Global Economic Development Research Articles

The Geological Characteristics, Resource Potential, and Development Status of Manganese Deposits in Africa

Manganese is a critical metal extensively used in steel production, battery manufacturing, and the chemical industry. Manganese deposits are widely distributed globally, with African manganese deposits holding a particularly significant position. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of manganese resources in Africa and analyzes the main types and genesis of the deposits. It also explores the significance of African manganese resources within the global manganese industry and examines the exploration, development, production, and trade status of African manganese ore, revealing dynamic changes and trends within the industry. Africa plays a key role in global manganese resources, with its reserves and resources accounting for 69% and 51% of the global totals, respectively. South Africa is the largest manganese producer, while Gabon and Ghana are also important countries in terms of manganese resources. Based on the host rock and genetic types, African manganese deposits primarily include banded iron formation (BIF)-hosted, black shale-hosted, karst-hosted, and volcanic sedimentary deposits. Additionally, manganese exploration projects in Africa are active, with significant production growth in South Africa and Gabon, and Africa’s standing in the global manganese market is steadily increasing. Trade data also indicate that South Africa dominates manganese exports in Africa and globally. Despite fluctuations in global export volumes, African manganese exports remain high. The prospects for Africa’s manganese industry are promising, and further strengthening of manganese exploration and development will help enhance Africa’s influence in the global manganese market, making a more significant contribution to global industrial and economic development.

Research on the Internationalization Strategy of Country Garden Holdings Company Limited

Abstract: For years, China's real estate industry has been in fierce competition. With the development of economic globalization, the domestic market is about to reach saturation gradually. Under these circumstances, Chinas real estate enterprises were obliged to go out to obtain more opportunities to improve their profits and ensure their position in the market. Country Garden Holdings Company Limited, as one of the leading enterprises in the real estate industry, started to invest and expand in overseas markets in 2011. With its forward-looking strategic planning, it has successfully launched projects in many countries and regions, which are worth studying. This paper analyzes the development status of international projects of Country Garden and its internationalization strategy, and explores the reasons for its successful investment, which can provide more information and guidance for Chinas real estate enterprises to invest overseas in the future.

Fragmentation of international trade: interim results, challenges and policy issues

The article analyzes key issues related to the fragmentation of international trade at the current stage of global economic development. The impact of economic globalization on disruptions in modern international exchange is discussed, including in the chronological context of the formation of the modern structure of international trade. The main channels of trade fragmentation are identified, including the ambiguous dynamics of cross-border direct investment, the aggressiveness of export control measures taken by key countries, as well as stresses observed in the global payment system. A separate aspect of the study was the analysis of national security considerations dictating the use of various subsidies, which is an additional determinant of the fragmentation of international trade. It is proven that fragmentation has led to uncertainty and increased volatility in global raw materials markets, and has strengthened the speculative and "financialized" nature of their development. In general, international trade under the influence of fragmentation should become more adaptive, and it is necessary to continue developing multilateral cooperation, but it should take place in a fundamentally different format and with the help of alternative instruments aimed at developing new trade models.

In the Technological Age: The Internet and the Performance of Micro-Enterprises in Togo

Micro-enterprises (MEs) are important players in job creation and global economic development. However, in developing countries, most fail to realise their growth potential due to challenges that include informality and a lack of quality human capital. The internet, by increasing information flows and reducing transaction costs, can help MEs to develop. This study assesses the effect of the internet on MEs’ performance in the service sector in Togo, using a large sample of 23,542 observations from the latest General Census of Businesses (RGE, 2017–2018), and exposes related channels and mechanisms. We find that MEs that adopt and use the internet are more productive than those that do not. This result remains robust to different regression methods such as instrumental variables and treatment-effects estimations. Complementary analyses show the positive effect of internet channels through applications such as e-mail, websites and e-business. We also find evidence that MEs with a Fixed internet connection perform better than those with a Mobile internet connection. Our investigations also yield interesting results regarding Togolese regions, service sub-sectors, managers’ characteristics and MEs’ status. This article thus highlights the need to promote digital development to enhance MEs’ performance in Togo.

