ABSTRACT Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives often struggle to achieve lasting impact. This study explores how organizational learning through policy tourism influences inclusive business development and workforce diversity across U.S. cities. Using an exploratory sequential mixed-methods research design, this study first employs qualitative content analysis to classify DEI learning into four types based on learning depth and focus. It then applies a ridge-augmented synthetic control method to examine their distinct effects on racial minority representation in city business leadership. This study advances understanding of organizational learning theoretically and analytically. It also provides practical insights for promoting inclusive economic growth.

ABSTRACT Background Building on our previous study, which identified six convergence clubs among Vietnam's 63 provinces, this paper provides the first comprehensive examination of the evolution and dynamics of provincial GDP per capita inequality within each club over the period 2010–2023. Methods This study employs σ‐convergence, the Theil index, and the Gini coefficient to assess trends and patterns of inequality in provincial GDP per capita within each convergence club. In addition, time‐series techniques are used to analyse the growth trajectory of each province or city relative to the national average. The analysis is complemented by an exploration of key provincial characteristics and the main factors underlying the observed patterns of inequality across convergence clubs. Results The findings indicate a general decline in GDP per capita inequality across all convergence clubs over the study period. Whereas only nine provinces recorded GDP per capita above the national average in 2010, a considerably larger number of provinces exhibited upward convergence toward the national benchmark by 2023. Despite this progress, a group of persistently underperforming provinces remains, predominantly located in geographically remote and economically disadvantaged areas. The results also underscore the important roles of total investment and foreign direct investment in driving the observed reduction in output inequality across convergence clubs. Policy Implications There is a need to strengthen spillover effects from high‐performing provinces, foster more inclusive economic growth in lagging regions, and implement targeted interventions to reduce interprovincial income disparities in Vietnam.

Youth entrepreneurship is widely recognized as a key driver of employment creation, poverty reduction, and sustainable economic growth. However, young people in developing countries, including Ethiopia, continue to face substantial barriers to establishing and sustaining business ventures. This study assesses the major challenges and opportunities of youth entrepreneurship in Kellem Wollega Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, with particular emphasis on institutional, economic, social, and technological factors. A mixed-methods research approach with an explanatory sequential design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 399 youth respondents using structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were used to analyse quantitative data, and thematic analysis was applied to qualitative responses. The findings reveal that lack of access to finance, poor infrastructure, limited social support, and inadequate entrepreneurial opportunities exert significant negative effects on youth entrepreneurship. Conversely, motivation, access to business assistance services, and technology adoption show positive and statistically significant influences on youth entrepreneurial engagement. The regression model explains 45.8% of the variation in youth entrepreneurship, indicating that both challenges and opportunities jointly play an important role in shaping entrepreneurial outcomes. Although government support, training, and policy frameworks exist, their effects were found to be statistically insignificant, suggesting weaknesses in implementation and coordination. The study concludes that strengthening youth entrepreneurship in Kellem Wollega Zone requires an integrated policy approach that expands access to affordable finance, improves infrastructure, enhances business development services, promotes technology utilization, and fosters supportive social and institutional environments. These findings provide valuable evidence for policymakers, development partners, and educational institutions seeking to design targeted interventions that promote youth-led enterprise development and inclusive economic growth in Ethiopia.

Poverty is a multidimensional problem that remains a major challenge for North Sumatra despite relatively strong economic growth. This study aims to analyze the effect of the Dependency Ratio, Gini Ratio, and Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) on poverty in North Sumatra Province during the period 2001–2024. Using a quantitative approach with time-series data and the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) estimation method, the results show that the Dependency Ratio has a positive and significant effect on poverty, meaning that each one percent increase in the dependency ratio raises the number of poor people by 31.74 thousand. The Gini Ratio has a negative and significant effect, explained by the Kuznets Hypothesis and the Selective Poverty Exit mechanism. LFPR has a negative and significant effect, with each one percent increase reducing poverty by 16.39 thousand people. Simultaneously, the three variables explain 82.84 percent of the variation in poverty (Adjusted R² = 0.8284), confirming that poverty in North Sumatra is a multidimensional structural phenomenon. Policy implications emphasize the urgency of optimizing the demographic dividend, ensuring inclusive economic growth, and improving the quality of employment.

