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In this study, the thermal treatment of two types of waste from the paper industry was investigated, paper mill sludge and sewage sludge from biological wastewater treatment plants. Hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) and torrefaction were investigated as sustainable alternatives for solid biofuel production. Untreated samples and samples chemically pre-treated with alcoholic vinegar were subjected to torrefaction at 350 °C in N2 atmosphere, and the exhaust gases were analysed. HTC was performed at 250 °C with a residence time of 4 h. The feedstocks and the biochars produced were characterised by different analytical methods, and the effects of pre-treatment on fuel properties were studied. Both processes, HTC and torrefaction, showed inspiring results in the production of biofuels from paper industry wastes under the tested experimental conditions. A positive influence of pre-treatment on fuel properties (higher heating value, carbon content) of the obtained char was observed, and changes in the gas phase during torrefaction were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Differences in annual publication counts may reflect the dynamic of scientific progress. Declining annual numbers of publications may be interpreted as missing progress in field-specific knowledge. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper, we present empirical results on dynamics of progress in economic fields (defined by Journal of Economic Literature (JEL), codes) based on a methodological approach introduced by Bornmann and Haunschild (2022). We focused on publications that have been published between 2012 and 2021 and identified those fields in economics with the highest dynamics (largest rates of change in paper counts). Findings: We found that the field with the largest paper output across the years is "Economic Development". The results reveal that the field-specific rates of changes are mostly similar. However, the two fields "Production and Organizations" and "Health" show point estimators which are clearly higher than the estimators for the other fields. We investigated the publications in "Production and Organizations" and "Health" in more detail. Originality/value: Understanding how a discipline evolves over time is interesting both from a historical and a recent perspective. This study presents results on the dynamics in economic fields using a new methodological approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide a timely synthesis of the empirical literature focusing on the economic consequences of money laundering, as this topic has been gaining momentum among policymakers and academic researchers due to its adverse effects. Design/methodology/approach: Empirical studies are collected by consulting accounting and finance journals in diverse digital sources (e.g. Science Direct, Blackwell, Taylor and Francis, Springer, Sage and Emerald). Key words used to identify relevant papers include "money laundering" and "anti-money laundering regulations," with specific focus on the economic consequences. Our search strategy includes 24 published papers over the period of 2018–2023. Findings: Findings show that most studies represent cross-country investigations; the main topics investigated focus on accounting field (e.g. audit fees, real and accrual earnings management), tax evasion, financial stability, sustainability, economic indicators (inflation, economic growth, foreign direct investment) and financial inclusion; and the economic consequences of money laundering have been also examined within banking industry (e.g. banking profitability, banking stability). Reported findings of reviewed studies suggest that money laundering has diverse adverse impacts at the country level (e.g. increased tax evasion, higher inflation rate, less sustainability and foreign direct investments), at the firm level (e.g. increased audit risk and aggressive real and accrual earnings management) and within banking industry through negative impact of money laundering on bank's loan portfolio quality, stability and profitability. Practical implications: With respect to policymakers, strengthening anti-money laundering regulations may play a critical role in reducing money laundering activities. Furthermore, financial institutions should implement specific rules dealing with anti-money regulations to ensure adequate compliance and disclosure. Finally, policymakers should be aware about the importance of digital transformation to combat money laundering activities since it facilitates the detection of financial crimes due to their traceability. Originality/value: The summary of the empirical literature focusing on the economic consequence of money laundering represents a historical record and an introduction for accounting researchers. It also urges them to further explore the economic implications of anti-money laundering disclosure within banking industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The article addresses the impact of religiosity on family formation and, in the longer run, on human capital accumulation. It proposes to see religiosity as indirect but important factor in the perspective of economic development. Design/methodology/approach: Most often human capital is associated with education and health care. It is less frequently attributed to the influence of the family. The paper juxtaposes literature showing how religiosity influences family and how functioning of the family impacts human capital development with presentation of original empirical data on family attitudes and plans of young generation of Poles. Findings: (1) The article presents the results of research indicating, that (1) family is important for the creation of human capital, (2) religiosity is beneficial to the stability of the family condition. (2) On the basis of empirical survey, the article offers evidence that religiosity is a key feature differentiating young people's attitudes towards marriage, family and parenthood. Research limitations/implications: It is recommended to develop further research oriented towards examining the relationship between religiosity, family and human capital outcomes. Practical implications: On the basis of analysis presented in the article it is important - in the perspective of demographic decline and its economic consequences – to study how changes in culture (incl. religiosity) – influence family and human capital development. This is useful for designing social and demographic policies. Social implications: The article broadens knowledge of the role of religiosity for human capital development, enriching the area of research on the impact of religion and family on economy. The findings improve public opinion’ understanding of the role of religious practices and institutions in strengthening the social fabric and economic performance. Originality/value: The paper offers new proposal to link research on the role of religiosity for the condition of the family to the analysis of the influence of family on human capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enlargement of the European Union (EU) towards the Western Balkans contains challenges. Although the EU's goal is its enlargement, some EU countries present skepticism. The Western Balkans have not yet reached the appropriate stage of economic development. The rule of law has been among the main barriers that have hindered their EU integration advancement. This paper is based on the work of Osmani et al. (2022a), Leka et al. (2022), and Qorraj and Jusufi (2018). The aim and objective of this paper are to analyze the enlargement policy of the EU towards the countries of the Western Balkans, focusing on Kosovo. Historical research methods were used to collect facts and chronological data. The main finding of this paper is that the rule of law is the main factor that positively affects the integration of the countries of the Western Balkans into the EU, as