Economic Development Challenges Research Articles

Challenges in implementing COP 21 obligations in Brazil until 2022

The article examines the challenges Brazil faced in implementing its obligations under the Paris Agreement (COP 21) up to 2022, focusing on the agricultural, energy, and transportation sectors, while also addressing the political obstacles that complicated the process. The study highlights the need for an integrated and coordinated approach, emphasizing the importance of public policies aimed at promoting clean energy, sustainable transportation, and more environmentally friendly agricultural practices. The Brazilian case reveals specific difficulties, including deforestation in the Amazon, the scarcity of financial resources, and economic pressures that often prioritize economic growth over environmental concerns. The article also explores the complexities of Brazil's political and economic context, discussing the challenges of balancing economic development with environmental sustainability. Despite the ambitious goals set by the Paris Agreement, the lack of coercive mechanisms and internal political divergences represent significant barriers to the effective implementation of environmental measures in the country, requiring greater commitment and coordination between public and private sectors.

Striking the balance: Fiqh Bi’ah and Productive Waqf Forests (PWFs) for sustainable forest management in Indonesia

Purpose This study aims to address the challenge of balancing economic development with environmental protection in the context of productive waqf forests (PWFs). The inherent tension between forest productivity and protection necessitates a model that ensures sustainable utilization. This research proposes a novel framework by integrating fiqh bi'ah (Islamic environmental jurisprudence) with a model for PWFs development. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative approach, the analytical network process (ANP) analyzes data gathered through a literature review of Islamic environmental jurisprudence (fiqh bi'ah) on environment and waqf, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with academics, practitioners and regulators in fiqh bi'ah and waqf forest management. Findings Three potential PWFs development models emerge from the fiqh bi'ah literature; Harim (maintaining the natural forest state for intangible benefits like oxygen and biodiversity), Hima (sustainable utilization of forest products while preserving ecological components) and Ihya’ al-mawat (developing unproductive land into a future forest). The ANP analysis reveals that Hima is the most preferred model by all stakeholders, followed by Ihya’ al-mawat. The Harim model received lower preference due to limited economic potential. Additionally, experts suggest tourism-based forest management as the most suitable approach for all three PWFs models. Originality/value This study offers a novel PWFs development model grounded in fiqh bi'ah principles. By using ANP to integrate diverse stakeholder perspectives, the research provides valuable insights for sustainable and ethical management of PWFs resources, contributing to the literature on Islamic finance and business models.

Review of biodiversity assessment and resource management orientation for sustainable rural development in Lang Son province, Vietnam

This study examines the conservation and biodiversity management efforts in Lang Son province, Vietnam, in the context of global environmental concerns. Under Decision No 2447/QD-UBND, the province’s Special-use Forest Planning focuses on conserving areas such as the Huu Lien Nature Reserve and the Mau Son special-use forests. This initiative covers a substantial planned land area to sustain biodiversity and foster rural development up to 2030. Recent surveys indicate a notable increase in plant species within these areas, from 842 species in 2017 to 961 in 2019, and significant efforts towards conserving endangered species like the Asiatic black bear and the Annam flying frog. The province encompasses diverse ecosystems spread across 832,075.82 ha, characterized by varied terrains and climates contributing to its rich biodiversity. These regions are crucial for various species, including those listed in conservation documents, such as the 77 plant species recorded. RAP-Plant analysis and Monte Carlo simulation indicate that Lang Son’s biodiversity, with a Shannon index of 2.85 and Simpson index of 0.75, is threatened by a projected forest area decline to 514,578.61 ha by 2040, risking extinction for rare species like Hoang dan and Lan kim tuyen. Furthermore, Lang Son’s strategic initiatives towards sustainable agricultural practices, forest management, and restoration efforts highlight the integration of biodiversity conservation into broader socio-economic development plans. The province’s approach aligns with global strategies emphasizing the protection of endangered and endemic species as essential to maintaining ecological balances and supporting sustainable development. This study underscores the importance of comprehensive regional planning and community engagement in biodiversity conservation efforts to mitigate economic development, illegal activities, and climate change challenges. Threats such as illegal logging and habitat fragmentation persist, necessitating more vital community-based conservation efforts and robust legal frameworks.

