Economic Opportunities Research Articles

Examining the effects of parental migration on youth mental health and substance use: a qualitative study in rural Yucatán, México

Examining the effects of parental migration on youth mental health and substance use: a qualitative study in rural Yucatán, México

Spatial spillover effects of fiscal expenditure and economic opportunity on internal migration in Taiwan

The purpose of this study was to understand the determining factors of in-migrant population registration in various counties or cities in Taiwan. Panel data from counties and cities in Taiwan from 2000 to 2021 were adopted, and spatial econometric analysis was conducted using the spatial Durbin model. In terms of spatial spillover effects, the in-migrant population of each county or city is influenced by the fiscal expenditure and economic opportunity factors of neighboring counties or cities, such as (1) expenditure on education, science and culture, (2) number of employed population, (3) average annual regular income per household, and (4) average disposable income per household.

Forging Romanitas: The Intersection of Urbanization and Identity in Mérida

This paper aims to explore the role of urbanization in the formation of a shared Roman identity during the time of the Roman Empire. By examining the physical features of urban settlements and the economic opportunities that arose from them, it seeks to understand how these factors contributed to the development of a cohesive identity across the empire’s vast and diverse territory. This paper will use examples from cities in the western regions of the empire, such as Pompeii and Mérida, to demonstrate how urbanization and the economic opportunities it brought forth helped create a sense of Romanness among diverse ethnic groups. It will also investigate the impact of building projects and intervention from wealthy elites in the fostering of a Roman identity through urbanization. This idea will then be tied into the role of Roman architecture and urban planning in the development of said identity, exemplified by the similarities and differences between settlements across the empire. At the same time, this paper will also consider the historical context in which these urban settlements emerged, examining how the broader geopolitical situation might have impacted urbanization. By analyzing the intersection between physical structures and economic opportunities brought about within Roman urban settlements, this paper hopes to shed light on the significance of urbanization as a driving force behind the formation of a shared Roman identity. This research will contribute to the broader understanding of cultural identity formation in ancient societies and the role of urbanization in shaping the collective consciousness of diverse populations.

Analysis of the Effect of Structural Transformation of The Economy

This study aims to analyze the impact of economic structural transformation on economic growth, income inequality, labor distribution, and community welfare. The method used is a literature study, by reviewing various academic literature, government agency reports, and case studies of countries that have undergone structural transformation. The results show that economic structural transformation generally increases economic growth and productivity through labor shifts from the primary sector to the secondary and tertiary sectors. These sectors tend to be more productive and efficient, resulting in increased output and new economic opportunities. However, these positive impacts are often accompanied by rising income inequality, as the industrial and service sectors offer higher compensation than the primary sector. In addition, this transformation brings significant changes to labor market dynamics, requiring new skills that the primary sector workforce may not possess, thus risking increased unemployment and skills gaps. From a social perspective, the structural transformation of the economy may lead to lifestyle changes and rapid urbanization, leading to infrastructure stress and social disintegration. To address these challenges, the study recommends a range of policies, including training and education programs that focus on inclusion, as well as income redistribution policies to reduce inequality. In conclusion, the structural transformation of the economy presents significant growth opportunities, but requires an inclusive and sustainable strategy to ensure its impact is felt equally across society. This study provides relevant recommendations for policymakers in managing economic structural transformation with a balanced approach between growth and social inclusion.

Dynamic Complexity of a Nicholson–Bailey Bioeconomic Model with Holling Type-II Functional Response

In this paper, we propose a host–parasitoid model with a Holling type-II functional response and incorporate harvest effort. The Holling type-II response leads to saturation in parasitized hosts, creating a potential economic harvesting opportunity. To address overexploitation risks, we integrate a harvest effort function, determining an optimal threshold to prevent depletion. We explore model dynamics and bifurcations, including co-dimension one behaviors such as flip and Neimark–Sacker bifurcations, we provide numerical examples for validation. Our suggested difference-algebraic model, compared to continuous-time models, exhibits rich dynamics within the Nicholson–Bailey host–parasitoid framework.

The evolution of calf nutrition

The milk-feeding period is a front and center welfare concern, as well as a huge economic opportunity for producers and veteri­narians alike. Calf nutrition has progressed from a simple, one-size-fits-all approach to a more sophisticated understanding of the role that early nutrition has in health and future productivity. Still, calves are the only age group where it is not routine to have a nutritionist who formulates the diet, provides feedback and evaluation of animal performance, and is responsible for out­comes of the program. Veterinarians could step in to provide this service. In this presentation, I discuss what incorporating calf nutrition into a dairy practice might look like, as well as some tools available to help accomplish it. Topics discussed include the role and economic value of improving early feed efficiency; research on the value of early nutrition for health and future pro­ductivity; and tips and strategies to implement increased milk feeding programs, including starter and weaning management.