well as the increase in the level of economic development. Therefore, as a conclusion, it can be affirmed that integration in the EU is essential for the existence of this region. The relevance of this paper lies in the fact that it deals with an important topic from the field of European integration for small countries like Kosovo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to develop a comprehensive framework for discussing sustainability within the insurance industry, extending the traditional Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) dimensions to include economic and technological considerations. This inclusion is vital, recognizing that financial stability and the adoption of innovative technologies are fundamental to meeting other sustainability targets. Design/methodology/approach: We base our findings on an extensive literature review, case studies, and interactive workshops with key stakeholders in the insurance industry. Our analytical framework employs Porter's (1985) insurance-specific value chain, complemented by Berliner's (1982) insurability criteria, to distinguish between insurable and non-insurable risks. Findings: Our results show that the insurance industry is sustainable because it actively incorporates and contributes to sustainability goals across environmental, social, economic, and technological dimensions. This is illustrated through the identification of 50 distinct contributions across the insurance value chain, showcasing the sector's unique position to significantly influence the sustainability discourse. Practical implications: Addressing the pressing challenges of sustainability and insurability necessitates a strategic, collective response from the global insurance and risk management community. This paper proposes several policy recommendations, including enhancing risk assessment methodologies, diversifying insurance product offerings, encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration, and prioritizing investments in resilience and preventive measures. Originality/value: By broadening the sustainability discussion to encompass economic and technological facets, this paper enriches the dialogue surrounding the insurance industry's role in sustainability. It aims to inform decision-makers across the industry, political spheres, and broader society about the necessity of sustainability, fostering pertinent political discussions and highlighting avenues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial for a special issue of the journal "Innovation & Development" focused on the financing of innovation for development in the Global South. The editorial highlights the need to address the relationship between finance and innovation, particularly in underdeveloped countries. It discusses the role of public financial institutions, such as national development banks, and explores novel forms of financing for innovation, such as micro-finance and venture capital. The editorial also introduces six research papers included in the special issue that touch on various aspects of finance and innovation in the Global South. Overall, the editorial aims to inspire new research questions and studies in this field. [Extracted from the article]

In La Moitié de la Gloire, Axel Mayenfisch's documentary about the 1952 Swiss expedition to Chomolungma (Mount Everest), André Roch recalls how the retreating climbers simply abandoned much of their gear, either leaving it where it was or "throwing it into holes [crevasses]." Roch's tale was by no means unusual, as mountaineers at that time gave little thought to what became of their waste. By the 1970s, however, climbers were becoming increasingly aware of their impact on the environment. The resulting change of attitude led many mountaineering organizations to take concrete steps to protect the mountains (e.g., cleanup campaigns) and to issue waste management guidelines for trips into the high mountains. The Union internationale des associations d'alpinisme 1982 Kathmandu Declaration—a charter of ten principles for achieving greater harmony with the mountain environment—was an important milestone in this process. Drawing on documents held in the extensive archives of the Union internationale des associations d'alpinisme, the current paper retraces the path that led to the Kathmandu Declaration and the process by which the environment became an important aspect of the aforementioned organization's work. It also examines the hypothesis that the organization has progressively adopted a conservationist stance toward protecting nature; its aim is to reconcile environmental protection and economic development (especially tourism). The history of the Kathmandu Declaration supports this hypothesis, as it shows how the notion of sustainable development, which emerged in the 1980s, came to dominate conceptions of mountain protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In low- and middle-income economies, consumption preferences are hierarchical and the production structure is dualistic. Wage demand correspondingly articulates with the domestic industrial sector in a limited fashion. Where capital accumulation is directed at this modern/industrial sector, downward redistributions are less expansionary than commonly outlined, even if capacity utilization is an adjusting variable influencing investment decisions. Insofar as economic development is underpinned by structural transformation, policies aligned with downward redistributions have important sectoral ramifications neglected in one-sector frameworks. This paper explores these and related propositions formally, drawing from the analysis of a two-sector growth and distribution model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan has suffered from pervasive corruption since its foundation. It deals with an unstable political atmosphere and unsustainable economic development due to its fragile institutional setting. The predominance of military power that does not hesitate to overrule any government when it faces a potential threat to its economic-profit channels plays an important role in institutional fragility. Moreover, incompetent civilian rules and the British heritage comprise a vicious cycle that is hard to break. An anemic institutional environment struggles within an embedded cultural structure exacerbated by corruption. This paper discusses corruption in Pakistan from historical, institutional, and economic standpoints. It provides a historical background of corruption. Then, it analyzes the negative economic reverberations of the corruption phenomenon. As an institutional case study, the paper concentrates on National Accountability Bureau (NAB), suggesting that institutional quality can be accomplished through bureaucratic accountability and determination, not through political victimization and abuse of institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although rural industrial integration is a crucial pathway for advancing the revitalization of rural economies, it continues to grapple with financial challenges. This paper delves into the theoretical underpinnings of how capital marketization influences rural industrial integration. Methods: Using panel data from China's provinces spanning the years 2010 to 2020, a comprehensive index of rural industrial integration is constructed from the vantage point of a new development paradigm. The paper employs the system GMM method to empirically investigate the impact of capital marketization on rural industrial integration and to dissect its transmission mechanisms. Additionally, a threshold regression model is applied to explore the specific patterns of the nonlinear relationship between the two variables. Results and discussion: The study's findings reveal that the degree of rural industrial integration is significantly and positively influenced by its previous level, demonstrating an accumulative effect wherein the prior level of integration lays the groundwork for future