International Links Research Articles

Do Bank Linkages Facilitate Foreign Direct Investment? An Analysis of Global Evidence

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is essential for enhancing economic resilience and promoting sustainable development. However, inefficiencies in financial connectivity and capital allocation have hindered the facilitation of FDI. Bank linkages between countries in the global sectors of multinational enterprises (MNEs) offer potential solutions to these challenges. In this paper, we focus on whether sustainable FDI can benefit from consolidating bank linkages, which are measured for each pair of countries in each year as the number of bank pairs in both countries that are connected through cross-border syndicated lending. Using the gravity model, we provide empirical evidence based on cross-border data to support the following conclusions: (1) Bank linkages can sustainably enhance the host country’s attractiveness to FDI through information, external financing, and international financial services channels. (2) This positive effect is pronounced in host countries with lower financial development, weaker institution quality, and higher investment risk while remaining insignificant for OECD countries. (3) Bank linkages exhibit a lagged impact on FDI, but newly established bank linkages are more conducive to inward FDI than those established earlier. In this paper, we offer some policy implications for emerging economies and suggest that emerging economies should continue to deepen their financial openness and strengthen international bank links through various means to attract more inward FDI.

Prospects for further development of logistics and trade in Central Asian Countries

This paper examines the conditions of foreign trade of the Central Asian countries and their impact on economic growth. Currently, the transport corridors of Central Asia are at the peak of their demand. The current positive changes and achievements of the region are considered. Attention is drawn to the geopolitical trends that create conditions for the development of alternative transport corridors and infrastructure projects. Special attention is paid to improving transport connectivity. It is proposed to develop transit and transport potential and increase the production of finished products. The comprehensive analysis carried out in this work allows us to take a broader look at the potential of the region and propose measures for its full development. Due to the growing role of Central Asia in the international arena, this paper also examines the impact of foreign policy on the development of the region’s economy. The strategic location of Central Asia between China, Russia, Iran and other countries makes the region an important partner in international trade and transport links. The paper analyses the current positive developments in the region, such as the creation of new transport corridors, the development of logistics infrastructure and the strengthening of trade relations with other countries. Special attention is paid to projects for the development of regional integration and economic unions, which contribute to improving competitiveness and economic stability in Central Asia.

The emergence of multipolarity in global higher education: the Belt and Road Initiative and African students’ motivations to pursue postgraduate education in China

ABSTRACT The past decade has witnessed an unprecedented transformation of China into an important “receiving” nation for international student mobility (ISM), underscored by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)-tied African countries becoming the main import markets. The emerging China-bound ISM, driven by contextually-specific motivations, necessitates a re-theorisation of the Western-centric, neo-liberal-driven push–pull model within the broader context of multipolarity in higher education. Through semi-structured in-depth interviews with eight international students from BRI African countries pursuing postgraduate programmes in Beijing, this micro study explores the dynamic macro–micro interface of push and pull factors. These narratives of how the push (e.g. the under-developed higher education system in the home country) and pull factors (i.e. host nation’s financial support for international students, economic and political links between the home and host countries, and host nation’s exponential growth) intersected with individuals’ desire, reflect the multipolar shifts in global higher education landscapes. By extending the macro-focused push–pull model to incorporate these complexities, this study echoes the need to recognise contemporary multipolarity when explaining ISM in diverse contexts.

Populist international (dis)order? Lessons from world-order visions in Latin American populism

Abstract The study of populism's international links has grown significantly. Yet, there are gaps in conceptualizing potential implications for the international order. Our study contributes to filling this gap by asking: if a ‘populist international order’ (PIO) were to emerge, and populists could envision the world close(r) to their liking, what would this order look like? We pursue answers through a plausibility probe of three deductively-derived normative pillars: 1) cooperation under a PIO is characterized by more fractured, mostly symbolic, small-scale multilateralism; 2) a PIO relies on a narrow, selective embrace of the rule of law, to be respected only when seen as representing the wishes of the ‘real people’; and 3) the commitment to pluralism in ‘international society’ is replaced by an anti-pluralist, monolithic notion of popular sovereignty as the primary behavioural driver. Our analysis is based on contemporary populist leadership from Latin America: Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro, Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro and Mexico's Andrés Manuel López Obrador. We examine how these populists have addressed our proposed PIO pillars in different ways and shaped their world-order visions in relation to them. The lessons derived from this study can contribute to bridging gaps regarding the effects of global populism in International Relations, including prospects of mitigating the systemic impact of populism on the international order.

