Brazil, Russia, India, China And South Research Articles

Social, Economic and Competitiveness aspects of Green Innovation

Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze how the adoption of green innovation practices by companies can affect the economic (Gross Domestic Product - GDP), social (Human Development Index - HDI) and competitiveness (Global Competitiveness Index - GCI) Development of Developed Countries (DC) and Emerging Countries (EC). Method: For the analysis, a three-level hierarchical regression model was used with repeated measures and estimated by Maximum Likelihood from a sample of 4061 publicly traded companies, 80% of which from the G7 countries and 20% from the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). Results: The results showed that in relation to GDP, all green innovation indicators negatively influenced economic development in both DC and EC. With regard to the HDI, green innovation practices such as environmental management and environmental investments positively influence social development in DCs and ECs, respectively. As for competitiveness, the results revealed that only green innovation practices related to environmental policies showed statistically significant results demonstrating a negative relationship with the GCI both in the DC and in the EC. Contributions: The study contributes with possible ways for companies and governments to set goals to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, SDG-8 to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, SDG-9 to promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation, and SDG-10 to strengthen and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

Adoption of renewable energy to phase down fossil fuel energy consumption and mitigate territorial emissions: evidence from BRICS group countries using panel FGLS and panel GEE models

The recognition of climate change as real and unprecedented has been acknowledged by global communities. Furthermore, fossil fuel energy consumption and territorial emissions are identified as major drivers of climate change. Data collected from the World Bank for BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) group of countries for the period from 1990 to 2018, and analyzed using Panel FGLS and Panel GEE models, revealed an inverted U-shaped relationship between GDP per capita and its square with fossil fuel energy consumption in BRICS countries. However, this relationship was not observed with territorial emissions. It is indicated that the BRICS group of countries is making efforts to reduce fossil fuel energy consumption, but investment in green technology is insufficient to reduce territorial emissions. Therefore, it is recommended that climate policies need to be more aggressively implemented to support investment in clean and green energy technology.

Technological entrepreneurship readiness

Technological entrepreneurship presents opportunities for accelerated growth during the Fourth Industrial Revolution and assessing the readiness for such entrepreneurship would be important to investors (interested in profit) and governments (interested in economic growth). The aim was to assess and rank the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries on their level of technological entrepreneurship readiness, as to direct investor funding or alternatively guide government initiatives. Data which was collected in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, for the World Values Survey, was used in the study (N=13 895). Mean and composite scores linked to entrepreneurship as well as the embracement of technology were compared across countries. These were combined to generate a score used to rank the countries. With each of the individual, as well as the composite variables, significant differences were found across the BRICS countries. China was rated the highest on attitudes towards science while South Africa was rated highest on the openness to entrepreneurship. On the composite score, technology entrepreneurship readiness, China scored the highest. China was ranked as the BRICS countries most viable for technology entrepreneurship. Technology investors should thus consider directing their venture capital eastward. The governments of the other countries should take note of their shortcomings and the results could inform policies to enhance readiness. The results, at a theoretical level, provided some insights into the conceptualisation of technology-related entrepreneurship.

The mediating role of green energy and environmental policies in sustainable development for BRICS economies: A tripartite impact of entrepreneurial activities, urban development and economic growth on ecological footprint

AbstractRecently, the globe has been facing several challenges, and environmental deterioration has become more prominent. Therefore, to deal with such environmental issues, the globe has tried to introduce several green initiatives via the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement, and the Sustainable Development Goals, but the problem remains intact. However, practitioners have no more choice but to exclude emerging economies from this race. For instance, to understand the response of emerging economies toward a sustainable environment, this study considers BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) economies. Similarly, the current empirical study utilizes innovative environmental determinants such as real income, urbanization, entrepreneurial activities, per capita renewable energy, financial innovation and environmental policy for selected regions from 2000 to 2021. However, the findings of the advanced estimators' series show the significant contribution of per capita green energy consumption, environmental policy and entrepreneurial activities toward environmental sustainability. In contrast, income, financial inclusion and urbanization contribute to environmental damage. Because of green energy supportive behavior, this study makes an additional step to investigate the mediating effect on financial inclusion, environmental policy and entrepreneurship. However, the mediating effect only supports environmental policy and entrepreneurship activities to reduce environmental pressure. From the policy perspective, the specified economies should allocate their financial resources to clean & green projects to attain the desired level of sustainability.

