Unemployment Research Articles

State-of-the-Art Practice in Sustainable Finance Existing Evidence and Future Outlooks

This systematic literature review explores the economic impact of sustainable finance, examining the debate on the role of natural resources in economic growth. The study identifies the positive economic impacts of sustainable finance, using a comprehensive search for relevant literature. Several themes were identified from the 34 journal articles included in the study: enhanced innovation, job creation and economic growth, positive reputational impact, improved risk management, improved access to capital, and increased investments in sustainable economic activities. These themes outline the economic impact of sustainable finance. The study focuses on the positive economic effects of sustainable finance

Measuring the impact of the economic balance goals on the economic growth of the Iraqi economy for the period (1990-2023)

Achieving economic balance is a multifaceted and ongoing goal. Its achievement requires effective policy making and strategic investments capable of adapting to changing economic conditions. It is a dynamic goal that governments and policy makers around the world seek to achieve for the benefit of their countries by implementing a set of strategies and plans that will Achieving a more balanced and resilient economy, ultimately leading to greater prosperity and improved quality of life for the community. The research aims to determine the impact of the objectives of economic balance (national income, unemployment rate, inflation rate) on economic growth in the Iraqi economy for the period (1990-2023), and to determine the impact of inflation, unemployment, and national income as objectives of economic balance and how they affect economic growth. The researcher relied on the descriptive analytical method, The study also recommended the need for coordination and harmonization between monetary and financial policy so that there is no contradiction between the goals and the possibility of achieving stability, reducing inflation and unemployment rates, and achieving economic growth through testing the limits of co-integration within the autoregressive methodology of distributed time lag based on the existence of a long-term equilibrium relationship between the rate of economic growth and national income. And the rate of unemployment and inflation, although the decline in economic growth was mainly caused by wrong policies and the state’s control over the overall economic activity and the accompanying mismanagement and the inability to diagnose the effective factors in achieving development and the loss of the standards necessary to make appropriate economic decisions, which was reflected in the overall economic activity and was accompanied by that. High unemployment rates in the Iraqi economy.

The role and impact of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry in Thailand

This research paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the pivotal role and profound impact that the MICE industry plays in the beautiful country of Thailand. An attempt has been made to give significance to this multi-billion-dollar industry, which has not only been boosting the economy of the nation but also shaping and enriching its tourism landscape. It broadly defines the concept of the MICE industry primarily going deep into the understanding of the multi-composites involved within it and meeting its diversity-strength of incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. Thus, a framework has been developed from this process, important to the ensuing analysis of Thailand's unique positionality as a Southeast Asia leader for MICE destinations. Against this background, the richness of the culture of Thailand, trademark hospitality, and the strategic geographical location are seen as major driving elements toward its success as a favorite destination for events related to MICE. The next section highlights the economic impact of the MICE Industry in Thailand. It also describes in detail, through voluminous data and rigorous analysis, the immense generation of revenue, creation of jobs, and infrastructure development in direct relation to MICE activities. This quantification acts to attest to the huge potential and transformative power that the MICE industry can bring about in the overall economic growth and prosperity of Thailand. While the paper acknowledges the astonishing success of the MICE industry, it never fails to discuss its challenges. It gives light to various challenges that are, or may be, threatening for the continued success of the industry, such as political instability and emerging competition. Additionally, environmental considerations are given due to the research, with an emphasis on the need for sustainable practices within the MICE sector. In the process of identifying these challenges, the study further identifies a set of opportunities that exist for the sustainable growth and innovation of Thailand's MICE industry. It identifies various effective strategies that could be adopted to enhance the position of Thailand within the global MICE market. This includes strategies related to increased collaboration between the government and private sectors in substantial investment in infrastructure, and a focus on promoting and implementing sustainability throughout the industry. In all, this meta-research study sends across that the MICE industry plays an important role in knowledge exchange, economic growth, and global connectivity. Thus, it creates a sense of optimism and exuberance from the comprehensive outlook toward the future potential of the MICE industry in Thailand and continued growth and success within this vibrant and diverse nation.

