Global Development Research Articles

Green Practices: Way to Sustain with Small-Scale Enterprises

Environmental sustainability, once primarily associated with large corporations, is now a growing focus for small-scale enterprises (SSEs). These businesses are vital to global economic development, contributing around 40% to GDP in emerging economies and generating more than 50% of employment opportunities, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC). However, despite their economic significance, the environmental impact of SSEs cannot be overlooked. Collectively, they contribute to issues such as high energy consumption, waste generation, and improper resource utilization. Adopting green practices offers SSEs an opportunity to address these challenges while unlocking significant benefits. Sustainable operations can lead to cost savings through reduced resource usage, improved brand reputation among eco-conscious consumers, and enhanced compliance with increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Furthermore, green initiatives align businesses with global sustainability goals and prepare them for future resource and market demands. This chapter delves into how small-scale businesses can effectively incorporate sustainable practices into their operations. It examines the specific challenges they face, such as financial constraints and lack of awareness, and offers practical strategies to overcome these hurdles. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of sustainability as a strategic imperative for long-term success in the evolving global marketplace. Keywords: Green Practices, Small-Scale Enterprises, Sustainability.

The Impact of Intelligent Logistics on Logistics Performance Improvement

The logistics industry is essential to global economic development but continues to grapple with challenges related to quality improvement, cost reduction, and efficiency enhancement. Addressing these issues is crucial for promoting high-quality growth within the sector. The emergence of intelligent logistics—leveraging automation, data analytics, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies—offers a promising approach to transforming traditional logistics operations. This study develops a theoretical framework that integrates these intelligent logistics components to investigate their mechanisms and limitations in influencing logistics performance. Using an empirical analysis of Chinese provincial panel data, we identify significant disparities in logistics industry performance across the provinces, with most regions exhibiting an initial improvement followed by a subsequent decline. Our findings reveal a notable spatial interaction effect between intelligent logistics and logistics performance, indicating that intelligent logistics substantially enhance performance. However, the impact varies by region: it significantly promotes performance in the eastern and western regions but has a limited effect in the central and northeastern regions, potentially due to distortions in production factors and other regional specificities. Additionally, the degree of openness to the outside world positively influences logistics performance in the western region. The proposed mechanisms are validated in all regions except the eastern region. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers on leveraging intelligent logistics to improve logistics industry performance, highlighting the need for region-specific strategies to maximize the benefits of intelligent logistics technologies.

Winter Wheat Yield Prediction Using Satellite Remote Sensing Data and Deep Learning Models

Accurate crop yield prediction is crucial for formulating agricultural policies, guiding agricultural management, and optimizing resource allocation. This study proposes a method for predicting yields in China’s major winter wheat-producing regions using MOD13A1 data and a deep learning model which incorporates an Improved Gray Wolf Optimization (IGWO) algorithm. By adjusting the key parameters of the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with IGWO, the prediction accuracy is significantly enhanced. Additionally, the study explores the potential of the Green Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (GNDVI) in yield prediction. The research utilizes data collected from March to May between 2001 and 2010, encompassing vegetation indices, environmental variables, and yield statistics. The results indicate that the IGWO-CNN model outperforms traditional machine learning approaches and standalone CNN models in terms of prediction accuracy, achieving the highest performance with an R2 of 0.7587, an RMSE of 593.6 kg/ha, an MAE of 486.5577 kg/ha, and an MAPE of 11.39%. The study finds that April is the optimal period for early yield prediction of winter wheat. This research validates the effectiveness of combining deep learning with remote sensing data in crop yield prediction, providing technical support for precision agriculture and contributing to global food security and sustainable agricultural development.

