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This study aimed to examine the variables that might affect the ecological footprint by using 1992–2015 data of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). The common correlated effects' mean group test was employed under the assumption of cross-sectional dependence and heterogeneity. In Brazil, an increase in energy consumption, technological development, and globalization decreased the ecological footprint by 0.043, 0.031, and 0.050 units, respectively, while an increase in urbanization increased the ecological footprint by 0.716 units. In Russia, on the other hand, no interpretation could be made because the coefficients were meaningless. In India, it had been observed that an increase of one unit in urbanization reduced the ecological footprint by 0.269 units. In China, it had been determined that a 1-unit increase in energy consumption reduced the ecological footprint by 0.043 units. In South Africa, the results could not be interpreted because the coefficients were insignificant. The results obtained vary according to the countries that revealed that local policies can also be effective on these variables. Therefore, countries have to act by examining the structures on their own to implement the policies they needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing internationalization of emerging market multinational corporations (EMNCs) especially from the BRICS counties (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South-Africa), the interactions between expatriates from these countries and the 'new' host country nationals (i.e. the U.S. American HCNs) is becoming a common organizational phenomenon. To better understand these interactions, in this study, we used two unique sources of data to examine the impact of HCNs willingness to offer support to expatriates. In Study 1, we used scenario-based experimental design with 571 HCNs from the US and examined their willingness to offer support to expatriates from the BRICS countries. In Study 2, 499 expatriates from the BRICS countries working in the US shared their actual experience with HCNs. Results from the two studies confirmed that expatriate humility was strongly associated with HCNs' willingness to offer social-emotional and instrumental support to expatriates. More specifically, we found that perceived trustworthiness and values similarity acted as the mediating mechanisms. Type of job (financial industry versus educational sector) had no impact on HCNs willingness to offer support, while expatriate country of origin was likely to impact HCN support in the experiment but was shown to have no impact in the actual expatriate experience. We discuss theoretical and practical implications and suggest future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trade facilitation is essential for enhancing the import and export of agricultural products between China and BRICS countries. Improving trade efficiency and identifying potential opportunities contribute to establishing formal cooperation mechanisms among nations, laying a robust foundation for the development and collaboration of BRICS countries post-expansion. This study developed a comprehensive indicator system and employed principal component analysis to assess trade facilitation levels among BRICS member states. Additionally, we employed a stochastic frontier gravity model to examine the trade efficiency and potential impact of BRICS trade facilitation on China's agricultural imports and exports from 2009 to 2022. The findings suggest that the overall level of trade facilitation in BRICS countries remains relatively low, with considerable scope for enhancement. The United Arab Emirates exhibits the highest level of trade facilitation, whereas Ethiopia shows the lowest. Factors such as economic status, business environment, and advancements in technology positively influence trade efficiency, while inadequate infrastructure impedes it. A notable disparity exists in the average trade efficiency of agricultural imports and exports between China and BRICS countries, with Russia displaying the highest efficiency and Iran the lowest. Brazil demonstrates significant trade potential, whereas the trade demand between Iran and China is comparatively minimal. The results are important for policymakers, pointing to the need for specialized trade policies and agricultural management strategies that reflect the diverse characteristics and challenges within BRICS economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine the impact of energy poverty on the aggregate and disaggregate material footprint components such as biomass, fossil fuel, metal ores and non-metallic minerals while considering the economic growth and tourism development during 2000–2014 for the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). By applying econometric tools, the study confirms a positive and significant impact of energy poverty on aggregate material footprint and its components. The same finding has been reached for tourism development. Moreover, this study finds a U-shaped Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) for all indicators used for material footprints. Based on the findings, this study proposes a set of policies for energy poverty alleviation to attain a sustainable environment and inclusive economic growth in the BRICS region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the moderating role of managerial ownership on environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosures and the going concern of chemical manufacturing firms in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) countries. We employed a quantitative research methodology, using panel data from 236 listed firms operating in the chemical manufacturing sector between 2007 and 2022. For the analysis, we utilized the Augmented Mean Group and the Common Correlated Effects Mean Group estimators. The results showed that ESG disclosures significantly impact the continued existence of chemical manufacturing companies in BRICS nations. Additionally, high managerial ownership exerts a significant positive influence on the association between ESG disclosures and the going concern of chemical manufacturing firms. The findings affirm the need for businesses to disclose their ESG issues to stakeholders to ensure carbon neutrality goals for BRICS. Hence, it is recommended that policymakers and business owners promote and incentivize managerial ownership, recognizing its pivotal role in enhancing the positive relationship between ESG disclosure and firms' continuity, thereby contributing to the realization of carbon neutrality goals in the BRICS region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent economic disturbances such as the outbreak of coronavirus, the Russia–Ukraine war, and disrupted supply chains, have resulted in high inflationary shocks