Repurposing Industrial By-Products for Environmental Beneficial Applications : An Approach for Renewable Energy Production

Environmental pollution stemming from fossil fuel usage and industrial waste production poses significant challenges to global sustainability efforts. This research paper introduces a pioneering platform designed to facilitate collaboration between two key stakeholders: polluters generating waste and innovators seeking sustainable solutions. The platform aims to streamline the process of repurposing industrial by-products for environmentally beneficial applications, particularly in the realm of waste treatment and renewable energy production. Beginning with an overview of the pressing environmental issues caused by traditional energy production and waste generation processes, this paper underscores the urgent need for innovative approaches to mitigate pollution and promote sustainability. Through a comprehensive review of relevant literature, the research identifies opportunities to bridge the gap between polluters and innovators, laying the groundwork for the development of the sustainable resource management platform. Methodologically, the paper outlines the conceptualization and implementation of the platform, detailing its key features and functionalities. Central to its operation is the integration of user-friendly interfaces and robust data analytics capabilities, enabling efficient matchmaking between waste producers and potential users of by-products. Results from the platform's pilot implementation demonstrate its efficacy in fostering collaborative partnerships and promoting resource circularity. By connecting polluters with innovators capable of transforming waste into valuable resources such as biofuels and renewable energy, the platform facilitates a paradigm shift towards sustainable resource management practices. Discussion of the results addresses the broader implications of the platform for environmental conservation and sustainable development. Emphasizing its potential to drive positive environmental outcomes while fostering economic opportunities, the paper concludes by highlighting avenues for further research and expansion of the platform's functionalities. In summary, this research paper presents a novel approach to addressing environmental pollution and promoting resource efficiency through collaborative innovation, underscoring the importance of collective action in building a more sustainable future. Key Words: Enviroment pollution mitigation, climate safety, climate alert.

Community’s perception of buren site conservation in Upper Barito, Kalimantan, Indonesia

PurposeThis paper aims to describe and analyse the community’s perceptions of buren sites and how they maintain their value. Buren is a term used by locals to refer to the location of former iron ore smelting in the past. Archaeological findings at smelting sites are slags, ore fragments, tuyeres and smelting furnaces. These sites urgently need to be conserved because the expansion of oil palm plantations and coal mines is ongoing. Buren sites are on community and customary land, so site conservation and development must consider community perception.Design/methodology/approachThe primary data were gathered through interviews, group discussions and observation. A literature review of previous research results obtained secondary data. Interviews and group discussions were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim as qualitative coding. Thematic content analysis was performed using the concepts of the community’s perception and heritage values.FindingsThe community initially did not care about the buren. Today, they believe the buren as ancestral heritage has historical and educational value. The community hopes the buren can be preserved and developed to reinforce identity and pride as Dayak people and may improve community welfare.Research limitations/implicationsPreserving and developing buren sites necessitate serious planning involving multiple stakeholders, as well as incorporating buren sites into development plans and regional socioeconomic growth. Future research should focus on strategies for preserving and developing buren sites.Practical implicationsResearch results are used to teach students about the history and technology of metal making, instilling a sense of patriotism, strength and pride in Dayak’s identity.Social implicationsThe research has an impact on attitudes and behaviour of the locals. Previously, locals did not care about the buren tend to be afraid to enter it because they believed that buren was a guarded spirit. Now, the community has become concerned, participating in preserving the buren site as providing temporary roofs and making signboards and roads to the site. The community with support from regional officials expects to conserve and utilise the buren site as a tourist destination, combining river tours and forest tourism to create economic opportunities for local tour guides, parking services and boat providers.Originality/valueThe authenticity of this research is the sites are archaeologically valuable and are threatened by the expansion of oil palm plantations and coal mining. This is also the first study of an iron industrial site in Indonesia that addresses this problem and uses this method.