Overcoming Obstacles: a Systematic Review of Challenges Faced by Women in Healthcare Management and Innovative Interventions

Abstract Background: Despite the underrepresentation of women in healthcare leadership, there is limited evidence on impactful organisational strategies, practices, and policies to advance women's careers. This study aimed to explore such strategies across various sectors, providing insights into measurably advancing women in leadership roles in healthcare. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using Medline via OVID; Medline in-process and other non-indexed citations via OVID; PsycINFO, and SCOPUS from January 2000 to March 2021. The methods were outlined in a published protocol registered a priori on PROSPERO (CRD42020162115). Eligible studies reported on organizational interventions for advancing women in leadership with at least one measurable outcome. Two reviewers independently assessed the studies. Identified interventions were categorized, and a meta-synthesis was completed following the 'ENhancing Transparency in REporting the synthesis of Qualitative research' (ENTREQ) statement. Findings: The search identified 952 potentially relevant records, supplemented by an additional 76 records from other sources. After eliminating duplicates and conducting an initial review of titles and abstracts, 834 records were excluded, leaving 142 records for a thorough screening of full texts. Among these, 75 articles were further excluded for various reasons: 12 were not on the main topic, 10 involved medical students, 46 were personal commentaries or opinion papers, and 7 were not empirical. This process resulted in the selection of 48 articles that met eligibility criteria and underwent detailed analysis. Interpretation: This review establishes an evidence base on organizational interventions for advancing women in leadership across diverse settings, offering valuable lessons for healthcare. It transcends individual focus to target organizational change, capturing measurable outcomes across intervention categories. The findings directly inform a national initiative with international links, aiming to enable women to achieve their career goals in healthcare, and shifts the focus from barriers to solutions.

The moderating effects of national cultural practices on the relationship between international diversification strategies and corporate environmental responsibility disclosures

This study examines the relationships between an important market strategy (international diversification) and corporate environmental responsibility disclosure (CERD), a nonmarket strategy. We rely on institutional theory and the stakeholder perspective and hypothesize a positive relationship between international diversification and CERD. We also hypothesize a direct effect of performance-based cultural practices (PBC) and socially supportive cultural practices (SSC), derived from the GLOBE culture database on CERD and its moderating effect on the international diversification – CERD link. The sample includes 335 large Multinational enterprises (MNEs) from 31 countries then distributed among three corporate social responsibility (CSR) regimes: European, Anglo-Saxon, and Asian and emerging markets. The results show support for the hypothesized relationships between international diversification strategies and CERD and that the direction of the relationship varies by region of the world. We find significant support for the moderating role of national cultural practices on the international diversification-environmental disclosure links.

Travel bubble policies for low‐risk air transport recovery during pandemics

AbstractGlobal pandemics restrict long‐haul mobility and international trade. To restore air traffic, a policy named “travel bubble” was implemented during the recent COVID‐19 pandemic, which seeks to re‐establish air connections among specific countries by permitting unrestricted passenger travel without mandatory quarantine upon arrival. However, travel bubbles are prone to bursting for safety reasons, and how to develop an effective restoration plan through travel bubbles is under‐explored. Thus, it is vital to learn from COVID‐19 and develop a formal framework for implementing travel bubble therapy for future public health emergencies. This article conducts an analytical investigation of the air travel bubble problem from a network design standpoint. First, a link‐based network design problem is established with the goal of minimizing the total infection risk during air travel. Then, based on the relationship between origin‐destination pairs and international candidate links, the model is reformulated into a path‐based one. A Lagrangian relaxation‐based solution framework is proposed to determine the optimal restored international air routes and assign the traffic flow. Finally, computational experiments on both hypothetical data and real‐world cases are conducted to examine the algorithm's performance. The results demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed model and algorithm. In addition, compared to a benchmark strategy, it is found that the infection risk under the proposed travel bubble strategy can be reduced by up to 45.2%. More importantly, this work provides practical insights into developing pandemic‐induced air transport recovery schemes for both policymakers and aviation operations regulators.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATIONS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION INTO THE NATIONAL LEGISLATION OF UKRAINE IN THE FIELD OF INVESTMENT IN CERTAIN INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT CONNECTIONS