Future of the BRICS and the Role of Russia and China

The rise of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and the severity of the 2008 global financial crisis have sparked a new round of debate about the long-term viability of transatlantic norms, ideas , and institutions that have dominated global governance since its commencement. Many of the bodies and organizations that contribute towards global governance were formed between 1945 and 1980 , and have been dominated by Western actors and an agenda centered on the West. To support the main argument of the author there are various chapters in the book Future of the BRICS and the Role of Russia and China that focus on The Evolution of Brics and the international system, Russia and BRICS, China and BRICS and Russia and China in BRICS: Convergences and Divergences. The strength of this book is that it is based on empirical evidence and it address pertinent questions on BRICS , contemporary international relations and monetary institutions. Most importantly, the book sheds light on the future of BRICS and the international financial system by providing a clear overview of BRICS and Unipolar and Bipolar world order systems.

Trends in mortality due to tracheal, bronchial, and lung cancer across the BRICS: An age-period-cohort analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 1990-2019.

Tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer (TBL) is a major cause of mortality and top contributor to productivity loss in large emerging economies such as the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). We examined the time trends of TBL mortality across the BRICS to better understand the disease burden in these countries and inform public health and healthcare resource allocation. TBL mortality-related data between 1990 and 2019 were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 and analyzed using age-period-cohort models. Net drift (local drift) was used to describe the expected age-adjusted TBL mortality rate over time overall (each age group); the longitudinal age curve was used to reflect the age effect; the period rate ratios (RRs) were used to reflect the period effect; and the cohort RR was used to reflect the cohort effect. In 2019, there were 958.3 thousand TBL deaths across the BRICS, representing 46.9% of the global TBL deaths. From 1990 to 2019, the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of TBL decreased in Russia, Brazil, and South Africa while increased in China and India, with the largest reduction reported in Russia (-29.6%) and the largest increase in China (+22.4%). India showed an overall increase (+15.7%) in TBL mortality but the mortality risk decreased among individuals born after 1990 (men) and 1995 (women). Although South Africa and Brazil experienced an overall decline in TBL mortality, their recent birth cohorts, such as Brazilian individuals born after 1985 (men) and 1980 (women), and South African men born after 1995, had an increasing TBL mortality risk. China has experienced an overall increase in TBL mortality, with the mortality risk rising among individuals born after 1995 for both men and women. Russia, which had the highest TBL mortality among the BRICS countries in 1990, has demonstrated significant improvement over the past three decades. Over the past 30years, the BRICS accounted for an increasing proportion of global TBL mortality. TBL mortality increased in older women in all the BRICS countries except Russia. Among the recent birth cohort, the risk of TBL mortality increased in Brazil, China, and South Africa. More effective efforts are needed in the BRICS to reduce the burden of TBL and help achieve the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.

The Current Regulatory Environment for Software Used in Medical Devices: A Need for Refined International Strategies

In the fast-evolving landscape of healthcare technology, Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) has emerged as a transformative force, redefining how medical functionalities are delivered and accessed. From diagnostic algorithms to treatment monitoring applications, SaMD has ushered in a new era of innovation and patient care[1]. As this field continues to burgeon, regulatory frameworks play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety, efficacy, and reliability of these digital health solutions[2]. In this editorial, we delve into the dynamic regulatory landscape of SaMD in both the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) nations and the United States (US), exploring the nuances and challenges that underscore the need for more refined strategies. By examining the regulatory intricacies and aligning them with technological advancements, we aim to shed light on the imperative of adaptive regulatory approaches that can harness the full potential of SaMD while safeguarding public health. A remarkable role of "software as a medical device" (SaMD) in contemporary healthcare software that is intended to be used for medical purposes but is not a component of a hardware medical device is referred to as "software as a medical device" (SaMD)[3]. SaMD is essential to contemporary healthcare since it makes it possible to use software applications for a variety of medical functions, diagnoses, treatments, and monitoring [4].