The resilience and determinants of global mineral resource supply chains: a network percolation perspective

Mineral resources are the basic materials for global economic development. Assessing mineral resource supply chain resilience is an important pillar of mineral resource supply chain stability management. The globality, heterogeneity and complexity of supply chain bring challenges to the resilience assessment of global mineral resource supply chain. To solve this problem, a method based on multi-region input-output model, network percolation model and econometric model is proposed, which is able to measure the resilience of global mineral resource supply chain and its influencing factors from the perspective of the whole system. The percolation phase transition is introduced to measure the critical state of global mineral resource supply chain system collapse facing external disruption. Using the proposed method, this paper conducts an empirical study on the evolution of global mineral resource supply chain resilience from 2005 to 2014. The results show that the resilience of global mineral resource supply chain declined by 39.6% in 2005–2014. Most of the critical links that caused the collapse of the global mineral resource supply chain network are the manufacturing sector and its upstream and downstream sectors. The structure of supply chain network plays a key role in network resilience. Increasing the number of linkages in upstream and downstream could improve network resilience, but the increase of linkage strength would deteriorate network resilience.

Echoes of Speculation Underway in Relations Between the Occident and China

In a previous article I talked about speculative waves in sequence that have hit the global economy since the 2000s in a world struggling with deflation. Well, this wave of speculation has not stopped but today it seems to concern the transfer of industrial plants from the West to China. A process that was born with the good intentions of transferring industrial activities to developing countries with the dual objective. Give a boost to the economy in developing areas and at the same time reduce the management costs of large multinationals' plants. A process therefore that was born with a positive sign in the intent to help a coordinated development of the territories and a reduction in the costs of industrial products. Meanwhile, the objective of coordinating the development of the territories and continents has not been achieved and on the contrary the process has led to an almost exclusive delocalization of industrial production from the West to China. The excess of industrial localization has exacerbated the concentration of unassimilable waste with a worsening of the disease of the planet struggling with atmospheric overheating. The process, therefore, has been slowed down but not stopped for natural reasons. On the other hand, the acceleration of the development of the Chinese economy has also marked a halt coinciding with the spread of the global epidemic. After about fifty years of accelerated economic growth, the Chinese community has sensed the change in the country's economic prospects and has pulled the brakes on both consumption and investments, marking the end of the accelerated race on the road to development. The picture of the speculative evolution of industrial delocalization processes sees together the interest of mega companies in reducing management costs which is congenial to the increase in the financial values of companies that increase on the Western stock exchanges. In other words, delocalization helps reduce management costs and at the same time seems to support ultra increasing financial values. In short, it plays into the hands of speculation which is certainly not the interest of global social and economic development which instead requires coordination of the territories on the road to development. With the further dilemma that the fate of the global economy may be in the hands of the Boards of Directors of mega companies and not of states and communities.​

Analyzing the Impact of Technological Innovation: A Case of Tesla's Self-driving Technology

Against the backdrop of rapid global economic development, autonomous driving technology, as a revolutionary change, has attracted a large number of investors and corporate enterprises to invest and explore. This paper studies Tesla's R&D investment in Autopilot technology and its impact on market competitiveness between 2017 and 2019. By analyzing data from Tesla's official website and other reliable sources, the study finds that Tesla's high R&D investment and data-driven approach have significantly improved the safety and reliability of its Autopilot technology. For example, Tesla's Autopilot system enables a highly automated driving experience through multiple sensors and powerful computing capabilities. The results show that Tesla's leadership in Autopilot technology has greatly enhanced its market competitiveness and driven the industry as a whole. The study's conclusion suggests that Tesla's technological innovation not only improves the company's competitiveness but also drives changes in the mobility ecosystem, which has a positive impact on Tesla's development.

