investment, FDI is found to stimulate economic growth by complementing it. China's Economic Miracle will be warmly welcomed by potential investors who are interested in investing in China. It will be highly useful for academics and postgraduate students with an interest in FDI or the Chinese economy. With strong policy-oriented analyses and discussions on implications the book will also prove invaluable to policymakers in various government and private sectors who have trade-links with China.

Climate Change and Growth in Asia is a comprehensive analysis of the major issues of climate change and global warming and their possible impacts on the growth of major Asian economies. The book addresses the climate change crisis in Asia within the context of three major challenges to growth: population, poverty and greenhouse gas emissions.The contributors of the book argue that, like globalisation, the effects of climate change are all-encompassing and recognise no national boundaries. Therefore, the issues emanating from this looming challenge must also be examined beyond the national boundaries and debated at global, regional and national levels simultaneously. The authors investigate the opportunities created by globalisation via trade, knowledge and the information economy, but climate change ? induced by increased greenhouse gas emissions ? risks restricting the opportunities created thereof. For those who follow Asian economies ? especially graduate students of Asian studies, international business, the environment and economic development of Asia ? this book is an invaluable resource. Furthermore, with its multidimensional focus and cross-cultural practical examples, it is an essential read for policymakers, including the Asian governments and international agencies such as the United Nations.

Business Statistics teaches you skills that you can use throughout your career. It illustrates how vital statistical methods and tools are for today's managers and analysts, and how to apply them to business problems using real-world data. Statistical data analysis is the backbone of sound business decision making, and finding the right tool to analyse a particular business problem is the key. The book shows you how to analyse data by focusing on the kind of problem you face, the type of data involved and the appropriate technique for solving the problem. It also includes data-driven examples, exercises and cases that cover how marketing managers, financial analysts, accountants, economists and others use statistics.