that are difficult to combat. The most vulnerable to these global shocks are developing countries where trade is a crucial factor in economic growth. In this context, the study aims to investigate the impact of trade openness and output gap on inflation in BRICS countries from 1999Q1 to 2018Q4. Owing to growing economic integration and rising cross-sectional dependence, the study employs Dynamic Common Correlated Effect (DCCE) model to examine the long-run relationship between the variables. In addition, the study employs Dumitrescu and Hurlin (2012) to investigate the causal relationship between variables. The findings suggest that a more open trade policy helps to reduce rising domestic inflation. The price lowering impact of export openness outperforms the inflationary impact of imports, resulting in flattened Phillips curve. Moreover, the results indicate that the underpowered effect of the domestic output gap is not sufficient to counteract the unfavourable impact of the foreign output gap on inflation in BRICS. As a result, the study advocates providing subsidies and tax breaks to help export-oriented businesses thrive while keeping the global factors in check. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined board composition in national sport federations (NSF) in the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). BRICS is a significant geopolitical group with a strong history and interest in sport, yet there has been relatively limited sport governance research in this context. Specifically, this study measured levels of board diversity (occupational and gender) and board size in the NSFs – factors that are widely considered to impact board effectiveness. Data were collected on 184 NSFs across the five countries from online sources. The results showed that across the BRICS countries NSF directors largely come from athletic backgrounds (45.1% of total), except for China where bureaucrats prevail (61.9%). Men dominate NSF board positions, from a high of 92.1% in India to 68.4% in South Africa. Board size ranged from 20.4 in India, to 14.2 in South Africa. This study brings sport governance research to new frontiers by generating insight into board composition in contexts that are under-researched and culturally diverse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BRICS countries comprise 41.87% of the world's population and generate over 42% of the global greenhouse gas emissions. As the largest political cluster in global climate governance, their positions and alignment in the post-Paris Agreement era would determine the future trajectory of climate governance for the international communities. This article aims to ascertain the respective positions of BRICS nations by examining their nationally determined contributions and targets for carbon peak and neutrality. Through this analysis, the article endeavors to consolidate a comprehensive BRICS decarbonization roadmap, providing stakeholders and policymakers with greater clarity. In addition, in-depth case studies from China and India, the two biggest emitters, offer valuable insights into their climate mitigation paths. This would inspire unity among the BRICS countries and encourage them to uphold the stability of their partnership in climate governance collectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study estimates the monetary policy reaction function (MPRF) in a Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) framework using Bayesian analysis for the emerging economies. DSGE models are suitable for the policy analysis because of their simplicity and prominent role of forward-looking variables. This is a pioneer study investigating the combined effects of credit spreads, fiscal imbalances, and monetary autonomy on interest rates for BRICS member countries. Using real data for the period 1970–2021, the posterior estimates confirm that both credit spread and fiscal imbalance significantly contribute to fluctuations in output, inflation, and interest rates in all the sample economies. The estimates show that fluctuations in the inflation rate are due to supply shocks. The empirical estimates also reveal that fiscal imbalances shock significantly affect output in Brazil, India, and South Africa, whereas, based on real data inflation and interest rate are significantly affected by fiscal imbalance shocks in China and South Africa. Yet, the findings suggest that the effects of various shocks on output and interest rates vary across countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the backdrop of the dismal performance of BRICS nations in terms of governance, this study examines the relationship between governance indicators and carbon emissions. By employing DOLS and FMOLS cointegration techniques from 1996 to 2022, we find that effective governance helps in reducing environmental pollution. Specifically, indicators namely government effectiveness, political stability, the rule of law, voice and accountability, regulatory quality, and control of corruption show a favourable impact in mitigating carbon emissions. Additionally, our findings reveal that both foreign direct investments and trade openness contribute positively in lowering carbon emissions by introducing advanced technologies and sustainable practices. Conversely, rapid industrialization and population growth exacerbate carbon emissions due to increased reliance on fossil fuels and higher energy demand. Our study underscores the need for enhanced governance, green investments, and stringent environmental regulations to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability in BRICS nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most contentious issues discussed in international forums is environmental deterioration, which is seen as a major global problem. Consequently, while a number of carbon emission (CO2) drivers have been covered in the literature so far, little is known about the moderating effect of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on the link between CO2 emissions and mineral rent (MINR). Therefore, for the BRICS nations, this document serves as a representation of the earlier effort to investigate the moderating effect of EPU on the link between mineral rents and environmental deterioration. The aim of this study is to investigate the interaction effect of MINR and EPU on CO2 for BRICS from 1990 to 2022. For this purpose, we use the panel autoregressive distributed lag model to ascertain the long‐ and short‐term effects of EPU and MINR on CO2. The long‐term findings imply that MINR increases 2. In contrast, the moderation effect of EPU aggravates the impact of MINR on emissions. This study makes policy recommendations for accomplishing sustainable development. The governments of these nations may solve the problem of environmental degradation by assuring political stability, adopting dependable macroeconomic