Enhancing Clinical Data Quality to Improve Patient Care in Rural Health Facilities

WHO recognizes that high-quality research is not just a scientific pursuit but a crucial factor in achieving global health, health equity, and economic development. It is not just about the numbers but about the lives we can save and improve. In this context, four research priority areas have been identified: prioritizing health needs, building research capacity, ensuring good research practice, and ensuring good evidence is translated into practice. Local health research tailored to local needs remains an important global health goal, with the potential to revolutionize patient care in rural health facilities. Researchers and policymakers in low- and middle-income countries have expressed serious concerns about the limited access to high-quality data, a fundamental requirement for reliable and valid research. The assessment of data quality is typically categorized into five key areas: availability, usability, dependability, relevance, and presentation quality. This concept is further clarified by demonstrating how a robust healthcare data environment can enhance patient management through research efforts. The term ‘health data environment' encompasses the entire process of gathering, storing, managing, analysing, and utilizing health-related data to improve patient care and healthcare policies through informed decision-making. In this context, we present the challenges that undermine the quality of research data and propose solutions. Specifically, we identify the lack of adequate human resources, reliance on paper-based records systems, and the high costs of internet connectivity as the primary barriers to collecting and sharing high-quality data for research in low-resource settings. To tackle these challenges, we advocate for governments and funding institutions to invest in data management and communication systems, recruit and train data management staff to support clinicians, and reduce connectivity costs. Furthermore, we propose the deployment of a decentralized system as a cost-effective and less labor-intensive solution that only requires data entry staff at health facilities in resource-limited settings. This article explores current data collection, storage, and interpretation challenges and proposes innovative improvement solutions. It emphasizes the transformative potential of digitization, standardization, and staff training to enhance data quality. It further addresses the impact of quality data on evidence-based practice, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes. Focusing on rural healthcare facilities sheds light on the unique barriers these settings face, proposing tailored strategies that can bridge the gap between urban and rural health service delivery. These insights offer valuable guidance for policymakers, healthcare administrators, and practitioners striving to improve patient care in rural areas through data-driven strategies.

Understanding and Preferences of Islamic Finance Among Gen Z

This study explores the understanding and preferences of Islamic finance among Generation Z by referring to Surah Al-Kahf verse 46. Generation Z, as a growing cohort in the digital era and globalization, has an increasingly important role in global economic development. Qualitative research methods are used to gain in-depth insight into the financial perspectives and beliefs of this generation, while verse 46 of Surah Al-Kahf was chosen as the theological basis for interpreting Islamic financial values. Results showed that, despite exposure to global culture, Generation Z showed significant interest in the concepts and principles of Islamic finance, as described in Surah Al-Kahf verse 46. Their understanding of these values influences their preferences for financial products and services. The implications of these findings for the financial industry and policymakers are presented, highlighting the importance of understanding and accommodating young people's preferences in more inclusive sustainable economic development, in line with the teachings of Surah Al-Kahf verse 46. This research aims to contribute to a better understanding of how Islamic financial values, as stated in the Qur'an, can guide the transformation of the global economy towards greater sustainability and inclusiveness.

Flow instability in mixed-flow/axial-flow pump: A review of relationship between tip leakage flow distortion and rotating stall

Pumps represent a quintessential type of fluid machinery and play a pivotal role in global economic development, especially in the hydropower industry. However, as their application range and single unit capacity continue to increase, the occurrence of rotating stall phenomena caused by internal flow instability has become more frequent. This phenomenon is especially prominent in pumps with semi-open impellers, where the presence of tip leakage flow (TLF) instability accelerates the rotating stall phenomenon. Over the past few decades, extensive research has been conducted to investigate the characteristics of rotating stall in pumps. As a result, there is now a preliminary understanding of the phenomenon of rotating stall induced by tip leakage flow in pumps. However, a significant gap remains in fully comprehending the underlying mechanism of this phenomenon. This review comprehensively reviews the research progress made in understanding the relationship between pump tip leakage flow instability and rotating stall. It encompasses various aspects, including the formation mechanism of tip leakage flow, the structure of tip leakage vortex (TLV) under stall conditions, the correlation between dynamic characteristics of tip leakage flow and rotating stall, as well as methods for mitigating rotating stall through tip leakage suppression. Finally, some promising potential stall suppression method is discussed to provide some guidance for the fields of fluid machinery.