Social Capital and Community Development

Purpose: This study sought to investigate the concept of social capital and its role in promoting community development and resilience, with a focus on practical interventions and policy implications. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to social capital and community development. In this study on social capital and community development, while all authors contribute to the overarching theme, one author stands out for discussing a slightly different topic. Specifically, the author who emphasizes the economic advantages of robust social capital within a community diverges somewhat from the others. While the study as a whole examines various aspects of community development, including economic prosperity, social cohesion, and resilience, this particular author delves deeper into the specific mechanisms through which social capital enhances economic opportunities, such as access to resources, markets, and employment. Therefore, this author's focus on the economic dimension of social capital provides a unique perspective within the broader context of community development discussed by the other authors. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Social Capital theory, Community Empowerment theory and Structural Functionalism theory may be used to anchor future studies on the concept of social capital and its role in promoting community development and resilience. The study made several recommendations that contributed to theory, practice, and policy in the field. It suggested further exploration of the mechanisms linking social capital to community development outcomes, integration of social capital considerations into policy frameworks, and implementation of community-based interventions. Additionally, the study emphasized the importance of capacity-building efforts, collaborative partnerships among stakeholders, and robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. By investing in these recommendations, stakeholders aimed to foster resilient, inclusive, and thriving communities, leveraging social capital as a catalyst for positive social change.

117 Gene editing on the farm: Current status and future prospects

Abstract Livestock with enhanced disease resistance genes offer both health advantages to animals and economic opportunities for farmers aiming to meet the rising demand for affordable, high-quality protein. This study builds upon prior research that utilized gene editing to modify the porcine CD163 gene, demonstrating resistance to the RNA virus responsible for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). To amplify the impact of this disease resistance trait, it is crucial for it to be present in commercially significant breeding populations, facilitating the widespread production and distribution of resistant pigs. In pursuit of this objective, a groundbreaking gene editing program was implemented, leveraging CRISPR-Cas technology, next-generation DNA sequencing, in vitro and in vivo off-target analyses, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and a simplified breeding strategy. This innovative approach aimed to introduce a single modified CD163 allele into four genetically elite and diverse porcine lines, rendering the cells and animals resistant to PRRS virus (PRRSV) infection. The resulting founder population is currently undergoing large-scale phenotype testing, multiplication through classical breeding methods, ongoing genetic refinement, and poised for commercialization pending regulatory approvals. This presentation will provide insights into the process and data associated with this scaled production, marking a significant stride towards the realization of commercially elite PRRS virus resistant pigs.

Xenophobia: a hindrance factor to South Africa’s ambition of becoming a developmental state

The prevalence of xenophobic violence toward foreigners has hindered South Africa’s ambition to become a developmental state since 2007, when the concept of a “democratic developmental state” was first endorsed during the African National Congress (ANC) conference in Polokwane. This ambition has also been thwarted by the inability of the post-apartheid regime to provide adequate and sustainable services to the citizens. Xenophobia has disrupted economic growth and has contributed to poor service delivery in local municipalities, thus leading to social protests. The developmental state depends mainly on a solid balance of economic growth and human development. It also leans on the capacity of the state to establish policies that address poverty and promote the expansion of solid economic opportunities. In this endeavor, migrants increase economic growth and make it sustainable, increase productivity, and promote the labor market. They also promote the labor force and human capital, economic growth, and public finance, thus enabling the realization of a developmental state. However, xenophobia has limited migrants’ contributions to economic growth and social well-being in South Africa. It has destructive effects on South Africa’s economic structure and growth, thus affecting the delivery of adequate services that would enhance its ability to achieve a developmental state. The paper recommends that there is a need for South Africa to understand that xenophobia affects economic growth and the service delivery framework. To address the prevalence of xenophobia and achieve its ambition of a developmental state, South Africa needs to hasten its responses to curb xenophobia and integrate migrants into economic opportunities. The paper adopted a qualitative research methodology and conceptual and document analysis techniques to collect data that enabled the achievement of the above assertions.

Beyond Borders: A Review of Food Market Integration and Sustaiable Develomnet Goals

This paper presents a comprehensive review of food market integration research spanning 1990–2023, provides a thorough bibliography, and emphasizes its growth between developed and emerging economies. It evaluates 140 papers with the aim of highlighting the importance of price transmission, market stability and market integration in the food sector. The study provides an overview of econometric methodologies, review global assessment methods, and identifies the major elements that influence market integration, such as commerce, social capital, government interference, export policies, institutions, information, competition, and market power. The finding reveals a rise in research activities between 2000 and 2015, with a growing focus on developing countries. This work is to offer a synopsis to researchers, academicians, and policy makers on the extent of the food market both internationally and domestically. This paper will be helpful for the researchers interested in understanding and investigating the dynamics of food market integration with a useful resource by classifying previous works and identifying current developments. The review also offers commentary on current research and prospects and their implication in line with SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) as it promotes fair access to resources and economic opportunities.

