The Threshold Effects of External Debt on Sustainable Economic Growth Considering Heterogeneity in Regulatory Quality and Government Institutional Quality

Authors

    Vajihe Bayat PhD Student, Department of Economics, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
    Marjan Daman keshideh * Department of Accounting, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Mar.Daman_Keshideh@iauctb.ac.ir
    Majid Afsharirad Associate Professor and Faculty Member, Faculty of Economics, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

Keywords:

External debt, sustainable economic growth, regulatory quality, government institutional quality, threshold model

Abstract

The present study examines the threshold effects of external debt on sustainable economic growth while taking into account the heterogeneity in regulatory quality and government institutional quality. Using a Panel Smooth Transition Regression (PSTR) model in which external debt is considered the transition variable, the sustainable development function is modeled. Following confirmation of the nonlinear model, the results of the nonlinear section are analyzed. According to the estimated nonlinear model, the coefficient of external debt (ED) is 0.49, indicating a negative effect of external debt on sustainable development in the selected countries. Given the corresponding probability value of this coefficient (0.0069), which is less than 0.05, this effect is statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. Furthermore, the coefficients and computed probability values for institutional quality, regulatory quality, and rule of law are 0.016, 0.089, and 0.235, with corresponding probability values of 0.0355, 0.0015, and 0.0053, respectively. These results indicate that the effects of regulatory quality, institutional quality, and the rule of law on improving sustainable development are positive and statistically significant.

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Published

2025-01-20

Submitted

2024-09-18

Revised

2024-12-11

Accepted

2024-12-18

How to Cite

Bayat , V., Daman keshideh, M., & Afsharirad, M. (2025). The Threshold Effects of External Debt on Sustainable Economic Growth Considering Heterogeneity in Regulatory Quality and Government Institutional Quality. Journal of Management and Business Solutions, 3(1), 1-13. https://journalmbs.com/index.php/jmbs/article/view/66

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