Addressing the Resource Curse Through Human Capital and Digital Transformation: A Panel Fourier Analysis of BRICS+ Countries

Abstract

Purpose – This study investigates the long-run effects of natural resource rents on economic growth inBRICS þ countries, with a particular focus on the moderating roles of digitalization, renewable energyconsumption, human capital, and foreign direct investment. The aim is to determine whether digital transformationand human capital investment can alleviate the negative growth effects associated with resource abundance.Design/methodology/approach – Panel data covering ten BRICS þ economies from 2002 to 2021 wereanalyzed using advanced Fourier-based econometric techniques. The empirical strategy incorporates panelFourier cointegration tests, Driscoll–Kraay estimators, and panel Fourier causality analyses, all of whichaccount for structural breaks and cross-sectional dependence. The model explicitly examines the interactionbetween digitalization and resource rents, as well as the separate contributions of human capital, FDI, andrenewable energy consumption.Findings – Empirical findings provide strong support for the resource curse hypothesis: a 1% increase inresource rents is associated with a 0.16% decrease in per capita GDP over the long run. The effect ofdigitalization on the resource curse is U-shaped—while low levels of digitalization deepen the negative impact,higher levels attenuate it. Human capital exerts a robust and positive effect on growth, whereas FDI contributesmodestly. In contrast, renewable energy consumption is found to reduce GDP per capita in the short run, likelydue to adjustment costs during energy transitions.Practical implications – The findings highlight the need for BRICS þ policymakers to strategically investresource revenues into digital infrastructure, human capital development, and clean energy technologies. Thesepolicy priorities are crucial for escaping the resource curse and promoting sustainable, innovation-driven growth.Originality/value – This study is among the first to integrate the moderating role of digitalization within theresource curse framework, employing robust Fourier-based methods that flexibly account for structural breaks and heterogeneous dynamics. The evidence presented offers novel insights for emerging economies seeking toleverage digital transformation and human capital to overcome the limitations of resource dependency