The article examines the problematic issues of the implementation of European Union regulations into the national legislation of Ukraine in the sphere of investment in certain international transport connections. The main regulations in this area have been analyzed, and individual normative legal acts of Ukraine have been identified, which reflect the consequences of the implementation of the European Union regulations in the process of investment implementation using the example of certain international transport connections. A detailed study was carried out in chronological order of the main Regulations of the Council (EEC) with an analysis of the key provisions of each of them. The peculiarities of the specific historical period of the formation and development of the new provisions of the mentioned Regulations have been identified, and their mutual influence has been established. The need to implement certain provisions of the Regulations into the national legislation of Ukraine in the sphere of using international transport corridors has been proven. The priority directions of the development of international transport links with the participation of Ukraine in the context of the assumed international obligations to the EU were noted and emphasized. The author’s proposals regarding the adoption of new bilateral treaties of Ukraine both with EU member states and with all other non-member states with which Ukraine cooperates in the investigated sphere of relations with an emphasis on all possible reservations about public order in Ukraine in the context of providing our territory for transit corridors as well as in the aspect of the development of new international connections, especially taking into account the current threats in the conditions of Russia's military aggression against our country.

INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT OF THE NETHERLANDS

The paper offers a comprehensive review of the investment environment in the Netherlands, a nation noted for its advanced economy, robust international trade links, and a solid legal framework that supports business activity. The Netherlands features a stable political environment, transparent governance, and administrative efficiency, creating a reliable backdrop for investment. This climate is conducive to innovation and attracts foreign direct investment, especially due to an advantageous tax system. The workforce in the Netherlands is highly skilled and multilingual, which is a critical asset, though the high labor costs could be seen as a deterrent. However, these costs are often offset by the high productivity and the business-friendly policies of the government. The Dutch market is well-connected and integral to the European trade landscape, making it a strategic entry point into the European Union. Transport and logistics infrastructure, particularly the Port of Rotterdam—the largest port in Europe—plays a crucial role in facilitating trade not only across Europe but globally. This infrastructure is supported by a top-tier digital network and service sector, with the Netherlands boasting one of the highest broadband penetration rates in Europe. Despite its many advantages, the investment climate in the Netherlands does face challenges such as regulatory complexity and stringent environmental regulations. These challenges are balanced by the country’s commitment to sustainability and the green economy, which opens up new investment opportunities in renewable energy and sustainable technologies. Furthermore, the Netherlands is proactive in fostering a favorable business environment through various government initiatives. These include incentives for research and development, enhancements in sustainable business practices, and subsidies for green energy projects, all aimed at maintaining the country’s competitive edge. The Dutch government’s approach to international business is also characterized by a network of treaties designed to protect foreign investments and prevent double taxation, making the Netherlands an attractive destination for multinational corporations. The presence of a strong legal system ensures that property rights and contracts are well protected, which is a critical consideration for investors. In conclusion, the Netherlands presents a balanced spectrum of opportunities and challenges. While the high cost of operations and regulatory demands pose hurdles, the strategic advantages, robust infrastructure, and government incentives create a favorable environment for significant investment returns. This detailed analysis serves as an essential guide for potential investors, providing insights into both the macroeconomic stability and sector-specific prospects within the Dutch market.

Biological Significance of Probiotic Microorganisms from Kefir and Kombucha: A Review.

