Export Capacity Research Articles

Causal inference to scope environmental impact assessment of renewable energy projects and test competing mental models of decarbonization

Abstract Environmental impact assessment (EIA), life cycle analysis (LCA), and cost benefit analysis (CBA) embed crucial but subjective judgments over the extent of system boundaries and the range of impacts to consider as causally connected to an intervention, decision, or technology of interest. EIA is increasingly the site of legal, political, and social challenges to renewable energy projects proposed by utilities, developers, and governments, which, cumulatively, are slowing decarbonization. Environmental advocates in the United States have claimed that new electrical interties with Canada increase development of Canadian hydroelectric resources, leading to environmental and health impacts associated with new reservoirs. Assertions of such second-order impacts of two recently proposed 9.5 TWh yr−1 transborder transmission projects played a role in their cancellation. We recast these debates as conflicting mental models of decarbonization, in which values, beliefs, and interests lead different parties to hypothesize causal connections between interrelated processes (in this case, generation, transmission, and associated impacts). We demonstrate via Bayesian network modeling that development of Canadian hydroelectric resources is stimulated by price signals and domestic demand rather than increased export capacity per se. However, hydropower exports are increasingly arranged via long-term power purchase agreements that may promote new generation in a way that is not easily modeled with publicly available data. We demonstrate the utility of causal inference for structured analysis of sociotechnical systems featuring phenomena that are not easily modeled mechanistically. In the setting of decarbonization, such analysis can fill a gap in available energy systems models that focus on long-term optimum portfolios and do not generally represent questions of incremental causality of interest to stakeholders at the local level. More broadly, these tools can increase the evidentiary support required for consequentialist (as opposed to attributional) LCA and CBA, for example, in calculating indirect emissions of renewable energy projects.

Foreign Direct Investment, Technology Innovation and Carbon Emissions: Evidence from China

FDI is a critical factor influencing carbon emissions and a significant driver of China’s economic development. However, achieving sustainable economic development remains a major challenge for China. Hence, this paper aims to explore how to foster positive interactions between FDI and carbon emissions. Specifically, we first analyze the mechanism of FDI on carbon emissions from a theoretical perspective. Then, using panel data from 27 provinces in China, an empirical analysis is conducted. In the empirical analysis, we use the panel regression models to analyze the impact of FDI on carbon emissions. Additionally, a configuration analysis method is employed to examine the interactive relationship between FDI quality and carbon emissions. The conclusions of this paper are as follows. Overall, FDI significantly inhibits carbon emissions across provinces, with this effect strengthening as the scale and quality of FDI increase. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the inhibitory effect of FDI on carbon emissions is more pronounced in provinces with high technological financial support and stringent environmental regulations. Mediation analysis indicates that technological innovation serves as a mediator between FDI and carbon emissions, which means that FDI could promote “the quality improvement and the quantity increase” of green technological innovation to reduce carbon emissions. Furthermore, the configuration analysis shows that the carbon reduction effect of FDI results from the combined influence of various factors. Among those, FDI’s export capacity is a key factor. The findings above enhance our knowledge of the environmental effects of FDI from the perspective of FDI quality. Moreover, these explorations also offer new insights and strategies for China’s pursuit of sustainable economic development.

Sovereign Debt and Climate Change in Argentina – The Catalytic Role of the IMF

Abstract This article studies the interdependence between Argentina’s public over-indebtedness and climate change. It addresses the following questions: What type of productive model does the Argentine public debt profile promote, and what is its impact on climate change? In a debt-servicing scheme marked by fiscal consolidation, which strongly conditions the state budget, what public funds are available to invest in adaptation and mitigation? Finally, what is the role of the IMF in this fiscal-environmental scheme? The article first presents the international commitments of the Argentine State in the face of climate change and the estimated fiscal cost of implementing the necessary adaptation and mitigation measures. It then describes the situation of Argentina’s debt in historical perspective up to the present and explains how the external debt has been determining the productive specialization of the national economy, which seeks to boost the country’s primary export capacity, particularly agribusiness, the fossil fuel sector, and open-pit metalliferous mining. It also analyzes the role of the IMF in Argentina as a catalytic actor in the climate crisis, describing the IMF’s centrality in the national economy, its economic-environmental policy on the production pattern that accelerates climate change, and the incidence of this phenomenon in Argentina.

