Changes In Economic Environment Research Articles

Changing scripts: Gender, family farm succession and increasing farm values in Australia

In this paper we explore contemporary farm succession processes in Australia, with a particular focus on understanding how changing gender norms and increasing asset values may be impacting common patterns of farm ownership. We describe how social scripts inflect traditional patterns of farm succession and review what makes up a ‘family farm’, the changing economic environment in which family farms operate and take a deeper look at the traditional gender norms inflecting intergenerational farm succession. How the changing social and environmental norms may be transforming contemporary farm succession is the question driving this research. We interviewed 22 farm succession advisers and applied template analysis to address our research question. Through our analysis, we make the following contributions. We show there has been some disruption to the gender norms informing patrilineal succession practices. The interplay of increasing asset values and attending to the financial security of all members of the family has compounded this disruption, with both forces challenging the traditional gender scripts, resulting in the current scripts being more of a palimpsest. Theoretically, we contribute to understanding how scripts are challenged and co-exist.

From snapshot to movie: decomposing the minimum wage effects on employment into hirings and separations

PurposeWhile the effect of the minimum wage (MW) on employment has been widely studied, less is known about its impact on hirings and separations. Whereas the adverse effects of MW on hiring are quite familiar, results of studies indicating reductions in separations are less expected. This study aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice by performing a meta-analysis, which allows for understanding the real effect of MW on employment's two components: hirings and separations.Design/methodology/approachSince mixed results cloud understanding of the issue, a meta-regression analysis was conducted. This technique permits understanding the effect of MW on labor market transitions and offers additional explanations for controversial results.FindingsDespite the evidence that MW increasing the turnover and reducing permanence could negatively affect employment, findings from meta-regression analysis pointed out that increases in MW reduce hirings but also separations offsetting the negative effect on employment. Overall, the results imply that the standard finding that MW changes have little or no impact on employment rates reflects offsetting reductions in hiring and separations. Evidence of negative publication bias is also found.Research limitations/implicationsThe results emphasize the importance of looking beyond employment rates to understand the impacts of MW. Overall, the evidence implies that the standard finding that MW changes have little or no impact on employment rates reflects offsetting reductions in hiring and layoffs. In addition, the results suggest that MW tends to have a much larger impact on employment flows than on employment levels. This finding has to be considered by policymakers when they make decisions about increasing the MW. These analyses assist in clarifying debates about the effects of MW on the labor market in the changing economic environment and conduct a labor policy in the right direction.Practical implicationsThe meta-regression analysis (MRA) conducted in this study emphasizes the importance of looking beyond employment rates to understand the impacts of MW (Brochu and Green, 2013). Overall, the evidence implies that the standard finding that MW changes have little or no impact on employment rates reflects offsetting reductions in hiring and layoffs. Therefore, the evidence from the performed MRA is consistent with those previous meta-analysis studies that found little or no evidence about MW adversely affecting employment and, at the same time, provide additional explanation for these findings. In addition, the results suggest that MW tends to have a much larger impact on employment flows than on employment levels (Dube et al., 2016).Social implicationsEven though hirings are reduced due to MW, this evidence could not necessarily imply a negative effect of MW on the labor market since job searching or matching is improved. Additionally, the increases in MW could improve the quality of the job and the job attachment, which are consistent with a recruitment-retention model (Dube et al., 2007). The evidence from this MRA, which is consistent with little or no impact of MW on employment, also could imply that although the MW is set relatively high to balance the supply and demand of labor, their level is close to optimal. Setting the right level is also associated with compliance with MW. This issue deserves attention since any adverse employment effects of MW could be strengthened by incomplete coverage. The effectiveness of the entire process of developing, putting into practice and enforcing MW rules hinges on compliance.Originality/valueAs prior meta-regression analysis did not have the same objective, the results of this article move current research forward. Based on the analysis, future research lines are delineated, and some public policy implications are assessed.