policies, and creating policies that are so adaptable that they can be readily controlled or utilized to handle unforeseen environmental concerns in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming has become a big problem around the world, and it is because of what people do. As a possible answer, countries are looking for ways to keep their economies growing and invest in technologies that use clean energy. Therefore, the notion of carbon neutrality has emerged as a crucial policy strategy for nations to attain sustainable development. This study expands the existing discussions on carbon neutrality by investigating the influence of key factors, including green innovation, financial development, natural resources depletion, trade openness, institutional quality, growth, and urbanization on the progress made towards attaining a carbon neutral state in the BRICS nations. This study considers the Method of Moment Quantile-Regression (MM-QR) and Prais–Winsten correlated panel corrected standard errors (PCSEs) estimators to investigate the study objectives over the period of 1990–2021. Under the investigated outcomes, this study validated the significant role of urbanization and growth in carbon neutrality. On the other hand, this study finds the positive role of openness, green innovation, resource depletion, institutional quality, and financial development on environmental deterioration. However, under a systematic analysis, this study utilizes different proxies of the financial sector, for instance, financial complexity, financial efficiency, financial stability, and domestic credit by financial sector, and provides interesting outcomes. Based on these outcomes, this study also provides suggestions to attain desired levels of sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the 1990s and 2000s, many developing nations accepted fixed exchange rate regimes to sustain price stability. By pegging their currencies to an anchor currency (i.e. US dollar), developing countries could bring credibility and confidence into their economies. The study tries to analyse the impact of the pegged exchange rate regime on inflation in BRICS countries for the period spanning from 2003 to 2022. The result points to the loss of monetary policy autonomy due to the ‘impossible trinity’ coming into play with a steady increase in capital inflows. The country’s large trade surpluses and extensive trade relationships may buffer the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on domestic prices, as changes in the exchange rate may be absorbed by changes in trade volumes or pricing strategies. Other factors like demographic trends or government interventions in markets could overshadow the influence of the exchange rate regime on inflation. The impact of changes in the exchange rate regimes on inflation may operate with lags, meaning that any effects may not be immediately observable in the data. The analysis in this study proposes that exchange rate regimes choice and money supply influence the inflation dynamics in the BRICS countries. It merely reflects the success of the central bank in neutralizing its very effort of maintaining the pegged rate, which gives rise to inflationary growth of the money supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surge in economic growth and increased agricultural output can augment societal well-being whilst proliferating environmental stressors. So, the study tests the validity of the "agriculture-induced Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis" (AEKC) by assessing the varied environmental proxies that have yet to be accounted for earlier in the case of BRICS economies. Furthermore, most studies have utilised "first-generation econometric approaches" as the "cross-sectional dependency" has not been deemed in estimation. On account of this, the research employed "second-generation CIPS and CADF unit root test", "Westerlund cointegration test", "fully modified ordinary least square" (FMOLS) and "dynamic ordinary least square" (DOLS) to test the validity of AEKC in "BRICS countries" for 30 years. A positive association between agriculture and "ecological footprint" has been found which evidences the presence of an "inverted U-shaped AEKC" in BRICS nations. Another finding shows that the favourable impact of agriculture towards climate change can be moderated by illustrating the interaction effect of "human capital" and "renewable energy" with "agriculture". Lastly, the investigation brings forth the policy repercussions and acumens for the BRICS governments and policymakers in halting climate change by using renewable energy in agriculture and building human capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 1950s, the remarkable amount of global environmental degradation has heightened environmental concerns at both national and international levels. This shift has spurred intensive research into the causes of environmental degradation and potential remedies, including environmental taxes, fines, education, and regulations. The drivers of CO2 emissions have been widely explored in the literature, but the nexus between business climate, human capital, and CO2 emissions has not been examined sufficiently. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to delve into the interplay between renewable energy, business climate, human capital, and CO2 emissions in BRICS countries from 2000 to 2020 using panel causality and cointegration tests. Our research hypotheses suggest that there are significant mutual interactions among renewable energy, business climate, human capital, and CO2 emissions based on the associated literature. The results of the causality test verify the research hypotheses by uncovering a bidirectional causality between business climate, renewable energy use, human capital, and CO2 emissions. Furthermore, the cointegration analysis reveals that increases in renewable energy use and human capital decrease CO2 emissions at the panel level, but a positive business climate increases CO2 emissions at the panel level. However, the impact of business climate on CO2 emissions at the country level varies among BRICS economies based on environmental policies. In conclusion, investing in green energy technologies and education is a useful tool to decrease CO2 emissions. In addition to this, the positive effect of business climate on CO2 emissions should be balanced by regulations to increase environmental, social, and governance awareness of firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The logistics sector plays a crucial role in supporting various aspects of the economy, making it an essential part of a nation's development. However, this sector also contributes to environmental pollution through various emissions. The adoption of environmentally friendly logistics practices presents a promising solution to mitigate adverse environmental impacts. This