Economic Downfall Research Articles

Causes and Consequences of Economic Downfall of Sri Lanka: A Conceptual Analysis

Causes and Consequences of Economic Downfall of Sri Lanka: A Conceptual Analysis

The Challenges of Sustainable Affordable Housing Construction During the Sri Lankan Economic Crisis

The present Sri Lankan economic crisis has severely impacted various sectors including the industry of construction. Hence, the construction of affordable housing has become an extremely significant factor in response to the circumstances of the economic downfall. Although affordable housing projects are one of the best resolutions for the need for shelter during economic breakdowns, sustainably commencing, implementing, and maintaining such projects are also highly challenging in the present. Therefore, the present study examines the challenges of commencing, implementing, and maintaining sustainable affordable housing projects in Sri Lanka under the impacts of the contemporary economic crisis. The methodology of this research is a combination of both qualitative and quantitative approaches. It has cooperated the primary data gathered from the study sample; construction professionals of Sri Lankan affordable housing projects via semi-structured interviews and questionnaire surveys and also the secondary data sources such as research paper publications, periodicals, journals, and books. The data received from the questionnaire survey was analyzed by a Frequency Index after forming them on a ‘Likert Scale’ to examine the degree of application of each respondent. The data gathered by interviews were evaluated in reference to a content analysis. The overall study findings reveal various limitations of affordable housing projects in Sri Lanka during the current economic crisis. It also suggests adopting new strategies and measures to enforce the defined field of study by prioritizing the degree of impact of each factor.

From Crisis to Consolidation: Hyperinflation’s Role in Hitler’s Rise and Germany’s Economic Resurgence

The economic trajectory of Germany, transitioning from the Weimar Republic to Nazi dominance, starkly highlights the intimate nexus between political events and economic paradigms. The Weimar Republic, once a beacon of post-war resurgence, grappled with a storm of hyperinflation, misguided economic choices, and the crippling Treaty of Versailles, creating an environment rife with unemployment, social discord, and dwindling trust in governance. This tumultuous backdrop paved the way for Adolf Hitler, whose ascent wasn’t solely a product of charisma but also his pledges of economic rejuvenation and nationalistic fervor. Hitler’s economic overhaul was immediate and transformative: Hjalmar Schacht’s innovative MEFO bills, designed to invigorate the economy without triggering inflation, and the Four-Year Plan, underscoring German autarky, showcased a nation intent on self-sustenance and industrial fortification. Yet, the crux of Hitler’s economic vision lay in a robust rearmament program. While ostensibly an avenue for job creation and industrial revival, this program was unmistakably a blueprint for Hitler’s expansive European ambitions. This narrative encapsulates a rollercoaster journey from the Weimar’s chaotic economic downfall, through Hitler’s opportunistic rise amidst despair, to the Nazi regime’s intricate economic strategies, culminating in a rearmament policy that, while promising prosperity, ominously heralded global conflict. Through this lens, we gain insights into the complex economic machinations that influenced one of history’s most defining epochs.

Time to act! A review exploring the impact of climate change on respiratory diseases

Abstract Background Climate change is a growing global epidemic, with negative repercussions on various determinants including an impact on non-communicable diseases. Respiratory diseases contribute to a substantial global burden. Therefore, exploring the relationships and impact between the growing climate change epidemic and respiratory diseases are of utmost clinical importance. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive summary on the pathophysiological effects of climate change on respiratory diseases. Methods A PubMed literature search (2000-2022) was performed using the following keywords, “climate change'', “air pollution'', “asthma”, “allergic rhinitis'', “thunderstorms” and “pollen”. The article selection followed the PRISMA 2020 guideline. Results Extreme temperature events, both heat and cold temperatures, air pollution, extreme weather events including wildfires, droughts, thunderstorms and dust storms as well as allergens were found to have a positive association between climate change and respiratory diseases. Climate change lead to an increase in these events, making respiratory diseases more susceptible. Conclusions The effects of climate change on respiratory diseases is detrimental. Urgent adaptive strategies to reduce the impact of climate change is eminent. Failure to reduce/halt these climatic effects will result in higher respiratory burden among the population, healthcare systems, with potential economic downfall, and an uninhabitable world. Key messages • Climate change is dominating the global ecosystems with detrimental effect on respiratory diseases. • Urgent action to halt climate change is a requisite to safeguard the future generation.