Fisheries tenure arrangement in China: Legislative ambiguity, judicial settlement conflicts, and the gap in protecting traditional fishers’ rights

With fish stocks declining and fishing control improving, the delineation of rights and restrictions over fisheries resources for small-scale fisheries needs to be attached with more attention globally. As China’s social and economic environment changes, Chinese traditional fishers have also been facing growing challenges in maintaining their customary fisheries operation. With this as the core issue to be addressed, this paper examines the legislative status of fisheries tenure rights in China and the judicial opinions on disputes involving overlapping users’ rights to fisheries-related resources. It adopts a qualitative empirical analysis by reviewing two cases between long-practicing fishers and other entities and by generalizing nine other cases with similar factual backgrounds. It finds that the ambiguous tenure rights legislation in China cannot provide a solid basis for Chinese traditional fishers to affect fisheries-related decision-making processes. As a result, Chinese courts give incompatible judgments without sufficient consideration of traditional fishers’ customary tenure rights. A normative analysis of traditional fishers’ tenure arrangement in China is also rendered, mainly by drawing on the guidelines of FAO on sustainable small-scale fisheries. Then, this article provides suggestions for legislative improvement with a human rights dimension, including enhancing traditional fishers’ participation in decision-making processes and strengthening their property rights protection. This article offers a new perspective on the relationship between traditional fishers’ well-being, administrative powers, and legislative and judicial protections.

Influences of Customers Nostalgic Proneness on Their Brand Cognition Based on the ABC Model of Attitude

As the economic environment and social culture change dramatically, nowadays there are numerous opportunities for the nostalgic brand in China to regain competitive advantages. Grounded on the affective, behavior, and cognition (ABC) model of attitude, this paper aims to clarify the relationship between customers nostalgic proneness, purchase intention, and brand cognition to explain the mechanism of nostalgic consumption. Taking the big white rabbit brand as an example, a structural equation model was used after the constructs were empirically confirmed by reliability and validity tests. Customers nostalgic proneness is found to be positively correlated with their brand cognition and the nostalgic brand is advised to fully exert its potential.

The effect of unstable job on employee's turnover intention: The importance of coaching leadership.

Swift social and economic environmental changes such as COVID-19 pandemic have led to increased job insecurity. The current study examines the intermediating mechanism (i.e., mediator) and its contingent factor (i.e., moderator) in the association between job insecurity and employee's turnover intention, especially from the perspective of positive psychology. By establishing a moderated mediation model, this research hypothesizes that the degree of employee meaningfulness in work may mediate the relationship between job insecurity and turnover intention. In addition, coaching leadership may play a buffering role to positively moderate the harmful impact of job insecurity on meaningfulness of work. With three-wave time-lagged data that was collected from 372 employees in South Korean organizations, the current study not only demonstrated that meaningfulness of work mediates the job insecurity-turnover intention relationship, but also that coaching leadership functions as a buffering factor in reducing the harmful influence of job insecurity on meaningfulness of work. The results of this research suggest that the level of meaningfulness of work (as a mediator) as well as coaching leadership (as a moderator) are the underlying processes and the contingent factor in the job insecurity-turnover intention link.

Socio-economic characteristics of forestry companies in the Republic of Serbia

Considering that companies in the sector of forestry and the related sector of wood processing exist in a dynamic and changing economic environment, the ability of fast adaptability to the emerging changes is a prerequisite for efficient and effective business. In that sense, a wholesome review of internal factors, as well as the external ones, is important for creating business strategies and achieving a better market and competitive positioning. In order to provide insight into the socio-economic characteristics and the market environment in which they operate, 32 companies from the field of forestry and wood processing in the central Serbia have been analysed. The goal of this research was to gain insight into the opinions and attitudes of the respondents from companies towards particular aspects of the market. The purpose of this research was to acknowledge and understand the market environment in which the analysed companies operate, and to define the recommendations for future management. The object of this research were companies in the field of forestry and wood processing, the opinions and reviews on raw material purchase, product placement, attitudes towards purchase procedures and so on.

Job insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic and counterproductive work behavior: The sequential mediation effects of job stress and organizational identification and the buffering role of corporate social responsibility.