study aims to investigate the influence of economic growth, green innovation, foreign direct investment, transport emissions, renewable energy, and trade openness on green logistics in both Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) and Gulf countries from 1992 to 2020. This study used an advanced panel approach to obtain robust results, considering cross‐sectional dependency and slope heterogeneity. The cross‐sectionally augmented autoregressive distributed lag method was employed to analyze long and short‐run estimations. Our findings reveal that in Gulf countries, both transport emissions and foreign direct investment have a negative impact on green logistics. In the BRICS countries, economic growth, transport emissions, trade openness, renewable energy, and green innovation have a positive impact on green logistics. The study proposes several recommendations to improve logistics development in both groups of nations and promote sustainability. To achieve carbon neutrality, it is important to adopt green logistics, promote green investments, and support renewable energy, innovation, and sustainable growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research paper is focused the widely debated topic related to de-dollarization. It examines the trend of de-dollarization to check if the statements that the dollar is losing its weight and is about to lose its leading position in international trade payments are substantiated. Firstly, the theoretical framework behind the dollarization is explored. Secondly, the factors believed to be the basis of the de-dollarization process have been identified and analyzed, which are related to: geopolitical processes, changes in international payments policy in some BRICS countries, changes in international trade, etc. A performed analysis of the currency turnover in international trade, based on data from official sources, was made through forecast regression, which predicts the development of the share of the dollar in international payments. A correlation matrix was also calculated, showing the correlation links between the dollar and the other leadng currencies. The hypothesis, which is confirmed by the practical research, is that the de-dollarization process is proceeding slowly and uncertainly, and will continue to develop at a low pace leading to insignificant changes in the structure of the currency composition of international payments in the short and medium term. Further research could further explore each of the factors that could lead to a real dedollarisation trend in international payments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the backdrop of persistent climate change and deteriorating environmental pressure, this study integrates financialization, human capital, and energy security risks to provide new insight into decoupling carbon emissions from economic growth. The study employs annual panel data on the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries for the period of 1990–2019. The research employs the C‐S ARDL approach and the Tapio decoupling index to assess the decoupling status of the BRICS countries. In addition, this study applies the recently developed Juodis, Karavias, and Sarafidis Granger noncausality test for robustness. The findings offer compelling evidence of an inverted U‐shaped curve, aligning with the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis. Consequently, the results confirm the decoupling of carbon emissions in the BRICS nations. Furthermore, the Tapio decoupling elasticity index confirms different carbon decoupling statuses among the BRICS. The results show expansive negative decoupling for Brazil, weak decoupling for India and China, and strong decoupling for Russia and South Africa. In terms of policy, achieving strong decoupling status in the BRICS requires that financial institutions' lending and investing strategies align with environmental objectives. In addition, human capital development policies such as increased spending on education should be vigorously pursued to empower people to lead sustainable development projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to assess the relationship between the basic monetary instrument of state support for industry – subsidies – and basic macro-indicators of its effectiveness in the context of economic sovereignty. Methods: content analysis of publications, statistical analysis of macroeconomic indicators, econometric analysis on a wide sample of countries. Results: 1) the analysis of mentioning the category “subsidies” in Russian, English and Chinese printed publications confirmed the high interest to subsidies in China; 2) the analysis of correlation between the level of subsidies and the basic macro-indicators by countries on IMF data showed statistically significant correlations of the level of subsidies with the level of current account balance (low correlation) and GDP per capita (moderate correlation); 3) the evaluation showed no significant relationship between the level of subsidies and GDP per capita. According to the study results, conclusions were drawn about the absence of dependence between the level of transfers provided and the decrease of dependence on import. Scientific novelty: the hypothesis was checked that the level of subsidies in the state has a statistically significant impact on the country’s current account balance. The model is based on earlier studies with the added analysis of the role of subsidies in reaching the economic development goals. The novelty of this study consists in the absence of a significant relationship between the level of subsidies and the current account balance. Practical significance: the study results can be useful to specialists in the field of industrial policy. They provide a basis for a fuller understanding of the tools to ensure technological sovereignty. Modifications of the regression model can be used in further studies of the factors of the current account balance.

A country’s ability to create complex goods and diversify its lines of products is essential for addressing all types of vulnerabilities. Quantifying a country’s vulnerability to extreme climatic events, such as droughts, superstorms, and other natural disasters, and its capacity for successful adaption, is an essential global need that has been ignored. This study examines the role of economic fitness (EF) in addressing climate change risk exposure in BRICS countries in the context of the environmental Kuznets curve using panel data from 1995 to 2015. Panel threshold methodology is employed to ascertain the nonlinear relationship between EF and climate change risk exposure (i.e., Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative Country Index (ND-GAIN)). In addition, empirical associations were estimated using panel-corrected standard errors, Driscoll-Kraay standard errors, and feasible generalized least squares estimation techniques. These findings demonstrated an inverted N-shaped link between EF and ND-GAIN. Moreover, even after controlling for significant ND-GAIN influencing variables such as gross domestic product per capita, financial development, and urbanization, our robustness checks revealed significant and consistent findings.