(1) Background: The human microbiota is essential for maintaining a healthy body. The gut microbiota plays a protective role against pathogenic bacteria. Probiotics are live microorganisms capable of preventing and controlling gastrointestinal and balancing the immune system. They also aid in better nutrients and vitamins absorption. Examples of natural probiotic cultures are kefir and kombucha. (2) Methods: Therefore, the aim of this review was to address the beneficial properties of probiotic kefir and kombucha using a Boxplot analysis to search for scientific data in the online literature up to January 2024: (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences (LILACS), PubMed, Medical Literature Analysis (MED-LINE), Science Direct, Google Scholar/Google Academic, Bioline Inter-national and Springer Link). Boxplots showed the summary of a set of data "Index Terms-Keywords" on kefir and kombucha in three languages (English, Portuguese and Spanish). (3) Results: Google Scholar was the database with the highest number of articles found, when the search for the keywords used in the study (containing ~4 × 106-~4 million articles available). This was Followed by the Science Direct database, containing ~3 × 106-~3 million articles available, and the BVS databases-Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (Virtual Health Library) e Lilacs, both containing a value of ~2 × 106-~2 million articles available. The databases containing the smallest number of articles found were Nutrients and Medline, both containing a value of ≤0.1 × 106-≤100 thousand articles. (4) Conclusions: Scientific studies indicate that kefir and kombucha certainly contain various functional properties, such as antimicrobial, antitumor, anticarcinogenic and immunomodulatory activity, in addition to having a microbiological composition of probiotic bacteria and yeasts. Kefir and kombucha represent key opportunities in the food and clinic/medical fields.

Exploration of the International Academic Model of High Vocational Education in Landscape Architecture in China

This article deeply explores the international talent training model of campus forestry major in higher vocational colleges. In the context of globalization, the gardening industry has an increasing demand for talents with international vision and professional skills. The article first takes GPST as an example to analyze the current situation of international talent training in forestry majors in higher vocational colleges, and points out the existing problems and deficiencies, including a single talent training model, weak bilingual teaching faculty, insufficient international practice links, and the curriculum system and international Not enough integration. Then, the article proposes research directions such as building a diversified talent training model, strengthening the construction of bilingual teaching faculty, strengthening international practice links, and updating the curriculum system to align with international standards. Finally, the article gives practical strategies such as clear training goals and positioning, strengthening international cooperation and exchanges, innovating teaching methods and means, and improving the evaluation system and incentive mechanism, in order to improve the quality of training international talents in forestry majors in higher vocational colleges.

Deep Trade Agreements and Firm Ownership in GVCs

Abstract This paper focuses on the effect of preferential trade agreements and their depth on firm-to-firm ownership, in particular, along global value chains. It measures shareholder–affiliate ownership links at the country-sector-pair level to distinguish between vertical and horizontal links. The findings show that preferential trade agreements boost vertical international investment links (both backward and forward) while reducing horizontal investment. Deep preferential trade agreements stimulate investment particularly for sector pairs, where a high input specificity prevails.

Analysis of Investment Policies in China and the U.S. and the Impact of FDI on China’s Economy

With the acceleration of the globalization process and the increase in international links, global trade and transnational investment are growing rapidly, and a clear and sound investment policy system can provide clear guidance and support to domestic enterprises and investors, while also influencing investment decisions and willingness to cooperate of other countries or regions. This paper presents a concise summary of the investment policies of China and the United States. It highlights that the United States’ investment policies primarily consist of outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) policy and the safeguarding of domestic industries and capital, while China’s focus remains on attracting foreign investment, with continuous OFDI policy improvement. This paper also analyzes the positive impacts and risk challenges of FDI on China’s economy. FDI generally promotes China’s economic growth, provides employment opportunities, improves the quality of labor, promotes technological progress, and enhances innovation, but it also faces a series of problems, especially the negative side of economic stability, market competition, and coordinated social development. Improvements in all these issues require timely adaptation and guidance from national investment policies.