Impact of government support on firm carbon emission efficiency: The transmission channel of green innovation

The objective of “carbon peak” and “carbon neutrality” poses new challenges for China's economic development, where government promotion of firm carbon emission efficiency is an urgent issue to address. Using a sample of Chinese A-share listed firms from 2013 to 2022,this study explores the impact of government support on firm carbon emission efficiency and the mediating role of firm green innovation. Findings indicate that government support can significantly promote carbon emission efficiency, and firm green innovation mediates the effect of government support on firm carbon emission efficiency. Additionally, government support had a stronger positive impact on firm carbon emission efficiency in non-state-owned firms than state-owned firms.

Meeting the Growing Energy Needs of Artificial Intelligence, Vertical Farms, and Cooling

The convergence of economic development, urbanization, technological innovation, and environmental challenges necessitates novel approaches to meeting and managing energy demands. Three emerging trends present unique challenges that make striking the appropriate balance to meet societal needs particularly challenging for our energy systems.

Inviting foreign direct investment for sports development projects in relation to economic development and development challenges

The present study aimed to investigate attracting foreign direct investment for sports development projects in relation to economic developments and challenges. The researchers utilized a descriptive approach, using a questionnaire, due to its appropriateness for the nature of the research. A total of 300 workers from the General Office of the Ministry of Youth and Sports participated in this study. They were selected using a stratified purposeful sampling method from the following categories: undersecretaries, general directors, department directors, department heads, and administrators. The findings of this study showed support for foreign trade exchanges through investment in export industries, especially in contexts where the host country has an advantage over the country of origin and where banking facilities are available in commercial banks. Additionally, it was demonstrated that lower risk and higher returns lead to an influx of investments. Consequently, this increases capital formation, particularly by reducing the state's dependence on external debt and decreasing the volume of foreign aid.

ТЕНДЕНЦИИ ЦИФРОВИЗАЦИИ ХИМИЧЕСКОЙ ОТРАСЛИ В РОССИИ И ЗА РУБЕЖОМ

Modern challenges of economic development have led to the digitalization of the Russian chemical industry within the framework of the international concept "Industry 4.0". Among the key emerging trends in the digitalization of the chemical industry, the following are highlighted and discussed: big data and advanced analytics, the Internet of Things, simulation and digital twins, blockchain technology, specialized software, augmented and virtual reality, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, cybersecurity and data privacy, mobile applications. Despite the fact that the problem of assessing and measuring the level of digitalization still exists, especially in the chemical industry, a number of indices have been named to assess digitalization. Among them is the I-DESI index, which is proposed to be used internationally in the future. Modern chemical enterprises both in Russia and in other countries use digital technologies because they increase efficiency, accelerate innovation, increase safety and create new business models in an increasingly competitive environment. Various leading chemical companies pay special attention to investments in the digitalization of their production, as this contributes to the sustainable development of their business.

The role and effectiveness of non-formal training programmes for entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic literature review

ABSTRACT Entrepreneurship is growing in popularity as a tool to combat the challenges of unemployment and economic development in sub-Saharan Africa. A host of training programme offerings have emerged to mitigate the challenges of starting and sustaining a business in this context. Non-formal trainings (educational activities outside formal places of learning such as universities or schools) can help entrepreneurs develop essential business skills. A systematic literature review demonstrates how non-formal training programmes for entrepreneurship are evaluated across sub-Saharan Africa. We searched SCOPUS and EBSCO databases with the following keywords and their synonyms: ‘training’, ‘entrepreneurship’ and ‘sub-Saharan Africa’. The final selection returned 49 articles that discuss non-formal training programmes in sub-Saharan Africa. Our results suggest significant variation in training types and their effectiveness. Beyond descriptive analytics, we show that a more nuanced understanding of the context-specific entrepreneurial environment needs to be considered when implementing and designing a programme and that this should be coupled with more rigorous effectiveness evaluations. We propose a deeper analysis of the role of human capital within the setting of local entrepreneurial ecosystems as well as the contextualization of training material and participant selection as a promising start to develop more effective training programmes for entrepreneurship.