BRICS nations as emerging economies have undergone a substantial structural transformation; however, achieving economic growth while sustaining the ecology is a pressing challenge for these economies. Nonetheless, one of the possible ways to achieve ecological sustainability is to promote clean energy use and green innovation backed by a strengthened political system. Thus, this study assesses the effect of disaggregated clean energy use (hydro and nuclear energy), green technology innovation, and political stability on the ecological footprint in BRICS countries from 1993 to 2022 while controlling for the impacts of natural resources rent, population growth, and GDP per capita. Using dynamic fixed effect and CS-ARDL estimators, the outcomes reveal that hydro and nuclear energy use and political stability induce the ecological footprint in BRICS countries. However, the empirical findings indicate that green technology innovation substantially reduces the ecological footprint. Therefore, from a policy perspective, the study encourages policy coordination among BRICS countries to embrace targeted policies to strengthen regulatory frameworks, promote innovations in technological know-how, and encourage the utilization of clean and sustainable energy to foster environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the intricate relationship between energy policy uncertainty (EGU) and foreign direct investment (FDI) within the BRIC economies over a comprehensive 27‐year period, spanning from 1996 to 2022. Employing advanced econometric techniques such as FMOLS and DOLS for regression analysis, the study unravels the nuanced impacts of EGU on both FDI inflows (IFD) and outflows (OFD). Drawing upon a comprehensive data set, the analysis reveals a significant negative correlation between EGU and IFD, indicating that heightened energy policy uncertainties deter foreign capital from entering BRICS nations. Contrarily, the study unveils a paradoxical positive relationship between EGU and OFD, suggesting that energy policy uncertainties stimulate the outflow of FDI, reflecting the adaptive strategies of multinational corporations navigating uncertainties. The study further explores the role of government effectiveness, labour force and financial sector development, shedding light on their positive influences on IFD and negative impacts on OFD. These findings underscore the importance of effective governance, a skilled labour force, and financial sector development in attracting and retaining foreign investments. This research contributes to the literature on energy policy, governance and FDI, offering policymakers and businesses nuanced insights into crafting strategies that enhance the attractiveness of BRIC nations for foreign investments. The study's findings have implications for shaping stable energy policies, improving governance effectiveness and fostering conditions conducive to sustained economic growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study aims to investigate how Foreign direct investment (FDI) and trade openness influenced economic growth in BRICS countries from 1990 to 2022, using the Pooled Mean Group Autoregressive Distributed Lag (PMG-ARDL) and System Generalized Method of Moments (System-GMM) methods. Our findings show that these two variables boost economic growth by 0.172, 0.021, 0.291, and 0.072%, respectively. Additionally, the results indicate that BRICS countries have demonstrated greater resilience in terms of FDI and trade before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, underscoring the effectiveness of their investment and trade policies in maintaining economic growth amidst global disruptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Although the Americas and Europe have historically dominated the global research landscape, emerging economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) have significantly increased their contributions in recent years. This article studies clinical trial trends in the BRICS nations between 2018 and 2022 and compares it with trends in the G7 nations (comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the USA, and the European Union). This will help stakeholders in planning drug development strategies. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP) and the World Bank database. An electronic search was done for the total number of trials registered between January 1, 2018, and March 15, 2023. Information was analyzed based on the year of registration, therapeutic area, type of intervention, sponsorship, and type of special population. The trial density indices (TDIs) were calculated based on population (Xi) and gross domestic product (GDP) (Yi) using author-derived formulae. Results: Altogether 2, 77, 536 trials from the BRICS and G7 were registered. China and the US had the most trials among the BRICS and G7, respectively. Between 2018 and 2022, the gap between the BRICS and G7 steadily reduced. The most common indication for clinical trials among the BRICS was cancer. Based on population, the TDI was the highest in China and the lowest in Russia. In proportion to the GDP, the TDI was maximum in Russia and minimum in India. Conclusion: There is a remarkable reduction in the gap in clinical trial trends between the BRICS and G7 nations. Among the BRICS, India and China are at the forefront in drug development. There is scope for improvement in trial density based on India’s population and GDP. Stakeholders are likely to utilize the strengths of the BRICS as an attractive destination for investment in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic performance can be measured using different macroeconomic indicators and different analysis methods. In this context, it is aimed to compare the economic performances of BRICS countries and Turkey for the 2000-2022 period by using macroeconomic variables and to analyze the performances of the countries discussed separately during his period. In the study, GDP per capita, growth rate, exports, current account balance (percent of GDP), inflation, unemployment, exchange rate and import were determined as performance evaluation criteria. Within the scope of the study, an integrated model was used, which deals with the economic performances of BRICS-T countries, ENTROPY and WEDBA (Weighted Euclidean Distance Based Approximation) methods. In the ENTROPY method, the weight coefficients obtained separately for each year and for each country were calculated, and in the WEDBA method, the performance ranking was made by using the obtained