The Development Concept in BRICS: An Analysis of Projects Financed by the NDB

The article examines the concept of development within the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) framework and how the New Development Bank (NDB) is used to achieve it.It analyzes BRICS summit documents from 2014 to 2022 and financing projects considered by the NDB from 2016 to 2022. The arguments made are as follows: development has been a top priority within BRICS; development is fundamental for economic growth and strengthening infrastructure; development involves a notion of progress closely tied to sustainability and the “green” concept; and the NDB, despite its commitment to good environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, does not ensure them throughout the execution of projects. In the initial years, cooperation among BRICS countries was emphasized as the means to achieve development. The NDB complements this by filling gaps in international financing. Notably, there is a significant number of projects in the transport infrastructure sector, with leadership from India and China, while the social infrastructure sector is marginalized. There is rapid project appraisal dynamic that does not necessarily translate into project implementation and completion. At the same time, the NDB has attracted interest from new members. As long as the NDB can efficiently attract and lend resources to its members and respond swiftly and responsibly to new challenges in an everchanging international context, it will be seen as a significant multilateral development bank that promotes South-South cooperation. As a result of BRICS coordination, the success of the NDB contributes to development financing and positively impacts the relevance and resilience of the grouping in global politics.

Revisiting the nexus between digital trade, green technological innovation, and environmental sustainability in BRICS economies.

After the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019, many countries started progressing towards race to zero targets. The intricate framework of digitalization and green technologies has the potential to persuade governments to implement policies that promote a zero-carbon economy, i.e., green economy. Hence, this study determines the effect of digital trade (DGT) and green technological innovation (GTI) on environmental sustainability (ENS) by considering the role of renewable energy consumption (REC), globalization (GLOB), and economic growth (EG). The study measured ENS by taking into account three proxy variables, i.e., ecological footprint (EF), carbon dioxide emission (CO2e), and methane emissions (CH4e). POLS and PMG-ARDL techniques are applied to the panel data of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) from 2000 to 2019. Panel Quantile Regression (PQR) along with AMG and CCEMG estimators is applied hereafter for checking the robustness of the empirical results. The long-run empirical outcomes show the positive association of DGT, GTI, REC, and GLOB with ENS. Lastly, this study inscribed the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) and highlights policy implications and governmental measures to ensure environmental sustainability in BRICS economies.

The Long Run Impact of Exchange Rate and Inflation on GDP: A Panel Data Approach Consistent with Data from Brazil, Russia, India, China, And South Africa (BRICS)

The study seeks to address current discrepancies, providing valuable knowledge for decision-makers, fostering economic stability and expansion, informing global economic trends, assisting in business risk mitigation, and contributing to academic advancement through methodological innovation, with a focus on the changing nature of global economic dynamics. The purpose of this study is to assess how inflation and currency exchange rates affect the GDPs of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) nations between 1998 and 2022 We employed a fixed-effect panel data model using EViews software to conduct a thorough regression analysis on the influence of exchange rates and inflation on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the BRICS nations. The World Development Indicators website provides data that shows that, in contrast to predictions, exchange rates have no appreciable impact on GDP. Nonetheless, during the given time frame, inflation turns out to be a noteworthy and positively connected element impacting these countries' economic growth. This research contributes to the current understanding by uncovering the complex interconnections between exchange rates, inflation, and GDP in BRICS economies. Our findings highlight the necessity of customized economic strategies that recognise the distinct functions of inflation and currency rates in influencing the long-term growth patterns of individual countries.

New insight into decoupling carbon emissions from economic growth: Do financialization, human capital, and energy security risk matter?

