Browsing by Author "Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 39

A multilevel analysis of the returns to education in Ecuador. The multifaceted impact of human capital
(Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, 2016) Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel; Raileanu Szeles, Monica; Argudo Barrera, Dalia Maritza
This paper analyses the returns to education in Ecuador based on cross-sectional data collected by a National Survey at the individual- and canton-levels in 2005 and 2015. The multilevel analysis provides the methodological framework that allows capturing the regional peculiarities of data as well as addressing the high regional economic heterogeneity. The two level- random intercept and random slope models are used to examine the impact of individual-level and canton-level characteristics on the labour income. In subsidiary, the paper explains the proportion of variance in individual- level income that is explained by canton- level characteristics.
Affordability and sustainability in the human right to water
(2023) Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel; Carchi Morocho, Darwin Geovanny; Segovia Sarmiento, Joselin Katerine
Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the affordability and sustainability of residential water consumption in Ecuador, a developing country. Design/methodology/approach To determine affordability, the authors assess water consumption and its distribution across different income levels of the population in the three main cities: Cuenca, Guayaquil and Quito. The authors then simulate the effects of a pricing policy on sustainability by deriving demand elasticities through a quadratic almost ideal demand system (QUAIDS). Findings Results show that Ecuador has low water tariffs with respect to other cities in Latin America, which points to its affordability. However, sustainability might not be guaranteed since consumption is overall higher than the level suggested by the World Health Organization. From an economic point of view, this could be motivated by the low tariffs. Indeed, the simulation of a pricing policy shows that higher prices can significantly reduce demand for most of the sample. However, in low-income households this reduction may compromise vital consumption. Research limitations/implications This research has important implications in terms of stimulating the discussion of how water affordability and sustainability can be achieved. For the case study, Ecuador, the results indicate that sustainability may not be guaranteed and that policies need to be designed to encourage it. Another implication is that population income levels should be considered to avoid negative effects for the most vulnerable groups. The main limitations of this study are methodological. First, the QUAIDS model is based on a conditional demand model (Zhen et al., 2013), which does not take into account spending on other goods. Second, data availability is limited and prevents a deeper analysis. Originality/value To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to analyze these issues in Ecuador, a country that recognizes the human right to water at the constitutional level.
Análisis de la eficiencia del gasto de inversión de los gobiernos autónomos descentralizados municipales del Ecuador para el año 2014: estimación de una frontera estocástica
(2017) Fárez Plasencia, María Isabel; Quinde Lituma, María Elena; Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel
This paper aims to analyze the efficiency of the municipal governments of Ecuador during the 2014 period, using the parametric technique Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), through the microeconomic theory of cost minimization. Simultaneously, this paper considered the effect of important factors such as the transfers the central government, the population’s income, the secondary educational level, the population density, and the political affiliation of the city’s mayor over the efficiency levels found. The mentioned efficiency analysis was perform in a global manner, and for four municipal typologies, which defined through a conglomerates analysis. Afterwards, the results of empirical analysis demonstrated that municipal governments they can reach an important reduction of their investment expenditures, and at the same time, provide the same amount of goods and services to the population. Likewise, the results indicated that, on a national scale, the income generated by the municipal governments and their population influence positively on the efficiency levels; however, these results vary for each municipal typology.
Análisis espacial de la pobreza multidimensional en el Ecuador 2014
(2017) Tapia Olvera, Nelson Estuardo; Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel
The purpose of this paper is to analyze the incidence of the spatial dimension in the behavior of multidimensional poverty in the country, to determine if there is a mutual spatial dependence between the different geographical sectors of Ecuador. Spatial disaggregation was performed using the geographical criteria of cantonal headland and rest of the province for the continental territory, obtaining a total of 58 regions denominated as Spatial Analysis Units (SAUs) for each of which were calculated the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) using the results of the Survey of Living Conditions (ECV sixth round). The analysis of spatial autocorrelation was based on the Moran global I test, whose results allowed to conclude the existence of global spatial dependence between the regions. Finally, the analysis was concluded through tests of spatial dependence at the local level, where only 3 of the 58 SAUs showed the existence of possible conglomeration of poverty.