The impact of logistics and political decisions on greenhouse gas emissions in market transformation

The transport sector is the second largest emitter of global greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason, the global community is currently making a lot of efforts to decarbonize transport: active electrification of transport is underway, various subsidies are introduced to stimulate demand for more environmentally friendly types of transport, requirements for the sulfur content in bunker fuel are tightened, etc. However, few people think about how futile all these actions can be without paying due attention to the optimality of logistics in world trade. In this article, calculations were made based on geopolitical restrictions introduced between Russia and Western countries since 2022, as well as a scenario of reduced trade through the Red Sea (observed in 2024). According to the calculation results, it was revealed that the annual increase in emissions due to suboptimal logistics only in the trade of Russian hydrocarbons and the redirection of goods through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait instead of the Red Sea will amount to 630–690 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq). This exceeds the total emissions from all economic sectors in countries such as Australia, Turkey, Spain and Argentina, or even the UK and the Netherlands. Therefore, international logistics is another key area that deserves close attention when formulating tasks in terms of decarbonization of the global transport sector, in particular, and global low-carbon development in general. That is, the sanctions policy and various geopolitical restrictions can negatively affect the achievement of the goals of the Paris Agreement, which is an integral part of the Sustainable development goals (SDGs).Graphical

РОЗВИТОК ЗЕЛЕНОЇ ЕКОНОМІКИ НА ЗАСАДАХ СОЦІАЛЬНОЇ ВІДПОВІДАЛЬНОСТІ

Introduction. In modern conditions, the development of a green economy is becoming one of the priority areas of modern global development, aimed at ensuring sustainable economic growth taking into account environmental constraints. The integration of the principles of social responsibility into the economic activities of enterprises creates the prerequisites for a harmonious combination of economic, social and environmental interests. All this requires in-depth research into the main aspects of the formation of a green economy on the principles of social responsibility, as well as identifying ways to increase the effectiveness of its implementation in business practice. The purpose of the article. The purpose of the study is to identify key mechanisms for integrating the principles of social responsibility into the business processes of enterprises, assess their effectiveness for economic and environmental development to ensure a harmonious balance between socio-economic goals and the preservation of ecosystems. Methods. The research process used an interdisciplinary approach, which includes an analysis of the theoretical foundations of the green economy and social responsibility, as well as approaches to their implementation. Systems analysis methods were used to assess the relationships between economic, social and environmental components, as well as comparative analysis to study international experience in implementing the green economy. Empirical methods were used to identify current problems and prospects for business development in the context of a socially responsible approach. Results. The article examines the role of social responsibility as a fundamental basis of a green economy, which contributes to the harmonious combination of economic, environmental and social interests. The mechanisms of integrating the principles of social responsibility into business processes are analyzed, which include the introduction of environmentally friendly technologies, the reduction of harmful emissions and the rationalization of resource use in economic processes. The need to implement a strategy of socially responsible development in the activities of business entities is proven to ensure business competitiveness and promote environmentally safe conduct of economic activity. Social responsibility is defined as a functional tool for achieving sustainable economic progress and environmental protection. An organizational and economic mechanism for the functioning of a green economy based on social responsibility is formed. Conclusions. It has been proven that the development of a green economy based on social responsibility is an important tool for ensuring sustainable economic growth that takes into account the environmental and social needs of society. It has been determined that the integration of these principles into the activities of enterprises contributes to increasing competitiveness, preserving natural resources, and forming a positive social reputation of business.

Influence of Different Factors on Preparation of Carbon Nanotubes by Arc Discharge Method

This passage summarizes the research status of carbon nanotubes and the future development trends. It introduces the preparation techniques of carbon nanotubes, covering both the basic theoretical foundations and practical approaches. The influences of key factors such as discharge atmosphere, catalysts, and temperature on the preparation efficiency and quality of the arc discharge method are thoroughly analyzed. Through a systematic summary and comparison of relevant domestic and international research, the paper reveals several current technological hot spots and difficulties that need to be addressed. Moreover, the essay prospects the future development of carbon nanotubes, highlighting their wide-ranging application potential in global innovation and sustainable development. It is evident that carbon nanotubes hold promising prospects across diverse fields, including electronics, energy storage, composite materials, and environmental technologies, which will play an essential role in meeting future challenges and driving technological advancements.

