http://hdl.handle.net/2268.2/8486 Thu, 05 Mar 2026 22:47:02 GMT 2026-03-05T22:47:02Z http://hdl.handle.net/2268.2/25212 Title: Research-Thesis Comparative Analysis of Grid Tariff Structures and their consequences in the Netherlands, Finland and Hungary Abstract: The thesis is a comparative analysis of the electricity grid tariffs and wider market environment of the Netherlands, Finland and Hungary. With literature review, descriptive and comparative statistics it attempts to present the key differences and similarities between the three countries. The study concludes that the exclusion of volumetric tariffs does lead to more volatility both in higher and lower prices, mixed ones tend to prefer volumetric and fixed when faced with uncertainty and have greater resilience to changes while mainly excluding capacity based tariffs leads to stability but also a level of stagnation. The findings however also acknowledge the complexity of the topic and the many influencing factors, such as government regulations, policy goals and external changes. It states that further research is needed in the topic. Tue, 13 Jan 2026 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2268.2/25212 2026-01-13T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2268.2/25183 Title: Research-Thesis: Forecasting Inflation Rate In Cameroon: A Time Series Approach Abstract: This study aims to predict inflation in Cameroon, with specific objectives to examine the trend of inflation in Cameroon and develop a model to forecast the inflation rate in the country. The study employs a time series approach using the ARIMAX model to analyse and forecast inflation in Cameroon. The model performance is evaluated using metrics such as RMSE and MAE. The study’s findings indicate a significant trend in the movement of inflation in Cameroon, with an upward trend over time. However, the annual inflation rate has been trending downwards, dropping to 4.5% in 2024 from 7.4% in 2023. The ARIMAX mode is found to be effective in forecasting inflation, capturing the underlying patterns in the data and providing accurate forecasts. The study provides strong evidence of a significant trend in inflation in Cameroon and highlights the importance of accurate inflation forecasting for informed decision-making. The ARIMA models performances suggests that it can be a useful tool for policymakers and businesses in Cameroon. The study’s findings have significant implications for economic policy and decision making in Cameroon and provide a useful framework for further research on inflation forecasting in developing countries. Commentary: Despite the study's contributions to the understanding of inflation in Cameroon, the study only examined the trend of inflation in Cameroon over a specific period, and the findings may not be generalizable to other periods. Secondly, the study did not examine the impact of other macroeconomic variables on inflation in Cameroon. Finally, the study's findings may be influenced by alternative methodologies which may yield different results. Tue, 13 Jan 2026 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2268.2/25183 2026-01-13T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2268.2/24392 Title: The Effects of Public Debt on Economic Growth in the EU, Empirical Analysis in different EU subgroups Abstract: In its recent history the EU and its economic growth prospects have been tested by numerous challenges be it economic or societal. One of the more persistent effects of these pressures comes in the form of the accumulation of public debt, shaping the EU’s economic outlook and potential. Public debt’ effects on economic growth has been a central part of debates, as it can simultaneously be a powerful tool for public investments and crisis management, while also threatening their economies when accumulated. To contribute to this ongoing discussion, this thesis aims to empirically examine the effects of public debt on economic growth in the short (immediate) term in the EU and different subgroups within it. Specifically, the paper investigates whether public debt is stimulating or hindering economic growth in the region, accounting for possible nonlinear effects between the two. All the while the paper is also reviewing the existing literature on the subject. There are several ways in the literature in which public debt could affect growth. These include: higher taxes to pay for future liabilities and rising debt repayments, the crowding out of private investment; a higher degree of long-term interest rates, the reduction of total factor productivity. Its positive effects include: borrowed funds used on productive public investments and helping in the reduction of the effects of negative external shocks. To examine the direct effects of public debt the paper examines 24 EU countries (with the exclusion of Greece, Cyprus and Malta), through a period of 11 years, from 2013 to 2023. The empirical investigation is done through a Dynamic Panel Data model using the System Generalized Method of Moments as the estimation method. The thesis uses GDP growth as the proxy for economic growth, in order to capture the broad extent of effects that can affect GDP the study also uses additional variables in its panel data analysis. The study also employs a lagged dependent variable to account for the effects past growth has on current growth, also it employes a squared debt variable in order to account for the nonlinear effects debt can have on growth. The study finds that public debt affects GDP growth in a nonlinear manner. This means that around lower debt to GDP ratios debt can have a positive effect on the short run, while beyond this threshold debt will affect growth negatively. Amongst the three subgroups examined (EU, Western EU and CEE EU) the subgroup with the lower institutional quality and economic performance has this threshold level the lowest (54.78%), while the EU (74.18%) and Western EU (90.37%) have it higher. This confirms the notion that, at least in the EU, lower institutional quality and economic performance makes countries more vulnerable to the effects of debt. This is due to their public investments being less effective, all the while the negative effects are more pronounced due to more financial constraints in debt repayment. The limitation of the thesis include the fact that the study was carried out with a limited observation period of 11 years, it also included a shock in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision behind the observed time period was impacted by the availability of data on the required variables. Additionally the study is looking at the immediate impact of debt on growth. Measuring long term impacts was out of the scope of this study as the shorter observed period prevented the employment of time lags within the regressors. Sun, 31 Aug 2025 22:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2268.2/24392 2025-08-31T22:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2268.2/24234 Title: What are the main factors behind recent deindustrialisation ? Abstract: This thesis investigates the determinants of recent deindustrialisation mainly in developed economies, focusing on differences between Low Technology and Medium to High Technology manufacturing sectors and between Eastern and Western Europe over the period 1996 to 2014. Using a decomposition model inspired by Tregenna (2009), the analysis separates the changes in employment share into sector share, labour intensity and productivity effects. Results show that in Low Technology sectors, most countries experienced a decline in employment driven by shrinking manufactoring sector shares and rising productivity, with Eastern Europe affected more severely. Medium to High Technology sectors display greater heterogeneity. Some countries, such as South Korea and Lithuania, recorded positive sector share effects, while Turkey saw gains from higher manufacturing labour intensity. Econometric estimates confirm the sector share effect as one of the most significant driver of employment deindustrialisation, productivity gains and higher relative productivity compared to services also have an impact. Outsourcing effects are found only for Low Technology sectors. Trade openness and GDP per capita do not show robust impact. Findings highlight a structural tension: policies that raise productivity may inadvertently accelerate manufacturing job losses, underscoring the need for balanced reindustrialisation strategies. Sun, 31 Aug 2025 22:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2268.2/24234 2025-08-31T22:00:00Z