Economic Development Approach Research Articles

Evaluating the Efficacy of Social Innovation Programming at Advancing Rural Development in the Context of Exogenous Shocks

In this paper, we design and deploy an experimental approach to evaluate the efficacy of a social innovation initiative implemented in rural communities situated in the highlands of Peru, which confronted the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in the midst of its implementation. Using three rounds of information collected before, during, and after participation, we examine the efficacy of the social innovation economic development approach at increasing household livelihoods. We present robust, statistically significant improvements in household economic well-being, food security satisfaction, and community outlook for participating households compared to non-participating households following program engagement. The results presented in this study suggest that the social innovation program facilitated a notable restructuring of the portfolio of household income and livelihood activities towards more lucrative and value-added pursuits. This transition manifested in increased involvement in entrepreneurial ventures and specialized labor associated with both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors while distancing from traditional agricultural and livestock-related endeavors. The income gains stemming from self-employment activities and wage labor outweigh the losses incurred from reduced agricultural and livestock earnings. Furthermore, our analysis underscores the resilience of innovative income-generating pathways in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, outperforming traditional agrarian value chains. These findings highlight the efficacy of social innovation programming in facilitating economic development and also shed light on sustainable strategies for economic resilience amidst unforeseen challenges such as the recent global health crisis.

IMPROVING THE WELFARE OF MICRO, SMALL, AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (MSMEs) AFFECTED BY ECONOMIC CHANGE THROUGH A COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT APPROACH IN LAMPUNG PROVINCE

The spread of Covid-19 in Indonesia has had wide-ranging impacts on human life, particularly on the economy. Therefore, a breakthrough is needed to address this issue by actively involving the community and working with the government to develop a community economic development program. This background prompted this study intending to obtain the right program for MSMEs affected by Covid-19 in Lampung Province. This study uses a qualitative approach with data collection methods, including observation, interviews, and documentation. The data analysis method used is qualitative analysis, with conclusions drawn using deductive thinking frameworks. The results of this study indicate that the community economic development approach by the Lampung Provincial Government has been implemented using the processes and stages outlined in existing theories. From the process perspective, this approach has successfully gone through each process, and so far, the program is considered capable of addressing the problems faced by MSMEs affected by Covid-19. This approach is considered more effective, as the program has been widely felt and successfully fostered creativity, trust, discipline, optimism, and improving family economies. This approach has also been implemented by Islamic economic values , which consist of the values of divinity, justice, and cooperation.

ICT as a Determinant of Happiness

This study aims to investigate ICT as a determinant of happiness. This study shifts its focus from traditional metrics to subjective assessments and extends the role of ICT to happiness research at the cross-country level. Due to innovations, the role of ICT may not be limited to productivity, consumption patterns, and consumer behaviour. A panel dataset for 40 countries with higher subjective wellbeing representing all continents from 2006 to 2019 is used. The pooled mean group (autoregressive distributed lag, ARDL) approach signifies that ICT is a determinant of happiness. Moreover, this research also investigates how effective governance negatively relates to happiness, and how human progress and economic development positively impact happiness. This research argues that policymaking should shift from the traditional economic development approach to socio-technical wellbeing.

Optimizing Coastal Management: A Comprehensive Value Chain Analysis Approach for Sustainable Economic Development in Java, Indonesia

Abstract Coastal areas have become an important part of Indonesia's evolving economy, with a variety of commercial activities taking place. The island of Java has both northern and southern coastal areas, each with its own distinctive characteristics and products. The studies about coastal development through its product value chain are still limited. This study aimed to determine the value chain of fishery products in Java to provide recommendations for enhancing coastal management. For the northern coast, milkfish and ariid catfish from Juwana Coast (Pati Regency, Central Java) were selected, while Whiteleg Shrimp from Mendit Coast and Trisik Coast of Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta were chosen to represent the southern coast. The study involved 48 respondents, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), farmers, fishermen, wholesalers, middlemen, retailers, restaurants, and consumers. The analysis techniques used in this study included Porter’s value chain, Hayami’s added value, Return/Cost (R/C) Ratio, and marketing margin analysis. The results of the study revealed that the products followed various channels in the value chain, with longer chains leading to higher prices for the end consumers. The findings also indicated that processed and creatively packaged products tend to command higher prices and generate greater profits. Coastal management should not only focus on upstream activities but also consider downstream processes to increase the value of coastal products. Efforts to enhance coastal management should consider key actors and government interventions through developing the coastal local products. Highlight Research The coastal area of Java Island makes a significant contribution to the local economy. The supply chain of Whiteleg Shrimp, Ariid Catfish, and Milkfish involves various actors who play important roles in maintaining the distribution of coastal products. Value chain analysis reveals opportunities to increase and improve the quality of products to enhance their worth. It is necessary to enhance coastal management by involving local institutions, the government, and the private sector.