Effectiveness of active labour market policies for job creation and earnings of the self-employed

Self-employed workers represent a significant share of the workforce in the main European countries. The recent COVID-19 crisis, followed by the conflict in Ukraine, has highlighted the unique challenges faced by this type of worker: income volatility, limited employment protection, and greater financial responsibility. In light of these challenges, it is essential to understand how active labour market policies influence their wage conditions (earnings) and ability to generate employment in order to ensure adequate employment protection and promote sustainable economic growth. This study analyses how the application of eight different policies affects self-employed people’s earnings and job creation, comparing participants and non-participants. Using an ad hoc survey, a random sample of 1265 self-employed people from the south of Spain was collected. The results of the propensity score matching method (PSM) and logistic regression models revealed that three types of ALMPs: free training programmes, low-interest loans, and the subsidy for hiring workers had a significant impact on job creation by the group of beneficiaries. Additionally, although training programmes and hiring subsidies showed positive effects on the average earnings of policy beneficiaries in the PSM analysis, these effects were not significantly verified when applying the logistic regression models. Despite the growing body of research that identifies the positive impacts of subsidies on self-employment outcomes, very little is known about the additional effects on earnings. We present the first estimation of the joint impact and provide policymakers with new evidence of the added value of training programmes and subsidies for hiring on earnings and job creation.

The impact of firm-level innovation on labor productivity and employment in selected African countries

The paper examines the impact of different types of innovations—such as process, product, and R&D—on labor productivity and employment across several African nations. Utilizing data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey, the study constructs pseudo-panel data based on legal status, firm size, and industry type and employs the propensity score matching and the dose–response model to explore the relationship between innovation and labor market outcomes. The descriptive analysis indicates that 2,673 firms are engaged in at least one of the innovation activities, and 250 firms do not have any innovation activities. The propensity score matching finds that the overall combined effect of all types of innovation is statistically significant and has a positive effect on the employment of non-production workers and skilled workers, but it harms their productivity. Not only this, but it has also a negative impact on the productivity of permanent, and unskilled workers. The only positive impact goes to the productivity of production workers. Except for skilled labor, no segments of the labor force have been impacted by product innovation, but it has statistically significant influences on the productivity of all types of workers, still, production workers received a positive influence. It also finds that process innovation positively influences the productivity of production workers and the employment of skilled, non-production, and production workers. On the other hand, permanent, non-production, and skilled employees respond negatively to process innovation. Regarding R&D innovation, except for production workers, all are negatively impacted and statistically significant. On employment creation, R&D has also a positive and statistically significant impact on employment except for permanent employees. On top of this, the findings of the dose–response function are also in line with the propensity score matching method except for the combined effect of innovation on production workers. In other words, the intensity has a declining dose effect while innovation has a growing effect by the propensity score method for production workers. Additionally, the dose–response function shows a strong positive correlation between the intensity of innovation and skilled workers with various trends as well as permanent employees. The effect is initially diminishing for unskilled workers and non-production workers, but it gradually increases over time. In general, the finding challenges the assumption that innovation uniformly improves productivity, instead revealing a more complex dynamic where job creation comes at the cost of lower productivity in certain labor segments.