Maverick or Front-runner? Army Modernization in Hungary in the Light of the Other Visegrad Countries

This article compares Hungary's defence modernisation policy with that of the other Visegrad countries and finds that Poland has invested the most in developing its military capabilities and, together with the Czech Republic, has benefited considerably from rising international demand stimulated by the war. Both combined the purchase of modern equipment with the award of government contracts to local suppliers. Slovakia followed the same pattern, but without significant export capacity. Hungary, on the other hand, was unable to prevent the collapse of its former defence industry. As a result, its current development programme uniquely integrates the goals of army modernisation with the plan for rebuilding the sector, which relies heavily on the participation of large European companies, whose role is less important in the other countries. Two other distinctive features of the Hungarian modernisation policy are its embeddedness in broader economic and regional policies, and the creation of six distinct territorial clusters where the reorganisation of the sector is taking place.

Analysis Of The Influence Of Port Export And Import Volume On Economic Growth In North Sumatera And West Sumatera Provinces

Using a quantitative approach, this study investigates the effect of port export and import volumes on economic growth in North Sumatra and West Sumatra Provinces. Time series data from the World Bank and the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) from 2006 to 2023 are used as secondary data. The analysis uses the ARDL Panel model, which allows for analysis of data dynamics across time and regions. The results show that the three main indicators that affect economic growth (GRDP) in both provinces, both in the short and long term, are export volume, inflation, and exchange rates. In North Sumatra, export volume has a positive impact on GRDP, while import volume has a negative impact, indicating a risk of dependence on imports. Controlled inflation also has a positive impact, while the exchange rate shows a diversion. Policy recommendations are expected to improve global competitiveness and exchange rate stability through coordination of fiscal and monetary policies, support for the Export Capacity Building Program and MSMEs through the Regional Comprehensive Economic Framework (RCEP), and export diversification to reduce dependence on certain commodities. This study emphasizes that policies that are responsive to changes in trade at the national to international levels are an important foundation for stabilizing sustainable economic growth.

12248 Leptin Signaling Deficiency At The Central Nervous System Reduces Hepatic Glucagon Sensibility Disturbing Liver Amino Acid Metabolism Leading To Hyperaminoacidemia And Hyperglucagonemia In Male Adult Rats

Abstract Disclosure: C. Pintado Losa: None. L. Mazuecos Fernández-Pacheco: None. Ó. Gómez Torres: None. S. Artigas Jerónimo: None. E. Burgos Ramos: None. I. Ramos: None. J. Poveda Colado: None. C. Arribas Mocoroa: None. A. Andres: None. N. Gallardo: None. Leptin regulates glucagon secretion, but the contribution of central leptin resistance to circulating glucagon levels and hepatic glucagon signaling is poorly studied. To analyze the effects of deficient hypothalamic leptin signaling on glucagon levels and hepatic glucagon signaling, we infused intracerebroventricularly a rat-specific leptin receptor antagonist SLA (0,2 µg/day) for 21 days to male 3-month-old Wistar rats (n=12) or PBS (n=12). At day 21 of treatment and 30 min before sacrifice, a glucagon challenge (100 µg/kg) was performed in 16h fasted rats. After sacrifice, blood and liver samples were collected for analysis. Serum hormones, urea, and total and branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) levels were determined using commercial kits and by RP-HPLC. Hepatic neutral lipid was extracted and quantified using an enzymatic kit and the hepatic content of mRNA and proteins involved in lipid and amino acid metabolism were measured by RT-PCR and Western-Blot. Additionally, the HOMA-IR and glucagon-alanine index were determined in all rats. Blocking central leptin signaling led to impaired fat oxidation and triglyceride export capacity in the liver, resulting in a 50% increase in hepatic triglyceride content in SLA-treated rats. Glucagonemia increased in SLA-treated rats, indicating impaired hepatic glucagon sensitivity. In fact, in response to exogenous glucagon, the hepatic phosphorylation of CREB was reduced by 55% in SLA-infused compared to control rats. Importantly, SLA treatment significantly decreases the expression and the activity of BCKDH (branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase) in the liver, leading to a reduction in the BCAA degradation in SLA-treated rats, hyperaminoacidemia, and decreased serum urea levels. In conclusion, deficient hypothalamic leptin signaling alters glucose, lipid, and amino acid homeostasis, highlighting the relevance of central leptin action in the control of peripheral metabolism and glucagon sensitivity. Funding: Work supported by Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades under project grants RTI2018-098643-B-I00, PID2021-128243OB-I00, and from the University of Castilla-La Mancha and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) under project grant 2023- GRIN-34280. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Trade policy revisited: how government support initiatives affect international performance in SMEs?