Challenges Faced by the WTO Framework in Addressing Unilateral Economic Sanctions: The Case of US Sanctions Against Huawei

In the context of increasing economic sanctions among countries and the prevalence of trade protectionism, the choice of trade partners by governments has shifted away from aligning with free market competition principles. Instead, they now prioritize collaboration with allied nations within their respective blocs to ensure security and stability. This shift has undoubtedly posed significant challenges to all multilateral international economic organizations, particularly the WTO. Due to the mutual imposition of sanctions between nations, the existing legal frameworks and institutional structures are inadequate in effectively guiding countries to redirect economic competition away from resource consumption. On the contrary, they fail to constrain the unilateral actions of hegemonic states that infringe upon the sovereignty and human rights of sanctioned nations, thereby inflicting harm on the global economy. This article discusses the characteristics and evaluations of unilateral economic sanctions and analyzes the intellectual property aspects of the Huawei sanction case. By examining the legality of Articles 27, 28, and 40 of the TRIPS Agreement, the study assesses the actual impacts of these sanctions. Furthermore, it identifies existing deficiencies within the WTO concerning international intellectual property law and highlights the challenges posed by technological advancements, the maintenance of global supply chains, and the need to steer competition away from a Thucydides Trap towards a trajectory more conducive to global economic development.

Analysis of Transformation and Upgrading Path of a Steel Structure Company in Zibo City, Shandong Province under the Concept of Sustainable Development

In the context of global climate change, green and low-carbon development has emerged as an international consensus. China has established a dual-carbon target, aiming for carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060, thereby necessitating the green transformation of high-energy-consuming and high-emission industries. As a major carbon emitter, the construction industry needs novel development models to achieve sustainable development. The circular economy concept aligns well with steel structures, noted for their energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, recyclability, and high assembly efficiency. And this is a crucial pathway for the sustainable transformation of the building sector. This paper selects a typical steel structure enterprise in Zibo, Shandong Province as the research target. The corporate sustainability report and financial data from 2019 to 2023 employ the mutation level method to evaluate the impact on the enterprises economic performance, green performance, and operational performance across dimensions such as technological innovation, R&D investment, environmental protection expenditures, policy environment, and human resource allocation. The results show that the enterprise, under the guidance of the policy and its own strategic adjustment, has achieved remarkable results in its green transformation and continued to improve its performance indicators, while revealing the key paths of resource allocation optimization and green innovation.

Perspectives on Global Competency Development in Shanghai International Schools: A Qualitative Study of Parents and Teachers

The research delves into how parents and educators in Shanghais schools view the promotion of global competencies in the context of globalization and cross-cultural education practices through qualitative approaches such as semi-formal interviews to explore expectations concerning curriculum structure and teaching strategies that aid students, in acquiring global skills. The results show that parents often prioritize success and tangible results when it comes to international education for their children as a means to secure spots in prestigious universities and lucrative career paths; on the other hand, teachers prefer a more comprehensive method focusing on fostering critical thinking skills and adaptability along with promoting intercultural awareness to shape well-rounded individuals with a global perspective. This research underscores the importance of creating a rounded curriculum that integrates academic challenges, with hands-on learning experiences to address both educational and personal growth objectives. The study constraints involve the extent of the research and the size of the sample which implies that future investigations should delve into how educational practices affect competence development over time and the role of family involvement, in international education

The Resilience of the Apparel Supply Chain During Covid-19: A Review

The supply chain plays a vital role in global trade and economic development. This paper reviews the research on the resilience of the apparel supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic and concludes with four key findings. First, prior to the pandemic, the supply chain operated within a complex global framework characterized by clear regional specialization, but it revealed vulnerabilities due to over-reliance on specific regions, lack of transparency, and inadequate inventory systems. Second, academic focus on efficiency often overlooked disaster preparedness, leaving industries ill-equipped for crises. Third, during the pandemic, the supply chain encountered significant disruptions, including factory closures, fragmented supply routes, and distribution challenges that affected production levels. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) faced heightened difficulties, while larger brands had to adapt. Fourth, resilience during this period led to transformative changes, with swifter responses and an increased reliance on strategies aimed at enhancing supply chain flexibility. Finally, future research must focus on developing predictive disruption models, integrating digital technologies for smarter supply chains, and promoting sustainable practices that align with environmental and ethical standards. By fostering these initiatives, a more resilient and sustainable apparel supply chain can be established, better equipping the industry to face future uncertainties while achieving economic, environmental, and social benefits.