Exploring non-thermal plasma technology for microalgae removal

The global population and economic development surge has substantially increased water demand, resulting in heightened sewage and pollutant generation, posing environmental hazards. Addressing this challenge necessitates the implementation of efficient and cost-effective water reclamation methods. Non-thermal plasma technology (NTP) has emerged as a promising solution, garnering attention for its superior efficiency compared to alternatives. While existing studies have predominantly focused on energy efficiency and pollutant removal, limited research has delved into the biological removal aspect, particularly concerning algae. This study utilized a dielectric barrier plasma diffuser to eliminate Spirulina microalgae (Spirulina platensis) from wastewater solutions, demonstrating higher algae removal and superior mass transfer compared to alternative plasma methods. The effect of sample volume, input voltage and power, flow rate, and initial solution concentration on the algae removal was investigated. Investigation of operational parameters revealed the best condition resulting in a 98 % removal rate and 20 g/kWh energy efficiency. The best conditions for the removal of Spirulina microalgae were considered in a sample volume of 50 mL, a voltage of 7.6 kV, a flow rate of 700 mL/min, and an initial solution concentration of 1280 mg/liter. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images illustrated the impact of active species on cell structure, leading to the destruction of spiral form and loss of reproductive ability. The study underscores the potential of NTP for efficient algae removal and identifies key active species involved in the process. The removal of Spirulina microalgae was attributed to a combination of singlet oxygen (1O2), hydroxyl radicals, and ozone.

Empirical study on the relationship between economic growth and implied carbon emissions in Western China's undertaking of international industrial transfer.

In the macro context of global climate change, given the profound challenges that the intensifying greenhouse effect poses to global ecological balance and sustainable economic and social development, the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) is increasingly acknowledged, particularly regarding its dual impact on the environment: while serving as a catalyst for economic growth, it might also exacerbate carbon emissions in host countries. This paper focuses on the panel data of 11 provinces and cities in the western region (excluding Xizang) from 2006 to 2021, calculates the implied carbon of foreign-invested enterprises in the western region, and explores the relationship between the implied carbon of foreign-invested enterprises in the western region and the economic development of the western region. The results indicate that from 2006 to 2021, the implied net carbon value of import and export trade of foreign-invested enterprises in the western region was greater than zero and roughly exhibited an upward trend year by year. FDI has an environmental deficit in terms of carbon emissions in the western region; FDI in the western region has a significant positive effect on the implied carbon emissions in import and export trade; The GDP of the western region has a significant positive effect on the implied carbon emissions of import and export trade. Therefore, this article puts forward corresponding suggestions from five aspects: policy incentives and regulatory constraints, technology research and innovation drive, clean energy development and resource recycling, international cooperation and regional linkage, and public awareness enhancement and cultural advocacy.

Analysis of Regional Economic Cooperation in Asia and Policy Options for China

Recent years have witnessed a robust growth momentum in regional economic cooperation in Asia, marking it as an indispensable component of global economic development. With the acceleration of globalization and the deepening of regional integration, cooperation among Asian nations in areas such as trade, investment, and infrastructure has progressively intensified. Particularly under China's impetus, the signing of free trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) signifies a new phase in Asia's regional economic cooperation. As the world's second-largest economy, China, with its vast market and vigorous economic growth, plays an increasingly pivotal role in regional economic collaboration. China's policy choices not only influence the sustainable development of its own economy but also have a profound impact on the entire economic landscape of Asia. Therefore, a thorough investigation of the current state, mechanisms, and characteristics of regional economic cooperation in Asia, along with an analysis of China's policy choices in this process, holds significant theoretical and practical importance.

Penilaian Pembayaran Kredit dengan Logistic Regression dan Random Forest pada Home Credit

Global economic development has led to the high complexity of society's needs. Financial institutions are here to provide facilities to meet the increasingly complex needs of society. However, the existence of problem loans can be a serious threat so classification techniques in data mining are used to overcome this problem. This research develops a model that can predict customers' ability to make credit payments so that financial institutions can avoid problematic credit. In this research, the SMOTE resampling technique is used to see the effect of sampling in dealing with class imbalance and conducting credit assessments. The research results show that the model built using SMOTE has better AUC than the model without SMOTE. From the two machine learning algorithms, logistic regression and random forest, the results show that the random forest model with SMOTE has the best performance with an accuracy value of 90%, precision of 92%, recall of 88%, F1-score of 90%, and AUC value of 0.97. Based on the best model, ten important features were obtained that influence the process of assessing credit repayment capabilities, namely the normalized score from external data sources, the period for changing customer numbers, the number of previous installment payments, the customer's age, registration time, the period for applying for credit at the credit bureau, the period for changing identity documents, the time for updating information at the credit bureau, and the length of time the customer has worked. In addition, this research produces visualizations via dashboards that can be used to improve the process of assessing credit repayment capabilities.