From pets to plates: network analysis of trafficking in tortoises and freshwater turtles representing different types of demand

AbstractDespite being protected under the law, illegal trade in tortoises and freshwater turtles is common in India, with different species being trafficked for different markets. Indian species of tortoises and hard-shell turtles are predominantly trafficked for the pet trade and soft-shell turtles for the meat trade. Given their distinct markets, the operation of trade may vary between these different groups of tortoises and freshwater turtles, thereby necessitating different types of interventions. However, a systematic examination of illegal trade in tortoises and freshwater turtles that takes into account the differences between these markets is currently lacking. Here we compare the supply networks of tortoises/hard-shell turtles (in demand for pet trade) vs soft-shell turtles (meat trade), using information from 78 and 64 seizures, respectively, that were reported in the media during 2013–2019. We used social network analysis to compare the two networks and the role of individual nodes (defined as locations at the district or city scale) within these networks. We found that the tortoise/hard-shell turtle network had a larger geographical scale, with more international trafficking links, than the soft-shell turtle network. We recorded convoluted smuggling routes in tortoise/hard-shell turtle trafficking, whereas soft-shell turtle trafficking was uni-directional from source to destination. Within both networks, we found that a few nodes played disproportionately important roles as key exporting, importing or transit nodes. Our study provides insights into the similarities and differences in the illegal supply networks of different groups of tortoises and freshwater turtles, in demand for different markets. We highlight the need for intervention strategies tailored to address the illegal trade in each of these groups.

Exploring global carbon market link mechanism: Efficiency evaluation in the context of carbon neutrality

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement enables Parties to achieve their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) through direct cooperation or Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMO). Current researches on Article 6 are mostly based on the assumption of unlimited global carbon market link, which may lead to large price volatility and cause concern of policy makers. In order to investigate the impact of inter-regional carbon market link mechanism on global climate action, here, we designed carbon market link scenarios with different degrees of trading volume limits. We simulated the global and regional carbon markets under different scenarios from 2025 to 2060 using the Global Change Assessment Model (GCAM). The findings suggest that as the link limit tightens, both the price volatility of global carbon market and the cumulative mitigation costs saved by carbon market links decrease, which reminds policy makers of the trade-off between economic efficiency and price volatility. The price volatility under the unlimited global carbon market scenario is about 30% higher than that with link limits implemented, while the unlimited market would also save about 0.83 trillion dollars abatement costs than the limited scenario. At the national level, a total of 14 regions are limited in different link limit scenarios, among which China, the United States, EU and India are the most sensitive regions to link limits. Based on the scenario results, we discuss the design of international carbon market link mechanisms, such as absolute link limits and relative link limits.

Illegal trade of pangolins in India with international trade links: an analysis of seizures from 1991 to 2022

Pangolins have become one of the most intensely poached and trafficked mammal species, exploited mainly for the food and traditional medicine trade. Intense and continued illegal exploitation for commercial trade has become the leading cause of pangolin declines in parts of Asia and Africa. Recent research has illustrated the growing threat this poses to pangolins in India. India is home to two species of pangolin, the Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata and the Chinese Pangolin M. pentadactyla, which have been assessed as endangered and critically endangered respectively. Pangolin seizures in India between 1991 and 2022 were analysed to gain a better understanding of illegal trade dynamics. A total of 426 seizures were collated, involving an estimated 8603 pangolins. The frequency of pangolin seizures increased over time as did the volume of estimated pangolins seized. This could be due to a range of different factors including rising poaching and trade levels, increased law enforcement and reporting, and awareness. Nevertheless, on the ground, investigations by the Wildlife Protection Society of India strongly indicate that the escalating poaching and trade in pangolins is driven by lucrative market demands from beyond India’s borders, with a growing focus on the trade in live pangolins. Enforcement efforts appear to be undermined by low prosecution rates with only 1.4% of recorded seizures resulting in successful convictions. Asian pangolins have rapidly disappeared from their natural range and been locally extirpated in many parts of East and Southeast Asia. India’s pangolin species are at similar risk if poaching and trafficking levels continue unmitigated.