Swift social and economic environmental changes such as those associated with the COVID-19 pandemic have led to decreased job security. Although numerous previous studies have examined the influence of job insecurity on employee perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors, the link between job insecurity and negative behavior and its underlying or intermediating mechanisms remain underexplored. The significance of an organization's positive behaviors, which fall under the umbrella of corporate social responsibility (CSR), also deserves more attention. To address these gaps, we examined both the mediator and the moderator in the association between job insecurity and negative employee behavior by establishing a moderated sequential mediation model. We hypothesized that the levels of employee job stress and organizational identification sequentially mediate the relationship between job insecurity and counterproductive work behavior as a representative negative behavior. We also hypothesized that CSR activities play a buffering role that moderates the influence of job insecurity on job stress. We used three-wave time-lagged data collected from 348 employees in South Korean organizations to demonstrate that job stress and organizational identification sequentially mediate the relationship between job insecurity and counterproductive work behavior, and that CSR activities function as a buffering factor that decreases the influence of job insecurity on job stress. The results of this research suggest that the levels of job stress and organizational identification (as sequential mediators) as well as CSR activities (as a moderator) are underlying mechanisms in the link between job insecurity and counterproductive work behavior.

Does Globalization Impact Entrepreneurship?

Purpose: This paper examines the effect of the globalization phenomenon and its impact on the dynamic development of entrepreneurship based on changing economic, cultural, and business environments both within and between nations. 
 Design/methodology/approach: The authors use theoretical perspectives and analyze literature reviews to identify the effect of the relationship that exists between globalization and entrepreneurship, which plays a variety of important roles in the business world.
 Findings: The findings of the study show that while there is a significant statistical difference between U.S. and international entrepreneurs regarding the importance of cross-cultural considerations, there are no statistical differences regarding the importance of global entrepreneurial innovation, business environment, and the effect of globalization on the economy.
 Research limitations/implications: The paper presents a critical analysis of the impact of globalization on entrepreneurs in the U.S. and internationally.
 Practical implications: The authors investigate the characteristics necessary for entrepreneurs to be successful, such as skills, knowledge, experience, and the abilities needed to apply technology and innovation, and they navigate complex cultural differences that may exist between business members and stakeholders from diverse cultural backgrounds.
 Paper type: Research paper

Resource Management in Middle East and North African Region

Purpose: The paper explores the human resources management (HRM) practices, especially In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) areas, the research focuses on employee motivation, training, development, process improvement, and reward. To assist businesses in the MENA area recruit and retain talent, the report details the elements that might have an influence on HR policies and strategies in the region. 
 Methodology: Review of related and relevant literature was conducted, with emphasis on the HRM practices in MENA region with the thematic analysis and systematic literature review approach. This can be done with the implication of secondary sources of information to make this study evident as per the opinions of different authors. 
 Findings: The paper's secondary findings show that developing and transitioning economies have a hard time attracting and maintaining top personnel. The quality of the application of HRM practices and strategies in MENA firms was shown to be influenced by a number of variables. These were changes in economic environment, changes in technology, and changes in national economy. To help organizations in MENA region address these complex issues, the paper presented recommendations focusing on the improvement of the internal environment of the organizations and establishment of risk management plans to manage uncertain external factors that impact an organization.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social exchange theory, Modern organization theory and institutional theory are some important perspectives that are used in this research article which helps in presenting the importance of employees and their effective contribution to manage HRM practices and workplace decorum effectively. Additionally, the paper primarily explores the different complex issues surrounding the HRM practices in MENA region. To do so, the market environment of the region was studied. By doing so, the unique organizational and business settings of the MENA region are analyzed. Using this method, for instance, researchers discovered that despite the MENA region's wealth, its governments lack the sound financial planning necessary to put their money to work improving the corporate performance of their nation. Also, there are variety of Human resource management theories and frameworks like Maslow Hierarchy theory of motivation can be used for further purposes in other studies that basically contributes and engage large number of employees towards organizational goals.