‘Beyond GDP’ in cities: Assessing alternative approaches to urban economic development

Crises spur reflection and re-evaluation of what matters and what is valued. The impacts of the 2008 global financial crisis, COVID-19 pandemic and climate emergency are reigniting debates about the nature of economic development approaches and what they aim to achieve in urban settings. Addressing a substantive gap in contemporary debates by helping to navigate a burgeoning and diverse field, this paper provides a critical and comparative assessment of five leading agendas that have been positioned as alternative and progressive policy responses to urban economic change: inclusive growth; the wellbeing economy; community wealth building; doughnut economics; and the foundational economy. Taking an international perspective, the paper provides a comparative review of their stated visions, mechanisms for change, and the spatial scales through which they are led and implemented. Our argument is that these alternative approaches to urban economic development are shaping creative, innovative and progressive responses to longstanding urban problems within policy and practice communities but require on-going scrutiny and evaluation to realise their potential to meaningfully achieve transformative change.

THE INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS COLLABORATIVE ASPECTS OF LARGE AND MEDIUM COMPANIES ON REGIONAL PERFORMANCE

In this paper we investigate a modern topic in the regional economics literature, namely the concept of microeconomic competitiveness. Particularly, we investigate the influence of the collaborative activities of the large and medium firms, as a regional prerequisite for cluster formation and development, and the relationship with various regional level performances. For years already, scholars debated within the economics literature if the regional clusters drive the regional performance. Therefore, we contribute to this stream of research through investigating if the specific conditions in the regional context, in our case the collaborative aspects of the companies operating in the region, influence the regional performance. Through a statistical analysis of the data provided by 40 best performers medium and large companies, operating in three regions for economic development in Romania, we found significant associations between the proposed variables. Specifically, we found that the regions in which the companies reported higher scores for proactivity regarding collaboration identification and formation, higher commitment for collaboration participation, respectively higher scores for their collaborative competences and abilities are the regions which also reported higher regional level performances. The results from our study are valuable for the regional economics literature since underline the fact that in order to build regional competitiveness, respectively to accelerate the economic growth and development, the existent companies operating in the regions also need to take some specific actions. The companies and firms play an important and active role in the regional economic development. In contrast to a ‘orthodox’ top-down approach for economic development, the paper brings support to the stream of research on regional economics which militates for collaboration between the public and private sector, and for regional development through microeconomics competitiveness building, local and regional.

Rural Economic Development through ‘Basuduai’: A Model of Cattle Breeding Partnership in West Sumatera

The concept of ‘Basuduai’ on cattle breeding investment has been popularly implemented in West Sumatra for decades. Currently, this partnership modelling is still implemented in several villages and rural areas. This study aims to describe ‘basuduai’ as a socio-entrepreneurship approach in a simple descriptive method using the Business Model Canvas (BMC). Perhaps this model could also be implemented in other rural areas as an economic development approach. The data was collected through ten in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions (FGD) among the local partners in Payakumbuh, West Sumatra. Content and context analysis is conducted to describe the categorical theme for results analysis. The finding shows that cattle breeding investment as the 'Basuduai' system is an indigenous approach in the local community in West Sumatra. However, based on the business model canvas, the role of community leader should be prioritized to balance the system. Hence, the need for a formal socio entrepreneurship entity as the middleman should be developed. Perhaps, this study could contribute to the development of rural economic programs and could be replicated in other rural areas in Indonesia and also in other countries. Discussion and limitations are also stated in the study Keywords: Partnership Investment, Cattle Breeding, Business Model Canvas, Socio-Entrepreneurship, Economic Development, Economic EmpowermentJEL Clasification: L20, P32, R51