“Our Kids are Going to Live their Future, Not our Past”: The Family Language Policies of Three Transnational Families

In recent decades, the field of family language policy (FLP) has expanded in breadth to reconceptualize the notion of family structure and the rich variety of motivations of transnational families. In an age spotlighted by the blurring of linguistic and cultural borders, this study was guided by one overarching question: As a parent, would you be willing to compromise the development of your child’s heritage language in exchange for your child increasing their social capital, improving their English language skills, and becoming a global citizen? Interviews were conducted with three sets of highly-educated, multilingual parents who lived abroad for work and to afford their children future linguistic, cultural, and economic opportunities. Results found that as the parents realized these opportunities, the children’s relationship to the parents’ first language and culture deteriorated; however, the parents took these challenges in stride, not losing sight of the skills their children were currently developing. Further, owing to their positive outlook, the parents considered their children’s heritage language attrition as a temporary outcome that the children could ameliorate down the road, should they so choose.

Social and Structural Determinants of Cardiovascular Complications of Diabetes.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in people who have diabetes. Racial and ethnic minorities with diabetes have suboptimal management of cardiovascular risk factors, leading to higher mortality. Social and structural determinants of health are external factors that influence an individual's ability to choose positive health behaviors. In this review, we will discuss cardiovascular complications in people who have diabetes and their relationship to social determinants of health (SDOH). Recent innovations in diabetes treatment, including new devices and medications, have improved care and survival. However, disparities in the availability of these treatments to racial and ethnic minorities may contribute to continued inequities in CVD outcomes. Racial/ethnic disparities in CVD relate to inequities in economic opportunity, education and health literacy, neighborhoods and social cohesion, and health care access and quality driven by structural racism.

Exploring the underwater life in transitional environments: Benthic foraminifera, ostracods, and dinoflagellate cysts – Biotic trends and EcoQS assessment in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Ionian sea, southern Italy)

Coastal areas have historically thrived as centers of human activities due to their resources, economic opportunities, and natural allure. The rapid growth of coastal populations has however brought forth a multitude of challenges to tackle, with pollution emerging as a significant and far-reaching issue. Our study focuses on the Mar Piccolo of Taranto (Ionian Sea, Southern Italy), a lagoon-like coastal basin (separated in two sub-basins) that, since decades, has been heavily affected by human activities and aquaculture, leading to environmental deterioration. Although past studies have looked at environmental conditions in the Mar Piccolo from a chemical perspective, the biological component (e.g., biological indicators) has been mostly neglected. In this study, we firstly aim to examine the distribution and diversity of foraminifera, ostracods, and dinoflagellate cysts in December 2016 and compare our findings with data collected in December 2011. Foraminiferal and ostracod communities exhibit similar patterns in the two sampling campaigns, while the communities of encysted dinoflagellates show differences concerning both densities and diversity. Then, we evaluate the Ecological Quality Status (EcoQS) using ecological indices. While the indices in the inner basin appear to reflect an actual ecological degradation, they yield conflicting results in the outer basin. In the outer basin, indeed, the indices overestimate the EcoQS. This study highlights the potential of these indices for characterizing the EcoQS but emphasizes the need for improvements in their reliability. This research also contributes to a more holistic understanding of environmental condition in the Mar Piccolo and underscores the importance of integrating biological quality elements into ecosystem management and remediation strategies.

How can emerging economies meet development and climate goals in the transport-energy system? Modelling co-developed scenarios in Kenya using a socio-technical approach

Transport-energy transitions pose complex challenges that have been extensively studied in high-income countries in response to national mandates for climate action. Low- and middle-income countries, however, have low but rapidly growing motorisation rates and face very different challenges in adopting new technologies to foster economic development and ensure equitable access to clean transportation. Here, we present a set of narrative scenarios for the future of the Kenyan transport-energy system co-developed through engagement with 41 local experts and decision-makers. Through the co-development of a Kenyan transport-energy system model, we present a decision-support tool, populated with those scenarios, to assist policymakers at regional, national and international levels in building policy and investment pipelines to support low-carbon economic growth. We find that Kenya’s transport-energy system can meet both development and climate goals, but this demands strong policy support for efficient public transport and targeted support for road vehicle electrification. Increased support for non-motorised transport is essential to provide equitable access to services and economic opportunities. Favourable pathways result in significant e-mobility uptake, which is anticipated to increase electricity demand by 5%–56% from 2023 to 2040, relative to the IEA Kenya Energy Outlook’s Stated Policies scenario, representing a 2.7–3.9x increase in Kenya’s total electricity demand over the same period. From a macro-fiscal perspective, results show that e-mobility has two important consequences for Kenya. Firstly, under high e-mobility scenarios, there is a negative fiscal impact that taxation revenues from the sale of transport fuels reduce by up to 41% relative to the low e-mobility scenario (though, notably, they still increase marginally from the 2023 level because of increasing transport demand). Secondly, high e-mobility scenarios have a positive impact on balance of payments by reducing the fuel import bill by up to 69% relative to the low e-mobility baseline. This corresponds to a reduction in foreign exchange requirement of up to $4.2bn annually by 2050.