Sustainable Development and Security: Key Challenges to Achieving SDG 16

Introduction. SDG 16, one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015, aims to build peaceful inclusive societies for sustainable development, ensure equitable access to justice everywhere, and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. The subject of the study is characteristic features of the current progress in the realization of SDG 16 targets, as well as identifying further prospects for its achievement at the global level. The relevance of the study stems from the fact that SDG 16, like all other SDGs, is critical to ensuring a prosperous future for all humankind, yet SDG 16 is one of the goals where progress has been very slow and some indicators have regressed. The aim of the study is to analyze the available statistical data on the results of the implementation of SDG 16, to identify current obstacles to its achievement, and to characterize future prospects taking into account the current realities.Materials and Methods. The study is based on the analysis of statistical data on the performance of the world community in the process of achieving the SDGs, such as the Global Sustainable Development Report, the Global SDG 16 Progress Reports for 2023 and 2024.Research results. Based on the analysis, the article offers conclusions about the main reasons that hinder progress towards SDG 16, including the persistently high level of violence, the problem of data quality and accessibility, lack of funding.Discussion and Conclusion. The results suggest that achieving the stated goals of SDG 16 by 2030 is highly unlikely, so the global community needs to address the current funding and data quality issues as soon as possible, and to ensure greater consistency between approaches in measuring progress towards SDG 16.

Kewarganegaraan dan Identitas

Citizenship and identity are two concepts that are interrelated but differ in their definition, role and influence on individuals and society. Citizenship gives a person legal status as an official member of a country, which is accompanied by legally enforceable rights and obligations. Meanwhile, identity is a more personal aspect, including factors such as culture, ethnicity, religion and language that shape an individual's identity. Citizenship and identity are two concepts that are closely related to each other in the context of modern state life. Both form an important foundation in understanding the relationship between the individual and the state and a person's position in society. The concept of citizenship not only includes legal-formal aspects, but also involves complex social, cultural and political dimensions. In the era of globalization, understanding of citizenship and identity is undergoing significant transformation. Increasing global mobility, cross-border migration, and developments in information technology have created more fluid and multilayered forms of identity. This challenges the traditional concept of citizenship which was previously limited to territorial ties and a single nationality. A more inclusive and adaptive approach is needed in understanding and managing the dynamics of citizenship and identity to create a more democratic and just society.

Sustainable Synergies: Integrating Energy Efficiency and Eco-Economic Principles in Modern Construction

The efficiency in building design and construction with energy economics, eco-economics, carbon-negative technologies, climate policy, sustainable construction and green building practice is explored. The aim is to analyse the interrelationships among different components of the secret sauce that makes the built environment more sustainable in terms of energy. The focus is on energy-efficient design and construction that reduces the carbon footprint of built environment. The relationship of the economic elements of building energy use with efficiency is discussed (e.g., cost-benefit analysis of eco-technologies and the economic incentives that are needed for adoption). The paper also considers eco-economics (i.e., how the environment is factored into economic planning in the built environment). The role of carbon-negative technologies in achieving net-zero emissions is covered, as well as the interplay of climate policies and regulations in building-related sustainability practices. The challenges and opportunities in getting these technologies and practices adopted are covered (e.g., technological, market and socio-economic). The overarching theme is how the three interconnected concepts of energy efficiency, eco-economics and sustainable construction can be harnessed to produce a built environment that is environmentally and economically sustainable, and that contributes to the broader global sustainable development agenda.

Potato Leaf Insight: An AI-Driven System for Detection of Potato Leaf Disease

Agricultural productivity is crucial for global economic development and growth. Crop diseases can severely risk to Nation’s food security, economic resources, environmental sustainability and agricultural output. Crop disease detection at early stage not only reduce losses for farmers but also improve crop yields. As agricultural technology and artificial intelligence advance, research into sustainable agricultural development becomes increasingly crucial. Plant diseases significantly impact the yield and quality of potatoes, and manually diagnosing these diseases can be both time-consuming and complex due to the required expertise. This paper introduces PotatoLeaf Insight System that employs U-Net technique for image segmentation followed by VGG19, for feature extraction through transfer learning. The model is trained and evaluated using a dataset of potato leaf images, covering early blight disease, late blight disease, leaf roll disease, Verticillium wilt disease, and healthy leaves. This AI driven system provide overall accuracy of 94% and useful for farmers to take necessary care of their crops in case detected with disease.