advancements. The influence of capital marketization on the degree of rural industrial integration is characterized by a non-linear relationship, adhering to a "U-shaped" curve. Below the inflection point, the development of capital marketization is detrimental to rural industrial integration, whereas above this point, it exerts a positive influence. Currently, China's overall level of capital marketization is positioned beyond the inflection point, indicating substantial potential for enhancing industry integration in rural China. In addition, the study indicates that at very low levels of economic development, capital marketization does not affect the development of rural industries. As the economic development level rises, so does the impact of capital marketization on rural industrial integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The financial system plays an essential role in facilitating the intermediation process for economic growth. Policymakers stress on achieving a well-developed and regulated financial system to achieve economic development and resiliency. Using data from the State of Qatar, this paper aims to examine the impact of financial development indicator on economic growth; the impact of financial development indicator on hydrocarbon and nonhydrocarbon sector; the impact of Islamic banking on hydrocarbon and nonhydrocarbon economic growth. Design/methodology/approach: The research uses quarterly data from 2007 to 2019 and adopts autoregressive distributed lag cointegration techniques to test the long- and short-run dynamic relationship between various measures of financial development and economic growth. Findings: The results present evidence of long-term cointegration between overall financial development indicator and economic growth. Furthermore, the authors document the existence of long-term relationship between financial development and nonhydrocarbon sector. However, there is a lack of evidence on the long-run relationship between financial development and the hydrocarbon sector. Notwithstanding, Islamic banking contributes to overall economic development, as well as to the nonhydrocarbon sector. Practical implications: This paper offers policymakers with insights to evaluate measures to diversify the economy. It also assists decision-makers in promoting Islamic finance, particularly to the banking sector as a vital contributor to economic growth. Originality/value: To the best of the author's knowledge, this paper is the first to evaluate financial development and economic growth for the case of Qatar in light of recent developments in Islamic finance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the challenges of accurate identification and localization of garbage in intricate urban street environments, this paper proposes EcoDetect-YOLO, a garbage exposure detection algorithm based on the YOLOv5s framework, utilizing an intricate environment waste exposure detection dataset constructed in this study. Initially, a convolutional block attention module (CBAM) is integrated between the second level of the feature pyramid etwork (P2) and the third level of the feature pyramid network (P3) layers to optimize the extraction of relevant garbage features while mitigating background noise. Subsequently, a P2 small-target detection head enhances the model's efficacy in identifying small garbage targets. Lastly, a bidirectional feature pyramid network (BiFPN) is introduced to strengthen the model's capability for deep feature fusion. Experimental results demonstrate EcoDetect-YOLO's adaptability to urban environments and its superior small-target detection capabilities, effectively recognizing nine types of garbage, such as paper and plastic trash. Compared to the baseline YOLOv5s model, EcoDetect-YOLO achieved a 4.7% increase in mAP0.5, reaching 58.1%, with a compact model size of 15.7 MB and an FPS of 39.36. Notably, even in the presence of strong noise, the model maintained a mAP0.5 exceeding 50%, underscoring its robustness. In summary, EcoDetect-YOLO, as proposed in this paper, boasts high precision, efficiency, and compactness, rendering it suitable for deployment on mobile devices for real-time detection and management of urban garbage exposure, thereby advancing urban automation governance and digital economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As economic development continues to advance globally, countries are increasingly focused on the green transformation of their economies. This paper employs a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model and entropy weighting methodology to construct and assess an indicator system for economic green transformation, taking into account environmental pollution. The analysis is based on panel data from 215 prefecture-level cities in China between 2015 and 2019. The two-way fixed effects model and moderating effect model are employed to investigate the influence of land finance on economic green transformation and to ascertain the moderating effect mechanism of local government debt. The study's conclusions are as follows: (1) Land finance impedes the transition to a green economy. (2) Local government debt is a major factor that restricts the influence of land finance on the transition to a green economy; as local government debt levels rise, land finance's role in impeding the transition to a green economy rises, and a positive moderating effect occurs. (3) Depending on the urban geographic location, the size of the economy and other factors, the impact of local government debt and land finance on the economic green transition varies. This empirical study demonstrates that the more local government debt there is in an eastern region or city with a bigger economic output scale, the more of an inhibitory influence land finance has on the economic transition to a green economy. In light of this, the paper suggests that the land finance policy be updated at the appropriate time, that the land market be regulated, that the government's reliance on land finance be gradually decreased, that the nature and amount of public debt be actively optimised, that the industrial infrastructure be enhanced to facilitate the transition towards a more environmentally sustainable economy, and that other suggestions be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Constitution of Kosovo establishes the basis of the country's political system, the fundamental rights, and the functioning of the economy. Laws in post-communist societies are crucial for creating a reliable legal environment for economic development. This paper explores the role of the Constitution in regulating economic governance and its impact on public-owned enterprises. Also, the aim of this paper is to highlight, through this case resulting from the approach to the economy, the administration of the economy through legal norms. To present such a relationship, the case of Trepça JSC has been examined, analyzing the legal and constitutional regulations within the context of economic development. For a more comprehensive perspective, this case has been analyzed within the context of history, and politics, but not only. It can be concluded that strong state regulation is required to ensure stability, emphasizing the intricate nature of state intervention in the economy within the constitutional framework, as evidenced by constitutional and legal provisions governing public enterprises such as Trepça, with the suggestion of amendments to address regulatory gaps. The paper serves as a foundation for further research into the constitutional and legal regulation of public enterprises and their relationship with the economy. Additionally, it provides a comparative basis for future studies in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haze pollution not only affects the quality of economic growth and the image of the government, but also seriously affects public health. With the improvement of climate risk perception, the public is actively