PurposeThis paper aims to understand how government support initiatives can enhance the international performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To address the gap of literature, this paper employed three theoretical lenses to examine both of direct and indirect relationships between two main constructs.Design/methodology/approachThis empirical study is based on data collected from Armenian exporter SMEs. The data collection utilized a random sampling approach, resulting in 138 fully completed questionnaires, yielding a response rate of 28.4%, comparable to previous studies in international business research. This sample includes firms from three main sectors: agriculture, manufacturing and services, reflecting the structure of Armenia's international trade. Relationships were examined using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).FindingsThe results of this study indicate that government support initiatives lack a direct impact on international performance, while positing instead an indirect connection between the two constructs through strategic capability and institutional pressures.Originality/valueThe results of this study contribute to the international business literature in several ways. First, it surpasses the conventional examination of government support on firm performance by delving into both the direct and indirect relationships between these constructs. Second, it reveals that not all theoretical viewpoints hold equal strategic importance in explaining the internationalization of SMEs. From the practical point of view, findings help policymakers to maximize a country's export capacity by implementing tailored initiatives, considering the unique requirements of SMEs.

Justification regimes and crisis practices: International educational collaboration amidst pandemic and war

This research investigates how international educational collaboration (IEC) as a social activity adapts to global crises: COVID-19 and the Russian’s invasion in Ukraine. We focus on Finnish higher education institutions (HEIs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that actively provide IEC activities, such as student exchange, education export and educational capacity building abroad. Drawing from the sociology of conventions (SC) and the concept of social practices, we formulate a multidimensional framework that connects regimes of justification, and social practices that emerge in crises. Considering crises as a critical test, we analyse how IEC cope with unexpected situations that require establishing new justifications of public accountability and morality, and practices that fit the crises situation. Our empirical data collected through a two-stage open-ended questionnaire in 2021 and 2022 enables us to consider the recent trends and potential future(s) of IEC. Empirically, we conclude that coping with global crises requires IEC actors to make changes in IEC practices. Analytically, we theorise that regimes of justification and social practices that emerge during crises (crisis practices) are interconnected. Thus, this study contributes to practice-oriented frame by considering accountability of practices in the unexpected circumstances, enhancing the understanding of how different organisations adapt to turbulent times.

Optimizing the bidding strategy and assessing profitability of over-install renewable plants equipped with battery energy storage systems

The over-installation of renewable energy sources (RES) can enhance the profits of RES producers by increasing the total exporting energy; however, RES power curtailments must be applied under over-production of RES plants to ensure their contracted maximum export capacity limits. Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) can be used to reduce the RES curtailments and therefore enhance the profits of producers. This work develops a bidding strategy as a scenario-based stochastic optimization scheme to maximize the expected profits of producers in electricity markets considering battery degradation and maximum export capacity constraints. Using the proposed scheme, a financial analysis is performed to assess the profitability for over-installing hybrid RES plants by calculating the net present value and internal rate of return of the project under different BESS costs. Simulation results, using real data from a wind and photovoltaic plant, demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed stochastic scheme in enhancing the profit of producers compared to the corresponding deterministic scheme. The performed financial analysis, using the net present value metric, indicates that a maximum over-installation of 150%–170% and 160%–180% for the wind and photovoltaic plant, respectively, is profitable, while the usage of a BESS is profitable when its cost is under 200,000 €/MWh.

