Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY
This chapter discusses the methods and procedures that will be used to gather the
necessary data and information to be used in the entire study. It represents the locale of the
study, data sources, and the statistical treatment of data. The data locale describes, in brief,
the location where the study is conducted and the rationale behind its choice. In contrast, the
data sources section presents the different agencies to be approached in order to obtain the
desired data. Lastly, the statistical treatment of data discusses how this study handles and
analyzes data.
The schematic diagram below illustrates the effect of GDP growth rate, Inflation
Rate, Foreign Direct Investment, Government Spending, Trade Openness and Capital
GDP growth
rate
Oku
n’s Law Theory
Inflation Rate
Phil
lip’s Curve Theory
Foreign Direct
Investment
Exo
Unemployment genous Growth
Rate Theory
Government
Spending
Keynes Theory
Figure 3.1.1. Schematic Diagram for Theoretical Framework
This study employed the theory of Okun’s Law to explain the negative effect of GDP
growth rate on unemployment rate; GDP measures the worth of goods and services produced
in an economy, taking into account changes in overall price levels. Reducing unemployment
was one of his main goals. High unemployment can impact economic growth, depending on
the type and cause of the unemployment and how much it affects the key sectors driving
economic growth. (Bilal & Djamel, 2021) As shown by Okun (1962), when unemployment
rates.
Another theory, from Philip’s Curve Theory, illustrates the inverse relationship
between inflation and unemployment, showing that when unemployment rises, inflation falls,
and vice versa. However, economists note a difference between the short-run and long-run
Phillips curves. In the long run, inflation and unemployment appear unrelated, with
Abdennadher, 2019). It aims to highlight the trade-off between these two variables.
According to the Phillips curve, a lower unemployment rate leads to a tighter labor market,
Also, the evidence from the exogenous theory, also known as the neoclassical growth
model, shows that foreign direct investment (FDI) did not have a significant impact on the
relationship between FDI and unemployment.(Umit & Alkan, 2016). These findings suggest
that while FDI can contribute to reducing unemployment, its effect is indirect and relies on
mediating factors like economic growth and wage policies (Tegep et al. 2019).
The connection between trade openness and unemployment is effectively illustrated
producing goods that utilize its abundant resources more intensively. As a result, trade
openness enhances the demand for these resources, impacting employment patterns. In
economies rich in labor, increased trade typically raises demand for labor-intensive products,
creating jobs and reducing unemployment. Conversely, in capital-rich economies, trade may
lower labor demand in industries competing with labor-intensive imports, potentially leading
to higher unemployment.
unemployment, with the severity depending on factors like labor mobility and market
flexibility. Feenstra and Hanson (1996) argue that while trade promotes economic growth, its
impacts on labor markets are uneven, producing both gains and losses. Therefore, robust
labor market policies are essential to cushion the adverse effects of trade on employment.
Keynesian investment theory, which suggests that capital accumulation fuels economic
growth and job creation by increasing aggregate demand. Higher capital investment expands
production capacity and generates employment opportunities both immediately and in the
long term. For example, investments in physical capital like machinery, infrastructure, and
technology create jobs during the construction, production, and maintenance stages. Over
time, such investments improve productivity, fostering economic growth and raising labor
by Blanchard (2000), while capital investment often reduces unemployment, the adoption of
advanced technologies may result in automation and the displacement of certain workers.
Similarly, Acemoglu and Restrepo (2018) suggest that the long-term impact depends
on whether productivity-driven job creation outweighs the job losses caused by automation.
Aghion and Howitt (1994) also emphasize that complementary measures, such as education
and retraining programs, are critical in helping workers adapt to changing labor market needs
unemployment depends on the type of investment, the flexibility of labor markets, and the
Keynesian fiscal policy theory, which underscores the importance of government intervention
in stabilizing the economy and reducing unemployment during economic downturns. Keynes
argued that government spending stimulates aggregate demand by directly creating jobs in
the public sector and indirectly fostering employment in the private sector through multiplier
effects. For example, investments in infrastructure not only provide immediate jobs in
Research by Auerbach and Gorodnichenko (2012) shows that the impact of government
helps counteract declines in private sector activity. Likewise, Blanchard and Perotti (2002)
demonstrate that increased government expenditure on goods and services raises labor
multipliers, the type of spending, and the economy’s level of capacity utilization. Perotti
(2005) points out that government spending has a stronger impact on unemployment when
importance of the timing and scale of spending, noting that well-targeted and timely
interventions are more effective in reducing unemployment. As such, government spending
The figure below illustrates the expected relationship between the independent
variable which is the GDP growth Rate, Inflation Rate, Trade Openness, and Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) which are being held constant to explain further the linkage between
dependent and independent variables; and the dependent variable which is the unemployment
rate.
