Economic Integration Research Articles

Research on the Measurement of Urban-Rural Integration Level in Sichuan Province

Promoting the integrated development of urban and rural areas is of great significance for narrowing the development gap between urban and rural areas, establishing a new type of urban-rural relationship, and achieving high-quality socialist modernization. This paper focuses on Sichuan Province and constructs an indicator system for the degree of urban-rural integration based on four dimensions: economic integration, social integration, population integration, and spatial integration. Then, using the entropy value method, it conducts a quantitative evaluation of the development status of urban-rural integration in the province from 2013 to 2022 to reveal the dynamic changes in its level of urban-rural integration. The results show that from 2013 to 2022, the overall level of urban-rural integration in Sichuan Province has shown an upward trend. Among the dimensions of urban-rural integration, social integration and spatial integration have achieved significant results, not only showing good current integration trends but also demonstrating rapid development speeds, presenting a positive development trend. In contrast, economic integration and population integration have performed less satisfactorily, with integration levels remaining at a relatively low level and slower development speeds, urgently requiring further optimization and improvement to achieve comprehensive and balanced urban-rural integration. The results indicate that the overall level of urban-rural integration in Sichuan Province is currently low, with disparities in regional development, unequal distribution of public services and infrastructure, and prominent issues of semi-urbanization in different areas.

Agricultural Transformation and its Contribution to Economic Development in South Asian and African Countries

Agricultural transformation is central to economic development, driving modernization, productivity enhancement, and integration into broader economic systems. This study compares South Asia and Africa, analyzing their distinct trajectories influenced by sustainable practices, policy reforms, and technological advancements. In South Asia, agricultural employment declined sharply, with Bangladesh dropping from 80% in 1973 to 35% in 2023, and India from 70% to 37%. Africa saw a more gradual decline, from 70% to 48% during the same period. Productivity improvements highlight regional progress, with agricultural productivity growth rising in Bangladesh (3.3% to 4.1% by 2023) and Kenya (3.3% to 4.1%), while manufacturing productivity surged in Kenya (6.6%) and India (5.2%). South Asia's growth leverages high-yield crops and market integration from the Green Revolution, while Africa focuses on climate-smart agriculture, diversification, and community-based solutions to address climate vulnerabilities and infrastructure gaps. Both regions emphasize sustainability as a resilience strategy. Using a four-stage paradigm of agricultural transformation, the study underscores the significance of transitioning from subsistence to high-value, technology-driven agriculture for economic diversification and resilience. By analyzing labor productivity, GDP per capita, and crop production indices, the research demonstrates agriculture's critical role in fostering sustainable development and economic growth across both regions.

Geopolitical Risk and Trade Reorientation Dynamics: A Comparative Study

ABSTRACT The global trade system has been experiencing major restructuring due to geopolitical risks through reshuffling different economic blocs. To this end, we conduct a comparative assessment of the response of trade to geopolitical risk, economic and trade policy uncertainty across three thriving blocs, namely, the BRICS, G7, and ASEAN countries. Given the distinct features of the sample data, we apply cross-quantilogram and partial cross-quantilogram approaches to analyze monthly data from January 2000 to June 2023. Our empirical evidence confirms the favorable impact of geopolitical events on trade integration in the BRICS bloc. However, in comparison to BRICS nations, G7 countries have demonstrated lower resistance to geopolitical uncertainty, while the ASEAN bloc exhibits a cautious approach to increased geopolitical risks in the short term, leading to a potential loss in trade integration. Overall, this study shows that comparing these blocs in the context of geopolitical risk and intraregional trade integration requires a policy that offers a balance among economic cooperation and diplomatic ties, which nevertheless are critical for economic integration and welfare.