Exploring Dynamic Nexus between Economic Growth, Environmental Degradation, and Public Health in Pakistan: A Moderated Mediation Approach

Since the start of this century, much attention has been given to economic growth and environmental changes and their effects on human beings. The present study has developed a comprehensive model to discuss the nexus between economic growth, environmental degradation, and public health. Furthermore, renewable energy consumption and public health spending are used as moderators to make the model more inclusive. The time series data from 1972 to 2020 has been used, and a regression path modeling tool SPPS-PROCESS Model 29, has been applied to carry out the results. The results showed a positive and significant effect of economic growth on environmental degradation, while renewable energy consumption reduces environmental degradation. Furthermore, environmental degradation is negatively affecting the health status in Pakistan. The results of the total effects showed that economic growth positively contributes to public health with a low coefficient. The indirect conditional impact of economic growth on human health through the mediating role of environmental degradation becomes positive from negative in the long run due to renewable energy and public spending on health. Based on the result, some policies are suggested in the last section of this study.

Research on high-quality economic development in Tianjin

ABSTRACT This paper selects development indicators of primary industry, secondary industry, and tertiary industry, as well as indicators of public lifestyle, to measure the impact of economic development and general public lifestyle on the environment. A grey relational degree model is used to analyse Tianjin’s evolving characteristics from 2000 to 2020 on the balanced development of the economy and environment. The results suggest that: Firstly, Tianjin’s overall coupling degree between economic growth and environmental change varies from 0.56 to 0.75, which is at a moderate coordination level, and the degree of coordination between tertiary industry and environment is high. Secondly, taking time as the axis, the relational degree is significant between economic growth and environmental change. From 2015 to 2020, the synergy between the development of the secondary industry and the environment declined, indicating that the development of the secondary sector has caused some environmental destruction. On these grounds, Tianjin should give full play to its traditional advantages and comparative advantages, lay emphasis on the optimisation and upgrading of its industrial structure in the process of continuously deepening the integration of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, promote the deep integration of manufacturing and service industry, and boost the quality its economic development.

Evaluating Kindergarten Parents’ Acceptance of Unplugged Programming Language Courses: An Extension of Theory of Planned Behavior

The changing economic environment in Taiwan has led to an increase in the structure of double-income families. To compensate for the lack of time to take care of their children and the regret of their learning process, parents will send their children to kindergarten early. Parents choose to expose their children to better education and learning models because they do not want their children to get behind at the starting point. The newly introduced unplugged programming language curriculum can develop children’s logical and computational thinking skills to face future learning and employment skills in information and communications technology-related industries. The purpose of this study is to examine the parental acceptance of unplugged programming language courses and to analyze the relationship between the variables in the study framework to understand influencing factors. The theoretical basis of the study is the planned behavior theory. This study replaces behavioral intention with parents’ acceptance and establishes a basic framework of attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. The study framework is established by combining the factors of expectation and compensation as antecedent variables of attitude. An online e-questionnaire is distributed to parents of children aged 5–6 years old in Taiwan to collect data. The structural equation model is conducted on 489 data points. Results of the study reveal that expectation and compensation have a significant effect on attitude. Attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control have a significant positive effect on family acceptance of unplugged programming language. Furthermore, the expectation and compensation psychology affect the parental acceptance of unplugged language programs through attitude. Finally, practical applications and future research directions regarding the promotion of unplugged programming language for young children are provided.

The (In)Flexibility of Racial Discrimination: Labor Market Context and the Racial Wage Gap in the United States, 2000 to 2021

Does racial wage discrimination increase during economic downturns? In this article, the author tests empirically the association between economic conditions and racial wage discrimination for black, Hispanic, and Asian workers. Using data from the Current Population Survey, the author finds that the wage gap between Hispanics and whites, and between Asians and whites, increases with the job-seeker rate and unemployment rate. However, the wage gap between black and white workers increases slightly with the unemployment rate and does not change at all with the job-seeker rate. The author advances the concept of “wage discrimination flexibility” to argue that racial wage discrimination against black workers is more rigid and resistant to changes in economic environments, whereas wage discrimination against Hispanics and Asians is more flexible and responsive to economic conditions. The author discusses the implications of these findings for theories of discrimination and for policies aiming to foster equal opportunities in the labor market.