Navigating Socio-Technical Challenges in Energy Efficiency: Case Studies on Hybrid Pumped-Hydropower Storage in Poland and Greece

This study examines the socio-technical challenges and public acceptance of hybrid pumped-hydropower storage (HPHS) technology within the broader context of energy transition in two European coal-mining regions: Western Macedonia, Greece, and the Łódzkie Region, Poland. These regions, deeply rooted in lignite mining, face profound socio-economic transformations driven by the EU Green Deal and its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The transition from coal dependency to renewable energy represents not only a critical environmental goal but also a significant socio-economic challenge for local communities, necessitating innovative and inclusive strategies to mitigate impacts and ensure equitable outcomes. The research integrates desk studies with stakeholder surveys (n = 129) to assess public awareness, perceived impacts, and acceptance of HPHS technology as a repurposing solution for decommissioned open-pit lignite mines. Results reveal that while awareness of the energy transition process is high (90% in Western Macedonia and 80% in Łódzkie Region), familiarity with HPHS technology varies significantly (76% and 48%, respectively). Support for implementing HPHS in former mining sites is stronger in Western Macedonia (73%) compared to Łódzkie Region (63%), with knowledge of HPHS correlating positively with acceptance (r = 0.83, p < 0.01). Both regions recognize the environmental benefits of HPHS, including improved air quality and biodiversity; yet, socio-economic challenges such as job losses, reduced income levels, and limited opportunities for reskilling persist, particularly in Łódzkie Region, where 77% of respondents view the energy transition as negatively impacting the labor market. By focusing on regions historically dependent on mining, this study highlights the critical role of addressing the unique needs of communities undergoing systemic transformation. The repurposing of former lignite mines into HPHS facilities offers a promising pathway for balancing environmental objectives with local socio-economic revitalization. However, success requires region-specific strategies, including transparent communication, stakeholder involvement, and targeted investment in workforce adaptation and infrastructure. These findings contribute to the growing discourse on how socially inclusive and technically feasible solutions can drive equitable energy transitions in post-mining regions.

Sociodemographic and Clinical Determinants of the Quality of Life of Moroccan People With Multiple Sclerosis.

The quality of life (QOL) of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is considerably poorer than the QOL of people with other chronic diseases. QOL management should not be restricted to only clinical aspects but also factors modifying QOL. The aim of this study was to identify the sociodemographic and clinical determinants of QOL in people with MS. A cross-sectional study conducted from 2022 to 2023 included 200 participants aged 18 and over recruited from the Hassan II University Medical Hospital in Fez, Morocco. QOL assessment was performed using the Arabic version of the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54) questionnaire. Univariate analysis using Student t test, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation was performed, followed by multiple linear regression analysis to determine the main factors associated with QOL. QOL was impaired in the physical health (PH) (48.51±22.08) and mental health (MH) (48.69±17.18) components of the MSQOL-54. Male sex, unemployment, and high scores on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were factors significantly associated with lower scores on both the PH and MH components. In contrast, later age at MS diagnosis and older age were significantly associated with worse PH and MH, respectively. EDSS score was a strong predictor of QOL (PH: β = -34.983; 95% CI, -39.64 to -30.31; MH: β = -23.383; 95% CI, -27.62 to -19.14). The results highlight the importance of sociodemographic and clinical determinants of QOL. Clinicians need to integrate a biopsychosocial approach into therapeutic education programs, considering the risk factors and specific needs of people with MS to optimize their QOL.

A Conceptual Framework for the Upcycling Supply Chain in the Wood Sector

This paper highlights the importance of sustainable practices in supply chain management, focusing on upcycling as a key approach to transforming discarded materials into valuable products. It proposes a conceptual framework based on state-of-art and action research, which integrates traditional wood upcycling with secondary material recovery, addressing gaps in the existing literature and promoting collaboration among manufacturers, waste managers, and designers. The framework emphasizes circular economy practices in the wood sector, aiming to enhance resource efficiency, reduce waste, foster innovation, and support job creation. Key aspects of the conceptual framework for the upcycling supply chain in the wood sector include supply chain restructuring, valorizing secondary wood, developing digital tools, and aligning global stakeholders to advance sustainability goals.