Stability Assessment and Reactive Power Compensation Strategies for Grid-Connected Wind Power Generations

With the acceleration of global economic integration and the rapid increase in population, the reserves of mineral resources on the earth are becoming increasingly scarce, and non-renewable resources are becoming increasingly scarce. Technological advances have significantly reduced the cost of photovoltaic and wind power, improved energy storage efficiency and smart grid technology, and solved the intermittent problem of new energy. How to boost the utilization rate of new energy and ensure its secure and reliable operation during grid connection is an important challenge that the current development of electric power technology must tackle. To serve as a guide for the creation of new wind power, this article analyses the two most widely used reactive power compensation devices, studies the method of restoring the stable state through reactive power compensation after the grid-connected wind power becomes unstable, and introduces several control methods for power compensation using reactive power compensation devices. The main objective of this article is to summarize the current mainstream stability assessment methods in the world and compare their benefits and drawbacks.

Способы и критерии оценки степени экономической интеграции на примере стран Европейского союза

In this article the authors examined relevant experience of evaluating the effectiveness of economic integration using the example of the European Union as the most advanced integration association in the world nowadays. The article contains the analysis of the indices for integration measurement proposed by the supranational structures of the EU – the European Commission and the European Central Bank. The authors studied in detail two examples of approaches to assessing the effectiveness of integration within the EU by foreign researchers, which are based on an expanded theoretical and empirical base. The authors of the article highlight that besides the experience studied in the text, scientific publications also contain calculations of the old and new EU members integration level (Central and Eastern European countries), as well as integration and disintegration processes within the EU. Finally, the authors concluded that despite the methods adopted in the European Union for assessing the degree of its integration, this issue remains in the focus of attention of the European scientific community. Furthermore, the methodology for assessing the effectiveness of economic integration within the EU allows its leadership to timely adjust the development strategies of the integration association, which is strongly important in modern conditions. A question of integration is especially acute in the context of the systemic crisis in all EU countries, one of the main causes of which is the anti-Russian sanction policy.

A Thematic Analysis, Definition, and a Green Aviation Conceptual Model—Putting It All Together

The notion of ‘Green Aviation’ has gained interest over the last three years. However, there is no clear definition of what the term green aviation means. Many interpret the meaning to describe the focus of their study, resulting in a diverse understanding of what it entails. In this study, we present our systematic approach to proposing a definition that meets all stakeholders’ understanding and extract from the definition an actionable framework. Focusing on total quality management and circular economy frameworks, we followed a two-step approach towards the definition: Conduct a thematic analysis on the body of literature, followed by consultations with green aviation professionals. Green aviation is defined as sustainable aviation practices to minimize environmental impact and continuously improve social wellbeing. This definition is used to extract a conceptual framework to help future research work and sustainability integration into the practitioner’s strategic planning. The proposed framework adapts the triple bottom line theory to include an organization’s level of social, environmental, and economic integration towards increased ‘sustainability value’. Our study findings provide organizations with insight into pathways towards the successful integration of their environmental goals into their strategic planning, where continuous improvement and social responsibility play a central role.

Dynamic Connectedness across Equity, Currency, and Commodity Markets in South Asia: A Time- Varying Parameter Vector Autoregressive Approach

This study examines the dynamic return spillovers among major South Asian financial markets, including equity indices from India (NIFTY50R), Pakistan (KSER), and Sri Lanka (SLASPIR), as well as key global commodities such as Brent crude oil (BrentR) and gold (GoldR), and the relevant exchange rates (USDINR, USDPKR, and USDLKR). Using the Time-Varying Parameter Vector Autoregressive (TVP- VAR) connectedness approach, the analysis covers the period from March 2, 2005, to February 29, 2024, providing insights into how financial shocks propagate across these interconnected markets over nearly two decades. The findings reveal that the Indian equity market (NIFTY50R) and the Indian Rupee exchange rate (USDINR) serve as significant transmitters of shocks within the South Asian region, influencing other regional markets. Conversely, the Sri Lankan (SLASPIR) and Pakistani (KSER) equity indices are identified as net receivers of shocks, indicating their vulnerability to external financial disturbances. The study also highlights the pivotal role of Brent crude oil prices (BrentR) in driving spillovers, particularly affecting the Indian financial markets. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding the complexities of market interconnectedness in South Asia, particularly in the context of global economic integration.

