Investment In Development Research Articles

Corporate environmental R&D: does organisational innovation matter?

ABSTRACT Investments in environmental research and development (R&D) are a crucial element for firms to make superior environmental performance compatible with financial performance. This relevance of environmental R&D suggests a need to identify its drivers. However, the literature on environmental R&D has given a prominent focus to external drivers to the firm, with a limited focus on factors internal to the firm. In contrast, the impact of crucial organisational changes in firms, in the form of organisational innovation, has not been addressed. We argue that organisational innovation drives environmental R&D expenditures. Using data on manufacturing firms from the Spanish Technological Innovation Panel survey during 2008–2016, we find support for this idea. Further analysis suggests that it is particularly the introduction of new methods of organising workplaces that is positively associated with environmental R&D. This suggests that a regulatory environment that facilitates workplace flexibility may promote environmental R&D investments.

Advances in mRNA LNP-Based Cancer Vaccines: Mechanisms, Formulation Aspects, Challenges, and Future Directions

After the COVID-19 pandemic, mRNA-based vaccines have emerged as a revolutionary technology in immunization and vaccination. These vaccines have shown remarkable efficacy against the virus and opened up avenues for their possible application in other diseases. This has renewed interest and investment in mRNA vaccine research and development, attracting the scientific community to explore all its other applications beyond infectious diseases. Recently, researchers have focused on the possibility of adapting this vaccination approach to cancer immunotherapy. While there is a huge potential, challenges still remain in the design and optimization of the synthetic mRNA molecules and the lipid nanoparticle delivery system required to ensure the adequate elicitation of the immune response and the successful eradication of tumors. This review points out the basic mechanisms of mRNA-LNP vaccines in cancer immunotherapy and recent approaches in mRNA vaccine design. This review displays the current mRNA modifications and lipid nanoparticle components and how these factors affect vaccine efficacy. Furthermore, this review discusses the future directions and clinical applications of mRNA-LNP vaccines in cancer treatment.

The value of long-duration energy storage under various grid conditions in a zero-emissions future

Long-duration energy storage (LDES) is a key resource in enabling zero-emissions electricity grids but its role within different types of grids is not well understood. Using the Switch capacity expansion model, we model a zero-emissions Western Interconnect with high geographical resolution to understand the value of LDES under 39 scenarios with different generation mixes, transmission expansion, storage costs, and storage mandates. We find that a) LDES is particularly valuable in majority wind-powered regions and regions with diminishing hydropower generation, b) seasonal operation of storage becomes cost-effective if storage capital costs fall below US$5 kWh−1, and c) mandating the installation of enough LDES to enable year-long storage cycles would reduce electricity prices during times of high demand by over 70%. Given the asset and resource diversity of the Western Interconnect, our results can provide grid planners in many regions with guidance on how LDES impacts and is impacted by energy storage mandates, investments in LDES research and development, and generation mix and transmission expansion decisions.

Technological development and eco-efficiency: Drivers of total factor productivity in OECD countries

This study delves into the total factor productivity growth in OECD countries, focusing on the crucial role of technological advancement and environmental management. By utilizing the Malmquist-Luenberger index, the paper encompasses both positive and negative outputs, such as pollution, providing a comprehensive productivity analysis by breaking it down into efficiency and technical change. Data from 36 OECD countries from 2000 to 2021 were examined to uncover trends and patterns in productivity growth and its unintended environmental consequences. The results emphasize the dominant influence of technological progress, particularly after 2006, as the primary driver of productivity growth, surpassing improvements in technical efficiency. A significant increase in technical change (1.56 in 2021) compared to technical efficiency (1.05) underscores the importance of sustained investment in research and development (R&D), which correlates positively with patent generation and technological advancement. The study also illustrates that OECD countries have effectively integrated eco-efficient practices, aligning with global trends in environmentally conscious productivity analyses. By integrating environmental outputs such as PM2.5 pollution, the analysis demonstrates that countries mitigating these adverse effects achieve higher productivity growth. These findings challenge conventional productivity models, where productivity diminishes when environmental aspects are considered. The analysis emphasizes the necessity for tailored policy approaches to address disparities in R&D investments, technological adoption, and eco-efficiency among countries. Countries with more significant R&D investments consistently demonstrate superior technological advancement in patents (0.745). Policymakers are urged to prioritize long-term strategies that foster technological innovation and environmental sustainability to ensure sustained productivity growth and economic resilience.