Analyzing Crash Severity: Human Injury Severity Prediction Method Based on Transformer Model

Traffic accident-related injuries and fatalities are a serious global public health and social development challenge. The accurate prediction of crash severity improves road safety and reduces casualties, as well as serving road managers and policy makers. Prediction models need to learn and analyze the various characteristic factors of traffic accidents and capture from them the inherent complex relationship between accident characteristics and the severity of traffic accidents. However, most accident prediction studies lack analytical predictions of injury severity, and predictive models rely on the content and quality of accident datasets. To increase the robustness and accuracy of prediction models, this paper leverages a Transformer-based architecture for the severity prediction of traffic collisions from human injury severity. This framework learns both text and sequence data from accident datasets. After comparative analysis, the framework can achieve the prediction of human injury severity under different data categories and show good prediction performance at low injury severity levels using only textual data or sequence data.

Subnationalization as a Megatrend: World Development after Westphalia

Introduction. The transformation of the world order has been one of the main topics of political research since the 1990s. Nevertheless, the dominant approaches are characterized by a certain one-dimensionality. In the scientific and expert discourse, predominant attention is paid to the prospects of forming a new configuration of great powers on the world stage, i.e. a new iteration of the world order based on the state-centered (Westphalian) paradigm. Meanwhile, in the last thirty to fifty years, in addition to a significant change in the world political actor lineup, the state itself has been undergoing profound structural changes, and other actors are also acquiring a new quality. And an important element of this institutional dynamics of states is associated with the processes of subnationalization, which can be understood as the strengthening of the political subjectivity of subnational regions and local communities. And this has not only domestic political, but also an in-creasingly tangible international political dimension. How does the subnational factor (subnationalization) affect the transformation of the world order and the problem of development?Materials and Methods. Data from different political-geographical areas and different spheres of subnational political activity are used. The range of case studies presented is intended to demonstrate the significance of the subnational factor in a wide variety of societies and diverse states. It is important to emphasize that subnationalization is not a Western phenomenon, as it is often inertially presented in academic discourse. Also, subnationalization is less and less tied to federalism as the most appropriate type of state structure. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study consists of the actor approach and the comparative method for comparing processes in different subnational regions. Elements of identity theory are also applied.Results of the study. Subnationalization is a phenomenon related, but not reducible to regionalization. It is related to the problem of global and country socio-political development. The crisis of numerous sustainable development programs generates alternative concepts, which are also influenced by the subnational factor.Discussion and conclusion. The author concludes that sub-nationalization is an independent phenomenon and trend that should be taken into account in the analysis of current processes and projecting scenarios of world development. At the same time, sub-nationalization correlates with the problem of development in a binary way, being both a resource and a tool. Both socio-political development of specific societies and world political evolution will increasingly rely on the subnational factor.

Unlocking the potential of the Blue Economy in Bangladesh

The Blue Economy offers Bangladesh a transformative pathway for sustainable development by leveraging its extensive 710-kilometer coastline and 118,813 square kilometers of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Bay of Bengal. Key sectors such as fisheries, hydrocarbons, maritime trade, renewable energy, and coastal tourism present significant opportunities for economic growth, employment, and environmental conservation. Marine resources, including the culturally and economically vital hilsa fish, and untapped offshore energy reserves, highlight the untapped potential of this sector. Despite these opportunities, challenges such as institutional capacity limitations, environmental degradation, insufficient research and technology, and geopolitical dynamics hinder progress. Addressing these requires a multi-sectoral approach, including establishing a dedicated Blue Economy authority, enhancing marine research, fostering public-private partnerships, and promoting regional cooperation under frameworks like BIMSTEC. Environmental sustainability and capacity building for coastal communities are critical to achieving long-term benefits. Aligning the Blue Economy with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) further ensures its role in diversifying the economy, ensuring energy security, and uplifting communities. With strategic investments, visionary leadership, and sustainable practices, Bangladesh can harness its maritime potential, positioning itself as a model for sustainable ocean governance and a thriving maritime economy. The Bay of Bengal holds the promise of a brighter future, waiting to be navigated wisely.

