Economic Structure Research Articles

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.

Abstract PO2-11-09: European Lobular Breast Cancer Advocates: Bridging the Geographical Gaps in Lobular Breast Cancer Education and Awareness

Abstract Introduction In 2019, Invasive Lobular Cancer (ILC) Patient Advocates attended the 3rd meeting of the European Lobular Breast Cancer Consortium (ELBCC), a scientific community focused on lobular research and treatment. European Lobular Breast Cancer Advocates (ELBCA) now have a network of ILC patient advocates across Europe. ILC is classified by the World Health Organisation as the most common Special Type of Breast Cancer. In 2022 there were 576,300 diagnoses of breast cancer in Europe, 15% ~86,500 were ILC. ILC is a histologically distinct breast cancer with diverse presentations including a tendency to metastasize to unique locations. Current endocrine therapies may have different effectiveness for ILC making treatment challenging. Current imaging tools are often unreliable with up to 30% of ILC tumours not identified on mammograms and detection is often delayed. Challenges There are no standardised European diagnostic or treatment protocols for ILC. ELBCA addresses this with collaborative efforts between ILC medical professionals and researchers. It’s a major challenge because each European country has a different health care system and economic policy structure. It’s also a challenge to streamline the translation of clinically accurate information to European patients in their own language. Not all European countries are members of the EU, there are a minimum of 24 official European languages. Established European breast cancer patient organizations often don’t distinguish between different histological subtypes. Current European policy and administrative processes have hindered the formation of a not-for-profit Advocacy Organization. Without such an organization, fundraising and collaborative efforts with others is difficult. Conclusions ELBCA has made significant progress towards raising awareness and increasing knowledge of ILC across Europe. Our poster will expand on these accomplishments as well as the following goals: Work with European and International ILC research and patient communities to better understand this unique histological subtype. Elevate ILC research priorities and inform European policy to recognize ILC as a distinct disease. Enhance education of ILC among primary HCP’s and patients. Establish a recognized European ILC Advocacy Organization and collaborate with established BC organizations. Attend major BC research and clinical conferences. Lobby to achieve increased funding for ILC research and clinical trials. Citation Format: Siobhan Freeney, Helene Bonval, Esther Geven, Lori Petitti, Rian Terveer, Claire Turner, Cathrin Brisken, Patrick Derksen, Christine Desmedt, Thijs Koorman, ADRIAN LEE, Steffi Oesterreich, Anne Salomon, George Sflomos, Karen Van Baelen, Tone Lien, Damir Vareslija, Sabine Linn. European Lobular Breast Cancer Advocates: Bridging the Geographical Gaps in Lobular Breast Cancer Education and Awareness [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO2-11-09.

The influence of economic policies on social environments and mental health.

Despite increased advocacy and investments in mental health systems globally, there has been limited progress in reducing mental disorder prevalence. In this paper, we argue that meaningful advancements in population mental health necessitate addressing the fundamental sources of shared distress. Using a systems perspective, economic structures and policies are identified as the potential cause of causes of mental ill-health. Neoliberal ideologies, prioritizing economic optimization and continuous growth, contribute to the promotion of individualism, job insecurity, increasing demands on workers, parental stress, social disconnection and a broad range of manifestations well-recognized to erode mental health. We emphasize the need for mental health researchers and advocates to increasingly engage with the economic policy discourse to draw attention to mental health and well-being implications. We call for a shift towards a well-being economy to better align commercial interests with collective well-being and social prosperity. The involvement of individuals with lived mental ill-health experiences, practitioners and researchers is needed to mobilize communities for change and influence economic policies to safeguard well-being. Additionally, we call for the establishment of national mental wealth observatories to inform coordinated health, social and economic policies and realize the transition to a more sustainable well-being economy that offers promise for progress on population mental health outcomes.

