High Economic Performance Research Articles

Studying social determinants of health using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis: A worked example

Using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), we present an alternative method for studying the social determinants of health (SDHs) that focuses on their configurational paths leading to population health outcomes. In our worked example, we examine the macrosocial determinants of infant mortality based on data covering 149 countries. First, we applied regression techniques to assess the net effects of key macrosocial determinants. Second, we used fsQCA to analyze the same data and identify the configurational paths. We calibrated the macrosocial determinants in terms of both advantages and disadvantages and revealed the configurations of (dis)advantages consistently linked to high infant mortality rates and low infant mortality rates. The regression analysis showed that the net effects of national economic performance, democracy level, inequality, and women's autonomy were all statistically significant. Together, they explained 83% of the variance in infant mortality rates between countries. Following the fuzzy-set analysis, the two main configurational paths to achieve low infant mortality rates were high women's autonomy together with high economic performance and high women's autonomy together with low inequality and full democracy. The main paths that left countries burdened with high infant mortality rates were low economic performance together with either low women's autonomy or high inequality. We conclude that different SDH configurations may lead to the same health outcomes. Therefore, it may not always be sufficient to say which variables matter the most universally, and by using fsQCA, it is possible to move from treating SDHs as competing independent variables to using them in configurations to explain health outcomes.

The Coal Dust Combustion Scheme for an Invert Furnace of an A-USC M-Shaped Boiler

The M-shaped boiler construction for the advanced ultrasupercritical steam parameters (A-USC) is proposed in this work. The boiler was designed to operate in a 500 MW unit on low volatile hard coal. This design allows reducing the pipelines length of the high cost steam pipelines made of nickel alloys. A downstream (invert) furnace is offered for this boiler type. The coal dust burning scheme design using the direct-flow burners and nozzles in a system of vertical and horizontal tangential torches and the solid ash removal are proposed. This approach was extensively used earlier on standard shaped boilers, and it was upgraded now for an invert furnace. The goals are achieved by conducting research on the physical furnace model and thermal furnace processes numerical simulation by computational fluid dynamics software. The most significant research results were as follows: the oxidizer stage supply was performed along the torch length and furnace height; the dynamic jet pressure on the furnace walls was excluded; a high degree of coal burnout was ensured due to the vortex furnace aerodynamics implementation; the uniform furnace section filling with air jets was performed; turbulent jets ejection was significantly higher than that for a flat submerged jet; chemical underburning loss did not exceed 0.1%; and unburned carbon loss was 0.8%. The carbon monoxide concentration at the furnace outlet in terms of air excess ratio equal to α=1.4 was 226 mg/nm3 . The nitrogen oxides concentration in the flue gases (normalized) was 424 mg/nm3 . The results significance obtained during the research is efficient solid fuel use with high technical and economic boiler performance.

Practice of the Implementation Cyber Security and Financial Inclusion at the Micro-, Macro- and Global Levels of the Economy

Authors presented main aspects of cybersecurity in the current context of global challenges in terms of password protection Wi-Fi network, hacking detection, external cyber threats, complex mechanisms of hacking IT systems, cyberattacks that are complex and widespread. The opinion is expressed that one of the tendencies of development of cybersecurity of Ukraine is creation of the concept and introduction of technologies of Smart Information Systems. Main results achieved should be the ability to monitor, controllable, intelligent control of the decision-making system of digital asset management, which provides high reliability and high economic performance. Authors expressed the opinion that Enabling Financial and Digital Inclusion takes place through the implementation of the following chain type: “Financial identity – Secure electronic account – Ability to save, borrow, insure – Access to global economy”. In general, the future of finance in digital world, which involves the emergence of new qualities of financial literacy, is possible through the following vectors of development, namely: The finance factory, The role of Finance, Finance cycles, Self-service, Operating model, Finance applications and micro-services, Workforce and workplace. Main threats to national security are named, including the inconsistency of infrastructure and modern requirements; Insufficient efficiency and level of coordination of the security and defense sector of Ukraine. Pursuing the goal of successful implementation of the Cyber Security Strategy of Ukraine, it is proposed to move on to the following steps, namely: to follow the path of creating a national cybersecurity system; increasing the effectiveness of combating threats in the military sphere; cyber protection of state electronic information resources, as well as information infrastructure; protection of the interests of the citizen, society and the state in cyberspace. Authors presented a practical example of licensing DigitalLab by businesses to enhance cybersecurity through the use of DigitalLab-Light, DigitalLab-Express, DigitalLab-Standart, DigitelLab-PRO.

DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS OF THE RELEVANCE OF DOING BUSINESS BY YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS IN THE POST-PANDEMIC COVID-19 PERIOD

The article highlights a marketing study of the preconditions for starting a business by young entrepreneurs by polling existing and potential entrepreneurs under the age of 35 on social networks. The problems of the development of existing enterprises during the introduction of quarantine restrictions due to coronavirus (COVID-19) are considered. Obstacles at the beginning of starting a business by young entrepreneurs and their willingness to adapt to coronavirus quarantine restrictions are analyzed (COVID-19). One in two young entrepreneurs is found to be partially affected by quarantine restrictions due to the coronavirus epidemic (COVID-19), and the rest of the self-employed people responded that the business is fully operational. Among the difficulties that arose during the quarantine, there was a decrease in social activity and limited visits to customers, reduced activity in those areas on which their business depended, lack of demand and orders. It is established that one of the important aspects is the focus on creating conditions to support young entrepreneurs and the necessary guarantees of their activities, the competence of the state in matters of lending and preferential tax conditions for start-up entrepreneurs. It is also possible to consider exchange and training on the basis of universities in countries with high economic performance in comparison with Ukraine (for potential entrepreneurs), and government support programs for existing enterprises.

Environment, Social, and Governance Performance and Financial Performance With National Pension Fund Investment: Evidence From Korea.

This study attempts to examine the relationship between environment, social, and governance (ESG) management and financial performance and the role of socially responsible investment in the National Pension Fund (NPF), Korea’s largest institutional investor. This study tries to provide evidence for the slack resource hypothesis by verifying whether companies with higher financial performance make more efforts to improve ESG performance. In addition, we tried to validate whether NPF is expanding its investments in corporations with high economic performance and high ESG performance. Based on our analysis, Korean companies with good financial performance actively participate in ESG. When we compared the performance between 2019 and 2020, companies with high ESG performance increased regardless of financial performance level, whereas companies with high financial performance and low ESG performance decreased. This represents that the perception and attitude of Korean companies toward ESG management are evolving. NPF has a high investment ratio for firms having a high ratio in both financial and ESG performance. NPF further invested in companies with high ESG performance, even if the financial performance is not decent. This study provides evidence that Korean companies’ interest in ESG management as well as the behavior of socially responsible investment of NPF are rising.

Nonlinear model predictive control for the space heating system of a university building in Norway

Space heating accounts for a significant share of a building's energy use; moreover, occupants' desires for better thermal comfort may further increase the energy use and peak load of the space heating system, as well as its total energy cost. The goal of this study was to use an optimal control technique: model-based predictive controller, to improve the energy and economic performance of space heating systems with satisfying indoor temperature. The proposed optimal controller incorporated the dynamic energy prices, the disturbances from weather and occupancy, as well as a nonlinear system dynamic model that considered the building thermal mass as thermal energy storage. The model-based predictive controller was tested by simulation on a university building in central Norway, and its control performance was compared to a conventional rule-based control approach, which is currently employed by the case system. The model-based predictive controller's effectiveness was demonstrated by a 2.8% reduction in heat use, 8.8% shaving in peak load, 3.8% saving in heating cost, and a 59% drop in indoor temperature violation. Furthermore, a sensitivity study revealed that the model-based predictive controller still maintained high energy and economic performance even under lightweight building constructions with decreased building thermal mass.