This study examines the effectiveness of Batam City Regional Regulation Number 2 of 2024 concerning Manpower Placement in the Batamindo Industrial Area in supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8, which focuses on decent work and inclusive economic growth. The objective of this research is to evaluate the implementation of the regulation in the field and to identify the challenges encountered, as well as possible solutions to overcome these challenges. The research method used is an empirical juridical approach with a sociological perspective, conducted through interviews with relevant stakeholders and the distribution of questionnaires to HR personnel in several companies within the Batamindo Industrial Area using random sampling. The results show that although there has been a decrease in the unemployment rate, the implementation of this regulation is still limited by a lack of coordination among relevant stakeholders, low levels of socialization, and a mismatch between the competencies of the local workforce and the needs of the industry. This study suggests the need for improved coordination, more intensive socialization, and the provision of training facilities aligned with industry needs in order to support the achievement of SDG 8

ABSTRACT Using a sample of 67 countries, this article examines how financial inclusion, among other factors, shapes the transition to inclusive and sustainable growth. First, we analyse the heterogeneous and asymmetric relationship between inclusiveness and its main determinants using recent panel quantile regression techniques. Our results suggest that the distributional effects of financial inclusion, institutional quality, and information and communication technology (ICT) diffusion are statistically significant only in the lower tail of the conditional distribution. Although both financial inclusion and ICT diffusion are detrimental to inclusive growth, institutional quality is conducive to greater shared prosperity. Next, we examine the existence of a mediating effect in the process of inclusiveness using non-linear panel threshold modelling. Our results highlight the mediating role of financial inclusion in achieving more inclusive and sustainable growth. While ICT infrastructure negatively impacts growth inclusiveness at low financial inclusion levels, a positive relationship is observed when financial affordability exceeds a certain threshold. Policymakers are called upon to harness the combined impacts of financial inclusion, governance quality, and ICTs to ensure inclusive economic growth.

ABSTRACT As a determinant of household economic behaviour, the digital divide remains significant yet under-explored. Using data from the 2019 China Household Finance Survey, this study examines how the digital divide affects household financial vulnerability within China’s rapidly digitizing economy. We find that the digital divide increases household financial vulnerability by tightening credit constraints and elevating leverage. Heterogeneity analysis suggests that this effect is particularly pronounced among households with less-educated heads, middle-aged and older heads, rural households, and those in less economically developed regions. These findings suggest that policies aiming to foster inclusive economic growth should address not only infrastructure provision but also emphasize targeted ‘last-mile’ digital literacy programmes, alternative credit scoring models for the digitally excluded, and strengthened offline financial safety nets during the digital transformation.

This study examines the association between environmental sustainability factors and Domestic Credit to Private Sector (CPS) across selected EU countries, specifically focusing on Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. Using advanced econometric techniques, including MMQR, the study investigates how renewable energy consumption (REC), research and development expenditure (RDE), income inequality (GIN), and under-5 mortality (MUR) influence CPS. The results show that CPS is significantly impacted by REC and RDE, suggesting that financial access is closely tied to investments in renewable energy and technological innovation. Furthermore, CPS is negatively associated with income inequality, highlighting the potential of financial systems to reduce disparities and promote more inclusive economic growth. Although CPS is positively associated with forest area (FAR), the relationship with under-5 mortality is limited, implying that healthcare infrastructure and social policies play a more direct role in improving child health outcomes. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating green finance policies, enhancing R&D investments, and addressing income inequality to foster long-term sustainable development and financial inclusion in EU countries.

ABSTRACT This study investigates the drivers of income‐based inclusive economic growth in 14 Sub‐Saharan African countries from 2000 to 2023, focusing on investment, employment, trade openness, population growth, inflation, and foreign direct investment. Using panel econometric techniques, including the pooled mean group estimator, its nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag extension, and the dynamic common correlated effects estimator, the analysis captures long‐ and short‐run dynamics, as well as asymmetric and interaction effects. The findings indicate that foreign direct investment is positively associated with per capita income growth, with its growth‐enhancing effect strengthened in more open economies. Population growth constrains long‐run per capita income growth, while domestic investment exhibits uneven effects, highlighting the importance of capital allocation efficiency. Short‐run dynamics suggest that reductions in unemployment and targeted capital inflows support short‐term economic performance. Overall, the results provide evidence for policy interventions that can support income growth and employment creation, thereby contributing to the income‐related dimension of Sustainable Development Goal 8 in the region.