Perbandingan Ekspor Kopi Indonesia Pada Tahun 2021 Dan 2022

This study aims to gain a deeper understanding of the comparison of the amount of capacity (kg) of Indonesian coffee exports between 2021 and Indonesian coffee exports in 2022. The data used in this study were gathered through library research, which allowed us to collect data from literature related to the object of our research, such as documents or archives containing data on coffee production, coffee plantation area, total capacity (kg) of Indonesian coffee exports, and the behavior of Indonesian coffee prices. The data sources were kindly provided by the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) and the Center for Agricultural Data and Information Systems of the Secretariat General, Ministry of Agriculture. In this research, we employed two data analysis techniques: the Shapiro-Wilk normality test and the Wilcoxon test. The results of these tests indicate a comparison between Indonesian coffee exports in 2021 and 2022. This comparison is characterized by a decrease and also an increase in mean rank and sum of rank.

Model of a 100 % renewable energy system of self-sufficient wider urban area based on a short-term scale and the integration of the transport and thermal sector

The mutual integration of different energy sectors and their conversion to electricity could promote the integration of renewable energy sources. This paper analyses 100 % renewable electrical power system of the Dubrovnik wider urban area. The Calliope energy system model was developed and compared based on 10-min and hourly data. The energy scenario is modelled up to the year 2050. It includes the replacement of all conventional passenger vehicles with electric vehicles. The vehicle-to-grid model was developed using the Calliope modelling tool. All fossil fuels used in the heating sector are replaced by seawater heat pump systems. Additional storage is added to the system and the system is connected to the adjacent electricity market. The 10-min model led to a reduction in cross-border transmission capacity of around 60 % and a 7-fold reduction in the difference between import and export compared to the hourly model. This led to a more stable system operation, as the import and export capacities were equalised. The vehicle-to-grid technology in the regulated system led to a reduction in import and export transmission capacities of up to 17 % and 42 % respectively compared to the unregulated system, including extremely fast charging and discharging in a short-term step model.

Matching comparative advantages to special economic zones for sustainable industrialization

African countries are consistently trying to leverage industrialization to advance their economic development. Despite possessing favorable factors such as abundant natural resources, a surplus of low-cost labor, and an increasing number of established Special Economic Zones (SEZs), African countries are yet to fully maximize their potential and achieve sustainable and inclusive industrialization. This study explores the comparative advantages of African countries to determine the types of SEZs that can effectively accelerate industrialization. By leveraging the unique strengths and resources of each country, customized strategies for SEZs can be developed to attract investments, promote technological advancements, and foster sustainable economic growth. The research utilizes the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) matrix, which is grounded in Ricardian trade theory, examining trade data spanning from 2011 to 2021 to evaluate the competitive export capabilities of various countries. The findings consistently reveal that the selected countries (Ghana, Ethiopia, and South Africa) possess a significant and consistent comparative advantage in natural and agricultural resources compared to other sectors. Establishing SEZs that focus on these sectors can generate substantial socio-economic impacts, including attracting investments, creating employment opportunities, enhancing export capacities, stimulating economic growth, fostering linkages, facilitating skills and technology transfer, promoting spillover effects, encouraging specialization, developing infrastructure, and supporting value addition in agribusinesses. The result of this study will contribute to policy discussions and aid decision-making processes for policymakers, investors, and development practitioners in their efforts to advance industrial development across Africa.

Market Expansion Strategy for Sweet Potato Export Products Using the Ansoff Matrix (Case Study of CV SNR Bumi Indonesia)

CV SNR BUMI INDONESIA is a producer and exporter of sweet potatoes, with products that meet export quality and capacity standards. However, the company faces challenges in marketing and finding the right strategy to utilize the trade potential of its sweet potato products to increase export sales. This study aims to determine strategies that can be implemented for export market expansion. The research employs a qualitative and quantitative descriptive approach using the Ansoff Matrix, measured with a Likert scale. The findings indicate that the Product Development Strategy, with the highest index value of 89.0%, falls into the "Very Ready" category, making it the optimal strategy for the company to pursue for export market expansion.