RUSSIAN-MONGOLIAN RELATIONS: A NEW STAGE

The article characterizes the current stage of Russian-Mongolian cooperation, reveals the factors and conditions that determined the new stage of bilateral interaction after 2010. The development of cooperation is conditioned by the needs of regional interaction and the need to solve the problems of internal socio-economic process of Russia and Mongolia. The authors note that the expansion of trade and economic relations with Russia is important for Mongolia for several reasons, including diversification of the public economy, prevention of unipolar orientation of foreign economic activity and the need to solve internal socio-economic problems. The article emphasizes Mongolia’s transit potential and its role in Russia-China relations.The authors separately note that Mongolia faces economic development challenges, including low GDP and high unemployment. In this regard, the Mongolian government is implementing policies and programs aimed at economic development, employment and reducing unemployment and poverty.The intensification of relations between the two countries in the context of Russian interests contributes to the expansion of functional geopolitical space, helps to overcome the artificial isolation constructed by the West, as well as increases the transit opportunities for Russia.

How does digital trade impact urban carbon emissions efficiency? Evidence from China's cross-border e-commerce pilot zones

In the context of global warming and dynamically evolving economic circumstances, improving carbon emissions efficiency (CEE) has significant practical importance for addressing the dual challenges of economic development and the environmental protection in China. Currently, digital trade (DT) is a pivotal force driving CEE improvement in China; however, limited literature has explored the interconnection between these two elements. In this study, the application of the cross-border e-commerce pilot zone (CEPZ) policy serves as a quasi-natural experiment to analyze the impact of DT on CEE. The article implements a difference-in-differences approach with a panel dataset of 283 Chinese cities from 2005 to 2021. The results suggest that DT significantly contributes to enhancing CEE; a finding remains sound following several robustness tests like varying the sample size, dependent variables, and sample structure. The impact mechanism analysis reveals that DT has the potential to enhance urban CEE indirectly by influencing green technology innovation, industry clustering, and energy mix optimization. Heterogeneity tests indicate that DT may be more effective in fostering CEE in the eastern region, high-level cities, and nonresource-rich cities. Additionally, a noteworthy spatial spillover of DT extends to cities in close proximity to the pilot areas. The study's findings underscore the vital role of DT in improving CEE, providing empirical evidence to substantiate advocacy for sustainable economic development and the achievement of carbon peak and neutrality targets.

Urban Gender Equality and Economic Development Practice and Challenges of Gender Mainstreaming in the Urbanization Process

Urban Gender Equality and Economic Development Practice and Challenges of Gender Mainstreaming in the Urbanization Process

Digital Tools for Boosting the Impact of Fiscal Decentralization in Africa's Local Economies.

Fiscal decentralization offers potential for stimulating local economic development in Africa, empowering subnational governments to control revenue and spending. However, challenges such as urbanization, poverty, inequality, insufficient infrastructure, and governance issues hinder the successful implementation of the core tenets of fiscal decentralization. This paper explores the role of digital technologies in promoting greater fiscal decentralization and revenue enhancement, as a strategic response to these local economic development challenges in Africa. Through a systematic literature review, this study explores the role of fiscal decentralization in driving local economic development, with a focus on leveraging digital technologies to boost revenue generation and strengthen governance and institutional capacity at the subnational level. The research underscores the importance of investing in digital infrastructure, skill development, and regulatory frameworks, while addressing data privacy and security concerns. By emphasizing the transformative impact of digital technologies fiscal decentralization and property taxation, this paper contributes to the existing literature and highlights avenues for promoting local economic development across Africa.