seeking all kinds of risk management measures to combat the hazards of haze pollution. The study of the relationship between haze pollution, climate risk perception and the development of commercial health insurance is of great significance to the formulation of haze control policies and the improvement of social security system. This paper attempts to explore the relationship between haze pollution, climate risk perception and commercial health insurance demand by establishing static and dynamic models based on panel data from 31 provinces in China from 2005 to 2022. Also, the spatial spillover effects of haze pollution in different regions on the development of commercial health insurance in other regions are investigated by establishing a spatial Durbin model. It is found that (1) haze pollution has a lagged positive effect on the demand for commercial health insurance; (2) haze pollution has a significant spatial spillover effect on the development of commercial health insurance; (3) this study used Python technology to construct a climate risk perception index, and found that the moderating effect of the residents' perception of climate risk existed significantly, and that the residents might take other measures to manage the risk in the short term, but in the long term, the climate risk perception showed a positive correlation with the level of education. This paper provides implications for government departments and social media to strengthen education and publicity, improve residents' awareness of risk diversification, and deepen the concept of commercial health protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses inter-provincial panel data from 2011 to 2017, a linear regression model, and a threshold model to conduct empirical analyses of the impact of the digital economy on China’s overall economic growth and the three main sectors of industry. The paper then investigates the impact and effects the digital economy has had on the economic growth of the three main sectors of industry in China’s eastern, central, and western regions. Finally, the paper investigates the most significant differences among the various regions and the threshold effects of urbanization levels on the relationship between the digital economy and economic growth. The findings indicate a significantly positive correlation between the digital economy and regional economic growth. Moreover, geographical factors notably influence this correlation. The digital economy exerts a positive effect on all sectors of industry. It may not substantially impact industrial development in regions with highly developed infrastructure. Regarding the other regions, the digital economy exhibits varying degrees of impact due to the differences in the specific indicators. The conclusion drawn by the threshold model is that the magnitude of the threshold effect correlates with geographic factors. No threshold effect was observed in the eastern region, while the threshold effect occurred in the central region when the urbanization levels for the provinces were below 0.6645. Similarly, the threshold effect was noted in the western region when the urbanization level was below 0.3931. Considering all of this, the study also offers policy recommendations that will help balance the regional development of digital economies, accelerate the digital transformation of traditional industries, enhance digital infrastructure construction, refine the formulation and implementation of data policy, and establish relevant incentive mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the complex nexus between regulation and inequality in Zimbabwe's microfinance and tourism sectors. Rural Small to Medium Enterprises in Tourism (SMETs) is typical in the informal sector. However, SMETs in rural areas face financial, regulatory, and exclusionary constraints. This paper follows a qualitative literature review methodology guided by an exploratory design. In addition, one secondary case study was included to highlight the lived realities of SMETs. Findings indicate a complex connection between regulation and inequality in the economy. Overregulation leads to corruption, marginalization, and exclusion of small business activities. SMETs are constrained because they need access to finance for business growth. Thus, the nexus between the two variables profoundly impacts policy. The government must entangle the relationship for policy directions in the microfinance and tourism sectors. The paper concludes that the nexus between regulation and inequality needs urgent attention. The paper's originality is based on using a systematic literature review to assess how regulations affect microfinance's ability to fund rural SMETs so that these areas could have economic opportunities that would improve the livelihoods of people residing in these areas, thereby addressing inequalities. Furthermore, it contributes to the debates on the complex relationship between regulation and inequality of two sectors (microfinance and tourism) in Zimbabwe. It also informs future lines of research on the subject. Due to noted limitations on the research design used, more comprehensive empirical studies are required to understand the complexity of the nexus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development seeks to strike a balance between economic growth, social well-being and environmental protection. It should be integrated into financial development as well. As a consequence, banks are realising changes in their roles, decision-making, and operations. This paper aims to introduce a structured literature outlook about the different interpretations of sustainable financial development (SFD) on micro and macro levels. The literature mapping is focusing on three main contexts. The basic assumption of the paper is that it is crucial to emphasise the importance of country-level economic growth, the indicators used to determine the level of financial development and the resilience of the financial intermediary actors. As a consequence, the paper represents some existing results in terms of these three contexts. This gives the future basis for the efficient interpretation of sustainable financial development aspects in the operation and the decision-making processes of financial institutions and also for policy-making institutions on the macro-level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the EU strives to achieve its climate goals, it is becoming increasingly crucial to understand the complex relationships between economic activity, energy consumption, and carbon emissions. In this context, our paper aims to investigate the correlation between carbon emissions, energy consumption, and economic development. To fulfill our aim, we have used Eurostat and OECD data for the EU-27 member states for a period of 13 years (2010–2022), using a linear regression as the main analysis method. Our results have shown that there is a strong correlation between demand-based and production-based CO2 emissions as well as between production-based CO2 emissions and final energy consumption, while at the same time, our findings have shown that there is no direct correlation between energy consumption and economic development, aligning our study with the neutrality hypothesis of the energy growth nexus. This paper expands the ongoing discussion on sustainable development and climate change mitigation by conducting a thorough analysis of the EU-27 countries over a span of thirteen years. The results emphasize the need for integrated strategies that address both production and consumption emissions, emphasize the vital role of energy efficiency, and raise questions about the effectiveness of increasing energy consumption to enhance economic productivity or CO2 efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent popular and scholarly work has drawn attention to the relationship between universities and urban housing markets. Universities play a critical role in the post-industrial