Development of telecommunications in the Arctic regions of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia)

The article examines the prospects and directions for the development of communications in the Arctic regions of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), where ensuring stable and high-quality communications is critical for the social and economic integration of the region, as well as for improving the standard of living of the local population. The paper analyzes the current state of the telecommunications infrastructure, covering satellite, mobile and fiber-optic networks, with a special focus on the key challenges faced by residents of remote areas: high costs of services, complex logistics and limited availability of broadband Internet. The article also considers federal and regional programs, such as the Arctic Synergy project and the Polar Express underwater communication line, aimed at improving telecommunications coverage, eliminating digital inequality and reducing social isolation in remote areas. Technological solutions are proposed, including the introduction of 4G and 5G networks, the use of satellite systems and the integration of renewable energy sources, which are assessed as strategic approaches that can improve the quality of services and support the development of digital infrastructure. In conclusion, the authors point out that sustainable development of communications in the Arctic requires not only the introduction of modern technologies, but also continued government support, including subsidies to reduce the cost of services. They also emphasize the importance of developing infrastructure adapted to extreme climatic conditions and creating backup communication channels that will ensure the reliability and stability of telecommunications services in remote Arctic regions.

Research on the Effects of Regional Economic Integration for Urban Economic Development

Since the 1970s, regional integration policies have been implemented across the globe, with examples ranging from the European Union and ASEAN to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and various regional trade agreements in African countries. As part of this global trend, China established the Pearl River Delta regional integration policy, leveraging its proximity to Hong Kong and Macau to attract investment and build a modern economic system. This initiative has significantly contributed to making Guangdong Province the leading economic powerhouse in China today. The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of regional integration policies on economic growth in urban areas. Using the Pearl River Delta (PRD) cities as the treatment group and non-PRD cities as the control group, this study examines the economic effects of regional integration policies in the Pearl River Delta from 2002 to 2022. By utilizing the natural logarithm of GDP (ln-GDP) as an indicator of economic levels and applying the difference-in-difference (DiD) method for analysis, this research aims to provide comprehensive insights into how regional integration policies drive urban economic growth.

Refugee Integration and Peaceful Coexistence in Kenya: A Case of Kakuma Municipality, Turkana County, Kenya

An important and relevant research area was the integration of refugees and their peaceful living with the host community in Kakuma Municipality of Kenya. Kakauma is host to over 283, 969 refugees of different nationalities, the study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of refugee integration programs in promoting peaceful coexistence between host and refugee communities in Kakuma, Kenya. Of the other concern of the study is to understanding the perception of the host community towards refugee integration and peaceful coexistence and assessing the efficiency in implementing the concept of refugee integration in concern to peaceful coexistence among groups. The study was anchored on Intergroup Contact Theory, the theory claims that people of different groups might reduce prejudice and harmony among the groups and favorable interface through contact. A mixed-methodologies approach to was the study was used, whereby both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were used. The target population includes the Kakuma Municipality citizens and the Kakuma refugee camp residents that are approximately 439,708 people. The sample size of 400 was used for quantitative part by using Yamane‟s formula and the participants were selected purposively. The qualitative component comprised of 20 key informant interviews. For the quantitative component, data was obtained using structured questionnaires, while the qualitative component was acquired using semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data was examined using SPSS version 28.0, which included descriptive and inferential statistics such as Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression. Thematic analysis was used to examine qualitative data. The study’s goal was to give thorough insights on refugee integration and peaceful coexistence in Kakuma Municipality, which will help to influence refugee management policy and practice. The results revealed that perceptions of refugee integration, efficacy of integration programs were significantly and positively correlated with peaceful coexistence, with regression analysis showing that these factors explained 75.6% of the variance in peaceful coexistence. Key findings based on the objectives included: generally positive host community perceptions towards refugee integration and peaceful coexistence, with daily interactions, cultural exchange, and economic integration being important factors; the crucial role of access to healthcare services in promoting peaceful coexistence, with equal access, quality care, and addressing language barriers being key issues; the effectiveness of refugee integration programs in promoting peaceful coexistence, particularly when addressing diverse needs and involving local government support. Based on these findings, recommendations were made to engage the public in promoting positive perceptions and intensify efforts towards implementing effective integration strategies.

