FACULTY, CENTER FOR GRADUATE STUDIES
Tony Pizur received his PhD in Economics from the International University of Kyrgyzstan and A.M. in Economics from Brown University. His B.A. in International Relations is from Canisius College. His practitioner experience includes directing the international strategic planning group for a Fortune 500 Consumer Products Company and serving as Director of Finance for an international nonprofit organization. Tony’s research focuses on international economics and financial decision making.
Ph.D - Economics - 1999, The International University of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Capital Reaccumulation for the Reconstruction of Autarkic Kyrgyz Industries
The dissertation focused on the transitional economy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the 1990s. The evolution of the economy was analyzed with a macroeconomic assessment of structural changes, monetary policy, tax reform, orientation of international trade, and the stages and methods of privatization. The information was then synthesized to construct a warrant program for optimal capital reaccumulation programs for autarkic Kyrgyz industries in the agricultural and production sectors. The social impact of the proposed programs was measured. The dissertation concluded with an evaluation of institutional capacity relative to transitional economic policy.
National Business & Economics Society (March 2008; Honolulu, HI)
“Quantitative Methodologies for Analyzing International Trade Patterns in Higher Dimensions”
International trade patterns pose special challenges to researchers attempting to determine the direction of trade among several countries or trading blocs. While bilateral two-dimensional trade is easily discussed with comparative figures and statistics, a more mathematically rigorous approach must be adopted when dealing with systems and patterns of trade. Linear algebra provides a quantitative theoretical construct to measure the orientation of trade in higher dimensions, although as the dimensions increase the descriptive scope the approach weakens. The linear algebra tools can be applied to a variety of cases in international trade analysis.
The Central Asia-Caucasus Analyst
Volatile Commodity Prices: How Kazakhstan Manages Risk (September 15, 2010)
During the global economic slowdown, commodity prices have both soared and plummeted. As gold’s value recently reached all-time highs, journalists discussed gold-bar-dispensing ATM’s in Abu Dhabi, and investment experts proffered dire warnings of a crash. Industrial commodities, in contrast, suffered deep contractions in demand. Just as individual investors faced increased risk, the government of Kazakhstan saw its tax revenue stream swing with the vicissitudes of the world’s commodity markets. To enhance stability in the private and public sectors, new transfer pricing regulations were introduced in July. The goals were to increase transparency, smooth out price fluctuations, and conform to accepted international standards.
This study was part of the The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program, a joint transatlantic research and policy center.
3rd Place AWARD
21st Amendment Essay Contest
(The Center for Alcohol Policy, Dec 2008)
The 21st Amendment broadly provides powers to the states to regulate the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverage products. The states have three main objectives: public safety, customer satisfaction, and revenue collection. The vision and mission statements of state Alcohol Beverage Control Boards are analyzed to reveal the relative organizational differences between monopoly and non-monopoly states. The economic costs and benefits of maintaining a monopoly system are discussed, and a potential solution to improve consumer choice under a monopoly system is put forth. The language of the 21st Amendment creates tremendous flexibility to solve market imperfections and to withstand the test of time.
CERTIFICATE
Certificate in Economic Measurement (April, 2010)
from The National Association of Business Economists