Tracing China’s agrochemical complex

Chinese firms, both private and state-owned, have transformed the global agrochemical complex. China dominates exports of pesticides (particularly herbicides) and various kinds of nitrogen- and phosphorous-based fertilisers. And yet the precise nature of this transformation is poorly understood: where are Chinese agrochemicals made and by whom; in what ways is domestic production changing; which actors are active in the export market; and what is flowing where? In this article we begin to flesh out some of the detail of China’s massive agrochemical complex and its internal dynamics by examining key actors and flows in China’s agrochemical export industry. Our analysis is framed by insights drawn from the Global China literature and from pesticide studies. We find two distinct industries, both of which are in flux. Domestic environmental regulations and industry upgrading are reconfiguring the landscape for mining and chemical production, resulting in a scaling back of pesticide and fertiliser production, while mergers and acquisitions are concentrating production and export capacity in particular firms. Export flows are nonetheless growing in a generally favourable export environment. Concealed in the generic categories ‘pesticide’ and ‘fertiliser’ is the fact that different products go to different destinations and do so in patterns that complicate North-South categories. Our analysis highlights the need for new commodity geographies of Chinese-made agrochemicals that can account for production, circulation, and use.

The Potential Export Capacities Of Some Egyptian Agricultural Crops

The Potential Export Capacities Of Some Egyptian Agricultural Crops

Goldilocks dilemma: lower cost, more supply, reduced emissions, and reliable trading partner. What is the outlook for Australia getting the gas balance just right?

Australia’s east and west coast domestic gas markets are physically and geographically separated. Each Australian gas market has followed a different trajectory, with the west being defined by large liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, a relatively small domestic market, and a long-standing domestic gas reservation that historically ensured the domestic market was oversupplied and prices remained low. The east coast market instead relied for decades on supply from the Cooper and Gippsland basins which only supplied the domestic market, with both now in decline. The establishment of LNG export capacity in Queensland connected the east coast market to international markets for the first time and was followed by bans and moratoriums on gas development in some jurisdictions. Notwithstanding their very different history, both markets now face potential domestic supply shortages within a decade, and both have experienced government intervention in the past 12 months. Government’s stated aims are to lower prices, ensure ongoing investment in supply, reduce emissions, and continue LNG exports. This paper examines forecast supply and demand, the impact of government intervention, net zero policies and the importance of maintaining Australia’s export reputation as a reliable supplier. Getting this balance just right will require a challenging ‘Goldilocks moment’, with serious consequences if we get it wrong.

Analyzing the Efficiency of Trade in Africa: A Stochastic Frontier Gravity Approach to Assess Intra-African Exports Performance and Potential

ABSTRACT The African integration projects established regional economic communities (RECs) to remove trade barriers and stimulate trade among the member countries. Our analysis aims to assess REC trading efficiency and explore trade potential. Assuming that any discrepancy between the observed trade level and the maximum predicted trade level is related to trade inefficiencies, the stochastic frontier gravity is estimated for a sample of 45 African exporting countries and their 43 African partners from 1996 to 2020. The results show low export efficiency among African countries, corresponding to sizable unexploited export capacities.