Selective adsorption of heavy metals from water by a hyper-branched magnetic composite material: Characterization, performance, and mechanism

The development of adsorbents to remove heavy metal ions from water with recyclable, high adsorption capacity, strong selectivity, safe, and economic performances has always been the focus and challenge of current research. A hyper-branched magnetic composite material (Fe3O4@SiO2–S4) was fabricated by a method combining “grafting,“, “branching,” and “modification,“, and the structure was characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, SAED, VSM, TGA, and BET. In addition, the adsorption performance and mechanism for heavy metal ions in water were studied. The as-prepared composite material had excellent selective absorbability for Hg2+, Cd2+, and Ag+ in the presence of Fe3+, Fe2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, CO2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+, and when pH = 6, T = 30 °C, t = 4 h, it reached a saturated adsorption capacity of 2.42, 2.18, and 1.94 mmol/g to Hg2+, Cd2+, and Ag+, respectively. The adsorption isotherm was consistent with the Langmuir isotherm adsorption model, and the Dubinin Redushcke (D-R) model identified that the adsorption was chemical adsorption in nature. The adsorption kinetic followed the pseudo-second-order model and Boyd film diffusion models. The adsorption capacity of as-prepared material remained about 83% after five elutions. The adsorption mechanism and selective adsorption were revealed by FTIR, EDS, XPS, and DFT calculation. N atoms and O atoms of the active functional groups complexed with metal ions to form stable 2 heptachate chelates and 1 tridentate chelate to achieve the effect of adsorption; furthermore, the adsorption was mainly governed by N atoms of Schiff base groups. This work not only explored an innovative method for the construction of adsorbing materials but also provided a promising adsorbent to selectively remove heavy metal ions in water with potential application.

Isolation and identification of Rahnella victoriana associated with bacterial canker of Eucalyptus in Iran

AbstractEucalypts are cultivated in many regions of the world because of their amenability to intensive plantation forestry (environmental adaptability and plasticity of clones, fast growth, easiness of rooting and strong re‐sprouting after coppicing), quality of the timber for multiple uses and high economic performance. Symptomatic Eucalyptus camaldulensis trees were sampled at two sites in the Mazandaran province of Iran. Plants showed trunk bark cracking and cankers accompanied by dark‐brown watery exudation from damaged tissues. Isolation, purification along with phenotypic and genotypic characterization of isolates were performed using routine bacteriological methods. Finally, the bacterial isolates obtained from cankers on symptomatic eucalyptus plants were identified as Rahnella victoriana based on results of biochemical tests in combination with analyses of partial sequences of the 16S rRNA, gyrB,rpoB, and atpD gene regions. When representative isolates were inoculated into the stem of 1‐year‐old E. camaldulensis saplings, necrotic lesions were visible in external and internal bark tissues 30 days after inoculation. The bacteria were re‐isolated from lesions up to 2 months post‐inoculation. This is the first report of bacterial canker of Eucalyptus caused by R. victoriana in Iran and in the world.

Mixed public-private and private extension systems: A comparative analysis using farm-level data from Ireland

Empirical evidence remains scarce in the literature as to whether public and private sectors can effectively coordinate and provide extension services to the whole farming population with respect to sustainable agricultural production. This article compares farmer cohorts participating in mixed public-private and/or private extension services, and non-participants in the context of Irish dairy farming. Differences in farm and farmers’ characteristics are analysed with non-linear regression models, while farm economic and environmental sustainability performance is compared across groups using linear regression models. The findings show that farm size, stocking rate, dairy specialisation, and levels of farm management vary across cohorts, thereby suggesting that mixed public-private and private extension systems can target different pools of participants. Extension participation is associated with higher economic performance, but the analysis provides no evidence of improved environmental sustainability. When comparing mixed public-private and private extension systems in detail, no differences are found in performance across both sustainability dimensions. Policy implications are drawn for the design and implementation of publicly funded extension programmes to achieve greater farm sustainability. Notably, programme worthwhileness, payment schemes, and participants’ selection criteria are discussed.

Crony capitalism, the party-state, and the political boundaries of corruption

We build a model that puts together crony capitalism, the hierarchy of the Chinese communist party-state, and the decision-making process inside the Party Center. We show that inefficient economic institutions create local corruption that raises realized productivity, while generating rents that flow along the party-state hierarchy up to the provincial level, threatening the Center’s control in potential crises. Although both stronger crisis control and higher economic performance help the Center’s goal to stay in power, we show that given a general fat-tailed risk of crisis, the Center will maximize crisis control at the expense of the economy when choosing its tolerance of local corruption. Power structure and corruption within the Center and reciprocal accountability between central and provincial leaders are also analyzed. Our analysis suggests conditions under which China’s communist regime will or will not deal with the existential threat presented by corruption.