Efficient Enzymatic Saccharification of Agricultural Wastes for the Production of Bioethanol, D-Allulose and lactic acid

The demand for renewable resources to replace fossil fuels has increased. Fruit and agricultural wastes can be fermented to yield biofuels and biochemicals. However, the high cost of the feedstock and limitations of the catalytic process hinder the application of such wastes. Therefore, we aimed to develop an efficient enzymatic saccharification process, without pretreatment, for fruit and agricultural wastes. The conversion rate of the mixed agricultural wastes (MAW) to fermentable sugars was approximately 91% after 24h. The ethanol yield increased by 4.5% after limonene removal. The D-allulose yield in the hydrolysate was 4.6mg/mL at 4 °C and 3.3mg/mL at 50 °C, whereas the fructose yield in the sugar medium was 13.2mg/mL at 4°C, demonstrating a high conversion yield of 73.2%. Lactic acid was produced at a conversion rate of approximately 67.4%. Therefore, this study presents a novel approach of the biosynthesis of functional sugars and chemicals from waste biomass, introducing a cost-effective enzymatic saccharification process that bypasses pretreatment, thereby enabling the production of biofuels, biochemicals, and functional sugars and opening up a promising economic opportunity in the field.

Factors of competitiveness of Russian grain on the world market and prospects for the development of grain farming in the context of increasing export potential

Factors of competitiveness of Russian grain on the world market and prospects for the development of grain farming in the context of increasing export potential

Building a bioenergy system towards a circular bioeconomy in Africa

Africa has much potential to spearhead the shift to a bio-based economy because of its high biodiversity and abundant natural resources. This article analysed the potential and current use and development of bioenergy as a basis for developing an integrated and sustainable bioenergy system to realize a circular bio-economy on the African continent. Current approaches involve utilizing biomass resources, including agricultural waste, forest residues, and energy crops, to produce clean and environmentally friendly bioenergy. Combining advanced technologies, such as thermal and biochemical conversion processes, increases bioenergy production efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. In addition to ecological benefits, these measures also expand economic opportunities in agriculture and related industries. However, the most significant challenges are appropriate regulatory policies, adequate supporting infrastructure, and access to financing. Furthermore, this article discusses integrating bioenergy systems with other sectors in the circular economy, including waste management, sustainable agriculture, and the biochemical industry. Additionally, the theoretical and strategic frameworks supporting the establishment of sustainable bioenergy systems in Africa are described in this paper, providing in-depth insights into the opportunities and challenges in this field and emphasizing the importance of global cooperation in achieving a circular Bioeconomy with positive environmental and economic impacts.

An inquest into the resource mobilization and utilization capacity of local leaders for community resilience to agriculture-threatening droughts and floods

The main objective of the study was to analyze the relationship between resource mobilization and utilization capacity of local leaders and community resilience to droughts and floods in Lower Muzarabani District of the Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe. Continual exposure to the hydro-climatic disasters of droughts and floods in Lower Muzarabani has accelerated the vulnerability of poor rural communities, plunging them deeper into poverty and preventing them from taking advantage of economic opportunities. With Lower Muzarabani faced with increasing magnitude, frequency and intensity of droughts and floods, the need for concerted efforts towards building disaster-resilient communities can never be overemphasized. The Conjoint Community Resilience Assessment Model (CCRAM) Household Questionnaire was used to collect data in face-to-face interviews among the sampled households. in Lower Muzarabani. The original CCRAM Model structure, consisting of 5 disaster-resilience factors (Leadership, Collective Efficacy, Preparedness, Place Attachment, and Social Trust) and 28 items, was used as the basis for the survey. The multi-stage sampling method was used in selecting the 200 households for the survey. The major finding obtained with the use of the Pearson Bivariate Correlation Analysis and Linear Regression Analysis was that the efficiency and effectiveness of resource mobilization and utilization activities (represented in the CCRAM model by the preparedness factor) significantly and positively influence community resilience to the hydro-climatic disasters of droughts and floods in Lower Muzarabani.