Cálculo de la tarifa óptima para los buses del servicio de trasporte urbano en la ciudad de Cuenca para el año 2015
(2016) Baculima León, Mayra Elizabeth; Morales Matute, Ana Lorena; Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel
This research aims to determine the optimal economic rate that bus drivers should charge in order to finance their economic expenses and to generate higher social welfare. To determine the economic rate, the costs incurred by a bus driver are analyzed considering the part related to investment, financial, and operational costs proposed in the methodology of the Traffic National Agency. On the other hand, in terms of transit services demand, the model of linear expenditure system is used to quantify it. The model is based on the maximization of a utility function that is subject to a budget constraint. Finally, the optimum rate is obtained through the second best condition (P = Cme), resulting in a flat rate of $ 0.32 cents and a differential rate of $ 0.16.
Cómo influye el conocimiento del retorno económico en las aspiraciones educativas
(2021) Castro Chamba, Jordan Richard; Segovia Sarmiento, Joselin Katerine; Chamba Valarezo, Jennyfer Lizeth; Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel; Aguilar Feijó, Víctor Gerardo
Comparaciones de pobreza multidimensional en las provincias de Azuay, Guayas y Pichincha
(2018) Méndez Urgiles, Xavier Santiago; Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel
Since the term of poverty has multiple interpretations depending on the perspective which it is analyzed, in this work it is assumed the concepts of several authors who manifest their multidimensionality, and especially the one proposed by UNDP (1997) as: “The denial of options and opportunities to live a tolerable life, being in a precarious situation, lacking of development capabilities and that are below a minimum standard accepted socially, which negatively affect their chances of survival and improve their quality of life”, that considers as poor those individuals that present deficiencies in several dimensions taking into account both internal and external aspects, dependent and independent of the individual and that also consider the environment in which the research is being developed; particularities that in the present study respond to the recognized rights in the Constitución de la República del Ecuador like Derechos del Buen Vivir. In this work, the poverty calculation of the provinces of Azuay, Guayas and Pichincha is carried out by applying the theory of fuzzy sets that has as characteristic the continuity of the degrees of belonging, finding in this point its applicability in the multidimensional measurement of poverty since an individual can be considered poor according to some criteria maybe universal or absolute, while according to other specific or particular criteria could not be considered as the mentioned, being the main contribution of this methodology, unlike others, the treatment that gives the average values (values close to the threshold), since it considers that an individual does not pass from a situation deprivation to no privation immediately, but within this interval there is a problem of gradual deprivation. In addition, the multidimensional poverty levels obtained under fuzzy sets theory are compared with the application of the Totally Fuzzy and Relative Approach (TFR) in its original specification form proposed by Cheli and Lemmi in 1995 and an alternative proposed by Cheli, D'Agostino and Filippone in 2001, and with the results obtained by the country's information sources. The results obtained based on fuzzy logic point out a higher incidence of poverty in the provinces considered, basically, because of one of the advantages presented by the index in terms of the choice of thresholds, and it also shows that the levels of position or hierarchy of poverty depend on the weighting function used in the calculation of the index
Determinación de la rentabilidad social y privada de la educación en el Ecuador para el año 2012 mediante conglomerados jerárquicos
(2014) Flores Sisalima, Andrés David; López Huerta, Sebastián Mateo; Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel
Education is an important tool against poverty in underdeveloped countries and to have a well-educated society is definitely a good sign of prosperity and quality of life. The Spillover effect allows us to demonstrate monetary externalities that can be acquired by coexisting with a group of well-educated people that is to say by a pay gap between an average educated person and a well-educated person. The social and private Profit of Education is a research done by micro data. First of all, a conglomeration of people is built by an index of quality of life, so that they are as homogeneous intragroup and intergroup heterogeneous, and using ordinary least squares (OLS) can estimate social profit using investment variables in human capital stock from each cluster. Many studies show the existence of nesting people, in this investigation, workers nested within clusters, i.e. there is a hierarchy in the group decision-making on the individual. The Education profit is decomposed into private profit and monetary externalities, for which variables of human capital investment are used on a conglomeration and in an individual, also the Mills inverted is used to correct the selection; the estimation is done by a hierarchical regression model which is ideal for capturing the influence that a conglomeration has on an individual.