The Great Power Politic-Capital-Social Information Synergy towards Successful Local Economic Development

The development concept with Local Economic Development (LED) approach applied by developing countries is considered as a new resolution to reduce poverty, unemployment, and economic gaps while improving the quality of life amid globalization and world hegemony. LED is a socio-economic field of study with a relatively new policy formulation that the planning and implementation process is still developing with various alternative theories and approaches. Hence, this paper provides a conceptual and analytical framework for understanding the great power of 4.0 (Politic-Capital-Social-Information) in LEDs synergy in an applicable and comprehensive manner. This paper analyzes the theory and approach of LED with a focus on conceptualizing the synergy of the great power of 4.0 (Politic-Capital-Social-Information) coming from the governments, communities, businesses, and media that affect LED implementation success in the context of developing countries. LED conceptualization is essential in facilitating researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to elaborate political power, capital power, social power, and information influence in implementing LED programs in developing countries. Unlocking the potential of LEDs by synergizing the power of 4.0 (Politic-Capital-Social-Information) is expected to reduce socio-economic gaps and realize equal development for all people, given the condition that the LED strategy has been formulated and implemented effectively.

Constructing the ZnO/BiOBr hierarchical heterojunction for efficient pollutant photodegradation driven by visible-light

The pollutant of photocatalytic degradation is an ideal approach for environmental protection and sustainable economic development. The reasonable design of hierarchical heterojunction photocatalyst is significantly essential to enhance the photocatalytic performance. Herein, a hierarchical n-p ZnO/BiOBr heterojunction is synthesized by a facial sonochemistry and hydrothermal method to photodegrade methyl orange (MO), rhodamine B (RhB) and methylene blue (MB). Therein, a sample optimized for BZ5.0 (the volume of addition of 5.0 mmol NH4Br and 5.0 mmol Bi(NO3)3·5H2O) exhibits the photocatalytic rate for MO is 7.0 and 5.0 times higher than that of P25 and pure BiOBr, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic performance can be attributed to improve the utilization of visible light, inhibit the recombination of photogenerated electrons, accelerate the transport of reactant molecules, and provide large surface area for photodegradation of pollutants process. This work provides a reasonable strategy to prepare hierarchical heterojunction photocatalyst for the application of photodegradation.

Shared economy development model with economic development approach in Iran's sports industry

This study aimed to develop a model for developing a shared economy with an economic development approach in the Iranian sports industry. The research method was a two-stage exploratory combination of instrument making. In the qualitative part, the purposeful sampling method and theoretical saturation technique were performed. The tools used were to identify semi-structured interviews (with focus groups) and study documents. To ensure the validity and reliability of the study, the Lincoln and Guba evaluation methods were used. In the quantitative part, the research method was a descriptive survey. The statistical population was the economic activists in sports and sports marketing students. According to Cochran’s sample size determination formula, 384 people were considered as the sample. to collect data from the questionnaire of the framework model of the shared economy model in sports with an economic development approach that includes 43 items that have been extracted according to the theoretical foundations and the qualitative part of the research. Eight professors of sports management were used to evaluate the face validity and the carcass model was used for the content validity of the questionnaire questions. (CVR=0.86) and content validity was confirmed. Cronbach's approved alpha was also used. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data to evaluate the fit of the research model. The results of the research in the qualitative section showed that after examining the Delphi method and performing the first stage, 31 items were identified. In the second stage, 40 items were identified, and in the third stage; Finally, 50 items were identified. The three dimensions of human ecology, fiscal policy, and value-oriented processes emerged as a framework for the model of a shared economy in sports with an economic development approach. And in the quantitative part, the human ecology dimension with a value of 0.71 affects the value-oriented process dimension with a value of 0.65 and the fiscal policy dimension with a value of 0.63 affects the framework for the development of a shared economy in sport. The results also showed that the research model has a good fit. Therefore, it is suggested that the sports organizations' managers pay attention to the factors of this research to implement economic development by emphasizing a shared economy.