Circular economy in business, management, and accounting: A bibliometric study of the construct

Context. Studying and applying the Circular Economy (CE) is becoming a trend and its presence is increasing as a business model that can balance achieving business objectives and preserving the well-being of future generations through the company's positive impact on the environment.
 Problem. This study is crucial for understanding the global landscape of CE research, pinpointing influential factors in highly cited works, and guiding future research initiatives. The findings will contribute to shaping the direction of academic endeavors in Circular Economy and supporting informed decision-making for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners invested in sustainable practices. The research aims to investigate the evolution of CE research in key geographic regions, understand the pivotal drivers and performance measures influencing the most cited research articles in this domain, and identify crucial future research directions. "The research problem aims to investigate a central question and its specific dimensions. The primary inquiry is: 'How has the field of Circular Economy (CE) evolved and become more significant, particularly about business models and increasing environmental awareness?' This general question is then broken down into three specific research questions: How has the volume of CE research evolved based on key geographic regions? What types of key CE drivers and performance measures relate to the most cited research articles? What are the most important future research directions in the field of CE research?
 Purpose. The main purpose of this research was to further examine the study methods of the Circular Economy, specifically within the fields of business, management, and accounting. The goal was to highlight the current trends and directions of research related to the CE. This information is intended to guide current and future research on key issues in corporate sustainability.
 Methodology. The process used as a method is through a bibliometric review of scientific articles on CE published in the Scopus database, analyzing the period from 2008 to 2023. Co-occurrence maps of circular economy keywords, titles and summaries were created. Representation networks were carried out with the bibliometric analysis software VOSviewer, version 1.6.8 (Van & Waltman, 2018).
 Theoretical and Practical Findings. The main theoretical contribution revealed a significant and steadily accelerating volume of academic interest in the field of CE and its relevance on business contexts. And, as a practical contribution, it was found that future research should focus not only on quantitative bibliometric analysis but also on the qualitative aspects to fully comprehend the development and direction of this crucial field.
 Transdisciplinary and sustainable innovation originality. The proposed research is valuable and innovative because it acknowledges that the discourse on CE is not a static field but an evolving conversation. This evolution is shaped by the ongoing interaction of research, business practices, policy-making, and societal needs. Recognizing the dynamic nature of the CE conversation, the proposed research aims to make a significant contribution by monitoring and analyzing emerging trends.
 The ability to adapt and respond to the ongoing interactions between research, business practices, policies, and societal needs ensures that the findings of this research are relevant and applicable in a constantly changing context. Furthermore, the research goes beyond merely analyzing the evolution of the CE conversation; it also seeks to identify the key factors driving it. By highlighting these fundamental drivers, the research can shed light on critical areas that require attention and guide the future development of the CE.
 Conclusions and limitations. Therefore, the increasing pace of publications and citations signals not only the growth of the field but also the increasing urgency and significance of transitioning towards a CE in a world grappling with the dual challenge of economic development and environmental sustainability.

Adaptive Strategies in Entrepreneurial Ventures: Navigating Uncertainty and Market Dynamics at MSMe