Socio-economic and psychosocial determinants of violent discipline among parents in Asia Pacific countries during COVID-19: Focus on disadvantaged populations

BackgroundMobility restrictions and economic downfall as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic may increase the risk of child maltreatment, including increased risk for violent discipline use by parents. ObjectiveWe examined the socio-economic and psychosocial determinants of violent discipline among parents against children in Asia Pacific countries. Participants & settingsThis secondary data analysis included 7765 parents with children 6–18 years old in eight Asia Pacific countries. Methods24 potential determinants were identified, including household demographic factors, parents' psychosocial status, and livelihood changes. The dependent variable was parental use of violent discipline (physical, severe physical, psycho-social aggression, and any violent discipline). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted. ResultsA total of 41 % of households reported violent discipline. Parental demographic characteristics that were positively related to use of violent discipline were living in rural areas, not being a household head, female sex, age younger than 35 years, and large family size. Poor parental mental health status, loss of job or reduced income due to COVID-19, lack of food at household level, parent engagement in petty trade, and owning a business also predicted violent discipline. Mandatory curfew and receiving pandemic-related education materials were also positive predictors. ConclusionSome socio-demographic factors, economic hardship due to COVID-19, and poor mental health status of parents are associated with the use of violent discipline against children in the Asia Pacific region. These results highlight several potential target areas for child protection interventions by governmental and non-profit organizations, including economic, social, and mental health interventions.

Social distancing causing crises: learning from workforce adaptation by e-tailers

PurposeThis study explores workforce related adaptation by e-tailers during social distancing causing crises (SDCC) and provides a conceptual framework.Design/methodology/approachA grounded theory based approach has been used wherein about 120 news articles were analyzed to understand the real-world measures taken. 50 journal papers were also referred to. A typical qualitative methodology, including open, and axial was used.FindingsIn the early stages, panic buying emerged as the key disrupting factor which necessitated staff shortage management. In the long term, e-tailers can adapt to prevent reverse worker migration and modify their hiring and training processes.Research limitations/implicationsThis study synthesizes knowledge on workforce-related adaptation by e-tailers and offers considerable potential for future research as well as the development of case studies and consulting services for the industry. Two research propositions are offered that can guide hypothesis generation and further studies can be conducted in sectors other than retail also.Practical implicationsThis study puts forward propositions based on theoretical dimensions for managers adapting to workforce-related problems during SDCC. The pandemic has led to vast unemployment and the shutting down of a number of businesses across the globe due to economic downfall. Hence, this study has economic and social implications.Originality/valueThis study is unique as it is one of the few that delves into e-tailers’ workforce- related adaptation as SDCC evolves and contributes to a body of literature which is scarce.

Understanding Needs and Potentials for Gender-Balanced Empowerment and Leadership in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Africa

The past years were marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, economic downfall, the 5th anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement, and the end of the African Women’s Decade. According to the latest projections, African countries will continue to face increasing inequalities, as well as risks to human health, water and food security, due to climate change. African countries are also struggling to reduce gender-related power imbalances in adaptation and mitigation that magnify existing vulnerabilities, particularly those of women. Therefore, any advances made in this narrative are significant. This paper investigates the needs and potential for gender-balanced leadership/empowerment in adaptation and mitigation based on climate change experts’ views on the advances made in Africa. This is complemented by a bibliometric analysis of the literature published on the topic between the years 2015 and 2022. The study suggests that although women’s influence on climate change related decisions is growing, a series of barriers need to be overcome, among which are lack of knowledge and political will. The COVID-19 pandemic is seen as having both positive and negative potentials for gender-balanced leadership/empowerment. The findings provide a premise for identifying possible directions of further actions towards gender-balanced leadership/empowerment in climate change in African countries.

Real Time Face Mask Detection using Yolov5 and OpenCv

Abstract: COVID-19 cases have been a big threat to human mankind with different variants found worldwide infecting many people alike. The whole world struggled through different waves of coronavirus and is struggling to reduce the spread effectively. The use of mitigation and suppression was practised throughout and it was concluded use of suppression couldn’t come without economic downfall for long term. With results fromChina and South Korea it was clear that use of masks helped reduce spread within social gatherings ,to ensure everyone wears a mask is one thing and to wear a mask properly covering their nose and mouth fully leaving no part exposed was other problem to tackle. This paper attempts to develop effective yet simple approach to monitor real time data of people wearing masks. The main aim of this project is to help identify and monitor gatheringin public places where wearing mask is essential as it takes a week to show symptoms and anyone can get infected, results show if two individuals are wearing a mask the risk of virus spreading is at its lowest. This model successfully recognizes ifany individual is wearing face mask or not and also determinesif the face mask covers nose and mouth only then it recognizesit as an masked individual.