Economic Competitiveness and Quality of Human Resources in West Sumatra


 
 
 Economic development is essentially an effort to improve people’s welfare through increasing and promoting equitable distribution of people’s income. The logical consequence of regional development in the current era of globalization is an increasingly sharp level of direct competition in the marketing of goods and services, both in the domestic market and the international market, for all regions in the national territory. The purpose of this study was, first, to analyze the characteristics and level of competitiveness of the regional economy and human resources in districts and cities in West Sumatra. Secondly, we aimed to investigate the relationships between regional economic performance, human resources and typology between regions in West Sumatra. This research used descriptive qualitative and quantitative methods and analyses. To determine the pattern and structure of regional economic growth, the Klassen typology was used. Then to examine the overall ranking of regional economic competitiveness, the average and standard deviation of the main indicator were calculated. The results indicated that the highest economic performance and quality of human resources were in the city of Padang, followed by Bukittinggi, Padang Panjang, Payakumbuh, and Solok. The lowest competitiveness was dominated by regencies such as Solok Selayan, Pesisir Selatan, and the Mentawai Islands. This was also supported by the findings of Klassen’s typology.
 Keywords: competitiveness, region, Klassen typology, performance
 
 

Trade Unions in the Nordic Labor Market Models – Signs of Erosion? Introduction to the Special Issue

The Nordic countries are known for being small open economies with large public sectors due to universal welfare states and high living standards across occupations and education levels. This combination has recently been characterized as a balanced growth model in which both exports and internal demand (private and public) contributes to economic growth. In contrast to export-led growth models – as seen in Germany – which have starved wages and thus internal demand to increase the cost competitiveness of the export sector (Baccaro & Pontusson 2016), the Nordic countries seem to be able to do both (Alsos et al. 2019). In 2013, The Economist proclaimed Nordic countries as the world’s next ‘supermodel’ due to the emphasis on market dynamics and income security rather than job tenure – a useful blueprint for labor market policy configured for the rapid technological changes foreshadowed in the twenty-first century (Wooldridge 2013).In more recent years, the OECD has linked the flexibility, high economic performance, and high living standards with independent collective bargaining conducted by strong social partners (OECD 2018, 2019). In all the Nordic countries, the industrial or employment relations systems are based on collective pattern bargaining involving strong trade unions and multi-employer organizations with a minimum of state intervention (Andersen et al. 2015). This system of collective bargaining is underpinned by strong local cooperation between employers and employees (Rasmussen & Høgedahl 2021).Hence, it is evident that the performance and success of the Nordic labor market models rely on strong collective representation through trade unions and employer organizations (Høgedahl 2020). However, although employer density levels seem stable, Nordic trade unions have all to some degree seen a membership decline since the mid- 1990s. This trend begs the question: Do trade unions within the Nordic labor market models showing signs of erosion? If so – why is the union density dropping and what are the implications for the Nordic labor market models?

Economic Policy Uncertainty, Social Development, Political Regimes and Environmental Quality.

This paper aims to examine the influence of Economic Policy Uncertainty (EPU) on environmental performance, as well as the moderating effect of social development and the political regimes in EPU’s influence on environmental performance. To investigate such essential issues, we conducted Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimations by utilizing cross-country data covering 137 countries during the period of 2001–2018, according to the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence and Technology (STIRPAT) model. Our empirical estimations support that EPU negatively affects environmental performance; this idea was still supported when we conducted an empirical analysis by changing the measurements, employing alternative estimations and constructing new samples. Furthermore, not only would the absolute level of EPU bring worse environmental performance, but so would an increase in EPU. Moreover, higher economic performance, globalization and a high quality of governance can help countries to alleviate the adverse environmental effect of EPU. Additionally, EPU’s negative effect on environmental performance is stronger in right-wing countries, autocracies and non-OECD countries, compared to their counterparts. Our study provides substantial policy implications for governments participating in the international treaties of environmental protection, to mitigate environmental degradation.