Chinese mining industry: state of the art review

The territory of the present-day People’s Republic of China is rich in mineral and energy resources which stimulate the growth of the extractive industry in the country. China is currently the world leader in the production of 31 commodities (mineral products): molybdenum, tungsten, iron, aluminum, lead, zinc, gold, coal, gypsum, bentonite, and many others. This stimulates the development of the appropriate infrastructure and training of specialists in the mining industry, the development of international links for investment and the exchange of best production practices. The purpose of this work was to study the history of exploration and extraction of natural resources, establish a domestic strategy for the development of the mining and metallurgical sector, and review leading Chinese mining and metallurgical companies. The paper reviewed key domestic processes in China which would affect the domestic and global mining and metallurgical industry. An assessment of natural resource deposits throughout the whole territory of the country was carried out with their brief description, highlighting the prime prospects, and presenting commodity reserves. The paper presents the main challenges for the mining and metallurgical industry to be met in the 14th Five-Year Plan. The development of the industry up to 2025 implies the expansion of extractive capacities with an overall reduction in dependence on imports, enhancing exploration programs, and the reduction of harmful emissions from operating enterprises, etc. Special attention is paid to publicly traded mining and metallurgical companies in China. The leaders in each sector are presented, and their brief economic indicators are given.

Using international migration links for early detection of COVID‐19 risk exposure in low‐ and middle‐income countries

AbstractReliable testing data for new infectious diseases like COVID‐19 is scarce in developing countries making it difficult to rapidly diagnose spatial disease transmission and identify at‐risk areas. We propose a method that uses readily available data on bi‐lateral migration channels combined with COVID‐19 cases at respective migrant destinations to construct a spatially oriented risk index. We find significant and consistent association between our measure and various types of outcomes including actual COVID‐19 cases and deaths, indices of government policy responses, and community mobility patterns. Results suggest that future pandemic models should incorporate migration‐linkages to predict regional socio‐economic and health risk exposure.

The (non) Europeanization of Latvia’s Far Right

Abstract Latvia’s far right has had a great deal of political influence since the late 1980s, when nativist movements played a key role in mobilizing political opposition to Soviet power. Far-right parties have been in 16 of the 22 government coalitions in Latvia between 1993 and 2023. Since 2010, the National Alliance (NA), a merger between an established far-right party and a more youthful political party, has come to dominate Latvia’s far right and has been a part of every government coalition from 2011-2023. This article begins with a discussion of Europeanization, the Europeanization of political parties, and the qualitative methodology used in the article to examine the impact of Latvia’s membership in the European Union on NA’s international links and program. The article then outlines the development and influence of Latvia’s far-right. The following sections examine links between Latvia’s far right and Europe’s far right and the impact of Europe on NA’s ideology and program. It finds little evidence of Europeanization of Latvia’s far right. Latvia’s far right is more hawkish toward Russia than the West European right and also enjoys greater domestic influence and respectability. “New nativist” anti-immigration and cultural Marxism themes have lower salience in Latvia where Russian-speakers are perceived as a bigger and more immediate threat than Muslims or “Woke” activists.

Tigers at a crossroads: Shedding light on the role of Bangladesh in the illegal trade of this iconic big cat

AbstractUnsustainable wildlife trade is a major threat to many species, but quantifying trade remains challenging, as seizure data provides an incomplete understanding. For this reason, integrating multiple types of information, including interviews with actors involved in trade, is crucial if we are to understand the problem better. Hence, in this study, we digitized Bangladesh Forest Department tiger seizure records to identify trade routes and interviewed 163 individuals involved in trafficking tigers through Bangladesh's air, sea and land ports, including poachers, smugglers, and traders. We identified six ports used to import tigers, 14 ports used for tiger export and three ports showing bi‐directional trade. Elite Bangladeshis were the most important consumer group, and tigers were sourced from populations in NE India, Myanmar and Bangladesh Sundarbans to supply domestic demand. Tiger products were exported to 14 countries, including seven G20 nations, with Bangladeshi expatriates as the consumer group in three countries (United Kingdom, Germany and Qatar). Rising economic development in Bangladesh over the last decade, combined with deep‐rooted cultural ties to tiger consumption, has led to a rise in domestic demand. Additionally, rapid growth in international transport links has increased smuggling and connected local traders with global markets, increasing the complexity of global trade. These findings suggest Bangladesh is poised to play a pivotal role in tiger conservation over the next decade, requiring strong national strategies to reduce trade opportunities, disrupt networks and weaken demand.