Bamboo—one of the fastest-growing lignocellulosic resources—represents a scalable, low-cost, and renewable solution for climate-resilient rural development. This study synthesizes evidence from peer-reviewed literature (2020–2025), national datasets, and model-based simulations to evaluate bamboo’s dual role in carbon sequestration and livelihood enhancement within India’s emerging bioeconomy. Simulated datasets indicate a mean carbon sequestration potential ranging from 7 to 15 Mg C ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, substantially higher than conventional timber species. Livelihood assessments reveal that value-added bamboo enterprises can generate net incomes exceeding ₹200,000 ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, while also increasing rural employment intensity. Policy reforms—most notably the Indian Forest (Amendment) Act, 2017, which delisted bamboo from the “tree” category in non-forest areas, and the restructured National Bamboo Mission (NBM, 2020–2025)—have catalyzed cultivation, processing, and market integration. Overall, findings demonstrate bamboo’s potential to synergize ecological restoration, carbon mitigation, and inclusive economic growth, thereby reinforcing India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement (NDCs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Agricultural economics plays a crucial role in ensuring food security, rural development, and overall economic stability, particularly in developing economies. This paper examines the relationship between agricultural development and food security, highlighting key challenges such as low productivity, climate dependence, and market inefficiencies. It evaluates government policies and institutional support mechanisms aimed at improving agricultural performance. The study emphasizes the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and policy interventions for achieving long-term food security and inclusive economic growth.

The objective of this study is to examine the roles of SME, non-SME, and agricultural financing in inclusive economic growth and concomitant headcount poverty reduction in Bangladesh. ADF (Augmented Dickey-Fuller) and KPSS (Kwiatkowski-Phillips-Schmidt-Shin) tests for non-stationarity of time series variables, the ARDL (Autoregressive Distributed Lag) procedure for cointegration and the associated VECMs (Vector Error- Correction Models) are implemented for convergence toward long-term equilibrium, speed of adjustment toward it, long-run casual effects and short-run feedback effects. Annual data from 1976 through 2023 are employed. Data sources include the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and the Bangladesh Planning Commission. Evidences support financing of SMEs to positively influence inclusive real GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth that in turn help poverty reduction. However, the reduction in poverty through inclusive economic growth alone is relatively subdued than direct SME financing. Agricultural financing has relatively more pronounced effects on poverty reduction. The converging speed of adjustment towards the long-run equilibrium, however, seems tepid. The short-run feedback effects appear reinforcingly positive. The policymakers in Bangladesh should stay focused on due financing to SMEs and agriculture for promoting inclusive economic growth and hence, mitigating poverty. To note, enhancing inclusive economic growth alone cannot sufficiently dent poverty. Other supportive measures and micro-business lending should as well be given a priority.

Purpose. This paper examined the effect of tax revenue on the attainment of decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) in selected African countries, focusing on key tax revenue components including customs and import duties, taxes on exports, taxes on goods and services, and taxes on income, profits, and capital gains. Methodology. The study adopted an ex-post facto research design using panel data obtained from the World Bank’s World Development Indicators (WDI) database. The population consisted of all the 54 African countries, while 41 countries were purposively selected based on data availability. The dataset covered the period from 2001 to 2023. Decent Work and Economic Growth was measured using the SDG 8 index, while tax revenue variables included customs and other import duties, taxes on exports, taxes on goods and services, and taxes on income, profits, and capital gains. The analysis employed panel regression techniques, with diagnostic tests confirming the suitability of the estimation approach. Findings. The empirical results revealed mixed effects of tax revenue components on decent work and economic growth across the sampled African countries. Specifically, taxes on goods and services exhibited a positive and significant relationship with SDG 8, suggesting that consumption-based taxes contribute to improved economic productivity and employment outcomes. In contrast, taxes on income, profits, and capital gains showed a negative but insignificant relationship, indicating that direct taxation may have limited effectiveness in promoting growth within the sampled economies. Customs and other import duties demonstrated a negative impact, implying that trade-related taxes may constrain economic expansion and productivity when excessively applied. Overall, the results indicate that the structure and efficiency of tax systems significantly influence the extent to which tax revenues translate into improved employment and economic growth outcomes. Implications. The findings suggest that African governments should strengthen tax administration systems and prioritize efficient revenue mobilization strategies capable of supporting inclusive economic growth and employment generation. Policymakers should focus on expanding consumption-based tax bases, improving transparency in tax administration, and ensuring that tax revenues are effectively allocated to productive sectors such as infrastructure, education, and technological development. Strengthening fiscal institutions and improving governance will enhance the capacity of tax systems to support SDG 8 by promoting job creation, productivity growth, and sustainable economic development. Originality. This study contributes to the growing literature on fiscal policy and sustainable development by linking tax revenue components with the attainment of SDG 8 across African countries. By examining multiple tax instruments within a panel data framework, the research provides new insights into how different tax structures influence employment creation and economic growth, highlighting the importance of efficient tax systems in achieving sustainable development goals in Africa.