weights. According to the results of the study, the country with the best economic performance in the ranking of economic performance among the countries was China in all years, while India had the poorest overall performance compared to other countries on average. In addition, while Turkey was in the second place in 2011, it took the third place when the average of all years was taken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This policy brief proposes that the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa) should plan and coordinate on ways to mitigate cybersecurity risks on a multilateral level. The BRICS countries are ideal for such a meta-governance mechanism which could coordinate toward the circumvention of some cyber risks. This Policy brief proposes that there should be an integration of blockchain technologies, packet sniffing technologies and AI detection tools to help mitigate emerging cybersecurity risks. The policy brief outlines the risks and challenges prevalent in this current climate, whilst also proposing potential remedies sourced from rigorous academic studies. The precise amendments include the synthesised mechanism of blockchain-based internet registries, packet sniffing technologies AI verification tools and capacity building to aid in the mitigation of cybersecurity risks. In 2007, a cyberattack in Brazil plunged more than 3 million people into darkness.1 Cyberattacks collectively cost the BRICS countries $50.3bn in 2013.2 These funds could have been reinvested into the economy. BRICS needs the rapid technological integration of cyber-crime mitigation tools, tools which this policy brief will outline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As BRICS countries strive to build a digital economy, these nations must prepare their populace for the 'future of work.' Digital economies tend to create middle to high-skilled jobs. This is problematic as many workers are trapped in low-skill occupations and lack the expertise to adequately participate in a digital economy. A digital economy requires a population that is literate in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). While BRICS has made progress in educating their populace in these fields, they still have a long way to go. More STEM graduates (especially women) must be produced to maintain and create a digital economy. This policy brief maps out strategies for BRICS countries to increase STEM participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the global economy becomes increasingly underpinned by the digital economy, developing countries must grapple with the challenge of digitally transforming their economies while ensuring that no one is left behind. The BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa - are at different stages of digital development and have adopted varying approaches to digital governance. However, the challenges of the 21st century require a joint approach to e-commerce, internet governance, and the challenges of a digitalising global economy. The BRICS Digital Economy Partnership Framework, launched in 2022, is a positive step towards a comprehensive digital governance framework. This framework promotes cooperation on various digital issues, including cybersecurity, data protection, and e-commerce. This policy brief examines how the framework can benefit the BRICS countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the association between economic uncertainty and audit quality in the BRICS nations, examining both input-based (e.g., audit fees, auditor tenure) and output-based (e.g., restatements, total accruals) measures of audit quality. Utilizing a dataset of 83,511 firm-year observations from 1995–2022, it reveals a significant negative impact of economic uncertainty on audit quality. Additionally, the research explores the moderating role of CEO power, employing principal component analysis to merge various indicators of CEO influence. Findings indicate that powerful CEOs can mitigate the adverse effects of economic uncertainty on audit quality, suggesting a U-shaped relationship between CEO power and audit quality. Methodologically robust, employing techniques like two-stage least squares (2SLS) and two-stage system generalized method of moments (system GMM) to address endogeneity, the study offers a comprehensive analysis of audit quality in the context of economic fluctuations and corporate governance, contributing significantly to the understanding of these dynamics in emerging economies, particularly in the diverse and influential BRICS nations. This study's findings have significant implications for stakeholders and policymakers, providing insights that can inform policy decisions and enhance corporate governance frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South-South Cooperation was first conceived at the 1955 Bandung Conference, which led to the foundation of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961 and other important initiatives within the UN system, such as creating the G77 and elaborating the Buenos Aires Plan of Action. Since the beginning of the century, this cooperation modality has re-emerged and is now considered a catalyst for sustainable development. Given this context, this paper aims to analyze its ideological and political origins, definitions, and evolution, highlighting its importance as an instrument of foreign policy and development cooperation. In addition, a comparison between South-South and North-South Cooperation is made through five dimensions: ideas, institutions/political systems, interests, organizations, and vectors/schemes. Through this comparative approach, the author seeks to present consensual aspects of what is understood as South-South Cooperation and portray the diversity of strategies implemented by countries in the Global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze the effect of banking stability, exchange rates, and external debt on economic growth in BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) during the period 2011-2020. The data used in this study is panel data from five BRICS countries, obtained from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. The method used is a panel data regression model using the Fixed Effect method. This model makes it possible to account for the fixed effects of time as well as the fixed effects of individual states in regression analysis. The results of the analysis show that banking stability has a significant negative influence on economic growth in BRICS countries. On the other hand, exchange rates and external debt have a significant positive impact on economic growth. These findings indicate that policies that promote banking stability, prudent exchange rate management, and effective use of external debt can support sustainable economic growth in BRICS countries. The results of the analysis show that banking stability has a significant