This study explores the critical role of adaptive strategies in maintaining the growth and competitiveness of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in dynamic market environments. MSMEs significantly contribute to employment creation, innovation, and overall economic development but face unique challenges such as limited resources, market access, and vulnerability to market changes. Adaptive strategies like product diversification, digital transformation, and strategic partnerships have been found effective in enhancing MSME performance. Product diversification allows MSMEs to enter new market segments and reduce dependence on a single product line, while digital transformation improves operational efficiency and market reach. Strategic partnerships provide access to previously unavailable resources like technology and distribution networks. However, the implementation of these strategies is often hampered by financial constraints, lack of technological knowledge, and resistance to change. The study also highlights the importance of continuous learning and innovation for MSMEs to stay competitive. Continuous learning updates the knowledge and skills of MSMEs in line with industry developments, while innovation enables the development of new products or services that meet changing market needs. Case studies presented in the research demonstrate successful adoption of adaptive strategies by MSMEs to address challenges and leverage market opportunities. The findings offer practical insights for MSME owners, policymakers, and academics on the importance of adaptive strategies in navigating market uncertainties and achieving sustainable growth. The study also provides recommendations for supporting MSMEs in adopting adaptive strategies through initiatives such as training programs, digital transformation funding, and strategic partnership schemes.

Minor mining, major influence: Economic implications and policy challenges of artisanal gold mining

This study presents an in-depth analysis of the economic policies and implications surrounding artisanal gold mining, reframing the discussion from geographical specifics to a broader policy and economic context. Utilizing advanced geospatial data from the Landsat image collection through “Google Earth Engine,” the research evaluates the economic impact and policy challenges posed by artisanal gold mining over a period from 2011 to 2021. The approach combines change detection methodologies with machine learning to quantify the economic repercussions of land cover changes due to mining. The analysis reveals significant economic transformations, with an average of 2700 ha of land affected annually, culminating in around 48,000 ha over the decade, highlighting a critical period from 2013 to 2020. Importantly, the study identifies policy gaps, especially in the management of protected areas where approximately 800 ha of mining occurred. The findings underscore the urgent need for policy interventions to mitigate the adverse economic and environmental impacts of unregulated mining. The study contributes to a broader understanding of the economic ramifications of artisanal mining and serves as a call to action for policymakers to address the challenges of sustainable mining practices and economic development.

The asymmetric impact of government expenditure on economic growth: Evidence from a NARDL model

Since the 2011 Revolution, Tunisia has faced significant economic development challenges. Government spending plays a crucial role in fostering economic growth. This study focuses on Tunisia from 1980 to 2022, considering factors like foreign direct investment (FDI), trade openness, capital, and labor. It particularly examines spending in four government sectors: agriculture, education, health, and military. Using the Non-linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) model, the study investigates how these sectoral government expenditures relate to Tunisia's gross domestic product (GDP). The findings suggest that the relationship between these factors and GDP is complex. For instance, increases in trade openness and FDI generally lead to GDP growth. Similarly, changes in the labor force impact GDP differently in the short and long term, with negative and positive changes eventually benefiting the economy, but positive changes can initially decrease GDP. The study also finds that government spending on agriculture and health positively affects GDP, whereas spending on military and education has a negative impact. To enhance government spending and stimulate economic growth in Tunisia, the study recommends addressing corruption, inefficiency, and waste. It emphasizes the importance of directing public funds towards infrastructure, particularly in the education and military sectors, to improve welfare and support productive activities.

Quantifying the Impact and Importance of Natural, Economic, and Mining Activities on Environmental Quality Using the PIE-Engine Cloud Platform: A Case Study of Seven Typical Mining Cities in China

