Research

My research spans Development, Macroeconomics, and International Economics, with a focus on policy-relevant issues in developing and fragile-state contexts. 

My earlier work focused on balance of payments, economic integration, remittances, capital flows, labour market segmentation, financial sector development, and firm-level innovation in developing countries. In particular, I examined how the adoption of innovative management practices influences firm productivity, resilience, and growth.

My current research is more policy-oriented and focuses on:

• State fragility 

• Economic resilience and state capacity 

• Financial sector development and reform 

Journal Publications

[1] Ali, A., & Ali, S.I. (2020). Antecedents of the propensity to learn management practices and their impacts on firm outcomes in emerging markets: a Bayesian model averaging approach. International Business Review, 29(4), 101706.

[2] Alpaslan, B., & Ali, A. (2018). The spillover effects of innovative ideas on human capital. Review of Development Economics, 22(1), 333–360.

[3] Ali, A., & Alpaslan, B. (2017). Is there an investment motive behind remittances? Evidence from panel cointegration. Journal of Developing Areas, 51(1), 63–82.

[4] Ali, A., & Imai, K. S. (2015). Crisis, economic integration and growth collapses in African countries. Journal of African Economies, 24(4), 471–501. [Editor’s Choice]

[5] Imai, K. S., Gaiha, R., Ali, A., & Kaicker, N. (2014). Remittances, growth and poverty: New evidence from Asian countries. Journal of Policy Modeling, 36(3), 524–538. 

Also published as an IFAD/UN policy report (Occasional Paper No. 15, 2012).

[6] Ali, A. (2013). Are property rights institutions and financial development complements or substitutes? The case of private investment. Economics Bulletin, 33(2), 1126–1131.

Book Chapters

[7] Ali, A., & Alpaslan, B. (2018). Pro-industry policies, sustainability and industrial growth. In M. Yulet (ed.), Industrial Policy and Sustainable Growth. Springer.

[8] Imai, K. S., Gaiha, R., Thapa, G., & Ali, A. (2012). Supply response to food price changes in Asian countries. In M. Aoki, T. Kuran & G. Roland (eds.), Institutions and Comparative Economic Development. Palgrave Macmillan.

Journal Papers in Review

[9] Ali, A., Ali, S., & Choudhury, H. (2026). New evidence on the determinants of actual and potential innovation in developing countries.

[10] Nimoh, N. C., Ali, A., & Syme, T. (2023). Earnings gaps, segmentation and competitiveness in the Ghanaian labour market.

Conference Papers

[11] Ali, A., & Walters, B. (2011). On the causes of capital flight from Sub-Saharan Africa. CSAE Oxford University Conference Paper No. 679 (Top-rated contribution).

[12] Ali, A. (2011). Institutional quality, financial development and capital flight. Presented at the Sixteenth World Congress of the International Economic Association, Beijing.