Aggregate Evaluation and Geochemical Investigation of Limestone for Construction Industries in Pakistan: An Approach for Sustainable Economic Development

The present study investigates the aggregate suitability and geochemical characteristics of limestone (LS) from the Samana Suk Formation, Pakistan, for the construction industry. With the advent of CPEC, the demand for construction materials has seen a manifold increase. The Sheikh Budin Hills and Trans Indus Ranges comprise huge deposits of limestone and provide great potential for source rocks for construction materials in the region. In the Upper Indus Basin of Pakistan, the Samana Suk Formation is acknowledged as the most significant carbonate deposits of Mesozoic strata. The results of aggregate parameters reveal that specific gravity (SG = 2.6); water absorption (WA = 0.47%); bulk density (BD = 1.58 g/cm3); flakiness index (FI = 16.8%); elongation index (EI = 16.39%); soundness (S = 1.6%); aggregate impact value (AIV = 14%); Los Angeles Abrasion value (LAAV = 23.51%); clay lumps (CL = 0.35%); uniaxial compressive strength (UCS = 86.7 MPa); point load test (PLT = 5.18 MPa); ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV = 5290 m/s); and Schmidt hammer rebound test (SHRT = 49 N) are in accordance with the ASTM, ISRM, and BSI. Petrographically, the LS is dominantly composed of ooids, peloids, bioclasts, and calcite mineral (CaCO3) with a trace concentration of dolomite [(Ca,Mg)CO3]. The mineralogical and geochemical study (n = 18) revealed that the LS is dominantly composed of calcite (95.81%); on average, it is composed of 52.08 wt.% CaO; 1.13 wt.% SiO2; 0.66 wt.% MgO; 0.80 wt.% Al2O3; and 0.76 wt.% Fe2O3, and loss on ignition (LOI) was recorded as 42.13 wt.%. On the other hand, P2O5, TiO2, MnO, K2O and Na2O were found in trace amounts. The regression analysis demonstrated that the empirical correlation equation for estimating uniaxial compressive strength with ultrasonic pulse velocity is more reliable than the Schmidt hammer rebound test and point load test. Consequently, the feasibility of using LS of the Samana Suk Formation as an aggregate for construction materials and cement manufacturing is recommended based on the testing results of mechanical, physical, and geochemical properties.

Adaptation, sustainable food systems and healthy diets: an analysis of climate policy integration in Fiji and Vanuatu

ABSTRACT Climate change has compounding effects on development, including direct and indirect impacts on food systems and human health. In the Pacific Islands region, the incidence of non-communicable diseases is among the highest in the world. Additionally, in policy documents, climate change features prominently among the issues most responsible for hindering development in the Pacific. Global discussions are now shifting towards a greater understanding and emphasis on the links between climate change, food systems, nutrition, health, and development. While these links are increasingly appreciated in research and practice, there is a need to understand which types of policy frameworks are best suited to address these issues in an integrated manner. This study was conducted by analyzing policy alignment and coherence in national level strategic planning instruments (policies, plans, and strategies) for two countries in the Pacific Islands region: Fiji and Vanuatu. Documents in the policy domains of development, agriculture, nutrition, health, and climate change were assessed to identify evidence of vertical (national to local), horizontal (between sectors), and integration across different thematic policy approaches (e.g. between economic development sustainable development approaches). By deconstructing the aims of different planning approaches and documents, and by mapping the relationships among them, it is possible to identify opportunities and gaps in the policy architecture that could be addressed in future planning cycles. The study identifies that policy alignment and coherence need to be explicitly addressed in the policy and planning design stage and included in monitoring and evaluation frameworks. The study also highlights the lag in the design and implementation of comprehensive food and nutrition security strategies in both countries and these lags can be linked to policy solutions for agriculture, health, and climate change. Key policy insights There is a need to explicitly consider policy alignment in the design stages of the policy cycle and set policy coherence as an explicit outcome to also be included in monitoring and evaluation frameworks. A lack of consideration of vertical, horizontal, and approach integration in planning and policy processes can lead to failures in the implementation of climate policy, thus delaying countries’ efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Pacific Island countries have an opportunity to work towards use of policy frameworks that are able to provide comprehensive responses to the compounding effects of climate change on food systems, diets, health, and, more broadly, on development.

