Purpose The construction industry faces a significant challenge because of the lack of digital tools and collaborative platforms for managing recycled materials and fostering a circular economy (CE) throughout a building’s life. This study aims to mitigate the environmental impact of the construction industry by integrating building information modelling (BIM) with CE principles. Design/methodology/approach In this research, Python and Microsoft Visual Studio were used to introduce a bidirectional data-sharing process and integrate material passports (MPs) within the Autodesk Revit framework. A case study was conducted to check the efficacy of the developed prototype in a real-world project of NEOM City. A total of 12 industry experts have validated the developed prototype named BIM-circular economy system (BIM-CES) through a demonstration, followed by a semi-structured interview, and further analysed using importance-performance analysis (IPA). Findings The prototype demonstrated a framework for using wood material-related MP within a BIM model. IPA revealed that BIM-CES effectively addresses key issues of lack of collaboration, technological solutions, technical skills and circular design, ranking high in importance and performance. Originality/value Unlike previous studies that primarily focus on celebrity attributes in the food sector, this research integrates socio-psychological factors, providing a broader perspective on how these attributes influence consumer behaviour.

Purpose Provided that Egypt is the world’s largest wheat importer, the conflict between its primary suppliers presents significant challenges to its trade stability and food security. This paper aims to investigate the impacts of the Russia–Ukraine (RU) war on Egypt’s trade dynamics, with a particular focus on wheat imports over the period 1995–2023. Design/methodology/approach The study uses the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) model to estimate the relationship between macroeconomic variables and Egypt’s trade performance, as well as agricultural determinants and wheat import dynamics. Findings The empirical results show that Egypt’s GDP growth rate and its exchange rate have negative and statistically significant impacts on both the growth rate of imports and total trade with Russia and Ukraine. Conversely, Egypt’s inflation and the GDP of Russia and Ukraine show a positive and significant effect on Egypt’s imports and total trade. This indicates Egypt’s vulnerability to both domestic inflationary pressures and foreign economic activity. Importantly, the inclusion of a war dummy variable capturing the RU war shows a negative and significant impact on Egypt’s total trade and wheat imports, underscoring the geopolitical shock’s disruptive effects. Research limitations/implications The findings offer critical insights for policymakers to enhance trade resilience, diversify import sources and strengthen domestic agricultural capacity in the wake of global trade disruptions. Practical implications The findings imply that Egypt should implement comprehensive policy reforms in wheat pricing mechanisms, introduce targeted incentives to enhance private sector efficiency in agricultural production, and foster the adoption of innovative and sustainable farming practices. Social implications Social implications extend to reducing food insecurity in Egypt, containing food inflation through improved supply stability, and advancing inclusive growth by ensuring equitable access to affordable staple commodities. Originality/value This study offers a distinctive contribution by examining Egypt’s short-term adaptive responses to the Russia–Ukraine war–a period characterized by exceptional disruption in global wheat markets. It provides empirical insights into how Egypt, an import-dependent economy navigated concurrent external shocks, including trade blockages, logistical constraints, and unprecedented price surges, thereby revealing the mechanisms underpinning trade resilience under crisis conditions.

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between export diversification and economic growth by diving into Harmonised System (HS) six-digit level of disaggregation which provides greater details regarding the composition of India’s export product mix. Design/methodology/approach Using data from 1991 to 2023, the study uses Theil index to measure the magnitude of diversification in export basket and employs an Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to unveil the long run relationship between export diversification and economic growth in India. Findings The results provide evidence that export diversification enhances growth both in the short and long run and also acts as a shield against concentration and induced volatility. Further analysis indicates that both human capital and labour force growths are conducive to economic expansion while inflation and FDI has detrimental effects. Research limitations/implications The study period starts in 1991 because data on FDI prior to that period is unavailable as the liberalisation of Indian economy formally initiated in 1990–1991. However, the study also brings out the relevance of export diversification as a source of sustainable economic development and the growth promoting as well as risk mitigating character in the context of India. It also calls for policies to enhance human capital and labour force and the means of combating inflation and to best use FDI for economic growth. Originality/value The study contributes to the existing knowledge through various ways: First, unlike previous studies which uses Herfindahl–Hirschman Index (HHI) index which is exposed to various limitations, the present study uses Theil index and considered HS six digit level of product classification to account for greater details while measuring diversification. Second, the long run relationship between economic growth and export diversification is modelled using the Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach and effect of export diversification on economic growth is also moderated controlling various economic growth influencing variables such as, gross capital formation, labour force participation, human capital, FDI and inflationary effect.