Examining the Drivers and Economic and Social Impacts of Cryptocurrency Adoption

This study investigates the key drivers and the economic and social impacts of cryptocurrency adoption. Based on panel data across 37 countries from 2020 to 2023, this research examines the interplay between cryptocurrency adoption and technology development, monetary policies, and economic and social development. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research incorporates panel data analysis across multiple countries to explore correlations and causal relationships between these variables. The study found that technology development, measured by the Network Readiness Index (NRI) enables cryptocurrency adoption. Economic conditions measured by higher national inflation rates and monetary policy indicators, including lower interest and exchange rates are the key drivers for cryptocurrency adoption. The empirical findings reveal that cryptocurrency adoption has negative relationships with economic development measured by the GDP growth rate, unemployment rate, and social development represented by the governance quality corruption index. It implies that cryptocurrency is used as a virtual anchor (digital gold) for national inflation. Findings reveal how network readiness, economic conditions, and monetary policies contribute to fostering cryptocurrency adoption, while resulting in impacts on economic growth, labour markets, and governance. The research contributes to the literature by integrating technological, economic, and governance perspectives to elucidate the role of cryptocurrency in reshaping the global economic and social systems.

Entrepreneurship skill acquisition: Perceptions of SAED graduates on employment outcomes and business startups in Nigeria

In the past, people regarded education as a solution to overcoming poverty. Regrettably, new graduates in Nigeria still have difficulty securing jobs after graduating due to many factors, including overpopulation, poor political administration, conflicting government policies, and an education framework not tailored and adjusted to industry needs. Studies have shown that one of Nigeria's educational system shortcomings is that schools fail to prepare graduates for independent work (Odia & Omofonmwan, 2007). The study's focus was to understand the role played by the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) program in fostering positive experiences and employment outcomes for Nigerian graduates through the assessment of the effectiveness of the SAED program on graduate employment through post-project employment status and participants' development of other entrepreneurship skills and attributes (Almlund, Duckworth, Heckman, & Kautz, 2011; Premand et al., 2015; Propstmeier, Picot, & Schaller, 2012). Findings indicate that the SAED program positively impacts Nigerian graduates by providing alternative entrepreneurial paths, promoting awareness, and helping them start small businesses, despite not improving unemployment rates. Keywords: Nigeria, SAED, Graduates, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Policy.

In Case You Haven't Heard…

New research reveals that North Dakota, Vermont, and Nebraska are the happiest and healthiest states in America, while West Virginia and Louisiana rank last for mental well‐being, according to Best States for a Mental Health Report, which ranks all 50 states on various factors that impact mental health and mental healthcare access. Released by Soliant Health, the report was commissioned to better understand the disparities in mental health support in communities and schools nationwide, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness each year. This comprehensive report aims to elevate the conversations about mental health and the crucial need for increased access to mental wellness services across the country, a news release stated. Soliant worked with healthcare professionals to consider a wider range of factors that impact mental health at all ages, in addition to factors regarding the ability to engage in good mental health practices. These factors include: The frequency of “poor mental health days” reported by the population, unemployment rate, participation in physical activity, disconnected youth rate, which is the percentage of teens and young adults aged 16–24 who are neither working or in school, and access to healthy foods.

Do socio-demographic characteristics affect graduates’ employment status?

Despite having a demographic dividend, the unemployment rate is soaring in Bangladesh, posing a great challenge for the nation. This perplexing situation demands knowledge of socio-demographic factors that may affect the employment status among graduates. Thus, this study aims to examine the impact of socio-demographic factors, such as gender, age, marital status, field of study, and family financial support on employment status. To achieve this objective, a questionnaire survey was conducted. Through the survey, data were collected from 415 respondents and analyzed using a Forward Likelihood Ratio binary logistic regression. The findings revealed that age, marital status, field of study, and financial support are crucial predictors that affect the probability of employment among graduates, whereas gender does not influence the probability of getting employed. The insights of the current study will assist policymakers in reaping the demographic dividend to reduce graduate unemployment by incorporating sociodemographic characteristics in Bangladesh’s policymaking for graduates. This study will help the government meet its commitment to development goals by identifying the basic socio-demographic elements that influence graduates’ employment status.