negative influence on economic growth in BRICS countries. On the other hand, exchange rates and external debt have a significant positive impact on economic growth. These findings indicate that policies that promote banking stability, prudent exchange rate management, and effective use of external debt can support sustainable economic growth in BRICS countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst global environmental reforms, the role of energy systems is under scrutiny to promote ecological welfare through low-carbon alternatives. Amongst the solutions, the role of renewable energy as a clean source has become popular to mitigate climate change. However, the impact of debt on renewable energy consumption remains limited in the economic literature. The debt initiatives provide funding for environmental initiatives primarily, while it is also credited as a barrier to limiting the growth of clean energy programs. Within such discussion, the current study extended the dialogue by examining how external debt impacts energy transition in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) economies in the presence of institutional quality, education expenditures, and banking development. Using the novel CS-ARDL, AMG, and CCEMG tests, the study results showed that external debt decreases renewable energy consumption, while institutional quality, educational expenditures, banking developments, and economic growth are essential elements of green energy developments. Based on these conclusions, this study provides novel policy guidelines to align BRICS energy and economic agendas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the intricate interplay between carbon emissions and foreign direct investment within the context of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) for the period spanning 2000 to 2022. In our comprehensive analysis, we incorporate ecological footprint, renewable energy, globalization, and technological innovations as exogenous variables. Employing a system of simultaneous equations across the BRICS panel, we aim to fully elucidate the proposed relationships. Our empirical findings underscore the following key insights: foreign direct investment, technological innovations, and the adoption of renewable energy sources significantly contribute to the mitigation of carbon emissions in these selected nations. However, it is essential to note that ecological footprints exhibit a positive association with carbon emissions, raising concerns on two fronts: escalating environmental degradation and increased land pressure, both of which contribute to rising ecological footprints in BRICS countries. Additionally, our analysis reveals that foreign direct investment is influenced by its capacity to reduce carbon emissions and bolster renewable energy adoption, while globalization amplifies investment trends within the BRICS nations. To address the environmental repercussions of mining activities, it is imperative to implement stringent control and regulation measures, given their potential adverse impacts, including soil pollution, acid mine drainage, erosion, biodiversity loss, excessive water resource consumption, and wastewater disposal challenges. Nevertheless, proactive steps such as recycling mining waste, adopting environmentally friendly mining equipment, combatting illegal mining, and enhancing overall mining sustainability offer promising avenues to mitigate the environmental footprint of mining operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to provide a holistic overview of research trends examining online learning in higher education in BRICS countries, an acronym for an association of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, after COVID-19 using bibliometric analysis. Researchers utilized VOSviewer's software to analyze the data using a bibliometric approach. 971 publications from the SCOPUS database were found appropriate for this research based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The results of the number of documents showed that there has been an increase in the amount of research on online learning in higher education in the BRICS countries. Also, the results showed that researchers from China and South Africa had the highest publications on online learning. However, researchers in Russia had very few publications. In addition, the co-authorship relationships among the BRICS countries revealed specific relationships of scholars with their colleagues from other countries. The results revealed that scholars from Indian and South African researchers had close collaborations, and Russian researchers did not have any collaborations with other countries. Finally, the results revealed two lines of research trends. The first line of research has focused on e-learning, online learning, students, and teaching. The second line of COVID-19 has focused on the pandemic, learning, online education, and students. Based on the results, recommendations are made for further research and higher education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amid the evolving global economic landscape, the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) have emerged as proponents of economic multilateralism, challenging traditional paradigms of economic governance and integration. This article explores the prospects and challenges of economic integration among the BRICS nations, with specific reference to calls for an optimum currency area (OCA). With diverse economic capacities and global aspirations, these countries face significant challenges in policy coordination and structural alignment. This comprehensive literature analysis reveals the potential for and the complexity of achieving economic integration among the BRICS, underscoring the necessity for enhanced cooperation and policy harmonisation. Achieving economic integration, including the establishment of a common currency, requires an understanding of the national and collective economic goals, disparities and challenges. Offering insights into the BRICS' role in reshaping the global economic system, this analysis contributes to the discourse on economic integration among developing and emerging economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large and volatile foreign portfolio investment (FPI) inflows raise financial instability concerns and create several macroeconomic challenges for developing countries. Identifying the factors driving FPI inflows is therefore essential for formulating appropriate policies to manage these inflows efficiently. This study uses a GM-FMOLS panel cointegration approach to examine and identify such factors for BRICS countries, the leading recipients of FPI inflows among all developing countries. The study finds that the 10-year US Treasury bond yield exerts a significant negative influence on FPI inflows. These bonds provide risk-free long-term