Sustainability Initiatives for Green Tourism Development: The Case of Wayanad, India

Mainstream sustainability discussions draw focus to the balance between commercial and environmental interests. Responsible tourism (RT) practices are an outcome of these discussions and RT is a significant contributor to the “greenification” of economies in many countries. Green tourism promotes travel that supports natural and cultural aspirations, while also supporting protection of the destination community’s limited resources. Kerala, India, is a pioneer in implementing RT. The present study exploratively analyzes the RT initiatives at different phases, especially within the lens of sustainable responsible tourism initiatives for green tourism development. The research is descriptive in nature and is guided by the bottom line approach (TBL) for green economic development. The findings highlight the dynamics of challenges experienced in the different phases of RT implementation. Based on our analysis of the secondary data, the first phase implementation of RT was not very successful; the second and the third phases seemed to be more promising. The study also throws light on the need for future studies in other culturally distant destinations; this will result in promising practices being adopted as alternative strategies for sustainable tourism development globally.

An Evaluation of Predatory Governance in Uganda and Indonesia

The first part of this article theorises predatory governance in general and acmes some exceptions to the process. Subsequently, it reviews the characteristics of predatory governance literature in Africa and East Asia with emphasis on Uganda and Indonesia. The study shows how leaders utilise state resources and institutions for their self-interest and exclude the masses or tax payers who sustain such regimes. We show that, the extent to which regimes, influence policies on the general population politically or otherwise, creates inequality, poverty, unemployment, and bad governance. We, therefore, theorise that predatory governance is hinged on the idea that the state usually has limited capacity to protect citizen rights, the political and socio-economic spaces are usually controlled by the elites either through coercion, corruption or the use of violence. The impact of predatory governance and the developmental state as an approach for economic development has been discussed and we observe practical realities of vote-buying to win elections being a common practice in Uganda and Indonesia. In this understanding, both case scenarios portray an image of predatory behaviour. The study utilised secondary data to evaluate what predatory governance, its characteristics and impact. Findings show that predatory governance affects economic outcomes of a country, produces corruption, violence, nepotism, poverty, unemployment and shrinking democratic space and deficiencies to name but few.

Examining the Interplay between Economic Development and Local Women Vulnerability to Flood Impacts in Selected Local Areas in Durban, South Africa

This article probes the rural economic development approach in selected informal settlements in Durban and how such approach affects the vulnerability of local Black women to flood impacts within the areas. Qualitative data for the study were gathered through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with 25 local Black women from Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu and Umlazi. Five key informants from the eThekwini (Durban) metropolitan municipality were also interviewed. Findings from the study showed that although there is improved economic development in the selected settlements, which constitute informal settlements designated for Black South Africans during the apartheid era, such an economic development approach has not significantly improved the livelihoods and adaptive capacity of the local women. The article suggests a multidimensional approach to development that is practical, inclusive and equitable, and addresses local women’s challenges associated with climate adaptation and sustainable livelihoods.

A conceptual framework for using social innovation as an approach to local economic development

Background: Approaches such as social innovation were visible during many of the responses that public-sector organisations, civil society, communities, and the private sector collaboratively implemented to address the issues of unemployment and the impact of economic challenges during the global COVID-19 pandemic. The use of social innovation as an approach to local economic development by South African municipalities, however, reveals a research gap in terms of a conceptual framework for enabling such use.Aim: This article explores a conceptual framework for using social innovation as an approach to local economic development by South African municipalities.Setting: Conventional top-down local economic development approaches by South African municipalities have become inadequate for dealing with contemporary local economic development challenges. Such inadequacy calls for municipalities to rethink and adapt their approach to dealing with economic challenges and to developing and implementing their local economic development strategies.Methods: Through an interpretivist paradigm, the adopted methodology is underpinned by a qualitative research approach. Content analysis was performed of relevant research documents concerning social innovation and local economic development. From this content analysis, a conceptual framework was developed through an inductive approach.Results: The findings illustrate that the praxis for using this conceptual framework is vested in the interconnected nature of its attributes, antecedents, and consequences, which will contribute to the achievement of certain local economic development outcomes.Conclusion: This article suggests that a conceptual framework could contribute to stimulating future research concerning the phenomenon and can serve as an impetus and direction for research inquiry.