Effects of sustaining innovation and knowledge integration ability on innovation performance

Along with the changes in economic environment and upgrading industries, medical industry has become the lifeline of current economic survival. The added value of products is promoted through the sustaining innovation of knowledge-based production and the proper application of information technology to make the growth and advance of enterprises. The samples of this study are mainly employees of medical industry in southern Taiwan. The questionnaires are distributed and collected by email. A total of 322 valid samples were received, and the sample retrieval rate in this study was 64%. The research results conclude significantly positive effects of 1.sustaining innovation on knowledge integration ability, 2.knowledge integration ability on innovation performance, and 3.sustaining innovation on innovation performance. According to the results, suggestions are proposed, expecting to assist medical industry in promoting the external knowledge resource absorptive power and integration ability to create the sustaining innovation and competitiveness in medical industry.

Вasic methods of strategic management of commodity flows in the domestic market

The internal market as a factor in the efficiency of reproduction processes is an effective engine for other branches of the national economy. With the help of the mechanism of supply and demand coordination, the market provides effective business relations. However, today the functions of market self-regulation are necessarily combined with the functions of the state regulation mechanism. Considering today’s problems, the regulation of the consumer market should be carried out according to a three-level system: at the central level, at the level of regions, and at the level of local governments. At each level, appropriate structural subdivisions with their specific tasks and functions should be created. The main task of society in regulating the consumer goods market is to optimize the circulation of goods. It is obvious that the lack of an effective mechanism is a serious destructive factor in the development of the sphere of consumer circulation in the modern economy. At the present stage, strategic planning is one of the principal management functions and in no way can be overlooked by either practitioners or scientists. From various aspects of planning (operational, current, prospective), the majority of experts now pay maximum attention to the prospective one, which is based on models of the enterprise development strategy in the conditions of the changing external and internal environment. The strategy is implemented in the context of the organization’s mission, and its fundamental objective is to ensure that the mission is connected with the organisation’s main goals in the changing economic environment. A person is always a potential creator of the necessary conditions for the evolution of society, and such action is determined through the mechanisms of consumption. Therefore, consumption should be considered as a process of satisfying needs with material and spiritual goods, which generates motivation to work, involves the use of the social product of certain needs, and is the final sign of social reproduction. The article examines the theoretical foundations of methods of strategic management of commodity flows at the micro level. The tasks of forming an organizational and economic mechanism for managing commodity flows (macro level), which provides the optimal variant for the movement of goods are defined. A mathematical description of the general equilibrium is presented. The basic methods of managing intra-production commodity flows at the micro level are formulated. The authoritarian solution of the rationing mechanism is substantiated, and the difficulties of implementing the rationing mechanism are outlined.

Role of Seaports and Imported Rats in Seoul Hantavirus Circulation, Africa.

Seoul orthohantavirus (SEOV) is not considered a major public health threat on the continent of Africa. However, Africa is exposed to rodentborne SEOV introduction events through maritime traffic after exponential growth of trade with the rest of the world. Serologic studies have already detected hantavirus antibodies in human populations, and recent investigations have confirmed circulation of hantavirus, including SEOV, in rat populations. Thus, SEOV is a possible emerging zoonotic risk in Africa. Moreover, the range of SEOV could rapidly expand, and transmission to humans could increase because of host switching from the usual brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) species, which is currently invading Africa, to the more widely installed black rat (R. rattus) species. Because of rapid economic development, environmental and climatic changes, and increased international trade, strengthened surveillance is urgently needed to prevent SEOV dissemination among humans in Africa.

Економіка воєнного часу: виклики та швидка економічна політика

The article provides an overview and reflection of quick decisions on economic policies in Ukraine under wartime conditions. The author defines the theoretical and historical background of wartime economy, as well as its content and tasks. Presented various historical examples of the consequences of wars on the economy and its post-war recovery. It is found that in addition to the fact that wars have negative consequences for physical and human capital, they may also speed up economic growth after the war due to the change in economic environment. The author provides a brief analysis of economic policies in the wartime economy of Ukraine, challenges and quick decisions in fiscal and monetary policy, human capital preservation policy, energy policy and regulatory policy of coordinating processes during the war. There is an analysis of proposed changes to the tax legislation, and monetary decisions during the war and other steps taken by the government and the NBU to support the economy in the conditions of war shocks. The acuteness of the demographic challenge for Ukraine due to the loss of human capital and forced emigration is demonstrated. Presented various macroeconomic data on GDP decline during the war, losses, inflation, international aid by donors, which contributes to critical review of the quick economic policy decisions taken. The author undertakes a theoretical generalization and outlines the key challenges for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and quick decisions, which topics are among the subjects of discussions on international platforms, as well as objects for analysis in search of ways and means of international partnership support. The differences between rapid and adequate economic policy are shown.