Environmental effects of foreign direct investment in India: pollution haven or pollution halo?

Purpose There is controversy over whether foreign direct investment (FDI) increases or reduces environmental degradation in host countries resulting in pollution havens or pollution halos. Based on the concept of scale, technology and composition effects, this paper aims to examine the causal relationship between FDI and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in India. Design/methodology/approach This paper analyzes panel data of the three most polluting industries between 2005 and 2021 by conducting a Granger causality test. Findings The results provide evidence of pollution havens in the manufacturing and transportation industry, and in the metallurgy and chemical sectors within the manufacturing industry. Research limitations/implications FDI inflows and CO2 emissions are characterized by large regional variations in India. Hence, future studies of the pollution haven vs pollution halo effect in India could therefore use state-level or even district-level data to test for regional variations. Practical implications This paper provides policy recommendations such as increasing the absorptive capacity of local firms to strengthen the technique effect, which would help India combat climate change. Social implications Increasing the absorptive capacity of local firms through incentives such as subsidies and environmental requirements in public contracts can lead to job creation in the green technology sector. This can provide new employment opportunities, especially in R&D and sustainable technology fields, boosting the local economy. Originality/value The study adds to the understanding of the endogenous relationship between FDI and environmental degradation, the importance of lagged feedback responses and the impact of industry- and sector-specific influences on this relationship.

Theoretical Study of Authoritary Political Configuration Products of Law No. 6 Of 2023 on Job Creation Law (PPLH) and Its Implications on Environmental and Social Aspects)

The rule of law (rechtstaat) and the power state (machtstaat) are two different things where Indonesia is one of the countries that has a rule of law pattern which means basing its national and state life on laws based on Pancasila democracy. However, the problem occurs when the Job Creation Law which is now Law No. 6 of 2023 tends to oppress people’s rights by encouraging investors to obtain land more easily. This is shown by the revocation of the PPLH Law and the enactment of the Ciptaker Law, and this is identical to the authoritarian political configuration pattern that emphasizes the dominance of power and is repressive. The results of this study are that there must be control over the government system based on the values of Pancasila and democracy so that the regulations formed do not produce authoritarian political configuration products; then in practical terms, it is necessary to conduct a study of the costs and benefits of each regulation that will be made which is included in the academic paper, so that it is clear which parties benefit from the implementation of the regulation. In the context of environmental protection which is also based on Article 28H paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution, the Job Creation Law which changes the provisions of the Environmental Management Law must be revised and reconsidered, especially in terms of licensing and the preparation of environmental impact analysis (EIA) which involves the community.

Spatial Economic Correlations via Geographically Weighted Neural Network Regression with A New Dataset

The GDP and unemployment rates of two geographic units are influenced by their population density and economic characteristics, as well as their distance and spatial relationship. This work aim to use Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR), a classic and widely used method for modeling spatial heterogeneity, to analyze the correlation of these multiple factors. However, GWR does not precisely express its weighting kernel, making it insufficient to estimate complex geographic processes. Therefore, the work employed the Geographically Weighted Neural Network Regression (GNNWR) model, which combines Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and neural networks, to estimate spatial heterogeneity based on GWR. This work collected various indicators, such as population density and GDP of first-level administrative units of the top 20 countries by GDP at the end of 2022, along with the Euclidean distance and geographic topology between these units. Using GNNWR, the work analyzed the correlation of their GDP growth. The results show that GNNWR outperforms OLS and GWR in fitting accuracy and provides more accurate predictions of the economic correlation between two geographic units.