returns to portfolio investors; hence, a rise in the yield on such bonds prompts them to readjust their portfolios away from assets in developing countries to US Treasuries, leading to a decline in FPI inflows. The study further finds that a thriving domestic stock market, a higher interest rate differential, an appreciating domestic currency, an improvement in the recipient country's creditworthiness, and a greater degree of trade openness are conducive to FPI inflows. However, a rising consumer price index, higher foreign output growth, and greater global financial volatility discourage these inflows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Commercial & Intellectual Property Law (TFM) / Ticaret ve Fikri Mülkiyet Hukuku Dergisi is the property of Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University, Facult of Law and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Achieving sustainable development targets requires major changes in the existing economic structure and a transition from a pollution‐intensive energy system to a clean one. The role of the digital economy (DE) in this regard has received much attention in recent eras. However, there is little literature investigating the relationship between the DE and the energy transition in the presence of technological innovation. This study's aim, grounded in the sustainability agenda, is to explore the possible impact of DE and technological innovation on the energy transition for the BRICS nations from 2003 to 2021. Using the most recent Moments Quantile Regression method, the results reveal that the DE can contribute significantly to achieving SDG‐7 by promoting energy transition. While technological innovation does not significantly influence the energy transition. Moreover, economic development is hindering the energy transition in the BRICS countries. Several alternative estimation methods have been applied to confirm the robustness of the results. The empirical results conclude that governments should build digital infrastructure and encourage innovation in the energy sector by supporting energy‐related patents. The detailed policy implications are presented in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the volatility spillover and connectedness among the stock markets of G7, BRICS countries, and other countries where COVID-19 is more severe. For this investigation, we perform static and rolling-window analysis to measure volatility spillovers using the spillover index approach and LASSO-VAR for estimating high-dimensional VARs. We also examine the network connectedness at different periods. Our findings indicate that the recent COVID-19 pandemic intensifies volatility spillovers, supporting the financial contagion effects. Furthermore, the United States, Spain, and Russia markets are net volatility transmitters for most of the period before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Boletín Económico de ICE is the property of S.G.E.E.I.P.C., Secretaria de Estado de Comercio, Ministerio de Industria, Comercio y Turismo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A country’s ability to create complex goods and diversify its lines of products is essential for addressing all types of vulnerabilities. Quantifying a country’s vulnerability to extreme climatic events, such as droughts, superstorms, and other natural disasters, and its capacity for successful adaption, is an essential global need that has been ignored. This study examines the role of economic fitness (EF) in addressing climate change risk exposure in BRICS countries in the context of the environmental Kuznets curve using panel data from 1995 to 2015. Panel threshold methodology is employed to ascertain the nonlinear relationship between EF and climate change risk exposure (i.e., Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative Country Index (ND-GAIN)). In addition, empirical associations were estimated using panel-corrected standard errors, Driscoll-Kraay standard errors, and feasible generalized least squares estimation techniques. These findings demonstrated an inverted Nshaped link between EF and ND-GAIN. Moreover, even after controlling for significant ND-GAIN influencing variables such as gross domestic product per capita, financial development, and urbanization, our robustness checks revealed significant and consistent findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the existing literature on environmental sustainability (ES) emphasizes its importance, yet few empirical studies look at the major contributing variables to ES. Therefore, we examine how the use of renewable energy, globalization, and technological innovation (TI) contribute to ES, with the moderating influence of foreign aid, spanning the period from 1996 to 2019 in BRICS economies. For data analysis, we apply the ARDL methodology, revealing an adverse and substantial link among globalization, TI, and the consumption of renewable energy with ES. Additionally, we discover that foreign aid has a beneficial moderating effect on the association between ES, globalization, and TI. On the other hand, it is found that foreign aid has an adverse moderating impact on the link between renewable energy sources and ES. This research also yields crucial practical implications, offering in-depth insights for the design of more effective policies to foster economic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—are committed to achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13, which focuses on mitigating climate change. To attain this goal, it is crucial to emphasize the significance of ICT, renewable energy sources, industrialization, and institutional quality. This study contributes to the literature by examining the potential role of these factors in environmental sustainability in the BRICS economies from 2000 to 2021, utilizing cross-sectional augmented autoregressive distributed lag (CS-ARDL) estimation and other novel econometric techniques. Accordingly, the study suggests that BRICS governments and policymakers prioritize the use of ICT in the industrial and institutional sectors to achieve faster environmental sustainability in the short-run, as per the CS-ARDL results. However, the study advises caution in the long-term as the interaction between ICT and renewable energy sources, industrialization, and institutional quality may not favour environmental quality. Although the renewable energy sources interaction with ICT may not yield immediate progress, strong measures need to be taken to ensure that short-term gains are not nullified. In conclusion, the study highlights the potential of ICT, renewable energy sources, industrialization, and institutional quality in achieving environmental sustainability in the BRICS countries, while recommending cautious measures in the long run to safeguard the progress made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]