Independent Variables
GDP growth rate
Inflation Rate
Foreign Direct
Investment
Government Spending
Trade Openness
Capital Investment
With the aid of the empirical studies this paper infers the following statements. Gross
Domestic growth rate has a negative relationship with the Unemployment Rate, denoting that
when GDP growth rate increases the unemployment rate decreases (Dayıoğlu & Aydın, 2020;
Chien, 2020). It dictates that every 1% increase in GDP growth is the decrease of the
unemployment rate by 0.5%. Economic growth and unemployment are crucial factors, as
unemployment while also aiming for high economic growth (Soylu, Cakmak & Okur, 2018).
Research supports the idea that higher GDP growth can lower unemployment by boosting the
demand for workers. For instance, Kemi and Lawrence (2016) found that in developing
sectors that rely on a large workforce. Similarly, Imran and Hussain (2017) observed that
when GDP grows quickly, it tends to create more jobs across various industries, helping to
reduce unemployment.
The relationship between Inflation rate and Unemployment rate is also negative, where
inflation rate refers to the general increase in price levels within an economy, as it can create
well as social and political dynamics (Mouseni & Jouzaryan, 2016). The inverse relationship
between the two variables shows that when unemployment rises, inflation falls, and vice
versa. Ball and Mankiw (2015) found that moderate inflation can reduce unemployment in
the short term by boosting demand and encouraging businesses to hire. However, Blanchard
and Summers (2015) argue that high inflation creates economic instability and uncertainty,
leading to higher unemployment in the long term. Thus, while moderate inflation may help
Foreign Direct Investment also has a negative relationship with the unemployment
rate. Foreign direct investment involves an individual or company making direct investments
in a foreign country, often for business and production purposes (Matthew & Ogunlusi,
between foreign direct investment (FDI) and unemployment suggests that FDI can reduce
unemployment by boosting economic growth and creating jobs. Alfaro et al. (2015) found
that FDI helps create jobs by supporting industrial development and technology transfer.
Cleeve (2015) also noted that FDI increases labor demand, especially in developing
countries, by improving productivity and creating new businesses. However, the effect of
FDI on unemployment depends on factors like the type of investment and the labor market
conditions of the host country. In general, FDI helps reduce unemployment, but supportive
spending can reduce unemployment by boosting economic demand and creating jobs.
Baumeister and Hamilton (2015) found that higher government spending increases aggregate
demand, leading to more jobs, especially in tough economic times. Boushey et al. (2017)
agree, showing that spending on infrastructure and public services creates both short- and
long-term jobs. However, Alesina et al. (2015) note that the effect depends on the type of
spending and economic conditions. Berlemann and Mohl (2015) argue that targeted spending,
over time. Therefore, the impact of government spending on unemployment relies on how,
unemployment by influencing economic growth and labor markets. Felbermayr et al. (2015)
find that more trade boosts growth and creates jobs in export industries. However, Autor et al.
(2016) warn that while trade can create jobs in some areas, it can also cause job losses in
sectors facing global competition, like manufacturing. Blanchard and Giavazzi (2015) argue
that the effect of trade on unemployment depends on how well a country adapts to global
competition and supports its labor market. Gorg and Stiefel (2017) suggest that trade’s
benefits for employment are stronger in countries investing in education and skills training.
Ultimately, the impact of trade openness on unemployment depends on the economy’s
lower unemployment by driving economic growth and creating jobs. Gali (2015) found that
However, Bloom, Brynjolfsson, and Cowen (2017) note that automation from capital
investment may cut jobs in some sectors but can create new opportunities in high-skill
industries. Choi and Lee (2017) argue that the positive effects depend on policies like
education and labor reforms to help workers adapt. McKinsey Global Institute (2019) also
shows that investment in innovation and infrastructure fuels economic growth and reduces
unemployment over time. Thus, the effect of capital investment on unemployment depends
Error Test (RESET) to assess the factors affecting the unemployment rate of the
(1)
where:
UR𝑖𝑡 = is the Unemployment Rate in the Philippines from 1991-2020;
𝛽1GDP𝑖𝑡 = is the Gross Domestic Product growth rate of the Philippines from 1991-
2020;
3.3.2 Hypothesis
The following are the null hypothesis in this study which was tested using the significance of
5%:
The table above shows the hypothesized effects of the independent variables such
as GDP growth rate, inflation rate, FDI, Trade Openness, Capital Investment, and
Government spending on the Unemployment rate that coincide with the empirical literature.