South Africa continues to face persistently high levels of graduate unemployment, which restricts economic productivity and further intensifies poverty, inequality, and the marginalisation of young people. In response, the development of graduate entrepreneurs has become a strategic national priority, as entrepreneurial skills are increasingly viewed as a pathway to job creation, innovation and inclusive economic growth. Higher education institutions are, therefore, crucial in equipping graduates with the entrepreneurial abilities required to pursue self-employment and venture creation. To understand the reasons for low entrepreneurial intention, this study examines curriculum and pedagogical factors that shape entrepreneurial intentions among university students in South Africa, using a qualitative research design. Findings reveal that entrepreneurship education remains predominantly theoretical, with critical gaps including a lack of early exposure, limited practical learning, misaligned curriculum and pedagogy, poor integration with non-business programmes, systemic constraints, and insufficiently skilled lecturers. The study argues that without meaningful curriculum reform and pedagogical innovation, entrepreneurship education cannot effectively develop graduate entrepreneurs. Recommendations include adopting experiential and problem-based teaching strategies, strengthening industry partnerships, enhancing lecturer capacity and integrating entrepreneurship across all disciplines. These insights inform policy and practice to transform entrepreneurship education into a more effective catalyst for graduate entrepreneurs and ultimately, contribute to South Africa's socio-economic development.

The increasing frequency of global shocks heightens the risk of macroeconomic instability and exacerbates adverse socio-economic outcomes, including unemployment, poverty, income inequality, and social exclusion. This underscores the need for integrated macroeconomic framework based on the fiscal-monetary-social policy nexus, aimed at minimizing welfare losses and ensuring inclusive growth. The article aims to substantiate the theoretical and methodological foundations for enhancing the synergy of macroeconomic policies to achieve inclusive economic growth in Ukraine amid current global and national challenges. The study employs general scientific and special methods, including dialectical and logical approaches to conceptualize inclusive economic growth, analytical and deductive approaches to assess the impact of macroeconomic policies, and a systems approach to examine their interaction and integrate socio-economic indicators using the Inclusive Development Index (IDI) and the Inclusive Growth Index (IGI). The empirical analysis covers European countries and Ukraine over 2016-2025, applying statistical, graphical (including heat maps), and comparative methods. The findings indicate that inclusive growth relies on equal access to markets and resources, enabling individuals to fully realize their potential. It is achieved through the effective interaction of macroeconomic policies, whose effects are both direct and indirect. The heat map analysis reveals a relatively synchronized response of European countries to global shocks, followed by a gradual recovery in economic activity. The full-scale war in Ukraine had a limited impact on their growth dynamics. In contrast, Ukraine demonstrates significantly higher vulnerability to shocks, reflected in a deeper GDP contraction and a deterioration in socio-economic indicators, including rising unemployment and social exclusion. Unlike European countries, Ukraine shows more fragmented and asymmetric dynamics. Strengthening synergy among macroeconomic policies is therefore critical to fostering inclusive economic growth in Ukraine.

Rapid urban growth on steep slopes can intensify accessibility inequalities, yet most studies ignore complex impact of topography, especially in developing-country cities such as Metropolitan Tehran, Iran. To fill this gap, we develop and apply an innovative, friction-aware fuzzy RS–GIS workflow in Tehran, combining OpenStreetMap networks and SRTM90 elevation data, forming 17 thematic layers to generate a continuous 0–1 accessibility surface, overcoming the binary limitations of gravity and cumulative-opportunity models. Facility clusters are first identified using Average Nearest Neighbor and Getis–Ord Gi* statistics, then Euclidean distance is coupled with slope-derived friction in a fuzzy-gamma operator to quantify accessibility to key services across Tehran’s 22 districts. Central districts reach scores up to 0.89—around seven times higher than peripheral districts—and these patterns align with observed trip-attraction peaks and land-use/land-cover data, supporting model validity. The topography-sensitive analysis reveals severe accessibility deficits in Districts 15, 18, 19, 21, and 22 and motivates policies such as new bus corridors and slope-adaptive cable cars. More broadly, by generalizing friction to other impedances, e.g., congestion, the approach offers a transferable tool to advance spatial equity, carbon reduction, and inclusive economic growth in line with SDG-11.