South Korea: Impact of The Ukraine and Russia conflict

The specter of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict looms large, casting a long and unsettling shadow across the tapestry of the global economy. Its chilling tendrils reach even the most seemingly insulated corners, ensnaring nations like South Korea in its vortex. This vibrant Asian tiger, deeply entwined in the intricate web of global trade, finds itself thrust into the maelstrom of this geopolitical quagmire. The economic ramifications, far from being mere ripples, have unfurled in a multifaceted storm, presenting a formidable challenge to the nation's economic stability and demanding a nuanced and multifaceted response. At the heart of this economic tempest lies the intricate web of financial sanctions woven by a resolute coalition of nations against Russia. These measures, meticulously crafted to sever the arteries of the Russian war machine and isolate its economy, have sent tremors through the very foundations of global finance. Traditional trade and investment flows, once predictable currents, have become turbulent eddies, swirling with uncertainty and risk aversion. South Korea, with its extensive economic tentacles reaching across the dynamic landscapes of Europe and Asia, has inevitably felt the tremors of this financial earthquake. Navigating this altered landscape, where familiar landmarks have shifted and once-reliable harbors now harbor hidden shoals, presents a significant challenge to the nation's financial institutions and policymakers. The delicate dance of mitigating potential exposure to the unfolding economic turbulence requires a deftness of footwork and a keen eye for the ever-shifting sands of the global financial market. Further compounding the economic woes is the pronounced surge in the prices of vital commodities, particularly energy and agricultural products. Both Russia and Ukraine, hitherto considered reliable bastions of resource abundance, have seen their production and export capacities crippled by the conflict. This disruption has sent shockwaves through international markets, triggering a vertiginous spiral in the prices of these essential resources. South Korea, heavily reliant on imported energy and foodstuffs, finds itself on the receiving end of this price escalation. Inflated import costs threaten to erode the very foundations of consumer purchasing power, casting a long shadow over economic growth and raising the specter of potent inflationary pressures. The specter of empty shelves and rising prices haunts Korean households, adding a layer of human anxiety to the broader economic quandary. Finally, the conflict has thrown international supply chains into disarray. The delicate arteries of global trade, once pulsing with the lifeblood of commerce, have been severely constricted by the disruption of land and sea routes, further exacerbated by the sanctions imposed upon Russia. South Korea, intricately woven into the fabric of these globalized production and trade networks, finds itself grappling with the ramifications of these disruptions. Delays in the delivery of raw materials and manufactured components threaten to hobble its own industrial output and hamper its export competitiveness. The very engines of the Korean economic juggernaut sputter and cough, their rhythm disrupted by the absence of vital parts sourced from across the globe. The anxieties of factory owners and the concerns of everyday workers alike paint a poignant picture of the human cost of this economic maelstrom.

Sea‐ice loss accelerates carbon cycling and enhances seasonal extremes of acidification in the Arctic Chukchi Sea

AbstractThe Chukchi Sea shelf (CSS) is a highly productive region in the Arctic Ocean and it is highly efficient for absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide and exporting and retaining carbon in the deep sea. However, with global warming, the carbon retention time in CSS may decrease, leading to less efficient carbon export. Here, we investigate the seasonal variability of carbonate chemistry in CSS using three sets of late‐ vs. early‐summer reoccupations of the same transect. Our findings demonstrate substantially increased and rapid degradation of biologically produced organic matter and therefore acidification over time in the southern CSS due to earlier sea‐ice retreat, resulting in significantly shorter carbon retention time. In sharp contrast, no increased degradation has been observed in the northern CSS where photosynthesis has just commenced. In the future, climate change would further diminish the carbon export capacity and exacerbate seasonal acidification not only within CSS but also across other polar coastal oceans.

The effect of science parks on company growth: a fsQCA analysis of tenant profile

ABSTRACT Science parks (SP) are one of the most common, but controversial, instruments of innovation policies worldwide today. The inconclusive results regarding the benefits provided by SPs suggest that not all companies equally benefit from being located in these innovative environments. The objective of this study is to explore the relationship between a company's characteristics and its capacity to effectively utilise the benefits provided by locating in a SP. Consequently, we aim to identify the most suitable company profile for hosting in SP-type spaces, as well as those companies for which location in an SP does not yield significant advantages. To achieve this goal, a comparative empirical study was conducted on the performance of a sample of 40 on-park companies, compared to a control group of 40 off-park companies. Using the fuzzy sets comparative qualitative analysis (fsQCA) methodology, we identify combinations of variables that define the company's profile and link them to its performance, measured in terms of job growth and sales. Our results suggest that the positive effect of the park on company growth is primarily evident in recently created companies with export capacity. This tenant profile can derive the most significant benefits from establishing themselves in a science park.