Natural resources commodity prices volatility and economic performance: Evaluating the role of green finance

COVID-19 has been one of the biggest sources of economic downfall around the globe. During this period, global economic activities are badly affected. The role of natural resources commodity prices is equally important to determine the economic performance of an economy. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the importance of natural resources volatility, green finance, investment in energy resources, and innovation on the economic performance of the provincial data of China. This study uses novel panel data approaches, i.e., Pesaran unit root test, Westerlund cointegration approach, augmented mean group, and Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality test. The study found that natural resources are of great importance to uplift the economic performance of an economy as its effect is found positive. Moreover, the effect of green finance, investment in energy resources, and innovation is equally important for improved economic performance. This study recommends stability in natural resources prices volatility, promotion of green finances and more investment towards energy resources. The empirical outcomes from this study provide a novel path for achieving high economic performance.

Uticaj pandemije korona virusa na kretanje vrednosti indeksa odabranih zemalja

The pandemic of Covid 19 may have started in 2019, but in 2021, the world faced health crises that will have lasting and immeasurable after effects across the health care, social and economic spectrum. The pandemic of Covid 19 has changed the world and brought many socio-economic changes on the global level, endangering the economies of the world, as well the economy of our country and nearby countries. The Republic of Serbia, as well as the nearby countries, tries to employ all the possible solutions and measures to lessen the economic aftereffects of the pandemic of the virus. The countries have started using a wide variety of restrictive measures, so they can control, prevent and end the pandemic and the measures have been different: sometimes the country borders have been closed, the interstate traffic was limited, there was a quarantine in some of the countries and even a curfew. The measures that Serbia has taken and is still taking - as well as nearby countries - (Croatia, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Northern Macedonia and Montenegro), will have lasting results because they have prevented the drastic economic downfall. How will the downfall be described and whether or not it was the real feel of the individual, we will find out in this research and the comparison of the stock indexes in our country and the nearby countries.

Patent landscape of COVID-19 Innovations: A Comprehensive Review

The COVID 19 pandemic gave a stringent upshot on the lives of human. The people are running in race to save themselves and the race is still on. Covid emergency has not only retarded the health of the society but also made it face the economic downfall in a severe manner. The scientists and the data analyst gave their predictions for the additional wave of infection, thus stating Covid appropriate behaviour as the medicine for the time. This health calamity provides an opportunity for cross-sector partnership of technology and science as to keep the battle fight strong, finding new roads leading to fresh solutions in health care and innovations. There is a requirement of systematic approach for accessing the patent literature that is already available, as to form a research platform for further advancements. The study serves a general view of the search strategy and approach, categorization of search, database set used, websites, novelty, derivation of innovation, field of work, and the investigational dataset regarding the Covid-19 patent literature under the category of diagnosis, sanitization, personal protection and vaccine development available from December 2019 to June 2021.The patent literature provides us with the knowledge which innovation is filed first for patent and published documents which can be found in the database search, thus deriving the ideologies as a supplementary guidance for the advancement of innovations. Evidently it can be concluded that our research and report can be helpful in drawing some innovative outlines with industrial applications or some other, require further interpretation with more concern.

Has Economic Growth in Balkan Countries Been Pro-Poor in the 2012–2017 period?

AbstractThe study investigates whether economic growth in the Balkan countries was pro-poor in the most recent period. We also try to establish to what extent various measures of pro-poorness of economic growth produce consistent and comparable results. Firstly, concepts of pro-poor growth are defined and corresponding approaches toward measuring pro-poor growth are presented. We distinguish between measures based on a general class of pro-poor indices and a dominance-based techniques. In the empirical part of the study, we verified whether economic growth in six Balkan countries (Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia) was pro-poor in the 2012–2017 period. The analyses is based on the latest available panel data of the European Union Survey on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC). Growth was pro-poor in Croatia, Romania and Slovenia during the whole analysed period. The growth pattern was non pro-poor in Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia in certain years, mainly during periods of economic downfall. Various measures of pro-poor growth patterns do not produce consistent results in all instances. The results of the conducted comparative analysis suggest that the level of social benefits does not directly influence the pro-poor nature of the economic growth.