Drivers of Digitalization in the Energy Sector—The Managerial Perspective from the Catching Up Economy

This article attempts to identify the key forces driving the successful digitalization of the energy sector, ensuring improvements in the energy triangle including sustainability, stability, and economic performance. The article sheds light on the diverse energy priorities at supra-, national, and managerial levels, and the role of digitalization in achieving these objectives. Catching up economies (such as Poland), being post-socialist EU member states, in order to transform its energetic sector, must overcome a number of infrastructural and social shortcomings retained as a legacy of the socialist economy. As such, sustainability (as the core priority at EU energy agenda) may not be the leading objective at both national and company level in the energy sector transformation. This article presents the results of empirical research carried out through distribution of e-questionnaire addressed to Polish managers from the energy sector. The results were analyzed using the fsQCA method. The findings suggest that, for managers, the most important drivers of digitalization and transformation of the energy sector in Poland are its high economic performance, together with support for energy prosumers and consumers. The prerequisites for a successful digitalization are alternatively the absence of management barriers, or a combination of high economic performance and a strong focus on environmental protection. Surprisingly, according to managers surveyed, the rapid implementation of new technologies is not considered a vital condition for successful digital transformation of the energy sector, which implies either or managerial lack of knowledge in this area and/or a reluctance to introduce digital rapid technologies.

Ethical business communications as a means of maintaining the company's reputation

The article examines the impact of business ethics on the formation and maintenance of the company’s reputation in market conditions, which is an important competitive advantage and promotes further development. The purpose of the scientific publication is to study ethics as a regulatory factor in the implementation of effective business communications and their impact on the formation and maintenance of the company's reputation. Attention is paid to the essence of reputation and its dependence on the quality and ethical level of business communications. The nature of the concept of communication is considered historically and the difference between the mechanistic and activity paradigm of communications is given. It has been established that business communications can be considered as a process of ensuring the transfer of information from one entity to another through feedback with a focus on achieving goals. The typology of business communications by environment (external and internal) and by the direction of information flow (vertical and horizontal) is considered. It has been proven that ethics is a regulatory factor that generally determines the possibility of bringing business communications to the desired result, which may vary depending on the field. The main reason for ethical violations in business is the clash of the desire to achieve high economic performance and the need to be socially responsible to their employees and society. The modern attitude to communication and tasks of business communication which are directed on establishment of useful long-term business relations for the purpose of achievement of the strategic purposes of activity of business are considered. Any communication, explicitly or implicitly, includes a moral aspect, because the participants in communication interaction are people with their own goals and desires, motivation, and moral attitudes. It has been established that compliance with business ethics has a positive effect on maintaining the reputation of business, which promotes the interest of partners and customers in further cooperation, increases economic attractiveness for investors, creates opportunities for profitability, productivity, and motivation. Keywords: ethics, business communications, management, information support, financial and economic sphere, reputation.

Natural resources commodity prices volatility and economic performance: Evaluating the role of green finance

COVID-19 has been one of the biggest sources of economic downfall around the globe. During this period, global economic activities are badly affected. The role of natural resources commodity prices is equally important to determine the economic performance of an economy. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the importance of natural resources volatility, green finance, investment in energy resources, and innovation on the economic performance of the provincial data of China. This study uses novel panel data approaches, i.e., Pesaran unit root test, Westerlund cointegration approach, augmented mean group, and Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality test. The study found that natural resources are of great importance to uplift the economic performance of an economy as its effect is found positive. Moreover, the effect of green finance, investment in energy resources, and innovation is equally important for improved economic performance. This study recommends stability in natural resources prices volatility, promotion of green finances and more investment towards energy resources. The empirical outcomes from this study provide a novel path for achieving high economic performance.

I profili strategici delle microimprese italiane: vincoli dimensionali e potenzialità di sviluppo

The work analyses Italian micro-firms, profiling them according to their propensity to change and innovation. The units in more advanced profiles are about 30%, with much higher economic performance and propensity to growth than the other profiles. The generational transition is a relevant factor in fostering change- and innovation-oriented strategies, especiallyin the presence of younger and more educated top management figures. However, these factors only partially compensate for the growth constraints deriving from an excessively small size.