INVESTMENT ANALYSIS IN SOYBEAN UBS FOR OWN USE: A CASE STUDY IN ALTO GARÇA – MT

Soybean (Glycine max) is the most widely produced legume in the world, playing an important economic, social and environmental role, in addition to influencing the commodities market in Brazil and worldwide. This has attracted many national producers to its cultivation, making it a highly competitive market with investment in research, innovation and development in all links of the chain. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of investing in the installation of a Seed Processing Unit (UBS) for soybeans, on private property, with the purpose of producing the crop's own seed. To this end, a case study was carried out on a property in the municipality of Alto Garça - MT, using the descriptive method of exploratory nature, in which the economic impact of soybean seed production on the property was evaluated to the detriment of the reduction in production costs obtained in years following its implementation. Thus, the 2016/2017 to 2020/2021 harvests were analyzed in their cost composition and investment result from the 2017/2018 harvest. It was possible to verify the reduction in the seed cost per hectare by 38.33% in the first cycle, and by 66.87% compared to the last cycle analyzed, concluding that the investment was viable.

Academic nursing administrators perceptions of replacing clinical hours with simulation

BackgroundNursing education has seen a shift towards simulation-based education (SBE) to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. Maryland's Clinical Simulation Resource Consortium (MCSRC) aimed to enhance SBE utilization; however, noted a decline in SBE usage post pandemic prompting an investigation into nurse administrators' perspectives on replacing clinical hours with SBE. MethodsThis descriptive quality improvement study was informed by Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) Theory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four academic nurse administrators from various pre-licensure nursing programs in Maryland. The data collected were analyzed using thematic analysis. ResultsNurse administrators who value SBE as a safe learning space are integral when building and maintaining infrastructure to support simulation usage. Identified barriers related to faculty buy-in, workload, and inadequate human resources to deliver high-quality simulations can hinder sustained adoption of clinical simulation. ConclusionsThis study highlights the necessity of continuous faculty training in SBE and dedicated resources to support simulation infrastructure. Recommendations include sustained investment in faculty development, creating specialized roles for simulation champions, and fostering collaborations to strengthen simulation integration. The findings emphasize the pivotal role of nurse administrators in navigating challenges and maximizing SBE's potential to replace clinical hours in nursing education, urging ongoing support and strategic planning for successful integration.

Management myopia and corporate innovation in China: Focus on the moderating role of equity incentives

This study selected a sample of A-listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2010 to 2022 to examine the relationship between management myopia and corporate innovation. The findings are as follows. First, management myopia has an inhibiting effect on corporate innovation, whereas market competition significantly enhances such innovation. Second, equity incentives can alleviate the inhibiting effect of management myopia on corporate innovation by motivating managers to focus more on long-term development and innovation investments. Third, market competition has different impacts on innovation of companies with different levels of ownership. In this regard, its impact on companies with high equity concentration is more significant. Finally, market competition has different impacts on the innovation of state-owned and private enterprises, with a more significant impact on the latter.

The Impact of Leadership Practices on the Adoption of Digital Transformation: The Moderating Role of Organizational Culture in Jordanian Manufacturing Sector

This study investigates how organizational culture influences the relationship between leadership practices and digital transformation, as well as the impact of digital leadership practices on the adoption of digital transformation inside organizations. Using a quantitative approach, data from numerous firms reveal that achieving digital transformation necessitates effective leadership, with specific leadership components such as communication, strategic planning, digital leadership, and continuous improvement being crucial. The findings show that, depending on how effectively organizational culture fits with leadership initiatives, it can either facilitate or delay digital change. The study underlines the importance of purposeful investments in leadership development and cultural alignment for successful digital disruption management. While emphasizing the importance of cultivating an innovative culture and giving leaders with practical insights.

Digital Transformation in Operations Management: Leveraging Technology to Improve Business Efficiency

Digital transformation in operations management has become an urgent need for companies to improve efficiency, productivity, and competitiveness in the face of an increasingly complex and competitive business environment. Digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and big data provide opportunities for companies to optimize various aspects of operations. This article aims to explore how digital transformation can be applied in operations management to support these goals. The research method used is a literature review, where various previous studies and industry reports are analyzed to identify the benefits, challenges, and impacts of digital technology implementation on business operations. The results show that the implementation of digital technology enables companies to speed up workflows, reduce costs, improve process accuracy, and prepare the foundation for continuous innovation. In the discussion, it is also explained that although there are challenges in terms of investment costs, training, and data security, companies that successfully overcome these barriers will gain a significant competitive advantage. The implications of these findings are the importance of continued investment in technology and human capital development, as well as the adoption of sustainability strategies to support long-term growth.