COVID-19 and Politics of Representation: A CSA of Pakistani Print Media Semiotic Discourses

Print media discourses are highly polarized. Different linguistic and meta-linguistic moves are employed to represent the same issue under different socio-political themes. This study decodes the semiotic discourses of two (02) Pakistani English and Urdu newspapers (Dawn & Jang) about the representation of COVID-19 related issues. This has been done to broaden the canvas of the research by including English and Urdu newspapers’ readership. The time span for data collection ranges from March 15, 2020, to May 15, 2020. The integrated research approach used in the study has been devised by drawing upon Kress (2010) and Krueger (2001) to analyze the data at linguistic and semiotic levels. The findings of semiotic analysis have been validated through focus group discussions on the selected cartoons from English and Urdu newspapers. The findings of the research reveal that the representation of COVID- 19 related issues varies in English and Urdu newspapers. The most frequently occurred themes in English newspapers about the representation of covid19 related issues include economic downfall, danger to the worlds’ economy, the clash between America and China, delays in vaccine production, and food and health insecurity at national and international levels. On contrary, the Urdu newspapers highlighted the issues related to corruption, the oil crisis, a satire on the general masses for not observing SOPs, a satire on health ministry, and poverty increase because of lockdown policies. The research contends that semiotic discourses are the best sites for ideological investment and are designed keeping in view the target audience.

Challenges in Sri Lankan Heritage Management with the Covid 19 Pandemic

Heritage Management is a field which has been developed to conserve, preserve and manage the cultural heritage of any country for promoting it to the visitors. Heritage management also incurred with marketing, visitor management and community empowerment. Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, this respected field has been very much impacted and forced to face an economic downfall. This research has attempted to identify the major problems faced by heritage managers in the safety of the staff, visitor management, and maintaining heritage. The recommendations are made in three challenging fields and, also sustainable best practices are suggested at the end for the long run in a pandemic Covid 19. The study is primarily based on mix method while using both primary and secondary data such as library material, journals and reports, media publications and various internet search engines. Convenient sampling has been used to select the sample for the questionnaire survey. As per the empirical studies, it was revealed that proper usage of guidelines and good practices for the management of the heritages incorporating the high technology in a sustainable manner may support to be endured during the pandemic.

Forensic Accountant: A New Frontier in The Accounting Profession

The collapse of Corporate giants due to white collar crimes & frauds results economic downfall and pushes the investors and the Government in unpleasant situation. Once frauds happened in any organization, the accountants & auditors are facing lot of criticism and litigations due to failure in detecting and plugging frauds. The management struggles to safeguard themselves by introducing internal control system that maintains the transparency in all transactions and adequacy of good Corporate governance practice. The accountants are trying to tighten the loopholes in accounting and auditing system, procedures and building up adequacy in safeguard measures. In this situation, the forensic accountants play a major role in cracking down the white-collar crimes and frauds because of their investigative skills and to go beyond the routine audit and focused attention on detecting the fraudulent transactions. The demand of the Corporate world is to engage the forensic accountants who are responsible in detecting frauds and financial crimes and to report and advise for remedial measures in order to protect against financial loss out of these unscrupulous activities.

NORTH KOREAN Refugees: Empowerment by the Police s Gender and Age

Purpose: This study has analyzed the differences in the empowerment by gender and age of the police officers serving for the South Korean security police organization, which is dedicated to the North Korean refugees, who are increasing in number due to the economic downfall of the North Korean regime. In addition, it is sought to discuss the policy measures which can help improve the new empowerment of the North Korean refugees and the security police organization analyzed based on the results of this study. Method: In this study, to analyze the differences in the empowerment as per the gender and age of the police officers serving in the security police organizations, 100 police officers from the security department who have work experiences related to the North Korean refugees with the South Korean police officers as the group of re-cruitment in 2020 were targeted, and the survey was conducted by using the Self-Administration Method. Results: In terms of the differences in the empowerment as per gender, with Q-1 What I m doing is important to me , men demonstrated a higher level of significance than women at the significance level of 5%, and in terms of the differences in the empowerment as per age, 8 out of 20 questions demonstrated that empowerment was higher for those in their 50s or older than in those in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. Conclusion: The weight of the women police officers in the organizational culture of the security police for the expansion of the North Korean refugees ought to be increased. Among the North Korean refugees, women ac-count for twice as many as men, and the role of women police officers in counseling and managing them ought to be taken seriously. Furthermore, there is a need for an ambience where the empowerment possessed by the police officers in their 50s and older may be conveyed to the young police officers, and the values generated from the long experiences of working with the North Korean refugees, that is, a strong sense of the view of nation, ought to be well conveyed to the young police officers.