urban economy and have many impacts beyond their campus. This paper focuses on the policy debates to expand housing for students with the intention of relieving pressure in the rental housing market in cities that are home to many higher education institutions and their students. Boston, for example, is home to one of the largest student populations enrolled in institutions of higher education in the United States. The city faces a tight rental market, in part, because of the high number of students who seek off-campus rental housing. This paper examines the evolution of a policy debate about universities and rental housing that led to the creation of the LightView housing project at Northeastern University. Drawing on archival analysis of public documents and key informant interviews with stakeholders, we identify the tensions of this housing project and the policy debate, in which universities need to confront how their housing projects impact neighborhoods and how the public and transparent nature of development shapes the policy debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In numerous developing nations, challenges such as insufficient investment in innovation and limited capabilities for conversion impede the growth of the construction sector, thus affecting the overall economic well-being of these regions. This paper focuses on construction industry innovation (CII) and its correlation with region economic development (RED), providing valuable insights to overcome these challenges and promote sustainable economic advancement. This study references existing literature to devise an evaluation indicator system dedicated for CII and RED. It then proceeds with an empirical analysis of the integration and synergy between CII and the economic development across 31 Chinese provinces from 2012 to 2021. Furthermore, this paper employs ArcGIS and Geoda software to meticulously dissect the spatial distribution characteristics underlying this coordination. The main conclusions are succinctly summarized as follows: CII in China is intricately connected to RED, exhibiting a strong connection that diminishes from south to north. Nonetheless, the coordination level between these factors remains relatively low, with notable regional disparities, particularly from southeast to northwest. The primary obstacles to effective coordination are related to innovation input, output, and economic scale. Additionally, spatial correlation analysis demonstrates pronounced regional clustering, showing stability despite slight fluctuations over the study period. This research underscores the concept of coupling coordination between CII and RED, underpinned by scientific analytical methods. The outcomes provide a definitive guide for advancing the transformation and enhancement of the construction industry while promoting RED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration and private remittances have been continuously increasing over the years. For many developing countries, the quantum of remittances is greater than other forms of capital, such as FDI, FII, etc. The remittances may be used to fill the gap in potential funding sources for economic development in emerging countries like India. Migrations from India to the United States (US) and the flow of remittances to India have been continuously increasing over the years. The paper studies the macroeconomic factors influencing remittances to India. The study employs ARDL technique to identify the macroeconomic factors such as GDP, term premium, CPI, etc. of US, in addition to the domestic factors of India and price of Brent and other commodities such as gold, silver, and platinum that influence the flow of remittances to India. Further, the study also employs NARDL techniques to identify the asymmetric impact of macroeconomic variables in US on remittance flows to India. CDM technique is also used to decipher the shock evolution of independent variables with regard to remittance flows to India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coordination and stability of the regional economy (RE) and ecological quality (EQ) are essential for the synergistic development of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei urban agglomeration (BTH). In this paper, based on remote sensing data and economic statistics data, this paper analysed the current situation and evolution of the RE and EQ in the BTH region. Based on the coupled coordination degree (CCD) model, this paper has developed an evaluative framework and quantifies the spatiotemporal coupled coordination of the RE and EQ in the BTH region from 2000 to 2020. The results show that: (1) in 2020, the GDP of the poverty-stricken counties (PSCs) around BTH accounted for 4.57% of the total BTH region, and the area of high-quality ecosystems, Net Primary Productivity (NPP), soil conservation, water conservation, and sand fixation accounted for more than 40% of the total BTH region; (2) the GDP growth of the PSCs accounted for 4.45% of the total growth in BTH, the reduced area of high-quality ecosystems accounted for 21.04%, and the increase in NPP, soil conservation, water conservation, and sand fixation accounted for more than 40% of the total growth in the BTH region; (3) the CCD of the RE and EQ in the BTH region showed a tendency to increase, but the gap between the regions gradually expanded, and the development type changed from a lagging RE to a lagging EQ, in which the coupled coordination grade of the PSCs was in a dissonance stage for a long time, and the level of economic development had to improve. Deepening the understanding of the spatiotemporal coupling relationship between the RE and EQ and adopting appropriate development policies is of great significance for achieving the coordinated and integrated development of the BTH region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses a bottom-up national energy technology model to study the optimization of China's energy transformation pathway. The model clarifies specific action plans for China's energy transformation pathway from 2020 to 2060, total carbon emissions, industry emission reduction responsibilities, and other dimensions. The results show that: (1) The proportion of renewable energy consumption in China's entire energy system from 2020 to 2060 will gradually exceed that of fossil energy under ideal circumstances, and the energy system will transition from traditional fossil energy to renewable energy. Meanwhile, the proportion of low-carbon energy sources, such as renewable energy, in primary energy demand will jump from 15.9% in 2020 to over 80% by 2060. (2) China's CO2 emissions will be approximately 3 billion tons, 2 billion tons, and 1 billion tons under three different socio-economic development scenarios of low, medium, and high speed in 2060. At that time, China will still need to absorb CO2 through carbon sinks in forests, oceans, and wetlands. (3) The electricity industry has the highest CO2 emissions compared to other industries. The electricity industry must bear significant responsibility for carbon reduction in future energy transformation and economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the role and significance of VAT (Value Added Tax) and excise duties in Kosovo's economy, considering the economy in the Republic of Kosovo and the impact that taxes have on the collection of public funds, this paper aims to assess how these fiscal policy changes have influenced economic activity, compliance, and business operations within the country. This paper will provide evidence from research conducted earlier on the importance of taxes and excise in many different countries, including the Republic of Kosovo. The purpose of the study will be focused on the effects of several key changes: the increase in VAT from 16% to 18%, the reduction of VAT on essential consumer goods from 16% to 8%, the increase of VAT in the pharmaceutical sector from 0% to 8%, the implementation of a flat VAT rate for