Economic Research and Perspectives

Economic Research and Perspectives

Interaction Effects of Human Capital and Institutions on the Economic Growth and its Implications for Iranian Economy

Authors
Teimoor Mohammadi 1
Syrous Omidvar 2
1 Associate Professor of Economics, Allameh Tabataba'i University
2 Ph.D. Candidate in Economics, Allameh Tabataba'i University
Abstract
In this article, using two criteria of rivalry and excludability, the direct production factors are classified as physical capital, human capital and technology. Based on the new theories of economic growth, essential role of human capital in innovation, adoption and application of new technologies is emphasized. Then to explain differences of economic growth across countries, institutions as the fundamental causes of economic growth are discussed. It is argued that institutions provide circumstances in which proximate causes of production are accumulated and used. Institutions signal to the economic agents to pursue productive or rent seeking activities. In this regard, paradoxical findings of empirical studies as to effects of human capital on economic growth are analyzed. Using a cross-section data, based on 10-year average of output per worker for about 90 countries over the period 2001-2010, the interaction effect of human capital and institutional quality on growth is evaluated. The main implication of the model for Iranian economy is: Notwithstanding the huge investments in human capital, which mainly financed by oil revenues, low quality of institutions has led to slow economic growth.
Keywords
Human Capital
Institutions
economic growth

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Economic Research and Perspectives
Volume 15, Issue 1
Spring 2015
Pages 185-208