Rate My Professor Cong Wang

Dr. Cong Wang is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics at Macquarie University. He joined the Department of Economics at Macquarie University as a Senior Lecturer. Dr. Wang's main research interests are in the areas of macroeconomics related issues on business economics and social change. His research encompasses global and cross-country empirical analyses exploring the interplay between innovation, productivity growth, structural change, women's empowerment, renewable energy adoption, environmental protection, cultural factors, optimism, religion, and financial development. Wang employs advanced econometric techniques such as 2SLS and system GMM to investigate these dynamics across diverse economies and time periods.

Key publications include 'Innovation and labour productivity growth moderated by structural change: Analysis in a global perspective' (Technovation, 2023, with Amjad Naveed), which analyzes data from 65–87 countries between 1996 and 2013 and finds a positive effect of innovation on productivity, amplified by structural change. Other significant works are 'What drives solar energy adoption in developing countries? Evidence from household surveys across countries' (2024, with Daniel Mahn, Rohan Best, and Olukorede Abiona), 'The optimism effect on country productivity and innovation activities' (Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 2024, with Daniel Mahn, Danielle Kent, and Chris Heaton), 'Innovation and environmental protection: An EU perspective' (Applied Energy, 2024, with Amjad Naveed), 'The role of culture as an informal institution in cross-border venture capital investments' (Journal of Institutional Economics, 2024, with Daniel Mahn Borkowsky, Carlos Poblete, and Chris Heaton), 'The Women empowerment and innovation nexus: A global context' (2025, with Daniel Mahn Borkowsky), 'Can religion explain cross-country differences in financial development? A global perspective' (2025, with Yifan Lu), 'Operational performance, state ownership and capital structure: the Chinese context' (2025, with Shuangrui Fan), and 'Equitable subsidy amounts for upfront energy costs in developing countries' (2025, with Daniel Mahn, Rohan Best, and Olukorede Abiona). Wang also serves as unit convenor and lecturer for ECON8047 – International Trade. His contributions appear in leading journals, providing insights into economic and social transformations.