agricultural products, the reduction of the VAT threshold from €50,000 to €30,000, and the increase in excise duty on tobacco. Data are gathered through surveys conducted with businesses in Republic of Kosovo with close questions regarding the area of changes in taxes and excise, with the results processed using Stata to assess the impact of these changes. Fiscal policy is crucial for economic development, and this changes implemented by the Government of Kosovo have positively influenced overall state revenues. However, the increase in pharmaceutical products due to VAT changes has negatively affected consumers, while the increase in excise duty on tobacco has contributed to higher collected revenues. The main limitation of this research is the availability of comprehensive data from relevant institutions in Kosovo, which may affect the depth of analysis Also, although this study does not include all types of businesses, it is planned that future research will be more comprehensive, providing a more complete overview of business diversity in Kosovo. This research highlights the importance of fiscal policies in economic development and the need for the government to provide businesses with sufficient time and support to adjust to tax rate changes. The study also underscores the varied impacts of VAT changes on different sectors, emphasizing the need to consider consumer welfare in tax policy decisions. This study provides real data on the current situation of VAT and excise duties in Kosovo, from the business sector contributing valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, especially considering support for the private sector can lead to an overall increase in export levels and positively impact the economy as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this article is to analyze the proposal of unconditional basic income (UBI) in the context of social inequalities and to elucidate the fundamental aspects of this concept. The analysis of the UBI concept is conducted without reference to the sources of financing for this solution. Design/methodology/approach: The primary research methods employed are a literature review and the observation of reality. Findings: The implementation of unconditional basic income, as envisioned by Klaus Schwab, is projected to lead to a significant increase in social inequality. Research limitations/implications: To avert the potential negative outcomes, it is essential to initiate a robust discourse and develop a comprehensive system with detailed solutions. It is recommended to engage not only economists, lawyers, and policymakers but also entrepreneurs and trade unions, ensuring that the resulting concept is as optimal as possible. Practical implications: (if applicable) What outcomes and implications for practice, applications and consequences are identified? How will the research impact upon the business or enterprise? What changes to practice should be made as a result of this research? What is the commercial or economic impact? Not all papers will have practical implications. Social implications: (if applicable) What will be the impact on society of this research? How will it influence public attitudes? How will it influence (corporate) social responsibility or environmental issues? How could it inform public or industry policy? How might it affect quality of life? Not all papers will have social implications. Originality/value: This article contributes to the academic discourse by evaluating the concept of unconditional basic income in relation to social inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient development and widespread utilization of clean energy hold global significance, particularly for developing countries like China, which has committed to carbon peak and neutrality targets. In this context, the financial sector plays a crucial role in supporting the renewable energy industry, ensuring a reliable energy supply for economic growth. To statistically assess the impact of financial characteristics—such as financial efficiency, financial size, and green finance—this paper employs a panel vector autoregressive (PVAR) model with province-level data from China spanning the period 1991 to 2018. The key findings demonstrate that (1) financial factors significantly contribute to the development of clean energy in China, and among these factors, financial scale has a greater impact than financial efficiency and green finance; (2) there are distinct regional variations in how financial development affects the clean energy sector, and the role of financial scale is particularly pronounced in the central and western regions of China while the impact of financial efficiency on the clean energy industry is not significant across all regions; and (3) other drivers—including industrial structure, financial expenditure, and technological advancements—also spur the growth of the clean energy industry. However, due to diminishing marginal effects, the forces driving its growth may gradually diminish. Therefore, the article proposes critical policy suggestions for promoting clean energy development in China. These policies should consider the regional context and address both financial and non-financial aspects. Understanding the interplay between finance, regional dynamics, and clean energy development is crucial for achieving sustainable and resilient energy systems in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University–Industry Collaborations (UIC) are increasingly recognized as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. While numerous studies have been conducted on this topic, this paper specifically focuses on UIC in the Arab World. The aim of this study is to explore the establishment of successful UIC by conducting a review of existing literature to identify and synthesize key factors that enable collaborative innovation between industry and universities. The findings are summarized into six main themes: the importance of UIC, barriers to UIC, gaps between universities and industry in the Arab World, partnerships and sustainable growth, current trends and perspectives, and future agenda for Arab countries. These themes are elaborated on and used to summarize results from the reviewed studies regarding facilitators of collaborative innovation. The contribution of this work lies in enhancing the existing body of literature and knowledge regarding collaboration between higher education and industry in the Arab World. This research presents specific measures that can be implemented to ensure successful UIC in the future. Its outcomes are significant for policymakers, academics, and industry experts in the Arab region, who aspire to form productive UIC partnerships that encourage economic development and innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wake of recent turbulent events in the global economy, the need for robust methods to navigate uncertainties in financial markets has become increasingly apparent. Robust portfolio optimization (RPO) offers a solution by devising investment strategies that perform well even under adverse scenarios of uncertain inputs such as returns and covariances. This paper conducts a systematic review of recent developments and extensions in the field of RPO. Leveraging bibliometric analysis and visual mapping techniques, we scrutinize 1085 articles published between 2000 and 2023. Our analysis traces the evolution and trends within RPO, examining the interconnectedness among articles, authors, sources, countries, and keywords. The insights gleaned from our study can guide future research endeavors in this domain and aid practitioners in making more informed investment decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainability-linked discussion has gained international importance, with the banking sector being an essential pillar of the new economy, particularly through channeling financial resources to environmentally friendly economic activities. It is, however, still