A Portfolio Management Method for Process Mining-Enabled Business Process Improvement Projects

AbstractProcess mining has received tremendous attention from research and industry, establishing itself as a highly sought-after technology. Despite the technological maturity of process mining solutions, which has been achieved through extensive investments in research and development, organizations still face the challenge of elusive value when systematically adopting process mining. The authors attribute this dilemma to a lack of support for scaling and managing process mining project portfolios. To address this practical need and research gap, the authors propose a method for managing portfolios of so-called process mining value cases, which are defined as process mining-enabled business process improvement projects, towards an evolutionary roadmap (mapper). The method is designed to support organizations identify portfolios of process mining projects that generate value by improving business processes. The method was developed through a combination of design science research and situational method engineering and comprises five activities that each outline techniques, roles, and tools: strategize, identify, select, implement, and monitor. The method has been instantiated as a software prototype and iteratively evaluated for applicability and real-world fidelity by involving an expert panel of academics and practitioners. The usefulness of the artifact was substantiated through a real-world case study in a naturalistic setting.

Big data development and enterprise green innovation: Text analysis of listed companies’ annual reports

This study used a sample of data from 3314 firms listed in the manufacturing industry from 2011 to 2022. We analyzed these companies’ annual reports using panel regression analysis to explore the relationship between big data utilization and corporate green innovation. Findings reveal that green innovation is driven by big data development. Research and development (R&D) investment has emerged as a key mediator in the relationship between big data and green innovation among firms. Furthermore, this study identifies disparities in the effect of big data development on green innovation between profit-making and loss-making entities. Moreover, it emphasizes the differences in the effects of environmental innovation between state owned and non–state-owned enterprises. This study offers tangible evidence that companies should use big data to promote environmental innovation, which is a crucial strategy for achieving sustainable growth.

Development Problems and Suggestions for the Giant Salamander Industry

The Chinese giant salamander (<i>Andrias davidianus</i>), the American giant salamander (<i>Cryptobranchus alleganiensis</i>), and the Japanese giant salamander (<i>A. japonicum</i>) are precious aquatic protected animals that currently exist in the world. The latter two cannot be traded locally, whether wild or cultivated, and can only be protected, so they have not formed an industry. However, China allows the second generation of artificially bred offspring giant salamander to be traded and has already formed a factory scale breeding. The Chinese giant salamander has high economic value in food, health, medicine, beauty and other fields. In recent years, its artificial breeding industry has been widely developed in China and has a certain industrial scale. However, there are also many problems in the development of the giant salamander industry. In order to promote the high-quality development of the giant salamander industry and improve its quality, this article conducts research on the giant salamander industry, identifies existing problems, and provides suggestions. Firstly, this article analyzes the problems in the development process of giant salamanders from multiple perspectives, including management, service, market, research and development, and brand awareness. Secondly, corresponding industrial development strategies are proposed, including increasing regulatory efforts, enhancing service awareness, building market order, expanding sales channels, increasing research and development investment, reducing disease occurrence, extending the industrial chain, and strengthening brand awareness. Finally, the prospects for the development of the giant salamander industry are discussed.

The Fifth Industrial Revolution and the Gig Economy: Assessing Technological Advancements Gaps, Regulatory Gaps and Skills Development Needs in Delhi NCR, India

The gig economy in India has grown significantly over the past decade, with millions of workers engaging in platform-based employment. Simultaneously, the world is transitioning to the Fifth Industrial Revolution, characterized by the integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation with human-centered values. This study explores the impact of the Fifth Industrial Revolution on gig workers, focusing on working conditions, job security, access to skills development, and the adequacy of current regulatory frameworks with special reference to Delhi &NCR region. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative data from surveys of gig workers and qualitative insights from in-depth interviews with platform executives and policymakers. The study found that while technological advancements have improved working conditions in some areas, job security remains a significant concern for gig workers. Additionally, access to skills development is strongly correlated with workers' ability to adapt to new technologies, but many face barriers to acquiring necessary training. The study also reveals a widespread perception that current regulations, including the Social Security Code, 2020, are inadequate in addressing gig workers' needs. These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive regulatory reforms and greater investment in skills development to ensure that gig workers can fully benefit from the opportunities of the Fifth Industrial Revolution while being protected from its risks.