Added Worker Effects in Canada: The Effect of Spousal Job Loss on Transitions into Employment

Nous examinons les effets de travailleurs supplémentaires au Canada à l'aide de l'Enquête sur la population active. À la marge extensive, nous notons que les femmes qui n'ont pas d'emploi sont plus susceptibles de se trouver un emploi au cours du mois suivant la perte d'emploi de leur conjoint.e. La perte d'emploi du/de la conjoint.e n'a pas d'effet sur la transition des femmes vers l'emploi au cours des prochains mois et on ne note pas d'effet significatif pour les hommes. Les effets ne semblent pas représenter une réponse comportementale à la mise à pied imprévue ou exogène du/de la conjoint.e. Plutôt, les femmes qui sont les plus susceptibles d'obtenir et de quitter un emploi ont un.e conjoint.e qui est plus susceptible de faire l'objet d'un licenciement prévu par la famille, et elles sont prêtes à réagir. L'effet de travailleur supplémentaire est plus prononcé lorsqu'il s'agit de femmes plus éduquées, de propriétaires de maison et lorsque le salaire du/de la conjoint.e est plus élevé. À la marge intensive, nous ne notons pas de changement significatif dans les heures travaillées par les personnes ayant un emploi, lorsque leur conjoint.e a été licencié.e.

Job loss and reemployment of newly diagnosed people with epilepsy: A nationwide cohort study.

Epilepsy has negative socioeconomic impacts on those affected, resulting not only from actual disability but also from social stigma. However, longitudinal studies examining occupational consequences following an epilepsy diagnosis are limited. We aimed to investigate the occupational outcomes of newly diagnosed epilepsy among Korean employees. We conducted a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. We included newly diagnosed people with epilepsy (PWE) aged 25 to 54 years, identified by diagnostic codes and antiseizure medication (ASM) prescriptions, who were employed at diagnosis between 2004 and 2018. The employment status of PWE was determined based on their enrollment in the employer-provided health insurance scheme. We analyzed the rates of job loss and reemployment, associated factors, and income changes following diagnosis. Among the 13 122 newly diagnosed PWE, the overall first-year job loss rate across the study period was 21.7%, which was 1.62-2.54 times higher than that of the general population for each year. The excesses of job loss among PWE in safe occupations were comparable to those in safety-sensitive occupations. Central nervous system illness (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.12), psychiatric disease (aHR = 1.19), ≥2 emergency room visits or hospitalizations (aHR = 3.00), and ≥4 ASM attempts (aHR = 1.26) increased the risk of job loss. Among individuals who lost their job during the first year, 22.4% were reemployed within 1 year, with similar risk factors hindering reemployment. The income distribution of regained jobs showed a downward shift compared to previous jobs. Newly diagnosed PWE were at risk of job loss, irrespective of the occupational hazards related to seizures. Poor disease control and comorbidities partially contributed to unemployment. Alongside active seizure management, guidance for suitable occupations and the implementation of tailored restrictions based on occupational risk stratification are imperative to improve the job security of PWE.

Pembentukan Perda Berbasis Syari’ah dalam Bingkai Negara Hukum Pancasila

This research attempts to explore the validity basis (philosophical, sociological juridical, historical, and conceptual) of the formation of Sharia Regional Regulations or Regional Regulations that have a Sharia orientation, which is mostly drawn up in various regions in Indonesia. As for this research, normative juridical analyzes the problems in the formation of Sharia regulations within the framework of the Pancasila state law. Of the seven legal research approaches, the statute approach, conceptual approach, and historical approach are used to find answers to the problems posed in this study. The results of the study stated that the establishment of a Sharia-inspired Regional Regulation has a philosophical foundation in Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, particularly Article 18, Article 18A, Article 18B, Article 25, and Article 29. Sociologically, the cultural pluralism of the Indonesian nation is always related to religion. Juridically, the provisions in Article 10 paragraph (1) letter f of Constitution Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government have been amended several times, most recently by Law Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation and their explanations. The provisions of Article 2 and Article 3 of Presidential Regulation Number 83 of 2015 concerning the Ministry of Religion also provide clear boundaries regarding the authority of the central and regional governments in the field of religion. This provision provides an opportunity for the regions to form regional regulations with sharia nuances. In the Jakarta Charter (Piagam Jakarta)as a historical document, the government also recognizes and legitimizes the formation of a Sharia Regional Regulation. Then based on conceptual (theoretical), the concept of asymmetric decentralization, it is possible for the Government to implement different autonomy for several regions in Indonesia which allows the development of the unique potential of each region.