Combustion of wood pellets with a high amount of fines

A comprehensive study of the efficiency of the 1.5 MW Arimax Bio Energy hot water boiler operating on wood pellets with a high amount of fines has been carried out. Fuel characteristics and its compliance with the quality requirements of Russian and European standards have been investigated. The components of the heat balance and emission of harmful substances have been determined. Thermovision study of the boiler was carried out. The comprehensive study showed that the boiler provides sufficiently high technical and economic performance and minimal emissions of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. However, the high amount of fines in the pellets significantly increases the emissions of particulate matter and especially black carbon into the environment.

ПОРІВНЯЛЬНИЙ АНАЛІЗ ГІДРОТЕРМАЛЬНИХ ТЕПЛОНАСОСНИХ УСТАНОВОК ЗАКРИТОГО ТА ВІДКРИТОГО ТИПУ З РІЗНИМИ ДЖЕРЕЛАМИ НИЗЬКОПОТЕНЦІЙНОЇ ЕНЕРГІЇ

The article is devoted to a new direction of using the waters of the upper aquifers and open reservoirs for heat and cold supply of residential and public buildings and structures. The theoretical analysis of technologies of construction and features of use of natural accumulators of thermal energy in aquifers is carried out. The general schemes of construction of hydrothermal power systems of closed and open type are described. The hydrothermal experimental heat pump power system developed and constructed at the Institute of Renewable Energy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine consisting of a heat pump and two wells with a depth of 49.5 m and 57.5 m, through which water is pumped or pumped from the aquifer, is presented. The geomorphological, geological and hydrogeological conditions of the study site are analyzed. The peculiarities of the formation of groundwater reserves of the productive horizon are described. Further directions of hydrogeological observations have been determined. The efficiency of the hydrothermal heat pump energy system of the open type is scientifically substantiated. Research methods are described. The characteristics of the measuring equipment and the software which was used for archiving and visualization of the data received in the course of carrying out research work are resulted. The results of experimental researches are presented. A comparative analysis of the efficiency and investment attractiveness of the hydrothermal system of open and closed type, where low-potential thermal energy of water is used as a renewable primary source of thermal energy for the operation of the heat pump was carried out. It is established that the use of renewable low-potential ground energy for the operation of geothermal energy systems is widely used in environmentally safe and economically attractive energy systems. However, the use of hydropower potential in hydrothermal energy systems is not widely used, despite the high technical and economic performance. It is proved that the existing hydrothermal systems are not always adapted to the operating conditions and location of the facility. There is no method of designing open-type hydrothermal systems, methods of conducting preliminary hydrogeological studies of the area planned for the installation of these systems and methods of calculating the parameters of the storage medium. The data obtained during the study are of great scientific and applied importance in the design of hydrothermal energy heat pump systems. In addition, there are prospects for further research into the possibility and effectiveness of using the aquifer as a natural heat accumulator to stabilize the generation of energy from renewable sources, regardless of climatic conditions and time of year.

РАЗРАБОТКА ЭЛЕМЕНТОВ SCADA-СИСТЕМЫ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ БУМАЖНОГО ПОЛОТНА ДЛЯ ДИНАМИЧЕСКОЙ ВИЗУАЛИЗАЦИИ ДАННЫХ

Nowadays the introduction of intelligent technologies is closely connected with the development of modern information and control systems. Modern SCADA systems are an enabling technology for monitoring and control of dynamic systems in many industries. The article describes the main functions and features of SCADA systems and their typical structure. Italso deals with the important network technologies in systems controlled by SCADA systems and their application. The analysis shows that an integrated SCADA system into automated control systems is the basis for ensuring high economic performance of an enterprise. Based on DataRate the SCADA system elements were developed to control the paper web casting system as part of a large industrial automated control system for dynamic data visualization. An algorithm of interaction and data transfer between elements of a virtual system using the Matrikon OPC software package is described. The use of the DataRate system for visualizing the results of the Simulink-model in forming the mass of the paper web is substantiated.