unclear if ESG is profitable, both for the economy and banks. This paper aims at filling this gap by presenting, from a macroeconomic perspective, the impact of ESG efforts and the banking sector's contribution to a sustainable economy. Using panel regression models with fixed effects, the study investigates the impact of ESG factors and banking activity on economic growth. The results show a negative relationship between country-level ESG scores and economic growth, both in the short and long run, while increased financial intermediation by the banking sector, used as a proxy of potential green lending activity, does not necessarily enhance economic growth. Through delving into the interplay between the ESG score, economic development, and banking activity, this research could serve as a discussion point for economists, bankers, and policymakers when designing the economic and financial strategies for transitioning to a green economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International soft law is not legally binding, but nevertheless it embodies mainstream values and influences the formation of hard law in global governance. Marine fisheries have become important arenas of global governance, in which developing states are crucial participants. The interactions between soft law and hard law in global marine fisheries can be mainly summarized as follows: soft law can be the precursor for hard law and be implicitly introduced into hard law to enhance normativity; hard law can also be incorporated into soft law. This paper explores the IUU fishing case to illustrate the significant role of soft law on international fisheries law and identify gaps in global marine fisheries governance. The development of international instruments to combat IUU fishing within FAO undergoes a process from voluntary to legally binding with the engagement and promotion of some developed states for their benefits. But IUU fishing concept is defective in its drafting as well as in practical application and indicates the value of emphasizing conservation over economic and social development, which is contrary to the principle of sustainable development and fails to meet the requirements of the developing states. The paper suggests to fill this gap by converting existing values in soft law to foster fishing rules that benefit all states and provide some insights towards this direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep learning (DL) is increasingly recognized for its effectiveness in analyzing and forecasting complex economic systems, particularly in the context of Pakistan's evolving economy. This paper investigates DL's transformative role in managing and interpreting increasing volumes of intricate economic data, leading to more nuanced insights. DL models show a marked improvement in predictive accuracy and depth over traditional methods across various economic domains and policymaking scenarios. Applications include demand forecasting, risk evaluation, market trend analysis, and resource allocation optimization. These processes utilize extensive datasets and advanced algorithms to identify patterns those traditional methods cannot detect. Nonetheless, DL's broader application in economic research faces challenges like limited data availability, complexity of economic interactions, interpretability of model outputs, and significant computational power requirements. The paper outlines strategies to overcome these barriers, such as enhancing model interpretability, employing federated learning for better data privacy, and integrating behavioral and social economic theories. It concludes by stressing the importance of targeted research and ethical considerations in maximizing DL's impact on economic insights and innovation, particularly in Pakistan and globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of sustainability, the integration of renewable energy into industrial processes not only minimizes dependence on fossil fuels but also contributes to the efficient management of industrial waste. By transforming organic waste, including agri-food and urban waste, into biogas, green energy can be generated, thus reducing the impact on the environment and closing the loop of material used in the economic circuit. Thus, a sustainable system can be promoted, where resources are continuously reused and exploited. Statistical methods and a decision tree with the Classification and Regression Trees (CRT) algorithm were employed to analyze data. The paper focuses on the importance of industrial waste and biogas for the generation, transformation, and consumption of energy in the EU (European Union)-27 countries. To provide a thorough analysis, we have divided these countries based on real gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, grouping them above/below the annual average for the period 2012–2021/2022. Descriptive statistics revealed observable differences between the two groups, but the paper aimed to provide evidence regarding the existence of these differences as statistically significant. Using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, the non-normal distribution of the data was confirmed, requiring non-parametric inferential methods. The Mann–Whitney U test revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups for all the studied variables. This comprehensive approach highlights the distinct energy-related characteristics influenced by economic development in the EU-27. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sandbox is a non-accredited training programme in the performing arts and digital technologies for young people in four blighted neighbourhoods in Panama. In this paper, I reflect on my role in the design of this programme, how it was later implemented and whether it contributed to processes of economic development. To guide this reflection, I use a social capacities framework, where economic development is seen as a set of dynamics that enhances human flourishing (James 2018). The paper uses a wide range of data sources, including interviews with participants of the programme. My reflection concludes that programmes such as Sandbox work more effectively not when looking to create jobs and income, but when they aim to develop the capacities of participants to discover who they are within their own social context, helping them come closer to the labour market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine economy is a valuable pillar for the development of coastal areas. It is of profound significance to explore the influence of marine economy development on economic resilience of coastal areas. This paper constructs an economic resilience assessment framework based on resistance, adaptability, and evolutionary power, adopts the entropy method to calculate the economic resilience development level in China's coastal areas from 2006 to 2019, and examines in detail the driving factors affecting the economic resilience from the indicator level. Furthermore, panel regression models are used to explore the influence of marine economic development on the economic resilience of China's coastal areas and its mechanism of action. The results show that: (1) China's coastal areas have an overall trend of rising economic resilience. The spatiotemporal differentiation characteristics of different economic resilience factors are significant. (2) Factors such as regional economic scale, innovation input, industrial transformation, resident income, consumption scale, degree of marketization, and financial scale are key factors to enhance the economic system resilience of coastal areas. (3) There is a significant positive impact of the marine economy on the economic resilience of coastal areas, and this promotion effect is regulated and constrained by the level of diversification of marine industries and the level of concentration of marine industries. (4) Heterogeneity analysis shows that there are significant individual differences in the impact of Marine