Oman’s Green Horizon: Steering Towards Sustainability Through Decarbonization and Energy Transition

This paper examines the determinants of CO2 emissions in Oman from 1990 to 2024, focusing on the impacts of energy consumption, economic growth, urbanization, financial development, and foreign direct investment. The analysis utilizes stepwise regression to systematically identify the most significant predictors, ensuring a parsimonious model. Robust least squares (ROLSs) are employed to account for potential outliers and heteroscedasticity in the data, providing more reliable estimates. Fully Modified Least Squares (FMOLSs) is applied to address issues of endogeneity and serial correlation, offering robust long-term coefficient estimates. Canonical cointegrating regression (CCR) further refines these estimates by handling non-stationary variables and ensuring consistency in the presence of cointegration. Cointegration tests, including the Johansen and Engle–Granger methods, confirm long-term equilibrium relationships among the variables; this study reveals several key findings. Energy use per capita (ENGY) and real GDP per capita (RGDPC) are consistently significant positive predictors of CO2 emissions. Urbanization (URB) also significantly contributes to higher emissions. Conversely, the Financial Development Index (FDX) and foreign direct investment (FDI) do not show significant effects on CO2 levels. The high R-squared values across models indicate that these variables explain a substantial portion of the variation in emissions. Cointegration tests confirm long-term equilibrium relationships among the variables, with the Johansen test identifying two cointegrating equations and the Engle–Granger test showing significant tau-statistics for FDX, ENGY, and URB. The VEC model further highlights the short-term dynamics and adjustment mechanisms. These findings underscore the importance of energy policy, economic development, and urban planning in Oman’s efforts towards sustainable development and decarbonization.

A Study on the Relationship between Civil Automobile Consumption and Real Estate in China

Since the reform and opening up, China’s economy has been booming, especially the real estate industry and the automobile industry, which have become the first and second pillar industries of China’s economy in recent years. Different scholars have studied the impact of the real estate, residential and automotive sectors on other consumption and have different attitudes. However, few studies have analyzed the relationship between the two, and it is impossible to know the specific relationship between them. Therefore, this paper first puts forward a new theoretical hypothesis for the interaction between the two, then uses Eviews7.2 as the main data processing tool, and uses the cointegration test and the Granger causality test to conduct an empirical analysis of the annual number of new registered civil vehicles and the annual real estate and residential development investment amount in China from 2002 to 2022. The results show a long-term and stable equilibrium relationship between civil automobile consumption and the real estate and residential industry and that civil automobile consumption is a one-way Granger reason for the development of the real estate and residential industry, which is in line with one of the hypotheses. Finally, based on the conclusion, this paper proposes policy suggestions to promote real estate development through automobile consumption.

The Welsh Health Equity Solutions Platform – a mechanism for health equity solutions

Abstract Health inequities are a longstanding issue in Wales, as they are across the globe. They disproportionately affect the health and wellbeing outcomes of disadvantaged groups, restricting opportunities to live full and prosperous lives. Post COVID-19 new groups are emerging with disproportionately higher risk of poor health and premature death and disease, especially those with unmet needs and vulnerabilities, with the rising cost of living amplifying health inequities. Despite their prevalence, health inequities are avoidable. Efforts to reduce health inequities require action on all the social determinants of health across the life course. Improved understanding of the key drivers of health gaps is needed to address the problem and provide support for solutions-driven action to break down the barriers to health equity. The Welsh Health Equity Solutions Platform (WHESP) launched on 22nd June 2023, a collaboration between Public Health Wales, Welsh Government and WHO European Office for Investment in Health and Development. The WHESP is an innovative digital tool developed around the WHO Health Equity Status Report initiative framework of the ‘five essential conditions’ for healthy, prosperous lives for all. It is a mechanism for health equity solutions and aims to inform and facilitate policy and decision making to improve population health and address the increasing health gap through an online gateway to data, health economics, policies, and innovative health equity tools. Emerging evidence is highlighted to identify solutions for achieving healthy equity, which informs evidence-based decision making to reduce the health gap, improve overall population health and wellbeing, and achieve inclusive and sustainable economic growth and prosperity for all. Collating and sharing health equity solutions, evidence, data and best practice both across Wales and globally supports equitable, long-term action to improve the health and wellbeing of the population. Key messages • Highlighting health equity solutions informs best practice on tackling health inequalities. • WHESP provides extensive evidence to facilitate cross-sectoral action and policy change.