BANKING SECTOR DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: A BOOTSTRAP PANEL GRANGER CAUSALITY ANALYSIS

The purpose of this paper is to revisit the Granger causal relationship between banking sector development and economic growth for forty developing countries in the period 1970-2012. We devised two indices to comprehensively assess the development of the banking sector and employed a panel bootstrapped approach for Granger causality testing. This method adequately addresses concerns related to cross-sectional dependence and heterogeneity. Our empirical findings offer modest backing for the supply-leading, demand-following, and complementarity hypotheses. Moreover, our analysis suggests a causal relationship between banking sector development and economic growth across twenty-five countries. This paper investigates the relationship between banking sector development and economic growth in developing countries using a Bootstrap Panel Granger Causality Analysis. The banking sector plays a crucial role in fostering economic development by mobilizing savings, allocating capital efficiently, and channeling investments into productive sectors. However, the precise nature of the causal linkages between banking sector development and economic growth remains subject to empirical scrutiny, particularly in the context of developing economies characterized by diverse institutional settings and economic structures. Employing a panel data approach, this study examines the causal dynamics between banking sector development and economic growth across a sample of developing countries. By leveraging the richness of cross-country variation and time-series dynamics, we aim to provide a nuanced understanding of the symbiotic relationship between banking sector development and economic growth. Our discoveries illuminate the causal connection between banking sector advancement and economic growth in developing nations, presenting significant insights for policymakers, economists, and scholars. Through informing policy discussions and promoting data-driven decision-making, this research contributes to the crucial goals of sustainable development and inclusive growth in developing economies.

The New Economics of Industrial Policy

We discuss the considerable literature that has developed in recent years providing rigorous evidence on how industrial policies work. This literature is a significant improvement over the earlier generation of empirical work, which was largely correlational and marred by interpretational problems. On the whole, the recent crop of papers offers a more positive take on industrial policy. We review the standard rationales and critiques of industrial policy and provide a broad overview of new empirical approaches to measurement. We discuss how the recent literature, paying close attention to measurement, causal inference, and economic structure, is offering a nuanced and contextual understanding of the effects of industrial policy. We re-evaluate the East Asian experience with industrial policy in light of recent results. Finally, we conclude by reviewing how industrial policy is being reshaped by a new understanding of governance, a richer set of policy instruments beyond subsidies, and the reality of deindustrialization.

Sources and human health risks associated with potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in urban dust: A global perspective

Long-term exposure to urban dust containing potentially toxic elements (PTEs) poses detrimental impacts on human health. However, studies estimating human health risks in urban dusts from a global perspective are scarce. We evaluated data for twelve PTEs in urban dusts across 59 countries from 463 published articles, including their concentrations, input sources, and probabilistic risks to human health. We found that 34.1 and 60.3% of those investigated urban dusts have been heavily contaminated with As and Cd, respectively. The input of PTEs was significantly correlated with economic structure due to emissions of industrial activities and traffic emissions being the major sources. Based on the Monte Carlo simulation, we found that the mean hazard index below the safe threshold (1.0) could still cause non-negligible risks to human health. Arsenic and Cr were the major PTEs threatening human health, and relatively high risk levels were observed in cities in China, Korea, Chile, Malaysia, and Australia. Importantly, our analysis suggested that PTEs threaten the health of approximately 92 million adults and 280 million children worldwide. Overall, our study provides important foundational understanding and guidance for policy decision-making to reduce the potential risks associated with PTE exposure and to promote sustainable development of urban economies.

Concrete Structures Reinforced with FRP BAR

Abstract: Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars have been widely used in civil engineering used as a substitute for steel reinforcement because it has many advantages such as high strength-to-weight ratio, electromagnetic neutrality, light weight, ease of handling and no corrosion. Moreover, the productive technology becomes more and more mature and industrialized so that FRP has become one economic and competitive structure material. Based on the recent researches, this paper mainly introduces progress in the studies on concrete structures reinforced with FRP bars. These contents in this paper includes the bond performance of FRP bars in concrete, Compression Behavior, flexural behavior, and ductility of concrete structure reinforced with FRP bars in the past few years in the world .

Moderating Role of Economic Development’s on Zakat Success Factors and Compliance: A Saudi Arabian Perspective

The paper report a result of an investigation in the moderating influence of economic development on the relationship between zakat success factors and compliance to pay zakat, focusing on key factors such as zakat awareness, support for zakat practices, understanding zakat application, and willingness to implement zakat. Data from 250 respondents within the General Authority of Zakat and Tax (GAZT) in Saudi Arabia were collected using a quantitative approach using questionnaires. Analysis was conducted utilizing AMOS 20 and SPSS 20.1 software. The study reveals a positive direct effect of zakat success factors on compliance to pay zakat, with economic development playing a crucial moderating role. This underscores the significance of economic development in influencing the relationship between zakat awareness, support for zakat practices, and zakat compliance. The practical implications extend to zakat institutions, urging them to enhance strategies for transparency and compliance by securing additional resources for development and organizing educational initiatives to cultivate positive attitudes towards zakat. The research contributes uniquely to the literature by incorporating economic development as a mediator in the zakat success factors and compliance relationship, offering valuable insights for researchers, economists, and zakat institutions. The findings emphasize the multifaceted impact of zakat on economic structures, social transformation, poverty reduction, and inequality. Additionally, the study highlights zakat's role in achieving sustainable economic growth and reducing social issues, advocating for its integration as a financial system to address challenges in the Muslim world. Despite limitations in respondent selection and timeframe, the research opens avenues for future studies, suggesting a broader exploration of Zakat's impact on sustainable development, climate change, wealth distribution, and economic transformation.