Chinese migrant workers’ integration into cities and land transfer amid urban–rural population mobility

Following the economic reforms and opening up, the Chinese government has implemented policies aimed at promoting land transfer, yet the rate of rural land transfer continues to be relatively low, resulting in inefficient land use in rural regions. The movement of people from rural to urban areas is a key driver of land transfer, and the level of integration of migrant workers in urban settings is closely tied to their decisions to transfer land. We analyzed survey data from 1,533 migrant worker households using a binary logistic regression model and conducted an endogeneity test with a two-stage least squares model. The findings indicate that economic, social, psychological, and identity integration, as well as overall urban integration, have a significant positive impact on the likelihood of land transfer, the involvement of non-relatives in transfers, and the length of time land is transferred.Economic integration significantly influences the decision of migrant workers to transfer land, social integration plays a substantial role in transfers involving non-relatives, and psychological and identity integration significantly affects the duration of land transfers. In summary, the analysis recommends that policymakers prioritize fostering a more inclusive urban environment for migrant workers, enhance employment opportunities and social security services for this group, and facilitate the participation of migrant workers in the land transfer market to maximize the value of their land assets.

The impact of high-speed rail network on high-end service industry development: Evidence from the Yangtze River Delta, China

Amidst the rapid evolution of transportation infrastructure, high-speed rail emerges as a transformative force reshaping regional economies. This study addresses a critical research gap by exploring the influence of HSR on high-end service industries within China's dynamic Yangtze River Delta region. Recognizing the strategic importance of HSR in contemporary economic landscapes, the research delves into its role as a catalyst for industrial growth, particularly in sectors pivotal for knowledge-intensive high-end service industry. Using Social Network Analysis and fixed effect models, the study assesses the multifaceted impacts of HSR network accessibility and connectivity on key sectors like scientific research, financial services, business services, and information transmission. Findings indicate a significant positive influence on most sectors, although nuances emerge in financial services, highlighting the complex interplay between HSR and sector-specific dynamics. The study further reveals distinct effects across various urban sizes and locations, pointing to an urban-centric advantage in HSR's economic impacts. By identifying market demand, technology spillover, and labor pooling as principal channels of HSR's influence, this research contributes to the understanding of how modern transportation infrastructures can be leveraged for regional economic integration and sectoral development. While focusing on the YRD, the study's insights offer a broader reflection on the strategic planning of HSR in similar global contexts.

The impact of China's regional economic integration strategy on the circular economy: Policy effects and spatial spillovers.

Concerns about global climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation continue to escalate. Within this context, the circular economy has received widespread attention as a model of sustainable development. Simultaneously, China's regional economic integration (REI) strategy has been regarded as an important tool for promoting economic growth and optimizing resource allocation. However, existing studies have mainly focused on the impact of REI on economic growth, and there are insufficient empirical studies on how this strategy affects the circular economy. Still fewer such studies are set in a unified research framework; there is also a lack of heterogeneity analyses that introduce carbon emission characteristics. Therefore, this study analyzes panel data from urban centers in China, spanning from 2007 to 2021 and focusing on the Yangtze River Delta (YRD). Using the staggered difference-in-difference (DID) model, propensity score matching and difference-in-difference (PSM-DID), spatial Durbin model, entropy weight TOPSIS, and other methods, this study examines the policy effects and spatial spillovers of the REI strategy on the circular economy. This study also quantifies the policy implications of REI on the circular economy, analyzes the heterogeneous effects of REI in cities with different carbon emission levels, and explores the spatial spillover effects of REI on the circular economy. The key findings are that: (1) REI implementation effectively promotes a circular economy. (2) There is heterogeneity in this effect at different levels of carbon emissions. The promotion effect is more significant for high carbon emission cities, while the integration strategy has a smaller marginal effect on the circular economy of low carbon emission cities. (3) There are spatial spillover and regional linkage effects at the interregional level, indicating a significant spatial dependence between REI and the circular economy. In other words, strategy implementation in one city positively influences the circular economy in neighboring cities. This study systematically and empirically investigates the impact of REI on the circular economy, reveals the heterogeneity of the carbon emission levels of REI affecting the circular economy, and provides new evidence for the environmental Kuznets curve theory. Furthermore, the spatial spillover effect of REI is quantified; quantifying the spatial spillover effect of REI expands the spatial dimension of regional sustainable development. Ultimately, this study emphasizes the need to maximize the environmental benefits of the REI strategy on the circular economy. This could be done by designing cross-regional circular economy projects, coordinating regional policy efforts, and implementing differentiated strategies to promote sustainable development.