economy on economic resilience, and its marginal effect first increases and then decreases. The corresponding policy implications are further analyzed based on the research results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores what needs to be done to better address the growing and substantial inequalities in the UK and how the 'Levelling Up' policy that seeks to address them could be improved. It argues that a much longer-term vision and a sharper, cross-government focus on fewer challenges is required to make a more tangible impact. Four key findings are identified: a focus on health and education is fundamental for our social and economic prosperity; there is a need for greater devolution of power, with transparent and robust accountability; an open, nationwide knowledge base to share what works and what does not, and the lessons learned from innovative pilots, is required; and a more holistic approach is needed to support businesses and provide them with better-quality support. This paper argues that without these issues being taken into consideration, the lives and well-being of our disadvantaged citizens, our children and our economy will continue to worsen. It concludes that making economic development a statutory function, putting it at the very heart of our public services, is needed to ensure that the levelling up outcome is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contributes to the still unresolved issue of the growth impact of government size by analysing a historical panel data set of 17 developed countries that ranges from 1880 to 2016. The unique feature of the long-time dimension allows for conducting a kind of natural experiment. Government size is closely related to economic-policy paradigms. The time span covers different economic policy paradigms, in particular, ‘laissez-faire’ before World War II and Keynesian economic policy after World War II. Before WW II government size is small, after WW II it is (has grown) big. Furthermore, this paper contributes to filling a gap in the literature by testing the non-linear hypothesis (Armey curve). We take particular attention to a key shortcoming of panel-data analysis – parameter or individual heterogeneity. Overall, this analysis suggests a systematic positive, albeit quite small, linear relationship of government size with economic growth. As a consequence, rather than concentrating their attention to the sheer size of government, policy makers are advised caring for an efficiently run and high)quality government sector as a prerequisite for a steady growth path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Public sector provides various essential services in terms of promoting social equity and inclusion, protecting the public interest, regulating and supervising various aspects of society and economy, fostering economic development, and supporting democratic governance. Therefore, the motivation of the public sector servants indirectly contributes to the overall effectiveness of the public service sector and finally to the well-being and prosperity of the society. Considering this, in the public sector, extrinsic factors cannot be easily and quickly influenced, i.e., they are fixed. This paper can be of crucial importance when determining the intrinsic factors behind the public sector servants’ satisfaction with their jobs and ultimately their performance. Considering this, in developing economies, such as the economy of the Republic of North Macedonia, public sector servants exhibit poor performance. The main purpose of the research presented in this paper has been to investigate the motivational factors of the public sector servants at municipality level in the Republic of North Macedonia. In the research, primary data collected by using descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation have been used to determine whether gender-based differences exist in intrinsic motivation. Keywords: public sector servants, motivation, satisfaction with jobs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of global urban development, there are urgent ecological security and environmental pollution problems, green development is the fundamental way for urban sustainable development, economic transformation and mitigation of ecological and environmental problems. Based on the panel data of 283 cities at prefecture level and above in China from 2003 to 2017, this paper analyzes spatial–temporal evolution characteristics of urban green development efficiency (UGDE) and the peer effects of UGDE between cities of different grades. It is found that during the study period, in terms of temporal evolution, the average UGDE in China increased from 0.47 in 2003 to 0.61 in 2017, with a cumulative growth rate of 29.79%, showing a rising trend in general. In terms of spatial evolution, the number of low-efficiency cities and medium-efficiency cities continued to decrease. The eastern region has always been the main distribution area of higher-efficiency cities and high-efficiency cities; in the central region, UGDE in most cities improved significantly; in the western region, UGDE has always lagged behind that in the eastern and central regions. In addition, the center of gravity of UGDE presented a trend of northwest migration in general, with a total displacement of 100.07 km, and UGDE showed a spatial dispersion trend. The empirical results indicate that the improvement of UGDE in large cities has a driving effect on that in neighboring medium cities and small cities through the positive peer effect, and the growth of UGDE in medium cities has a promoting effect on that in neighboring small cities through the positive peer effect; the increase of UGDE in medium cities has a positive peer effect on that in neighboring large cities, and the growth of UGDE in small cities has a positive peer effect on that in neighboring medium cities; UGDE promotes each other between large cities through the positive peer effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small Micro, Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) are the most strategic mechanisms rural municipalities in South Africa advocate for to generate employment and increase household income. The Citizen Empowerment Theory was utilised to understand how Local Economic Development (LED) can be reengineered by SMMEs post-COVID-19 in South African rural municipalities. To arrive at a meaningful conclusion, the paper adopted a document analysis which draws from pre-COVID-19 narratives on SMMEs and examines government documents and peer-reviewed articles that inform SMME development post-COVID-19 in South Africa. Revelations emanating from the document analysis indicate the severe damage COVID-19 did to both formal and informal SMMEs. To grow and reposition themselves in the dynamic entrepreneurship landscape post-COVID-19, SMMEs in South Africa require strategic business approaches that enable them to draw funding from external sources instead of relying on government funding which in most cases has red tape and other bureaucratic complexities tied to it. Further analysis of documents indicates the need for rural SMMEs to embrace digital entrepreneurship where product marketing is done online including most of the business transactions. By doing this, evidence from the document review affirms that SMMEs become competitive by tapping into external markets in the process linking themselves to stakeholders who may have an impact on the growth and sustainability of SMMEs towards employment regeneration and improved LED in rural municipalities. To have an integrative LED that promotes citizen participation post-COVID-19, the paper recommends rural municipalities foster close ties with local SMMEs which is critical for enhancing their networking strategies while SMMEs diversify their portfolios to generate income as well as withstanding shocks that may be triggered by unpredictable external environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]