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The COVID-19 pandemic has created a significant transformation in the production and consumption of face masks. This study investigated the main indicators that affect attitude and intention toward reducing unnecessary face mask consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, this study focused on exploring how environmental sensitivity, the fear of COVID-19, price sensitivity, and subjective norms influence mask consumption behaviour based on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). The data was collected from Turkish citizens by survey method. As a result, it was seen that environmental sensitivity, price sensitivity, and subjective norms affected attitude and intention towards reducing unnecessary mask consumption positively. On the other side, it was determined that fear of COVID-19 increased face mask usage and affected attitude and intention towards reducing unnecessary mask consumption negatively.

The concept of ecological footprint is a method developed to calculate the balance of ecosystems deteriorated as a result of human activities and to determine the amount that needs to be restored to the ecosystem. This study utilised the technique of rolling window unit root test to obtain time-varying estimates of the convergence of ecological foot prints within the EU and candidate countries. Accordingly, the study analysed the convergence of ecological foot print indicators (cropland, grazing land, fishing, forest and total footprint) among 14 European (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden) and two candidate countries (Turkey and Albania) for the period of 1961 and 2016. According to test results, series converge in general. However, there are divergences in some sub-periods. In other words, policy effectiveness can change over time. In the sub-periods where the series converge, more effective policies are required.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and international student mobility from an alternative perspective and to reveal descriptive findings. Design/methodology/approach: This study follows qualitative research methodology. In accordance with the purpose of the study, the data were collected by the literature review and then it was analyzed by the descriptive analysis method. The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on international student mobility and the relationships between these variables are explained by tables and classifications. Findings: According to the findings obtained, the restrictions in physical student mobility and shutdown are observed as the biggest challenges that occurred in higher education during the COVID-19. On a global scope, international student mobility has experienced a major break. Physical campus life is still on standby. Online higher education does not give any campus life as before. Students cannot benefit form city's or country's facilities when studying online at home country. The collaboration between university and business has been declined and this is even more discouraging for international students. The hybrid education model produced an intermediate solution in this period. On the other hand, the rise of online education has created new techniques for higher education. University students who cannot go abroad attend different countries lectures and education programs. But also a new challenge has come as the access of online platforms in under developing countries university students. Online education system also discussed in terms of creating inequality in higher education. Research limitations/implications: This study focused on student mobility and not focused about academic mobility. Practical implications: It is seen that the traditional higher education system has been adapted into online distance higher education system since COVID-19 crises began globally. On the other side, it is observed that most of studies have focused the effect of COVID-19 on university students based on the transition to online education. When considering the effect of pandemic process on the mobility of international students and higher education, the authors can suggest policy makers to develop new higher education protocols and teaching models supporting key issues (economic, social, health, education and equalization) in the long-term. Higher education institutes have been able to produce creative and innovative solutions for both education and communication during the pandemic process. Social implications: University students who cannot go abroad attend different countries lectures and education programs. But also a new challenge has come as the access of online platforms in under developing countries university students. Online education system also discussed in terms of creating inequality in higher education. Originality/value: This study provides a new perspective for international student mobility in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. This is an emerging issue for the literature. This study is original with its approach to the subject from a global perspective through reviewing the studies of different countries. This study points out key variables for determining the effect of COVID-19 on international student mobility for future studies. When employing quantitative research models, the current key variables can guide them.

Purpose: This study aims to explore the key factors in achieving an efficient e-government portal management system from a citizen perspective. Accordingly, this study focuses on explaining how an e-government portal should manage its digital public services for citizens efficiently. Design/methodology/approach: This study employs a qualitative research design. As a sample case, this study preferred to analyze the Turkish e-government portal. The data is based on available open access data and information from the Turkish e-government portal, which is called e-Government Gateway in practice. In addition, the data of TURKSTAT (Turkish Statistical Institute) were used to determine the general profile of citizens about Internet skills and usage. Then, the data is analyzed by descriptive content analysis. Findings: As a result of descriptive findings, user type, digital platform options, security and access options, and digital public service classification are all found as important factors for providing a well-designed e-government portal system from a citizen perspective. Especially, citizens should be informed about using options and service categories and types to be accessed by the e-government portal. Social media tools are efficient factors when informing citizens about the e-government portal and communicating with them. Research limitations/implications: This study provides an original model to explain how the Turkish e-government portal works from a citizen perspective. However, there are some limitations to the study. The findings and suggestions are based on the Turkish e-government portal and its digital public service management. Also, this study evaluates the efficiency of the e-government portal management from a citizen perspective. Future studies can investigate e-government portal management for different countries by different approaches or research designs. Practical implications: Based on the Turkey case, it is determined that creating an e-government portal with having up-to-date public services, including both web-based and mobile-based platforms, will support the adoption and use of e-government portals. Social implications: The digital transformation of government is almost the main issue for policymakers in the world. But, this transformation process has some risk factors as well as challenges. To overcome these challenges, policymakers should design flexible and adaptable digital portals and systems to provide easy-to-use and self-use options for the citizens. Originality/value: This study reveals key factors for efficient e-government portal management by providing descriptive evidence from Turkey. The main contribution of this study is expected to give practical implications and to guide other countries about the adoption of efficient e-government portals by citizens.