Collaborative Linkages Among Universities, Industry, and Research: Empowering Enterprises in Free Trade Zones for High-Quality Advancement

Against the backdrop of current economic globalization and regional economic integration, the construction of pilot free trade zones and free trade ports has become an important strategic measure for China to promote high-quality economic development and enhance international competitiveness. As an important base for knowledge innovation and talent cultivation, universities can provide strong intellectual support and technical support for the high-quality development of free trade zones and free trade port enterprises through industry university research cooperation. This article delves into the significance of university industry academia research cooperation for the high-quality development of enterprises in pilot free trade zones and free trade ports, analyzes the current problems, and proposes forward-looking, targeted, and actionable countermeasures and suggestions.

Legal Harmonisation in BRICS: Analysing Cross-Border Trade Rules and Dispute Settlement Mechanisms

This study explores the legal harmonization of cross-border trade regulations and dispute settlement mechanisms within the BRICS bloc, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. With diverse legal traditions and economic priorities, BRICS nations face significant challenges in aligning their legal frameworks to foster seamless trade and effective dispute resolution. Using a normative juridical approach, this research examines regulatory disparities, existing dispute resolution mechanisms, and the potential for harmonization. The findings highlight key barriers, such as fragmented legal systems, inconsistent enforcement, and limited institutional capacity, while proposing actionable strategies, including standardized tariff systems, mutual recognition agreements, and the establishment of a centralized arbitration body. By addressing these issues, the study underscores the importance of legal alignment for enhancing economic integration and strengthening BRICS' position in global trade.

Research on the Integration of Ideological and Political Education in the Teaching of Cross-Border E-commerce Practice

The study of higher education stage is not only for students to master professional knowledge, and consolidate professional skills, but also need to have good professional ethics, with a sense of social responsibility and innovative thinking, which is needed in all fields. Global economic integration and the development of information technology, speed up the development of cross-border e-commerce, combined with social needs and higher education needs, to make the field of cross-border e-commerce in the new social background, it is important to pay attention to the effectiveness of ideological and political education. Especially with the proposal and construction of the current curriculum ideology and politics, colleges and universities are required to reform the professional courses of cross-border e-commerce to meet the actual needs of talents. Based on colleges and universities, this paper studies the integration of Cross-Border E-commerce Practice courses and ideological and political education and discusses the teaching mode, teaching content, teacher team, and teaching evaluation respectively for reference.

Applications of Behavioral Economics and Neuroeconomics in Mental Health

Objective: The integration of behavioral economics and neuroeconomics into mental health offers innovative perspectives on understanding and addressing psychological disorders. This overview aims to synthesize current knowledge and explore the implications of these interdisciplinary approaches in the context of mental health. Method: In this narrative review, we summarized the current evidence regarding the applications of behavioral economics and neuroeconomics approaches in the field of mental health. Results: Behavioral economics and neuroeconomics provide valuable insights into the cognitive and emotional processes underlying mental health disorders, such as irrational decision-making, impulsivity, and self-control issues. Concepts such as loss aversion, temporal discounting, and framing effects inform the development of innovative interventions and policy initiatives. Behavioral economic interventions, including nudges, incentives, and commitment devices, show promise in promoting treatment adherence, reducing risky behaviors, and enhancing mental well-being. Neuroeconomics contributes by identifying neural markers predictive of treatment response and relapse risk, paving the way for personalized treatment approaches. Conclusion: The integration of behavioral economics and neuroeconomics into mental health research and practice holds significant potential for improving the understanding of psychological disorders and developing more effective, personalized interventions. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of action, optimize intervention strategies, and address ethical considerations associated with these approaches in mental health settings.