Are financial sanctions truly “smart”? Evidence from the perspective of cross‐border capital flows

AbstractFew studies are found to examine the impact of financial sanctions on cross‐border capital flows. Using a panel data from 48 countries from 2000 to 2019, this paper aims to examine the impact of financial sanctions on the volatility of cross‐border capital flows. We employ difference‐in‐differences (DID) and spatial DID (SDID) models, showing the result that financial sanctions lead to an exacerbation of the volatility of cross‐border capital inflows and outflows in the targeted country, with the channel of negative impact on the financial sector in the targeted country. The subsample regressions indicate heterogeneous impacts of financial sanctions depending on economic structure and capital account openness. Additionally, the result of the SDID model shows that financial sanctions cause cross‐border transmission of financial risks, and that the spatial spillover effect of financial sanctions will also have negative economic impacts on other countries in addition to the target country. The significance of this study lies in emphasizing that international financial sanctions affect the economy of target countries through cross‐border capital flows. Meanwhile, we confirm that financial sanctions pose a certain threat to global financial stability.

Peran Pertanian dalam Pengembangan Ekonomi: Penilaian Transformasi Struktural dan Dinamika Pertumbuhan Ekonomi

By understanding the role of agriculture in economic development holistically, this research aims to provide policy makers, practitioners, and academics with deeper insights on how to enhance the role and contribution of the agricultural sector in achieving inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Through a careful evaluation of the structural transformation and dynamics of economic growth in the agricultural sector, this research is expected to provide valuable guidance in formulating more effective and future-oriented policies. In this study, the use of qualitative methods involved a variety of techniques and approaches. By using these qualitative methods, the research was able to explore various complex aspects of how agriculture plays a role in economic development, including the challenges, opportunities, social dynamics, and policies that affect it. Research results The agricultural sector is an important part of a country's economic structure, involving a wide range of activities from production to distribution of agricultural products. While agriculture is often the dominant sector in the early stages of economic development, its role continues to change as the economy develops. The role of the agricultural sector is crucial in feeding the population, creating jobs, and contributing to economic growth, especially in developing countries. However, agricultural activities can also have significant impacts on the environment, such as land degradation and ecosystem damage.  

Looking at the bid picture: A framework for identifying reverse auctions in ecological systems.

Biological market theory can be used to explain intraspecific cooperation, interspecific mutualism, and sexual selection through models of game theory. These models describe the interactions between organisms as two classes of traders (buyers/sellers) exchanging commodities in the form of goods (e.g. food, shelter, matings) and services (e.g. warning calls, protection). Here, we expand biological market theory to include auction theory where bidding serves to match buyers and sellers. In a reverse auction, the seller increases the value of the item or decreases the cost until a buyer steps forward. We provide several examples of ecological systems that may have reverse auctions as underlying mechanisms to form mutualistic relationships. We focus on the yellow baboon (Papio cynocephalus) mating system as a case study to propose how the mechanisms of a reverse auction, which have the unintended but emergent consequence of producing a mutually beneficial outcome that improves collective reproductive benefits of the troop in this multi-female multi-male polygynandrous social system. For the yellow baboon, we posit that the "seller" is the reproductively cycling female, and the "buyer" is a male looking to mate with a cycling female. To the male, the "item for the sale" is the opportunity to sire an offspring, the price is providing safety and foraging time (via consortship) to the female. The "increasing value of the item for sale" is the chance of conception, which increases with each cycle since a female has resumed cycling post-partum. The female's sexual swelling is an honest indicator of that cycle's probability of conception, and since resident males can track a female's cycle since resumption, there is transparency. The males presumably know the chance of conception when choosing to bid by offering consortship. Across nature, this reverse auction game likely exists in other inter- and intraspecific social relationships. Considering an ecological system as a reverse auction broadens our view of social evolution and adaptations through the lens of human economic structures.