Determinantes de la dispersión de precios de medicamentos prescritos en la ciudad de Cuenca
(2016) Pérez Inga, Angel Alfredo; Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel
This study investigates the role that consumer search has over price dispersion by analyzing the retail prices of prescription drugs from pharmacies in the city of Cuenca in the province of Azuay. It was used in the analysis primary information obtained by quotedprescriptions, according to a sample of pure active principles fromthe sample of pharmacies which was selected by a suitable process and was segmented according to criteria of pharmacy proximity to medical services centers. The research evaluated the dispersion by a regression model corrected for heteroscedasticity. The main results obtained showed that in the two sections of the geographic market,quoted prices vary considerably between firms, even after controlling for variation due to firms differences.The empirical analysis gives results consistent with the predictions of a consumer’s model search: prices of prescriptions purchased periodically (which have higher benefits from search process) show significant reductions in dispersion. So, it is beneficial for consumers to compare prices between competitors. Intermediation prices have a direct impact on the dispersion. While particular therapeutic categories showed the need for attention in the relevant market because of the amount of dispersion and the conditions for its maintenance.
Determinantes de la probabilidad de estar desempleado en el Ecuador: evidencia micro y macroeconómica en el periodo 2008-2013
(2014) Arias Medina, William Paúl; Cárdenas Salinas, Karla Gabriela; Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel
Unemployment is part of both economic and social issues. In the labor market the unemployment rate allows us to see unemployment in the economically active population. Currently in Ecuador are observed the lowest unemployment rates, but nevertheless , this does not imply that it is an acceptable situation , since there are thousands of individuals who cannot find a job that allows them to satisfy their needs. The labor market has been studied in micro and macroterms, and at the same time by both the sides of supply and demand. This paper presents a microeconomic model to estimate the probability of being unemployed individuals in Ecuador. It aims to find evidence to explain micro and macroeconomic situation of no occupation. In the labor market the labor factor is offered by individuals and demanded from companies or employers. For this research a labor market is assumed with imperfect information, which means that there are information gaps that make job seekers are not well informed about existing job vacancies, and employers are not aware of how many individuals available to work there. To calculate the probability, we make econometric estimations using the “logit”, “probit”, and “linear probability model” methods. The macroeconomic component is analyzed by the unemployment rate and GDP
Los determinantes de la sobreeducación y su efecto en los salarios: el caso Ecuatoriano año 2015
(2016) Heredia Rivadeneira, Wladimir Fernando; López Bravo, Carlos Gabriel; Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel
The main objective of this study is to analyze the determinants of overeducation and its effect on wages in Ecuador by 2015. Specifically, the analysis focuses on determining the incidence of educational mismatches (over-education, under-education and adequate education), the application of a probability model that indicates the determinants of overeducation and the application of wage models. Making use of the ENEMDU survey, it was found that 3 out of 10 workers present some kind of educational mismatch. Out of the total employed, 14.4% are over-educated and 14.3% under-educated. It was also observed that the phenomenon of over-education affects a large extent of young workers and those who hold a higher education qualification. Finally, it was found that overeducation is expensive for workers since the over-educated earn an average of 15.6% less than the adequately educated. In contrast, the under-educated earn an average of 13.9% more than the adequately adequate. In terms of returns, it was found that an additional year of adequate education increases wages by 6.5%, a year of over-education increases by 2.8%, and a year of undereducation decreases wages by 3.3%.
Determinantes del acceso y permanencia en la educación superior: un estudio aplicado a la Universidad de Cuenca
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2025-04-10) Carcelen Morales, Brandon Ismael; Jerez Idrovo, Michael Josué; Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel
This study analyzes the determinants of the academic performance of applicants to the University of Cuenca, measured through the application grade. Using a multilevel model, individual, socioeconomic and institutional factors that significantly affect performance were identified. The results reveal that students from private schools, those who do not belong to the poorest quintile, and those who show better study habits, such as dedicating time to reading and study hours, obtain higher performance. In addition, motivation in areas such as mathematics and science have a positive effect, as it is associated with the development of key cognitive skills. On the other hand, parental education, especially maternal education, also stands out as a determinant of academic performance. This work provides relevant evidence on educational inequalities and the factors that influence the grades of applicants, offering useful information for the design of policies that promote greater equity in access to higher education.
