Hadis Khonsary-Atighi is currently writing her Ph.D. thesis on the topic of ’Oil-driven Economic Nationalism and Investment under Uncertainty: A Study of the Transition Economy of Iran (1973-2008)’.

 

The thesis is an institutional economy study. Firstly, it investigates how the presence of oil has established certain kinds of incentive and institutional structures in Iran, complicated by the country’s internal and external constraints. Further, it develops an analytical and theoretical framework to shed light on the interconnectedness between oil-driven economic nationalism, investment behaviour, and oil price volatility. Thirdly, using this interconnectedness as a point of departure for further analysis, it attempts to extend the theory of investment by incorporating oil price volatility as one of the major determinants of uncertainty for the investment patterns in the country. Finally, it draws theoretical and policy-making implications to provide guidelines for policy-makers in their optimal decision-making processes which can lead to greater long-run investment-driven economic growth and stability.