The environmental quality of a mining city has a direct impact on regional sustainable development and has become a key indicator for assessing the effectiveness of national environmental policies. However, against the backdrop of accelerated urbanization, increased demand for resource development, and the promotion of the concept of ecological civilization, mining cities are faced with the major challenge of balancing economic development and ecological environmental protection. This study aims to deeply investigate the spatial and temporal variations of environmental quality and its driving mechanisms of mineral resource-based cities. This study utilizes the wide coverage and multitemporal capabilities of MODIS optical and thermal infrared remote sensing data. It innovatively develops the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) algorithm on the PIE-Engine cloud platform to quickly obtain the RSEI, which reflects the quality of the ecological environment. The spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of the environmental quality in seven typical mining cities in China from 2001 to 2022 were analyzed. Combined with the vector mine surface data, the spatial and temporal variability of the impacts of mining activities on the ecological environment were quantitatively separated and explored. In particular, the characteristics of mining cities were taken into account by creating buffer zones and zoning statistics to analyze the response relationship between RSEI and these factors, including the distance to the mining area and the percentage of the mining area. In addition, the drivers and impacts of RSEI in 2019 were analyzed through Pearson correlation coefficients pixel by pixel with 10 factors, including natural, economic, and mining. Regression modeling of RSEI in 2019 was performed using the random forest (RF) model, and these drivers were ranked in order of importance through random forest factor importance assessment. The results showed that (1) the ecological quality of mining cities changed significantly during the study period, and the negative impacts of mining activities on the ecological environment were significant. (2) The areas with low RSEI values were closely related to the mining areas and cities. (3) The RSEI in the mining areas of mining cities was generally lower than the average level of the cities. The RSEI gradually increased as the distance to the mine site increased. (4) The increase in the size of the mine area initially exacerbates the impact on the ecological environment, but the impact is weakened beyond a certain threshold. (5) The distance to the mining area is the most important factor affecting the quality of the ecological environment, followed by DEM, GDP, and precipitation. This study is of great importance for advancing sustainable development in mining cities and formulating sustainable strategies.

Current Developments on the Chinese Real Estate Market

This paper examines the current situation in the Chinese property market. We have analyzed the current literature and statistics for this purpose. First, the general significance of property ownership in China is presented. Then the market is analyzed from four perspectives: Central government (growing concern over the indebtedness of significant property developers while the sector accounts for a large share of GDP), regional government (importance of revenue from land use transfer and regular tax revenue), property developers (business model designed for rapid growth, financed to a large extent by customer down payments and debt) and buyers (delayed completions of prepaid housing leading to financial burdens from financing, as well as other aspects such as the hukou system and population decline). The analysis of these four perspectives shows the current complex environment in the property sector. Due to the high macroeconomic importance of the property sector in China, stabilization is seen as one of the most significant challenges for economic development in 2024.

Examining the factors of interlocal economic development collaboration in rural areas

Understanding collaboration among local governments for economic development has been a significant research topic over the last few decades. However, because much of the literature has focused on urban and metropolitan areas, there is little evidence of the factors that influence collaboration among local governments in rural areas. To address this gap, this study examines interlocal economic development collaboration in three rural regions in West Texas, USA, by using a unique survey dataset of these regions. We employ an exponential hurdle model on a set of factors that are expected to predict the probability of and the extent to which cities in rural areas engage in collaborative activities for economic development purposes. We find that a combination of local business diversity, institutional support, and regional competition has a positive effect on the scope of collaboration among our sample of communities, whereas stronger fiscal capacity and greater economic development challenges decrease the extent of their collaboration.

Control-oriented planning and development-oriented planning: comparison of planning paradigms and practice in Hubei, China

AbstractThe history of planning development in various countries shows that the core logic of planning is the spiral interweaving of control and development, and constantly makes corresponding adjustments to respond to changes and challenges in social and economic development. Most of the planning in western countries originated from control-oriented paradigm, then integrated development-oriented elements, and finally has evolved into comprehensive coordination-oriented planning paradigm. China’s planning, which originated from development-oriented paradigm, has shifted towards control-oriented planning as represented by territorial spatial planning to tackle issues such as excessive consumption of resources. In the face of economic, social and environmental challenges, China’s urban planning in the future should also move towards a comprehensive balance between control and development. The common thread of control is the sustainable development of economy, society, and environment. The common thread of development is to achieve the Chinese path to modernization. The content of control and development will vary with different spatial scales and time stages. Take Hubei’s practice as an example, planning control is driven by the integrated management of watershed and planning development is led by the synchronization of new industrialization, IT application, new urbanization, and agricultural modernization. Hubei Province seeks to promote high-quality, sustainable development through comprehensive coordination-oriented planning that combines control and development.