Analysing regional and sectoral productivity changes in the Indian economy

AbstractMotivationNumerous domestic and international studies have shown that India's business environment has shortcomings that have hindered and distorted investment, reducing growth and job creation. There is geographical variation in the distribution of sectoral and regional production in India. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the role geography plays in evaluating the effects of shifts in aggregate and disaggregate productivity.PurposeThis research attempts to build a unified framework to consider regional and sectoral changes as heterogeneous factors affecting productivity in India. It explores whether the fundamental changes in productivity are locational or sectoral.Approach and MethodsThis article focuses on three aspects: (1) It identifies variables based on previous literature. The aggregate industry analysis for both Punjab and India is based on independent variables. The study uses the 2SLS‐estimator using STATA in a single‐step endogeneity problem. (2) For disaggregate or sectoral analysis, it identifies four industries across India and Punjab. We confine our analysis to these four industries since the present study is done at both aggregate and disaggregate levels covering national and state level analysis. (3) It sets out separate interpretations for the aggregate analysis, setting it apart from disaggregate analysis.FindingsFor aggregate industry analysis, the results for Indian and Punjab industry adhere to Verdoorn's law which states that in the long run productivity generally grows proportionally to the square root of output. In that value‐added growth is a major factor affecting total factor productivity for Indian firms across both regions. The Punjab group shows non‐linearity between productivity and concentration. Concentration leads to some increase in productivity but this then declines.Policy ImplicationsPolicy‐makers should promote the establishment of more medium‐sized firms to enhance productivity across all regions in India.The skilled‐labour ratio emerged as significant for the Punjab group, though this is because the state has a higher proportion of small‐scale industries which are more labour intensive than the overall India group. As such, specific policies should be aimed at the manufacturing sector at state level to enhance productivity, taking into consideration unique features of each group.Policy‐makers should address the inefficiency of the industrial policy overseen by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Depression, anxiety and its predictor among internally displaced person in metekel Ethiopia, 2023: using a structural equation model

IntroductionThese individuals face psychological and physical trauma, loss of jobs, and emotional isolation, which may lead to the development of depression and anxiety. In 2022, 120 countries had over 71 million IDPs, a 20% increase from the previous year. In sub-Saharan Africa, natural disasters accounted for 40% of all new IDPs worldwide.MethodAn institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling method was used to select 997 respondents. Data were collected using a structured interview questionnaire. STATA Version 17 and Amos Version 21 were used for the analysis. Descriptive statistics were summarized using frequency, percentage, table, graph, chart, figure, and summary statistics. Structural equation modeling was employed to assess the relationship.ResultThe overall prevalence of depression and anxiety was 79.64% (95% CI: 77.02 82.03) and 74.62% (95% CI =71.83%, 77.23%) respectively. age (adjusted β = 0.0034, 95% CI: 0.0012, 0.0056), history of the death of a loved one (adjusted β = 0.132, 95% CI: 0.0803, 0.185), had formal education (β = -0.164, 95% CI: -0.229, -0.098) occupation other (adjusted β = -0.183, 95% CI: -0.261, -0.105), Not having medically confirmed mental illness (adjusted β = -0.185, 95% CI: (-0.325, -0.045), PTSD score (adjusted β = 0.0082, 95% CI: 0.0048, 0.012) associated with anxiety.ConclusionDisplacement medically confirmed mental illness, death of a loved one, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) significantly impact anxiety. Policymakers should provide greater access to mental health management and prevention services, and medical practitioners should understand the connection between depression and anxiety.