The variables indicate a significant relationship to the unemployment rate of the Philippines.
Below are the independent variables that being discussed about the relationship to the
unemployment rate:
Several studies suggest that higher GDP growth positively impacts job creation, as it
increases the demand for labor across various sectors. For example, Kemi and Lawrence
(2016) found that in developing countries, strong economic growth is closely linked to lower
production expands. Similarly, Imran and Hussain (2017) noted that rapid GDP growth opens
unemployment. These findings highlight that when the economy grows, it typically results in
Some studies suggest that GDP growth may have a limited effect on reducing
unemployment. Dayıoğlu and Aydın (2020) and Chien (2020) note that, although countries
typically aim for both economic growth and lower unemployment, the connection between
these two goals may not be as strong as anticipated. Altunoz (2019) adds that while GDP
growth and unemployment generally show a negative correlation, the influence of GDP
growth on unemployment can be weak over both short and long terms. This implies that
increasing GDP alone might not significantly lower unemployment without the support of
Inflation rate
The study by Ball and Mankiw (2015) shows a positive effect of moderate inflation
on unemployment in the short term. They argue that moderate inflation boosts aggregate
inflation makes borrowing more attractive, leading to higher investment and job creation.
This aligns with the Phillips Curve, which suggests an inverse relationship between inflation
and unemployment in the short run. Thus, moderate inflation can lower unemployment by
an inverse, or negative, connection, as seen in both the studies by Sahnoun & Abdennadher
(2019) and Mouseni & Jouzaryan (2016). According to Sahnoun & Abdennadher (2019), this
negative relationship is grounded in the Phillips Curve, which suggests that as unemployment
rises, inflation tends to fall due to weakened demand for goods and services in a sluggish
economy. When unemployment is high, there is typically less spending, lower wage growth,
and businesses are less inclined to raise prices, which reduces inflation. On the other hand,
Mouseni & Jouzaryan (2016) acknowledge that in the short run, moderate inflation can
stimulate economic activity, create employment opportunities, and attract investments, thus
leading to a lower unemployment rate. However, their study also highlights that if inflation
becomes too high, it can lead to economic instability, higher interest rates, and reduced
while inflation may have some short-term effects in lowering unemployment, the overall
relationship between inflation and unemployment remains negative in the long run, as
The studies suggest that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) can have a positive impact
on reducing unemployment, particularly in the context of economic growth and job creation.
Alfaro et al. (2015) argue that FDI fosters industrial development and facilitates technology
transfer, both of which are essential for increasing productivity and creating new employment
opportunities. FDI often supports the establishment of new businesses and the expansion of
existing ones, leading to increased demand for labor. Cleeve (2015) further emphasizes that
productivity and creates jobs in both non-labor-intensive and labor-intensive sectors. This
suggests that, by fostering growth and improving technological capabilities, FDI can reduce
However, the effect of FDI on unemployment can also be negative depending on the
type of investment and the specific conditions of the host country's labor market. Matthew &
Ogunlusi (2017) highlight that FDI tends to focus more on non-labor-intensive sectors, which
may not create widespread job opportunities across all sectors of the economy. This can
result in limited job creation, particularly for lower-skilled workers or in industries that
require fewer employees. In some cases, FDI may lead to job displacement if foreign firms
replace local industries or if technology adoption reduces the demand for manual labor.
Therefore, while FDI can reduce unemployment by fostering economic growth, the extent of
its benefits depends on labor market conditions, policies, and the type of industries attracted
by the investment. Without supportive policies, the benefits of FDI in terms of job creation
may be limited or unevenly distributed. As foreign direct investment grows, there will be
more job prospects for Filipinos since external investors can invest money to start firms in a
country. As a result, the unemployment rate and foreign direct investment have an inverse
connection.