Impact of construction activities on agricultural land use for sustainable food production in Ile-Ife

The construction industry is a key player in global economic development and assumes a critical position in multifaceted demand for land resources through urbanisation process such as housing and infrastructure development. This pressure plays significant role in decimating available land resources for agricultural activities and has great implication for sustainable food production. This study examined land use change process in Ile-Ife using Landsat Image at 32m resolution over a period of 2002 to 2023. The features were classified into Baresurface, Built-up, Cultivation, Vegetation, and Waterbody with respective area of coverage of 0.9%, 21.0%, 30.3%, 47.4% and 0.3% at the baseline Year 2002. Findings showed that there was significant percentage increase from 2002 to 2023 of 166.7% for Baresurface (2.4%) and 106.2% for Built-up (43.3%). On the contrary, Cultivation area reduced to 22.2%, with a percentage decimation of 26.7%, Vegetation was reduced to 31.9% with a percentage reduction of 32.7% and Waterbody to 0.2% with a percentage reduction of 33.3%. Notably, majority of the percentage differences occurred between 2002 and 2014, which is largely attributable to increase in minimum wage. By implication, substantial arable land areas for cultivation and vegetation towards food production have been overtaken by built-up area and construction activities without any visible effort at exploring alternatives for agricultural practices towards food production. A concerted effort is required to stem the tide in ensuring sustainable food production.

The Pathways and Mechanisms for Collaborative Innovation in Vocational Education, Higher Education, and Continuing Education

Against the backdrop of rapid global economic development, the demand for education has gradually shifted from quantitative growth to qualitative improvement. Vocational education, higher education, and continuing education are crucial components of China’s education system, each serving different educational functions. However, the collaborative innovation among these three types of education is still in the preliminary exploration stage, with issues such as scattered resources and imperfect coordination mechanisms. This paper systematically reviews relevant domestic and international research and practical experiences, thoroughly analyzes the pathways, models, and mechanisms of collaborative innovation among these three types of education, and proposes practical and operational suggestions based on the actual situation in Xuzhou City. The study finds that collaboration between vocational education, higher education, and continuing education through innovation not only enhances the overall efficiency of educational resources but also promotes regional economic development and social progress. On this basis, this paper proposes specific measures such as building an education resource-sharing platform, promoting a chain-based talent training system, strengthening policy and institutional guarantees, and improving incentive mechanisms, aiming to provide a reference for local education administrators and contribute to the innovative development of education in China.

Dynamic Adjustment: The Transformation of Trilateral Relations between China, the United States and Latin America (1949-2023)

This paper examines the transformative dynamics of the trilateral relationship between the United States, China, and Latin America from the 1950s to the present. Through the lens of national role theory, it explores how the national roles of these actors have shifted in response to geopolitical, economic, and ideological changes. The study is structured chronologically, analyzing distinct periods that mark the evolution of this trilateral dynamic. It delves into the historical evolution of roles and interactions, policy shifts, and strategic calculations to offer insights into the complexities of trilateral relations. The paper contributes to the literature by highlighting the interplay between self-perceived national roles and external expectations, and it provides a nuanced perspective on the challenges and opportunities inherent in navigating the multifaceted interactions between the US, China, and Latin America. The research aims to enhance understanding of the broader geopolitical trends and regional dynamics that have influenced the trajectory of these relations, offering implications for global politics, regional stability, and economic development.

A Critical Analysis on the Low Birth Rate Problem and the Effectiveness of Relevant Policy

This paper discusses the importance of the birth rate problem and the effectiveness of Chinas Three-Child policy. In order to efficiently elaborate problems, this paper analyses the issue from several perspectives. Firstly, a declining birth rate will have a negative impact on the global and domestic economic development due to the decrease in labour force. Secondly, this paper suggests that the key reason for this declining birth rate is the rising economic pressure on young people. This paper finds that China, Japan, and South Korea face the same low birth rate problem. Hence, this paper investigates the different wage levels and house prices among these East Asian countries and elaborates on the relationship associated with declining birth rates. Furthermore, this paper also discusses how to ensure the successful implementation of the Three-Child policy, and what effect the social welfare and the Three-Child policy can bring to help the society and the economy.

BRICS and G7: Global Competition

The goals and policies of the BRICS contradict the policy of the unipolar world, which perpetuates the dependence of developing countries on highly developed countries. This fact makes the BRICS and G7 international associations direct competitors with mutually opposite goals and interests. In such a formulation of the issue, strengthening and increasing the competitiveness of one integration association should lead to weakening and reducing the competitiveness of another integration association. Recently, the size of countries and the size of their populations have not been considered key factors in their competitiveness. However, if we talk about the BRICS member countries, they use these two advantages as a basis for economic growth. The area of the territory of the BRICS countries was 1.85 times the area of the G7, and the population was more than 4 times as of the end of 2022. The current trend towards the entry of new member countries into the BRICS should lead to an even greater advantage in these indicators. The economic growth of the BRICS countries is based on the use of resources and investments, while the economic growth of the G7 countries is based on accumulated wealth, military and political influence in the world. A comparison of the two integration associations in terms of real GDP growth PPP shows that the annual GDP growth of the BRICS countries exceeds the GDP growth of the G7 countries. In addition, the real GDP growth of the BRICS countries is outpacing the growth of global GDP. Key indicators characterizing the size and pace of economic growth indicate the potential for further development of the BRICS and strengthening its competition with the G7 integration bloc. The BRICS countries have shown good economic growth rates even despite the external and internal challenges associated with the crisis in the global economy and numerous economic sanctions. At the same time, the economic development of the BRICS countries is not only quantitative, but also qualitative. Unlike the G7, it is based on the formation and expansion of a free trade system within the integration bloc and the formation of economic institutions that allow overcoming trade barriers between the countries of the association, as well as increasing investment through the New Development Bank created within the BRICS. The success of development and interaction of countries within BRICS attracts new member countries. In 2024, four more countries joined the BRICS bloc, such as Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Ethiopia, and currently many more countries are taking the initiative and wish to become members of the integration association. However, competition in the Challenger-Leader format, in addition to incentives for economic growth on the basis of fair competition, simultaneously creates incentives for mutual economic, political and military blocking of the development of countries of the competing bloc, which creates great risks of slowing down global economic development in the future.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENERGY AND FOOD PRICES IN THE EURO AREA

Over the past five years, global economic developments have been accompanied by a number of challenges. After a period of economic development, the global economy is facing a significant challenge caused by the COVID-19 crisis. There have been factory closures, border closures and supply chain disruptions. All this is reflected in the EU and the euro area. This was followed by a period of recovery and accelerating inflation. The war on the territory of Ukraine is also having a significant impact on inflationary processes. This further jeopardises the supply of energy resources and their prices begin to rise at a very high rate. The shock of rising energy prices has also been reflected in sharp increases in food prices. In the euro area, there have been periods when food prices have risen by more than 17% on an annual basis and energy products by almost 60% in some months. All these developments highlight the need to examine the links between energy and food prices. This is necessary in order to be able to take quick decisions in the event of new volatility in energy prices. The aim of the study is to establish a causal relationship between the dynamics of energy and food prices and the time lag over which food prices react to increases in energy prices. A correlation analysis is carried out and a causal relationship between the two indicators is established by regression analysis at different time lags. The hypothesis tested is that, over the last five years, there has been a strong month-to-month correlation between energy prices and food prices with a lag of six months. For the purpose of regression analysis and hypothesis testing, monthly data for food inflation and inflation for the group Electricity, gas and other fuels have been used. The data are taken from the structure of the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices published by Eurostat. The detailed regression analysis shows that there is a statistically significant linear relationship between the price indices of the two product groups with a lag of six months. The Granger causality test confirms the results of the dynamic, correlation and regression analysis. The results of the test show not only the existence of a causal relationship, but also the ability of energy price changes to predict food price dynamics. All this leads to the conclusion that in periods of significant changes in energy prices, food prices can be expected to follow similar dynamics within six months. This relationship could be used both for forecasting and for taking specific economic measures.