El Nacionalismo en la Lucha por la Independencia de las Colonias en África (Angola)

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of Nationalism on the struggle for Independence in the colonies in Africa, with particular emphasis on the case of Angola. The objective of this work is to assess the changes that took place on the Continent from 1888 to 1910, marked by the conquest and occupation of almost the entire African Continent by Western imperialist powers; followed by the effective implementation and installation of the colonial system as an administrative system in the second half of the century. XIX, division and definition of geographic spaces. In fact, the year 1910 was essentially characterized by the consolidation and exploitation of that system, causing major distortions in the economic, social and cultural structures of the dominated territories. The appeal written at the Manchester Congress (1945) to the colonized peoples, expressly advised that all colonies should be freed from foreign imperialist control, both political and economic, and fight by all means to achieve these objectives. The use of qualitative research based on bibliography related to these themes, the inductive-deductive method allowed the (construction) of ideas of a passive Africa, embodied in the emergence of movements that aimed at the overthrow of the colonial system. In effect, with the end of World War II, the process of decolonization began, resulting in a more reinvigorated, radical and consequential African nationalism. This means a more conscious, enlightened and enlightening continental nationalism, better structured and politically framed and represented internationally and with qualitatively higher levels of political and cultural organization, with the year 1960 being marked as the year of Africa, with the outbreak of the various independence of respective African countries and consequent recovery and affirmation of socio-historical, political and cultural identity, hidden by colonization.

Factors affecting the Academic Performance of Elementary Learners under Nuclear, Extended, and Single Families

The primary objective of this investigation was to evaluate the various factors that impact the academic performance of students belonging to nuclear, extended, and single-parent families. The research methodology employed in this study was Descriptive Correlational Research Design. A purposive sampling technique was utilized to extract the sample consisting of pupils enrolled in grades 4, 5, and 6. Statistical techniques such as frequency count, percentage mean, standard deviation, and Spearman rank correlation were employed to analyze the collected data and to investigate the correlation between family structure and academic performance. The study identified Parental Education as an essential contributor to students' achievements in the context of this research. The results highlight the intricate interaction between demographic factors and academic performance, emphasizing the need for customized educational policies and interventions that cater to various family models. Hence, it is concluded that the findings emphasize income's pivotal role, especially within Single-Parent profiles, impacting academic outcomes. Parental education significantly influences students' achievements, revealing the intricate interplay of demographics and academic performance. Hence further, recommendations were tailored educational policies targeting economic support, parental engagement, and diverse family structures are crucial for effective interventions and optimal academic outcomes.

The Impact of Educational Investment on Economic Development in Society

This paper explores in depth how China's investment in education since the 21st century has had a significant impact on the country's economic development. With the advent of globalization and knowledge-based economy, education has become a key factor to promote social progress and enhance national competitiveness. This paper analyzes the financial support of the Chinese government in basic education, higher education and vocational and technical education, and examines the positive effects of these investments on the optimization of the labor market, scientific and technological innovation capacity and the overall economic structure. In future development, more attention should be paid to improving the per capita education level rather than merely pursuing quantitative expansion. This means that we must make reasonable policies to guide resources to poor areas and narrow the gap between urban and rural areas. Improving the continuing education system; Encourage enterprises to participate in vocational and technical training; And to strengthen the construction of teachers and curriculum reform and other soft power investment. Only such a comprehensive and in-depth education reform and development strategy can ensure the steady and rapid growth of the national economy while having the inherent resilience to resist external risks and challenges, and achieve sustainable prosperity in the true sense.

“Knowing these stories”

In this article, I explore the ways participants in underground dance music (UDM) scenes learn about the political, historical, and social context of their leisure pursuit, such as its queer-of-colour roots, gender dynamics, and economic structures. Semi-structured interviews and information horizon mapping with three Toronto UDM scene members revealed that the online and physical spaces of UDM served as information grounds for the participants’ initial serendipitous discovery of social context information, which led to further intentional seeking in books, libraries, and beyond. Established UDM information sources and normative expectations shaped the participants’ information behaviour, leading them to infer the political stances of DJs and other scene participants based on musical taste and identity. Finally, social context information shapes the participants' experiences of UDM, affecting their sense of community, safety, and belonging. The serious leisure perspective has thus far focused on information behaviours related to the pursuit of the hobby itself, such as, in the present context, finding events or learning to DJ. This study opens up a new direction by considering how social context information flows through and shapes the social world of the hobby. As rising mainstream awareness of structural oppressions leads to more people and communities considering how these oppressions manifest in every aspect of their lives, this perspective will be germane to information behaviour studies in several contexts.