Purpose This paper aims to examine the multifaceted impact of China’s belt and road initiative (BRI) on firm innovation. It investigates how enhanced connectivity, economic cooperation and improved resource access under BRI contribute to the innovation capacity of businesses. Design/methodology/approach Taking firms engaged in the BRI framework as the research object, the study uses an empirical analysis to assess the influence of BRI on firm innovation. The analysis focuses on two channels through which BRI operates: optimizing the financing environment and enhancing human capital. Findings The empirical results reveal that BRI significantly promotes firm innovation. It suggests that BRI-driven policies effectively alleviate financial constraints and facilitate access to new markets and resources, thereby spurring innovation in technology, products and services. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature on international cooperation and firm innovation by providing novel empirical evidence on the role of BRI in advancing firm innovation. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers seeking to stimulate innovation through global economic initiatives.

Purpose This study aims to assess the effect of Aid for Trade (AfT) inflows on poverty in 60 developing countries and whether this effect depends on the effectiveness of these recipient countries’ governments in better allocating these inflows. Design/methodology/approach The analysis has applied the quantile regression (QR) approach on an unbalanced panel data set of 60 developing countries over the period 2009–2018. Findings The findings showed a positive and significant overall correlation between AfT and poverty. This favourable effect, however, only applies to the non-least developed countries (LDCs). However, under a more effective governance environment, the aggregate AfT inflows appeared to reduce poverty levels for the full sample of countries, particularly for the LDCs. Originality/value This study is considered the initial empirical investigation of the relationship between AfT and poverty using the QR approach, and whether this relationship depends on the government effectiveness of these nations. The QR approach enables determining if this effect is more significant in recipient nations with higher rates of poverty (LDCs) than in recipient nations with lower rates of poverty (non-LDCs).

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze food fertilizer products’ trade networks among Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) member nations during 2005–2022. Design/methodology/approach To explore the nature of revealed comparative advantage, intra-sectorial trade specialization and intra-industry trade, this paper used Balassa, Lafay and Grubel-Lloyd indexes. On the other hand, economic networks were used to investigate fertilizer trade centrality in global trade networks. Findings This paper concluded that Thailand and India have the most diversified fertilizer trade markets. In contrast, Nepal and Bhutan exhibited high import centrality toward a few source regions. Hence, significant scope exists to diversify fertilizer export and import markets within BIMSTEC member nations to avoid region-specific dependence on international trade. Originality/value This paper lies apart in its precise emphasis on linking national resource security issues with import-export policy formulation for food fertilizers, where earlier studies have not been examined. Dealing with this intersection allows the existing paper to offer a reenergized perspective on harmonizing resource sustainability with economic objectives. Hence, this fills a primary void in the existing literature by suggesting hands-on strategies and expanding current knowledge.

Purpose This paper aims to examine the trade diversion effect of AFCFTA in two largest economies in the continent (Nigeria and South Africa) and compared trade diversion effect with other trading partners. There is evidence of trade diversion effect of AFCFTA trade policy on African–China trade relations both in South Africa and Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach This study empirically investigates the potential effect of AFCFTA on Chinese trade with African countries in a Single Market Partial Equilibrium Simulation Tool (WITS-SMART) Model. WITS-SMART is partial equilibrium analysis which implies that the analysis only considers the effects of a given policy action in the market(s) that are directly affected. Findings The conclusion from this study is that based on the volume of trade between African countries and China the estimated trade diversion of 1.2 million USD for South Africa and 1.1 million USD for Nigeria in 20 top products is considerably low and may not be of any significant consequence to alter the trajectory of African–China trade relations. Despite this, it is pertinent for each country to identify the affected products involve in trade diversion and design strategies to create credible alternatives to minimize the potential effect. Originality/value Many studies have examined the impact of AfCFTA on African economy without examining the potential trade diversion of the policy. This study expands the focus of AfCFTA discourse beyond the immediate African economy by investigating the potential trade diversion of this new trade policy with the African largest trade partners.

Purpose This study aims to examine the moderating impact of firm age and corporate governance on the relationship between investor protection (IP) and stock price crash risk (SPCR) in Asian economies. Design/methodology/approach The study utilized annual data from 432 publicly traded nonfinancial firms from six Asian economies: China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Pakistan and Singapore. The study period spanned 16 years, from 2007 to 2022. The sample was divided into three categories, including the overall sample and developing and developed economy subgroups. The hypotheses were tested using a generalized least squares panel regression approach. Findings The results suggest that corporate governance and firm age negatively moderate the relationship between IP and SPCR in Asian economies, revealing that firms with better corporate governance practices and older firms may experience a more pronounced reduction in SPCR. Firms in developing Asian economies that adopt stronger governance standards are more effective in reducing the likelihood of substantial declines in stock prices than those in developed Asian economies. Originality/value This study makes multiple contributions to the existing body of literature. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt to examine the moderating impact of firm age and corporate governance on the relationship between IP and stock price crash risk in Asia. While prior research has primarily focused on either the direct impact of IP or corporate governance on stock price behavior, this study integrates firm age and corporate governance factors as moderators, shedding light on their joint effects on mitigating SPCR. This is likely one of the first studies by a research team in Asia that compares the nonfinancial markets of developed and developing Asian countries.