AbstractAgainst 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.

Time trends in the burden of autoimmune diseases across the BRICS: an age–period–cohort analysis for the GBD 2019

BackgroundThis study aims to evaluate the long-term trend of prevalence and DALY (disability-adjusted life-year) rate on the age, period and cohort (APC) of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and...

Economic integration and stock market linkages: evidence from South Africa and BRIC

PurposeThis study examines the impact of regional economic integration (REI) on stock market linkages in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) economic bloc. In this type of study, the BRICS framework is an appealing empirical case, given its uncommon characteristics. For example, BRICS member states come from remote geographic locations (Africa, Asia, Europe and South America) and have contrasting socioeconomic profiles.Design/methodology/approachAn empirical design is framed from the perspective of bilateral trade between South Africa and BRIC. The author accepts trade intensity as a proxy of regional economic integration and then examines the resulting effect on the stock market co-movement within BRIC. The study applies a two-step econometric procedure of the BEKK-MGARCH and panel data models.FindingsOverall, bilateral trade, as a proxy of economic inwctegration, is associated with an increase in stock market integration. This positive relationship is particularly observed during episodes of surplus trade, and more interestingly, was initiated three years after BRICS’ existence and continues to grow at an increasing rate.Practical implicationsThe study outcome should benefit international trade practitioners and global investors interested in portfolio diversification or concerned with risk spillovers.Originality/valueFirst, notwithstanding South Africa's significant economic presence in the African continent, to the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to empirically evaluate the BRICS economic integration on their stock market linkages from the perspective of South Africa. The value of this contribution is that further work may investigate the bidirectional spillover impact conveyed by South Africa's trade interactions within the juxtaposition of Africa and BRICS economies. Second, given that research on REI and stock market integration has historically concentrated on mature regional blocs of Europe, Asia, South and North America, the current study advances knowledge while correcting the prevailing literature imbalance.

Does Trade Openness Affect Taxation? Evidence from BRICS Countries

This study aims to investigate the relationship between trade openness and taxation in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries. This study uses a panel dataset for 2000–2021 and employs various econometric techniques such as the cross-sectional dependence test, unit root test, panel regression selection criteria, robustness checking fully modified ordinary least square and dynamic ordinary least square to validate the research model. The study finds that trade openness positively impacts taxation in BRICS countries. Specifically, the study finds that trade freedom, trade ratio and average trade increase the tax-to-GDP ratio and tax collection. Additionally, the study finds that financial development (FDV), financial openness (FON), GDP per capita (GPR) and political stability (PLS) positively impact taxation, but inflation has a negative effect. The results imply support for comparative advantage theory, suggesting that trade openness can positively impact taxation. The findings also highlight the importance of FDV, FON, GPR and PLS for tax revenue collection. From a managerial perspective, the results suggest that policymakers in BRICS countries should prioritize measures that promote trade openness and economic growth to improve their taxation systems.

Clinical trial trends over the last 5 years among the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) nations

Abstract 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.

The Impact of Agricultural Employment and Technological Innovation on the Environment: Evidence from BRICS Nations Considering a Novel Environmental Sustainability Indicator

This study fills a gap created by previous environmental investigations by including the impact of agricultural employment and technology on the load capacity factor (LCF) rather than solely focusing on CO2 or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which only measure from the demand side; LCF provides a complete picture of environmental degradation by evaluating both the demand side and supply side. This connection is moderated further by considering the renewable energy and natural resource rent impacts. In this analysis, panel econometric methods are incorporated, including the cross-sectional dependence test. This study uses the Pooled Mean Group–Autoregressive Distributed Lag (PMG-ARDL) model to evaluate the level of effect independent factors had on the LCF of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) nations from 1992 to 2020 in the presence of a heterogeneous integration order. The estimations recognize heterogeneity in the effects of agricultural employment, renewable energy, natural resource rent, and technology on LCF, in the short run and long run. According to the empirical results, agricultural employment significantly enhances the LCF both in the short run and long run, implying that employment in agriculture improves environmental sustainability. However, increasing the use of renewable energy protects the environment from degradation only in the long run; it has no significant impact in the short run. On the contrary, natural resource rent and technology lead to a decline in environmental sustainability in the long run. Hence, this study recommends prioritizing renewable energy intake over other energies, providing proper incentives to motivate agricultural entrepreneurship to ensure a sustainable environment.