Crime and punishment: international security lessons from 1980s south Florida Haitian immigrants

The uniquely distinct culture of Haitian immigrants led to important socio-economic challenges, discriminatory practices, and limited opportunities in 1980s Miami. The socio-economic challenges faced by Haitian immigrants in the 1980s, including their susceptibility to involvement in crime networks, offer valuable lessons for addressing potential migration waves from Haiti to the US today. During the 1980s and 1990s, many Haitian immigrants encountered barriers to economic integration, leading some individuals to resort to participation in illicit activities for survival. The socio-economic challenges faced by Haitian immigrants in the 1980s, including their susceptibility to involvement in crime networks, offer valuable lessons for addressing potential migration waves from Haiti to the US today. The objective of this research paper is to explore the interconnected nature of crime, immigration, and social challenges faced by Haitian immigrants during the 1980s, shedding light on the historical context that laid the foundation for contemporary discussions on homeland security.

Faktor-Faktor di Balik Penangguhan Aksesi Kosovo ke Uni Eropa: Perspektif Keputusan Kolektif

The opportunity for membership expansion and the economic and political integration that was offered by the EU, Kosovo decided to join the EU. However, Kosovo's integration process into the European Union is still suspended due to several factors. Therefore, this research aims to explain the reason of the European Union has suspended Kosovo's membership application. This research uses an explanatory method with primary and secondary data. The data analysis technique used in this research is qualitative. This research uses the Decision-Making theory of Richard C. Snyder, H. W. Bruck and Burton Sapin. Research results show that the EU's decision to suspend Kosovo's membership application was influenced by internal and external factors. This internal factor is related to the normative values adopted by the European Union, which requires a unanimous decision of the European Council consisting of the heads of EU member states. However, there were 5 countries that rejected Kosovo's membership application proposal, namely Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Romania, and Slovakia because the five countries did not recognize Kosovo's sovereignty. Then there are external factors related to the Serbia-Kosovo conflict. After these considerations, the European Union suspended Kosovo's membership application. The European Union also supports the progress of Kosovo's accession process which is accompanied by the normalization of Kosovo-Serbia relations. The normalization of the Kosovo-Serbia relationship will also provide changes in the decisions of the five EU member states related to the recognition of Kosovo's sovereignty.

Liquid Regionalism in Latin America: The Institutional and Trade Dynamics of the Latin American Integration Association

The Latin American Integration Association (LAIA) represents a commercial integration process that exemplifies the concept of liquid regionalism. Its defining characteristics include a lack of commitment and interest among member states, coupled with a pronounced pursuit of trade alternatives beyond regional boundaries. Rather than evolving into a robust common market, LAIA has primarily functioned as a zone of tariff preferences.This article aims to highlight the fragility of commercial integration within LAIA and to analyze the strong tendency toward extra-regional trade, which undermines the foundational principles of Latin American regionalism. The study provides a comprehensive examination of the historical context, evolution, and institutional framework of LAIA, with a particular focus on intra-regional trade dynamics and the Association's interactions with other regions and countries.The analysis concludes that LAIA epitomizes liquid regionalism in Latin America, a characterization stemming from the limited commitment of its member states, the institutional flexibility that defines its operations, and the prioritization of extra-regional trade at the expense of achieving its original objectives of economic integration and cooperation.Although LAIA was conceived within the framework of open regionalism in Latin America, it has not developed into a fully-fledged regional integration process. Instead, its focus has remained narrowly confined to facilitating trade exchanges. The intergovernmental regionalism model underpinning LAIA has failed to progress toward the establishment of a free trade area, contradicting the objectives outlined in the Treaty of Montevideo.