Purpose: This paper aims to explain the relationship between sukuk market and economic growth. In this context, the study investigates the impact of sukuk market development on economic growth for nine countries (Brunei, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey) which have Islamic finance and banking system. Design/methodology/approach: The study analyzed the data of nine countries as Brunei, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey for periods between 2014Q1 and 2017Q4. As a part of gross domestic product, total sukuk export measured by the sukuk market and the sukuk density which was considered as annual sukuk export per country were used to determine sukuk market development. Inflation, trade deficit and financial stress series were used as control variables. Findings: It was determined that there was a long-term cointegrated relationship between sukuk market development and economic growth. Sukuk volume and sukuk density had a positive effect on growth in the long run. One unit increase in sukuk volume increased growth by 0.5%, while increase in sukuk density increased growth by 1.7%. According to short-term relationships, it was seen that sukuk variables did not have an effect on growth. However, sukuk exports contributed positively to growth rates in the long run. Research limitations/implications: The findings of this study are limited with nine countries (Brunei, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey). Also, the accessible data of sukuk market was used and the periods of 2014Q1–2017Q4 was analyzed in a study. Accordingly, future studies can find different results for different countries which has Islamic finance and banking system for different periods in the global market. Originality/value: This study provides empirical findings to the related literature, and it proves that sukuk market development contributes positively to the economic growth of countries including Islamic finance and banking system in the long run.

Purpose: This study aims to explain the role of health on economic growth for OECD countries in the context of sustainable development. Accordingly, the study investigates the relationship between health and economic growth in OECD countries. Design/methodology/approach: This study employed cluster analysis and econometric methods. By cluster analysis, 12 OECD countries (France, Germany, Finland, Slovenia, Belgium, Portugal, Estonia, Czech Republic, Hungary, South Korea, Poland and Slovakia) were classified into two clusters as high and low health status through health indicators. For panel threshold analysis, the data included growth rates, life expectancy at birth, export rates, population data, fixed capital investments, inflation and foreign direct investment for the period of 1999–2016. Findings: The study determined two main clusters as countries with high health status (level) and low health status (level), but there was no threshold effect in clusters. It was concluded that an increase in the life expectancy at birth of countries with higher health status had no significant impact on economic growth. However, the increase in the life expectancy at birth of countries with lower health status influenced economic growth positively. Research limitations/implications: This study used data that including period of 1999–2016 for OECD countries. In addition, the study used cluster analysis to determine health status of countries, and then panel threshold analysis was preferred to explain significant relations. Originality/value: This study showed that the role of health on economic growth can change toward country groups as higher and lower health status. It was proved that higher life expectancy can influence economic growth positively in countries with worse or low health status. In this context, developing countries, which try to achieve sustainable development, should improve their health status to achieve economic and social development at the same time.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between energy consumption and economic growth for Brazil, Russia, China, India, South Africa and Turkey (BRICS-T) countries. In this context, this study investigates energy consumption and real output in BRICS-T countries through panel cointegration. Design/methodology/approach: The data include energy consumption and real output for BRICS-T countries and period of 1990–2014. The variables are transformed into natural logarithm. To analyze these data, this study employed Pedroni cointegration test, the second-generation panel cointegration test, Westerlund and Edgerton (2008) test and FMOLS test. Findings: Results indicate that there is a bi-directional causality relationship between energy consumption and economic growth for BRICS-T countries. An increase in GDP leads to an increase in energy consumption and an increase in energy consumption leads to an increase in GDP. Research limitations/implications: This study used data that include the period of 1990–2014 for BRICS-T countries. So, further studies can use different periods of data or different countries. Originality/value: This study provides important evidence that countries with strong growth performance need to follow bi-directional energy policies to increase both energy investments and ensure energy savings.