Discontent with democracy in Latin America
(2021) Segovia Sarmiento, Joselin Katerine; Pontarollo, Nicola; Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel
Satisfaction with democracy registered its lowest global score in 2019, with Latin America being the worst-performing region and the most seized by social protest. This paper briefly surveys and assesses the main narratives that attempt to explain the causes of this discontent in the region. The results show that discontent has different roots, which are mostly explained from an individual point of view rather than from a contextual one. Inequality of opportunity and institutional weaknesses play the main role. Considering the COVID-19 social and economic crisis, our results shed light on the key elements to address whether discontent is to be contained.
Discussing the inter-sectoral linkages in Ecuador, with a focus on the oil sector
(2015) Beltrán Romero, Pablo Aníbal; Raileanu-szeles Null, Monica Null; Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel; Mendieta Muñoz, Luis Rodrigo
The oil sector represents a key-sector of the Ecuadorian economy, characterised by a high level of value added and a high weight in the national exports. This paper tries to find out whether the oil sector is able to induce positive effects for other economic sectors, and to also measure these effects in comparison with those generated by other sectors. The empirical analysis uses the income and employment multipliers, which are derived from Leontief Input-Output tables. The results indicate that the Ecuadorian oil sector is the most independent one, so that policies enhancing stronger linkages with other sectors are highly recommended.
Estimación de la demanda de bebidas no alcohólicas en Ecuador
(2020) Segovia Sarmiento, Joselin Katerine; Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel; Sarmiento Jara, Juan Pablo
This paper explores the potential effects of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages as a public health policy in Ecuador by estimating the own, cross-price and income elasticities of non-alcoholic beverages at household level. We estimated a Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (QUAIDS) and found that, contrary to soft drinks, the consumption of soda is elastic. This revealed to be independent of the household income level. It was also found a substitution relationship between soda drinks and dairy drinks. Thus, taxation of soda drinks could decrease its consumption and direct it to healthier alternatives.
Evidence About the Moral Hazard in the Ecuadorian Health System
(2017) Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel; Piedra Peña, Juan Andres; Sarmiento Moscoso, Luis Santiago
Género, trabajo y ciudadanía social en Cuenca 2008-2012
(2013) Méndez Mora, Cecilia; Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel
Georeferenciación y análisis de la pobreza urbana y rural de las provincias: Pichincha, Guayas y Azuay a través del método de necesidades básicas insatisfechas, y contraste de sus resultados con una metodología multidimensional de pobreza 2010
(2013) Méndez Urgiles, Xavier Santiago; Patiño Enríquez, Alex Fabián; Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel
Hechos estilizados del ciclo económico de Ecuador: 1990-2009
(2011) Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel
This paper presents a set of “stylized facts” of the business cycle in Ecuador. To describe the properties of economic fluctuations I followed the Kydland and Prescott methodology (1990). It documents the volatility of the cyclical component of macroeconomic variables and the co-movements with the cyclical component of real GDP. In order to analyze possible changes in the cyclical properties of the Ecuadorian economic cycle, the period of analysis is divided into two sub-periods, 1990-1999 and 2000-2009, this due to the adoption of official dollarization in early 2000. Ecuador real cycles have some interesting peculiarities. Trade is an important part of economic activity; exports and the terms of trade tend to lead the cycle. On the other hand, change and monetary policy play a significant role in short-term fluctuations.
La escasez del agua: un contraste entre el derecho humano al agua y el precio como medida para su conservación
(Universidad de Cuenca, 2021-08-17) Carchi Morocho, Darwin Geovanny; Orellana Bravo, Mercy Raquel
Access to drinking water and sanitation is considered a human right as it’s essential for a dignified living. However, climate change, demographic and economic growth affect the availability of the resource. It’s evident that prices have been used as effective mechanisms for its efficient and sustainable management. Nevertheless, pricing policies could be regressive if the characteristics of the population aren’t considered. Residential water demand is estimated and effect of changes in the price on its consumption and on the consumption of other goods is analyzed. It’s found that the residential water demand is inelastic (-0.62), so significant price increases should be considered to reduce the excessive consumption of residential water, evidencing a greater reduction in high-income households, however, there are differences in consumption when considering the distribution of income, area and geographic region, besides, there is evidence of an impact on vulnerable households in their consumption of residential water and other goods. The information provided by the study helps in the design of prices policies aimed at solving the problems derived from scarcity, which take into account the characteristics of the population and thus avoid regressive effects when considering the affordability and other criteria that guarantee the human right to water.