The Effect of Per Capita Income and the Agricultural Sector on Goods and Services Tax Receipts with Economic Growth as Moderation in BRICS Countries

The purpose of this research is to analyze the effect of per capita income and the agricultural sector on goods and services tax revenues with economic growth as the moderation in the combined economy countries, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). The variables used in this study are the ratio of goods and services tax revenue, per capita income, the contribution of the agricultural sector, and the percentage of economic growth. The data source comes from the World Bank Data for the period 2010 to 2018. The research method used is quantitative using panel data and multiple linear regression analysis techniques. The Random Effect Model is a model selected based on panel model testing. Simultaneously, all variables have a significant effect on goods and services tax revenues. Partially, per capita income, agricultural sector, and economic growth have a significant negative effect on goods and services tax revenues. This research is expected to provide insight to the governments of the BRICS countries in making policies to optimize goods and services tax revenues through per capita income, the agricultural sector, and economic growth.

Social science research: An analysis of BRICS countries

The purpose of this study is to conduct a quantitative analysis and comparison of social science research output among BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries. Data were collected through the open-access SCImago portal and Scopus. The number of documents and citable documents, global share and ranking, the number of citations per document, the h-index, and international collaboration were all analyzed. Except for China, none of the BRICS countries made the top 10 global rankings during the 1996–2021 period, but three of them (China, India, and Russia) did so in 2021. China has the most documents and the greatest h-index score, whereas South Africa has the highest number of citations. For China, on the other hand, more than half of the citations are self-citations. More than 50% of Russian documents are not cited in the subsequent literature. The study’s findings highlight publication trends and collaboration pattern among the BRICS countries in social sciences, which benefit the academic community, decision-makers, and the economy of the BRICS countries.

Analysis on export competitiveness of oilseeds with BRICS countries

The paper attempts to assess India’s trade intensity as well as the revealed comparative advantage (RCA) of theoilseeds with respect to trade with BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) disaggregate levels. Thestudy assesses the structure of the comparative advantage from 2001 to 2018. The study found that TI (Trade Intensity) with the BRICS group was more in comparison to ROW (Rest of world). EEI (Export Intensity Index) for BRICS countries was also more intense in comparison to ROW whereas III (Import Intensity Index) showed less intense in comparison to ROW. Relative comparative advantage for groundnut, sesame and mustard was observed with the BRICS group.

Agricultural productivity‐environmental sustainability nexus through the lens of digitalization and energy intensity in BRICS countries

AbstractThe agricultural sector holds paramount implications in the economies of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries. Nevertheless, the escalating effect of climate change shows a significant and alarming threat to the actual environmental conditions required to sustain agricultural production. This study examines the potential contribution of demographic dividends, digitalization, and energy intensity in facilitating the attainment of environmental sustainability and agricultural productivity by BRICS economies from 1996 to 2020. The study first tested cross‐sectional dependence, then unit roots, cointegration, and long‐run elasticities using suitable econometric approaches to explore possible links between the study variables. The empirical results from the long‐run estimators stated that digitalization improves agricultural production and the environment; contrarily, demographic dividend and energy intensity contribute to environmental degradation. Furthermore, the long‐term improvement of agricultural production is supported by demographic dividend, GDP per capita, energy intensity, and digitalization. Also, the study reached a broad inference emphasizing bidirectional causal associations between demographic dividend, energy intensity, GDP per capita, the environment, and agricultural production. In conclusion, the study has identified robust policy options for BRICS economies that can serve as valuable guidance for policymakers in making informed decisions and implementing effective practices.