Valorization of agro-industrial wastes for biorefinery process and circular bioeconomy: A critical review

Energy recovery from waste resources is a promising approach towards environmental consequences. In the prospect of environmental sustainability, utilization of agro-industrial waste residues as feedstock for biorefinery processes have gained widespread attention. In the agro-industry, various biomasses are exposed to different unit processes for offering value to various agro-industrial waste materials. Agro-industrial wastes can generate a substantial amount of valuable products such as fuels, chemicals, energy, electricity, and by-products. This paper reviews the methodologies for valorization of agro-industrial wastes and their exploitation for generation of renewable energy products. In addition, management of agro-industrial wastes and products from agro-industrial wastes have been elaborated. The waste biorefinery process using agro-industrial wastes does not only offer energy, it also offers environmentally sustainable modes, which address effective management of waste streams. This review aims to highlight the cascading use of biomass from agro-industrial wastes into the systemic approach for economic development.

Development of measures for assessing mistreatment of women during facility-based childbirth based on labour observations

IntroductionMistreatment of women during childbirth is increasingly recognised as a significant issue globally. Research and programmatic efforts targeting this phenomenon have been limited by a lack of validated measurement tools....

Development, urban planning and political decisions. A triad that built territories at risk.

Chilean geography exposes the country to high-level risks such as earthquakes and tsunamis. The disasters of 1930, 1960, 2010, and 2014 testify to the continuous link between human survival and disasters. However, new hazards have appeared ever since –i.e. flood waterlogging, wildfires, and landslides–, highlighting the relationship between current land uses and space occupation with increasing levels of disaster risk. This research aims to determine relations and responsibilities of the Chilean developmental approach in urban planning and territorial governance processes that have created new territories prone to disaster risk. We resort to a longitudinal analysis from 1930 to 2018 at the Gran Concepción metropolitan area as a proxy of Chilean industrialization and economic development approaches. To do so, we developed mixed-approach descriptive research, for which we collected data from national development policies and documented land occupation processes during pre-dictatorship, dictatorship and post-dictatorship periods. Semi-structured interviews with decision-makers involved in current territorial policy were also carried out. The findings show how territorial governance resulted from political visions around different development paths, wherein the concept of risk is weakly perceived among decision-makers. This perception is linked to narrow economic goals and the understanding of land as a barely regulated marketable asset, profoundly affected by segregated urban planning.

Microfinance Services and Performance of Micro Entrepreneurs: A Study of Pilimathalawa Area

Microfinance has evolved as an economic development approach and intended to benefit low-income women and men. The term refers to the provision of financial services to low-income clients, including the selfemployed. Financial services generally include savings and credit; however, some microfinance organizations also provide insurance and payment services. This study examines the influence of microfinance services on the performance of micro entrepreneurs in Pilimathalawa area. 100 micro entrepreneurs who received the benefits from the Samurdhi Bank were selected as sample in this study purpose. The microfinance services – micro-credit, micro-savings, and micro-training were considered as independent variables and the entrepreneurs’ performance was considered as dependent variables of the study. Data were collected through issuing structured questionnaire to the respondents and analyzed using SPSS version 20. The Correlation analysis, Regression analysis and factor analysis were done to influence of financial services on performance of micro entrepreneurs. The results of the present study indicated that the microfinance services had the significant positive relationship with the entrepreneurs’ performance and the microfinance services – micro-credit, micro-saving, and micro-finance have highly impact on the performance of entrepreneurs. Finally, the microfinance services – credits, saving, and training - had highly effect on the performance of the micro entrepreneurs. Further, the study revealed that the micro-savings has most important to the micro entrepreneurs in the Pilimathalawa area in Sri Lanka.