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The convergence process and the advantages involved for less developed and developing countries, especially those located in the MENA region is of a great importance in economic studies. Through expanding regional co-operations and playing a wider role in the economies of the member states, it can prepare a suitable ground for growing regional markets and positive international economic reactions and finally can result into total development of the region. This article, using time series model is aiming at testing the convergence hypothesis in MENA region (15 countries) during 1980-2008. For analyzing time series model, we used Augmented Dicky Fuller test, Zivot & Andrews (with the endogenous time break) unit root test, Im, Pesaran & Shin and also Levin, Lin & Chu unit root panel data tests. The results of time series model with ADF and ZA tests show that there are two groups of convergence among the selected MENA countries. The first one is those countries which are converging from the low per capita income up to the average per capita income of the selected countries. The second one is the countries which are converging from the high per capita income down to the average of the region. The rest have diverged from the average per capita income during the period. According to Im, Pesaran & Shin and also Levin, Lin & Chu unit root tests, the convergence hypothesis of per capita income to average, is accepted for the whole sample. Altogether, the selected countries are minimizing the gap between their per capita income and the average per capita income of the region.

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Achieving economic growth requires an optimal allocation system of resources at national level. This is not possible without a perfect and efficient financial market. The stock exchange as a part of capital market can provide the required national financial resources and lead to economic growth. In the capital market, information is regarded as the most valuable asset. The more the transparency of information in the stock exchange, the lower the information asymmetry and the more efficient capital market will be. This study aims to analyze the effects of the ownership share of institutional investors, the board size, the role of non-executive board and separation of chief executive officer and chairman of the board roles (separation variable) on information asymmetry in the stock exchange. It estimates a panel data regression for the companies listed in the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) during the fourth national development plan. The results indicate that the ownership share of institutional investors and board size have negative effects on information asymmetry, while the ratio of non-executive members to board size and separation variable have no significant effects on information asymmetry. 

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Crime is a phenomenon studied from the perspective of sociology, psychology, law and economics. From the economic point of view, when economies face with economic problems such as inflation, unemployment, poverty, income inequality, and high necessary costs and so on, the expected rise in crimes is inevitable. Generally, robbery has a high share in economic crimes. In this study, an attempt is made to analyze the relationship between income inequality and robbery in Iran within a Bayesian model and Jeffry Prior approach. The period under study is from 1996 to 2012. The educational expenditure and inflation are used as control variables. The results indicate a positive relation between robbery and income inequality. Also, there is a negative relation between educational expenditure and robbery; however, the inflation has no significant effect on the robbery.