Exploring the Transmission Process of Carbon Sequestration Services and Its Applications: A Case Study of Hainan

The pressing need to address climate change and advance global sustainable development has heightened the emphasis on ecosystem services, especially carbon sequestration. This research assesses the supply and demand dynamics of carbon sequestration services on Hainan Island, China, highlighting its significant contributions to global biodiversity conservation and carbon balance. The analysis considers the spatial distribution and interrelation of these services in light of recent land use and ecological policy changes. The methodology incorporates land use and land cover data, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), meteorological data, and soil data. A gravity model is employed to elucidate the supply–demand relationship for carbon sequestration services, examining the flow across different regions and identifying spatial connections and their intensities. The results indicate a notable increase in carbon sequestration supply in Hainan from 2000 to 2020, particularly in the central mountainous areas. Conversely, the demand for these services has risen, especially in the northern plains’ urban areas and southern coastal towns. The gravity model reveals a strong spatial interdependence between the central mountainous supply zones and the high-demand urban locales. This study underscores the disparities in carbon sequestration supply and demand on Hainan, emphasizing the need for the strategic management of these elements. It provides critical data for ecological compensation policies and offers insights into the roles of regional ecosystems in climate change mitigation. The research highlights the necessity of incorporating ecosystem services into land-use planning and decision-making to foster sustainable development and strengthen climate resilience.

The ‘Digital Transformation for Development’ Anti‐Politics Machine: A Case Study on Global Digital Development Governance and Public‐Sector Digital Transformation in Uganda

ABSTRACTHegemonic digital transformation for development (DX4D) initiatives, global digital development initiatives concerning the public sector, function as a contemporary ‘anti‐politics machine’. This is evidenced by the global extractive and surveillant dynamics surrounding these initiatives' core projects, such as digital public infrastructures. Despite being a global policy initiative focusing on bureaucratic reform and infrastructural development, hegemonic DX4D initiatives are usually presented as technocratic and depoliticised transformations, obscuring the value‐extractive dynamics, network paradigms, infrastructural control mechanisms emerging around them, especially concerning digital sovereignty. The DX4D anti‐politics machine refers to depoliticised and value‐extractive global digital development policy initiatives extending the bureaucratic reach of state and non‐state actors into public systems while obscuring global hegemonic actors' advancement of infrastructural ideologies and use of coercive mechanisms to supplant the strategic interests of powerful global actors over the public value. The ‘DX4D anti‐politics machine' concept examines how infrastructural ideologies are operationalised through global development and humanitarian initiatives with implications for governments, governance, and well‐being. The ‘DX4D anti‐politics machine’ is empirically examined through a qualitative case study of several large‐scale foundational DX4D projects in Uganda. The DX4D anti‐politics machine's coercive dynamics and implications for many Global South countries are examined, and its conceptual contribution is discussed.

Surrogate-assisted global and distributed local collaborative optimization algorithm for expensive constrained optimization problems

This paper presents a surrogate-assisted global and distributed local collaborative optimization (SGDLCO) algorithm for expensive constrained optimization problems where two surrogate optimization phases are executed collaboratively at each generation. As the complexity of optimization problems and the cost of solutions increase in practical applications, how to efficiently solve expensive constrained optimization problems with limited computational resources has become an important area of research. Traditional optimization algorithms often struggle to balance the efficiency of global and local searches, especially when dealing with high-dimensional and complex constraint conditions. For global surrogate-assisted collaborative evolution phase, the global candidate set is generated through classification collaborative mutation operations to alleviate the pre-screening pressure of the surrogate model. For local surrogate-assisted phase, a distributed central region local exploration is designed to achieve intensively search for promising distributed local areas which are located by affinity propagation clustering and mathematical modeling. More importantly, a three-layer adaptive selection strategy where the feasibility, diversity and convergence are balanced effectively is designed to identify promising solutions in global and local candidate sets. Therefore, the SGDLCO efficiently balances global and local search during the whole optimization process. Experimental studies on five classical test suites demonstrate that the SGDLCO provides excellent performance in solving expensive constrained optimization problems.