Poverty remains a complex and multidimensional phenomenon that cannot be effectively addressed through a single policy instrument or a purely income-based perspective. This study examines poverty as a structural and human development challenge and emphasizes the need for comprehensive and integrated solutions to reduce its incidence and improve overall well-being. The analysis highlights that effective poverty reduction depends on the interaction of inclusive economic growth, social protection, good governance, and the empowerment of marginalized groups. It further underscores that a balanced combination of income-based and human-centered approaches is essential for addressing the multiple dimensions of deprivation and for promoting sustainable development. The study concludes that poverty alleviation strategies must move beyond narrow monetary measures and adopt a more integrated framework that strengthens livelihoods, expands social inclusion, and enhances the quality of life for all.

Urban coastal destinations face mounting pressures from environmental degradation, infrastructure limitations, and fragmented governance, while the application of regenerative tourism in dense metropolitan contexts remains limited. This study examines how regenerative urban tourism can be strategically developed in North Jakarta. The study applies a stepwise approach: a systematic literature review (SLR) to identify key concepts, followed by focus group discussions (FGDs) with stakeholders, such as government, tourism managers, community representatives, and MSMEs, to capture local conditions, the results are then evaluated using IFE–EFE matrices and synthesized through a TOWS analysis to formulate strategies. The findings indicate that North Jakarta has relatively strong internal capacity (IFE = 3.04) and a favorable external environment (EFE = 3.16), placing it in a “grow and build” position. Strategic priorities include developing eco-tourism and urban farming based on community greening initiatives, strengthening interactive cultural and heritage-based tourism, enhancing MSME digital capacity, and addressing environmental and infrastructure constraints such as waste management, flooding, and accessibility. This study contributes by demonstrating how regenerative tourism principles can be operationalized in an urban–coastal setting, offering a structured basis for strategy formulation in similar metropolitan destinations. Overall, the research emphasizes the need for integrative, community-driven, and climate-adaptive approaches that align ecological restoration with cultural continuity and inclusive economic growth.

ABSTRACT Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, continues to face significant socio-economic disparities across its 75 districts. Despite its importance, the state struggles with slow economic growth, poor infrastructure, low literacy, and high infant and maternal mortality. This study evaluates district-wise development over 3 periods-2000–01, 2010–11, and 2022–23 using a composite index based on 21 socio-economic indicators through the Wroclaw Taxonomy method. K-means clustering further classified districts into 5 categories: Highly Developed, Developed, Developing, Less Developed, and Least Developed. The results reveal a growing divide between advanced and lagging districts, with some showing progress, while many remain stagnant or decline. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted policy interventions, improved governance, and strategic investments tailored to regional needs. The approach supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on reducing inequality, enhancing education, and promoting inclusive economic growth through evidence-based decision-making.

In the context of the implementation of advanced regionalisation in Morocco, particularly in the southern provinces, and the adoption of new territorial development measures tailored to regional specificities, the analysis of Regional Development Programmes (RDPs) is essential. These programmes constitute strategic instruments aimed at enhancing the economic attractiveness of territories, whilst addressing the challenges of competitiveness, equity and sustainability. In this context, territorial economic intelligence (TEI) emerges as a key lever for supporting and optimising regional development policies. Applied to the Dakhla Oued Eddahab region, it helps to strengthen territorial competitiveness by promoting better use of local resources and facilitating the identification of investment opportunities. TEI is based on structured processes for the collection, analysis and dissemination of strategic information, enabling informed decision-making and the coordination of actions by various public and private stakeholders. By integrating this approach into the RDP, the Dakhla Oued Eddahab region benefits from a more coherent regional governance framework, based on synergy between institutions, businesses and local stakeholders. This approach promotes investment, stimulates innovation and supports the development of productive activities, thereby contributing to sustainable and inclusive economic growth, as well as to the reduction of territorial disparities. The aim of this research is to highlight the role of territorial economic intelligence (TEI) in the strategic positioning and promotion of the attractiveness of the Dakhla Oued Eddahab region. To this end, a forward-looking approach is employed to analyse the region’s socio-economic characteristics and evaluate the RDP as a tool for strategic territorial planning. By 2030, territorial economic intelligence will be at the heart of economic diplomacy and territorial development policies, with an enhanced role for investment support institutions, notably the Regional Investment Centres. Keywords: Territorial economic intelligence (TEI); regional development; territorial attractiveness; investment promotion; territorial governance. Received Date: February 22, 2026 Accepted Date: March 14, 2026 Published Date: April 02, 2026 Available Online at: https://www.ijsrisjournal.com/index.php/ojsfiles/article/view/633