Techno-economic evaluation of obtaining valuable rare sugars from thermo-mechanical pulping side streams utilizing the latest technology

The current work describes a process for converting hemicellulose-rich industrial side streams to specialty sugars utilizing green technology and commercially available acidic heterogeneous catalysts. Focus is placed on the detailed overall process design and techno-economic assessment of integrating the concept into an existing thermo-mechanical pulping plant, namely the Hallsta Paper Mill, located near Hallstavik in Sweden. The techno-economic analysis is based on laboratory relevant results for the process under study including catalyst performance and kinetics as well as extensive operational and economic data on cost formation. A detailed sensitivity analysis was also performed to evaluate the performance of concept in a changing economic environment. The results show that the process would be highly profitable in the studied case with a rather high safety margin. The process is widely applicable to other biorefinery concepts with hemicellulose containing side streams and the presented techno-economic analysis is very relevant for the evaluation of site-specific viability.

Forecasting the sustainable classified recycling of used lithium batteries by gray Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique

The recycling of used lithium batteries not only protects the environment but also alleviates the resource constraints. In this work, enterprises for cascade utilization of lithium batteries are categorized as remanufacturers, energy storage centers, and valuable metal recycling centers. The waste generated during the recycling process is disposed of by waste treatment stations. Based on the recycling process, a gray Graphical Evaluation and Review Technique(GERT) model is proposed to predict the time, probability, and economic benefits of lithium battery recycling. Due to the introduction of gray parameters, the solution results inevitably produce grayness. In the case that the grayness cannot be calculated directly, a calculation method is proposed to determine the interval of gray parameter based on the practical situation. The solution results of the gray GERT network are uncertain and should be made to better match the needs of practical applications. Gray GERT model solves the uncertainty and randomness of recycling process, which can adjust the parameters according to the differences of recycling technology and the change of economic environment to enhance the adaptability of the model. This work provides a reference value for the recycling system construction and cascade utilization of battery.

A meta-analysis of environmental responses to freshwater ecosystem restoration in China (1987–2018)

Understanding how abiotic and biotic components respond to aquatic ecosystem restoration is pivotal for sustainable development in the face of economic development and global environmental change. However, the post-restoration monitoring and evaluation of aquatic ecosystems across large spatial and temporal scales is underfunded or not well documented, especially outside of Europe and North America. We present a meta-analysis of abiotic and biotic indices to quantify post-restoration (2 months–13 years) effects from reported aquatic restoration projects throughout the China-mainland, incorporating 39 lentic and 36 lotic ecosystems. Decreases in dissolved nutrients (total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen and total phosphorus) post-restoration were rapid, but tended to slow down after about 9.3 years. Response ratios summarizing biodiversity responses (incorporating phytoplankton, invertebrates, vascular plants, fish and birds) typically lagged behind abiotic changes, suggesting longer timescales are needed for biotic indices to recover. Time since restoration interacted with lentic project size showing that, even with the same proportional efforts of restoration, larger lentic ecosystems responded much more slowly than smaller ones. Spatial heterogeneity, reflecting the effects of different restoration approaches (e.g., sewage interception, polluted sediment dredging, artificial wetlands, etc.), had a significantly stronger effect on biotic than abiotic indices, particularly in rivers compared to standing waters. This reflects the complexity of fluvial ecosystem dynamics and hints at a limitation in the reinstatement of ecological processes in these systems to overcome issues such as dispersal limitations. Overall, the different timelines and processes by which abiotic and biotic indices recover after restoration should be taken into account when defining restoration targets and monitoring programs. Our study illustrates the value of long-term aquatic ecosystem monitoring, especially in China given the scale and magnitude of ongoing restoration investments in the country.