Research on Modern Corporate Cost Management and Cost Control Methods

With the continuous deepening of economic system reform and the advancement of economic structure transformation in China, the business environment for enterprises is becoming increasingly complex and competitive pressures are intensifying. In such a context, enterprises that wish to develop stably amidst fierce industry competition should actively adopt and implement modern corporate management concepts, enhancing the level of operational management comprehensively. Cost management, as a core component of modern enterprise management, is crucial not only for the economic benefits of a company but also directly relates to its market competitiveness. However, many companies still face numerous problems in cost management. To address these issues, modern enterprises must face the current situation and adopt effective measures. On the one hand, the importance of cost management should be emphasized through education to enhance everyone's awareness of costs. On the other hand, the procedures for cost accounting must be standardized to ensure the accuracy and reliability of cost data. Moreover, it is essential to continuously explore and introduce advanced cost control methods to improve the effectiveness of cost control and cost management levels, thus providing a solid guarantee for the stable and healthy development of the company and meeting the needs of sustainable development in the future.

Scale or effectiveness? The nonlinear impact of talent agglomeration on high-quality economic development in China

Talent agglomeration serves as a vital pathway for achieving high-quality economic development. This paper, based on provincial panel data from China spanning 2011–2020, first analyses the impact of talent agglomeration on high-quality economic development from two dimensions: the talent agglomeration scale and effectiveness. Second, with innovation activity as a threshold variable, this paper explores the nonlinear impact of the talent agglomeration scale and effectiveness on economic efficiency improvement and economic structure optimization. This study finds that (1) the main driving force for high-quality economic development within the sample period comes from the talent agglomeration scale, while the promoting role of talent agglomeration effectiveness has not yet passed significant tests. (2) Under different levels of innovation activity, the talent agglomeration scale has a diminishing marginal utility impact on economic efficiency improvement and economic structure optimization; talent agglomeration effectiveness also has different nonlinear effects on economic efficiency improvement and economic structure optimization.

Beyond cemeteries – excavation of a settlement of Poieneşti-Lucaşeuca Culture in Ivancea, Republic of Moldova

Summary The Poieneşti-Lucaşeuca-culture (late 3rd to second half of the 1st century BC), which is distributed in the forest steppe between the east Carpathian Mountains and the river Dniestr, is seen as the result of an immigration of groups from the Jastorf area in North-East Germany. This concept is based on cemeteries: both the form of the grave4s and their material culture (ceramics, jewellery, costume) are foreign in the area, but show clear connections to the North and the North-West. Up to now large settlement excavations are missing that would allow for an evaluation of that concept based on settlement and economic structures as well as on the material culture of everyday life. The project that is presented here with first results, aims to that desideratum. With surveys and test excavations as a starting point on different sites in Central part of Republic of Moldova, the authors are excavating the Poieneşti-Lucaşeuca settlement of Ivancea-Sub Pădure on a large scale. The project is funded by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. The paper presents first results like different post buildings and pit dwellings, the spectrum of small finds and a selection of the numerous ceramics including greek imports, and discusses the connectivity that becomes visible. The post buildings have no regional parallels and seem to have the best parallels in the Northwest. In opposite to that the small finds show a broad entanglement especially to the south and West and thus contradict the evidence from the grave. Also, in opposite to the graves the settlement ceramics show clear regional traditions, bus also relations to the North and the Northeast.

International Trade and Income Inequality: The Case of Latin American Countries

ABSTRACT The literature suggests that international trade may have different results over income inequality according to a country’s trade and economic structure. The main goal of this article is to analyze the impact of international trade on income inequality in Latin American countries between 1997 and 2020. Our results suggest that international trade variables, such as trade openness and economic complexity, are highly significant and have impacted the income distribution. The results show that following the process of trade openness, the “simplification” of the economy led to a reduction in income inequality in the region.

The Role of Trade Unions in the Privatization of Auxiliary Jobs in the Croatian Public Sector

The aim of this article is to show the unconstitutional role of public sector trade unions in the restructuring of the Croatian public sector. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia rejected all referendum proposals of the trade unions that blocked the process of restructuring the public sector, pointing out to them that such blanket bans may restrict or prevent changes without which there will be no progress in the implementation of the necessary economic, social, political and administrative reforms, and thus no progress of society itself. The public sector unions have proven to be major opponents of all market reforms that Croatian society and the state should implement. The paper also analyzes the importance of the new public administration that creates the conditions for the implementation of Article 49 of the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia: " Entrepreneurial and market freedom are the basis of the economic structure of the Republic of Croatia.". A SWOT analysis of the privatization of auxiliary technical professions is also presented.