Capital Investment
unemployment by driving economic growth and creating jobs. According to Ross (2019),
increased capital investment leads to the purchasing of more equipment, which expands
business operations and requires companies to hire additional employees. This expansion
often results in higher labor demand, and as employment rises, wages and salaries tend to
increase as well. Alrabba (2017) further supports this view by showing that in Jordan,
increased capital investment leads to business expansion through more assets, projects, and
Additionally, Gali (2015) finds that investment in technology and infrastructure boosts
productivity, creating jobs and improving economic prospects. McKinsey Global Institute
(2019) echoes this sentiment, showing that investments in innovation and infrastructure help
fuel long-term economic growth, which, in turn, reduces unemployment by creating new
technology and infrastructure, drives business expansion, enhances productivity, and creates
While capital investment can reduce unemployment in many cases, its effects can also
and Cowen (2017), increased capital investment, particularly in automation and technology,
can lead to job losses in labor-intensive sectors. As businesses invest in automated systems,
there may be fewer jobs available for low-skill workers, leading to job displacement. Choi
and Lee (2017) argue that the positive effects of capital investment depend on supporting
policies, such as education and labor reforms, which help workers adapt to changes in the
labor market. Without these policies, capital investment may exacerbate inequality and
unemployment in certain industries, as workers without the necessary skills for new, high-
tech jobs may find it difficult to transition. These studies suggest that while capital
investment can create jobs, it may also cause job losses in certain sectors, and its
effectiveness in reducing unemployment largely depends on how well workers are prepared
Trade Openness
Studies show that trade openness can reduce unemployment by boosting economic
growth, job creation, and productivity. Felbermayr et al. (2015) find that increased trade
helps countries with comparative advantages grow and create jobs in export industries.
Hwang and Lee (2019) argue that trade opens up more job opportunities in large labor
markets by increasing domestic production and labor demand. Silajdzic and Mehic (2018)
suggest that trade encourages technological progress, increases productivity, and stimulates
Some studies suggest that trade openness can increase unemployment, especially in
countries struggling to compete globally. Autor et al. (2016) explain that while trade can
create jobs in certain sectors, it may also cause job losses in industries like manufacturing,
which face competition from cheaper imports. Hossain et al. (2018) and Raifu (2017) argue
that trade can worsen unemployment in countries with structural issues, like skill gaps or low
adaptability. For example, in the Philippines and Nigeria, trade openness hasn’t reduced
unemployment due to weak domestic industries and mismatched worker skills. These studies
show that without the right policies, trade openness can hurt unemployment.
Government Spending
Some studies show that increased government spending can raise unemployment.
O’Nwachukwu (2016) and Gachari & Korir (2020) found that a 1% rise in government
spending could increase unemployment by about 0.48%. This may happen due to
For example, in Nigeria and Kenya, government spending may not lead to job creation if it is
misallocated or not aligned with labor market needs. These studies suggest that while
government spending can reduce unemployment, it can also worsen it if not properly
managed.
Other studies show that government spending can lower unemployment. Baumeister
and Hamilton (2015) found that during economic downturns, increased spending boosts
demand and creates jobs, especially in infrastructure and public services. Boushey et al.
(2017) agree, noting that such spending not only provides short-term jobs but also supports
long-term job growth. Berlemann and Mohl (2015) highlight that targeted spending, like
investing in education and training, improves skills and reduces unemployment over time.
Studies by Alrayes & Wadi (2018), Onodugo et al. (2017), and Shadi Saraireh (2020) also
findings suggest that when managed well, government spending can boost growth, create
(RESET) to assess the factors affecting the unemployment rate of the Philippines
dependent variables. The reason behind choosing this method is that it has its own
represented as (y, zi), in which “y” is the forecast variable sometimes also called
the regressand, dependent, and explained. While “zi” represents the predictor
mathematically below:
the combination of both; and u𝑡 is the error term. On the other hand, the
secondary data was taken from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), and
World Bank. The time series data sets were tested to determine the appropriate
model before analyzing it using Simple Time Series Regression. Prior to the
selection of the final model, various test and Ordinary Linear Squares (OLS)
assumptions were performed and statistically satisfied by the model. The test
includes performing the test for outliers, outliers are the extreme values of the
data, the study detected and omitted the outliers. The OLS assumptions and tests
assess the model whether there is a need to transform into a function with a
employed to test the specification or the test for the functional form. The pairwise
Another linearity parameter test for time series is testing its stationarity using the
test statistics and Durbin’s Alternative test are employed, both indicates that the
model suffers from serial correlation and there is a need to correct the first-order
This study is based on six economic key variables, which are necessary in understanding the m
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APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Sex: Female
Nationality: Filipino
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Address:
Year Graduated:
CURRICULUM VITAE
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Sex: Female
Nationality: Filipino
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Year Graduated:
CURRICULUM VITAE
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Sex: Female
Nationality: Filipino
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Year Graduated:
CURRICULUM VITAE
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Sex: Male
Home Address: Zone 15, Brgy. 19, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental
Nationality: Filipino
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Year Graduated:
CURRICULUM VITAE
PERSONAL INFORMATION:
Sex: Male
Nationality: Filipino
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Address:
Year Graduated: