Applied Economics
My primary research focus was on the applied industrial organisation (IO). In recent years, I have initiated research on the energy economics area. My contribution towards research is demonstrated by the quality and quantity of my output published in highly ranked journals. Each research piece has policy messages for both developed and developing countries. Environmental degradation is a major problem in our time. This is even more prominent in global discussion in context of recovery path in post COVID period. In Energy Economics, recent publications provide policy prescriptions including development of technology indicator (Applied Energy, 2015) for coal sector in China, improving the role of institutions in implementing renewable deployment in developing countries (Renewable energy, 2017). My recent research published in Energy Economics journal on convergence analysis with key energy related variables (per capita CO2 emissions, energy productivity and energy intensity) help to identify convergence clubs across countries. Presence of convergence across countries will assist in formulating/negotiating multilateral agreements in mitigating issues on climate change. Effective environmental policies are needed to combat inequality and poverty in African countries. Economic and financial integration are identified as the key factors for this region (Energy, 2018). I have conducted energy economics related research and published papers covering OECD, Africa, ASEAN-8 and Asia-Pacific region. There is a pressing need to reduce the marginal damage cost of CO2 emissions over time particularly for the poor countries. My recent past and present research initiatives attempt to unfold this trajectory and provide key policy prescriptions. Recent research on topics related to Applied IO has focus on productivity and trade related issues with an emphasis on manufacturing sector. A recent paper (published in the Economics of Transition, 2019) on the Vietnamese manufacturing sector identifies various channels of a wage-skill premium during the trade liberalisation process. Research on the Ghanaian manufacturing firms published in the (World Economy, 2017), has identified the role of human capital, subsidy in innovation as the main drivers of productivity improvement. Key barriers such as weak infrastructure, rigid labor laws and access to finance are identified hindering labor productivity in expanding output in case of Indian manufacturing (International Journal of Production Economics, 2015). Manufacturing sector plays a key role for sustainable development of these countries. I have research collaborators both from the developed and developing countries, which includes faculties from various Business Schools in Canada, U.K., U.S. India and Pakistan. and from Engineering Departments within Australia. I have completed consulting research with the OECD, Paris on ICT sector in India. In recent time, a report was completed on Tyre pyrolysis and waste management for the Tyre Stewardship Australia.
Details on her research can be found at:
https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=VTukFXIAAAAJ&hl=en
https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/mita-bhattacharya