Modification in the Oncology Field during COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: COVID-19 outbreak impacted all healthcare specializations including the oncology field.
 Objective: To discuss in detail the varied effects of COVID-19 on the oncology field.
 Methods: For this narrative review, the researchers relied only on accredited and peer-reviewed resources. As such, the references of this paper were mostly taken from Google Scholar and online repositories, such as PubMed, which hosts the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Science Direct, JSTOR, and The Lancet.
 Results: COVID-19 and the necessity of physical distancing have significantly changed the practice in the oncology field. The use of telehealth is widely adopted, physicians are recommended to consider other forms of treatment, and decisions on immediate cancer treatment depend on the level of risk of progression with cancer care delay. Cancer treatment delay is causing the highest mortality rate for patients who are suffering from cancer of the bladder, lungs, ovary, stomach, and esophagus. COVID-19 has shifted the focus of healthcare professionals away from other life-threatening diseases, like cancer. In the United Kingdom, it has been projected that there is at least a 20% increase in the expected cancer-related mortality rate. This is due to abrupt changes in diagnosing and treating cancer patients, physical distancing protocols, economic downfall, as well as the public's behavior in opting for medical assistance.
 Conclusion: With the spread of COVID-19, the situation has become more difficult for cancer patients. The mortality rate for cancer patients has worsened during COVID-19. Health professionals working in the oncology field are also devastated by COVID-19.

Economic and Non-Economic Variables Affecting Fraud in European Countries

Fraud is one of the most harmful phenomena, because it leads to collapse of organizations, causes economic downfall of countries, and destroys faith in a country’s capital markets. The impact of fraud is complex and has varying degrees depending on political and financial institutional structures of a country. In this paper, we investigate the combined effect of economic and non-economic variables on fraud using a sample of 41 developed, in transition, and developing European countries. The data cover the period July 2014–December 2020. Panel data techniques of pooled estimation and the dynamic panel data/generalized method of moments (DPD/GMM) is used, keeping in view the endogeneity perspective. Nevertheless, two-way impacts of fixed effect model estimation—cross-sectional and time-based (panel) effects (alternatively)—are used for analyzing the relationship among the given variables, based on Hausman specification test results. Empirical results of panel data extended REM and FEM approaches with country-specific cross-sectional effects showing that political stability, economic freedom, poverty, and GDP significantly affect fraud proliferation. Political stability is appraised to be the most scoring determinant of fraud incidence in a country.

Micro Financial Sharia Non-bank Strategic Analysis: a Study at BMT Beringharjo, Yogyakarta

Prior to the 1998 economic downfall, and in ten years after in 2008, BMT (Baitul Maal wa Tamwil) proofed the endurance to remain stable. From those external factors, strived the company very hard hard to sustain its business, as well as to formulate a better strategy to its competitive advantage. The research begins with the internal and external analysis, using a SWOT Analysis. The results shows its business strength and its market penetration, lies in its company’s human development. Through the IE Matrix, founds BMT Beringharjo competitive position in Quadrant or cell IV Matrix IE, with growth strategy through horizontal integration concentration. Based on its position of: (1) competition; (2) strength; (3) weakness; (4) opportunity; (5) threats. Enriched with strategy of: (1) market penetration; (2) market development; as well as (3) horizontal integration strategy to the creative innovation strategy is inevitable to remain exist and gain more success.

Balancing Economy and COVID 19

BACKGROUND 
 COVID-19 or coronavirus disease 2019 has multispectral consequences attached to it. Economic downturn is one of them. Almost all countries are facing economic challenges post covid-19 and are searching for panacea. 
 SUMMARY 
 Along with the medical impact which has resulted into almost more than 85 million infection of COVID-19 worldwide and almost two million case fatalities, there is also economic downfall attached to it. After the great depression of 1930, the pandemic induced crisis is worst in almost past hundred years. Even the basic needs of human beings such as food was not able to fulfil after pandemic. The prolonged lockdown to contain the viral spread of novel coronavirus made almost all the economic activities closed leading to widespread loss of livelihood and jobs. GDP outputs were contracted and demand also soared due to saving nature of people in uncertain times. 
 CONCLUSION 
 As the vaccine is in final stage and is ready to be distributed, more and more businesses can restart. Policy makers should not shy away from providing any fiscal package if necessary, to revive the economy.