How employees are affected by working in R&D-investing firms

ABSTRACT Investments in research and development (R&D) are essential for firm success, but how does the experience of working for R&D-investing firms affect individual performance in the labour market? Combining a biennial survey series on R&D investments with a longitudinal matched employer-employee dataset from Statistics Sweden, this study examines the labour market performance of workers in R&D-investing versus non-investing firms. Results show that, on average, highly skilled employees from R&D-investing firms perform better than those from non-investing firms when they switch jobs. This includes higher wage growth and higher probability of career progression. Among this group of employees, no particular interest in entrepreneurial ventures was found. Results of this study strengthen current knowledge of the effects of R&D and provide important implications for policies.

Examining the Relationship Between Macroeconomic Indicators and Stock Market Development in Morocco

The literature is still debating the key macroeconomic variables influencing the stock market development. This paper attempts to provide an empirical study to identify the macroeconomic conditions required for the stock market development in a developing country, in this case, Morocco. The goal is to determine whether macroeconomic variables can improve Moroccan stock market development. The purpose of this study, which covers the period 1996-2020, is to determine the macroeconomic factors that contribute the Moroccan stock market development. It examines the impact of economic growth, banking sector development, stock market liquidity, foreign direct investment and macroeconomic stability measured by the Barro’s Misery index. The autoregressive distributed lag approach (ARDL) was estimated, to get both the short and long run coefficients of the macroeconomic variables that determine Moroccan stock market development. The results reveal that stock market liquidity, banking sector development and foreign direct investment effect positively Moroccan’s stock market development, but macroeconomic stability effects it negatively. While the economic growth does not impact it, whether for the short or long run. There have been no relevant studies that have focused on the macroeconomic determinants of the Moroccan stock market in the short and long terms, despite the fact that theoretical and empirical literature offers diverse perspectives on which factors can determine stock market development. By examining the macroeconomic variables that contribute to Moroccan stock market development and introducing the misery index to assess the effects of macroeconomic stability, this study seeks to enrich the literature.

International STEM Graduate Students: A Key to Strengthening the American Economy and Building Competitiveness

The United States (US) is renowned for offering world-class education to thousands of international students seeking advanced degrees in the STEM fields. However, the US is at risk of losing a significant portion of this talent due to limited visa options. While US funds and resources are invested in training international STEM graduate students, many students are compelled to leave the US for other countries with more favorable visa policies. This potential loss of talent is particularly concerning as China is poised to overtake the US in Research and Development (R&D) investment, while countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, along with China, are seeking to attract foreign high-skilled STEM talents with their visa programs. STEM jobs comprise 48% of the 100 fastest growing jobs in the US while STEM industries such as the semiconductor sector already struggle to meet their growing demand for high-skilled workers. These demands can be alleviated by international STEM graduate students. In order for Congress to leverage this economic opportunity before losing American-trained students to other countries, we propose the following: i) Exempt international STEM graduate students from the visa requirement of proving their intent to leave the US after graduation, ii) Increase or circumvent the annual numerical employment green card cap for international STEM graduate students, iii) Extend the unemployment grace period for H-1B and OPT visa holders to allow sufficient time to find a new job.

An Analysis of the Investment Value of Marriott International in Post-pandemic Era

Abstract: The COVID-19 has had a negative impact on the global economy, and the hotel industry has also been impacted. In the post-pandemic era, the hotel industry has entered a recovery phase. Taking Marriott, an internationally renowned hotel, as a case study, this paper uses SWOT analysis, financial analysis and relative valuation methods to study the development situation and investment value of the hotel after the epidemic. The analysis shows that Marriott has a fast recovery speed, strong operational capabilities, and obvious competitive advantages, but it is vulnerable to the negative impact of external environmental turbulence on its own revenue. This paper provides investors with a reference to Marriott's post-pandemic financial health, while suggesting areas for improvement for Marriott hotels.