Regional Investment Research Articles

Competency level and determinants among infection prevention and control staff in the Middle East and North Africa region

BackgroundCompetency of the staff working in infection prevention and control (IPC) is the cornerstone of successful IPC programs. The objective was to assess competency level and associated factors among IPC staff working in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in 2019 among active IPC staff who were members of the Arab Countries Infection Control Network. The questionnaire covered demographic and professional characteristics of IPC staff and characteristics of work facilities and IPC programs. A competency score was created from self-perceived responses to 8 competency domains. The competency score was then transformed into 100-scale and categorized into two groups (≥ median and < median).ResultsA total of 176 participants completed the survey. Participants were mostly female (65.7%), and the mean age was 40.2 ± 8.3 years. The mean competency score was 61.4%. It was slightly variable between domains, being highest with preventing transmission of infection (65%) and lowest with sterilization and disinfection (59%). Higher (≥ median) competency score was associated with having CBIC certification (p < 0.001). It was also associated with facilities having IPC plan (p = 0.005), IPC committee (p = 0.049), regular meetings of IPC committee (p < 0.001), and IPC plan included communications with healthcare workers (p < 0.001). Domain-specific competency scores were significantly associated with receiving same domain-specific training (p < 0.05 for all).ConclusionsThe competency levels of IPC staff in the MENA region is still suboptimal. The current finding calls for more regional and national investment in IPC staff by providing up-to-date customized educational and training opportunities.

Regional drivers of industrial decarbonisation: a spatial econometric analysis of 238 EU regions between 2008 and 2020

ABSTRACT The European context of socio-economic integration and physical proximity likely plays an essential role in explaining the decarbonisation outcomes of industrial sectors. However, there is hardly any spatial regional analysis on CO2 emissions drivers in European countries. This study investigates the role of geographical space and regional determinants in industrial decarbonisation by analysing how socio-economic drivers and their interregional relationships impact industrial carbon emissions in European regions. We employ a spatial panel data econometric model to a novel panel dataset comprising 13 years (2008–20) of carbon emissions from hard-to-abate industrial sectors from 238 NUTS-2 regions across 27 European Union countries. Results indicate the presence of endogenous spatial interactions and high-time persistence between CO2-eq emissions in European Union regions. As such, industrial carbon emissions of regions follow similar patterns to their neighbours, supporting the evolutionary economic geography and growth theory assumptions of the spatial interaction of carbon emissions between regions. Furthermore, the use of a spatial econometric model illustrates the negative direct and spillover effects that higher levels of education and regional investment in research and development have on industrial CO2-eq emissions.

Determining the optimal food hub location in the fresh produce supply chain

Purpose Using recent US regional data associated with food system operations, this study aims at building optimization and econometric models to incorporate varying influential factors on food hub location decisions and generate effective facility location solutions. Design/methodology/approach Mathematical optimization and econometric models have been commonly used to identify hub location decisions, and each is associated with specific strengths to handle uncertainty. This paper develops an optimization model and a hurdle model of the US fresh produce sector to compare the hub location solutions between these two modeling approaches. Findings Econometric modeling and mathematical optimization are complementary approaches. While there is a divergence between the results of the optimization model and the econometric model, the optimization solution is largely confirmed by the econometric solution. A combination of the results of the two models might lead to improved decision-making. Practical implications This study suggests a future direction in which model development can move forward, for example, to explore and expose how to make the existing modeling techniques easier to use and more accessible to decision-makers. Social implications The models and results provide information that is currently limited and is useful to help inform sustainable decisions of various stakeholders interested in the development of regional food systems, regional infrastructure investment and operational strategies for food hubs. Originality/value This study sheds light on how the application of complementary modeling approaches improves the effectiveness of facility location solutions. This study offers new perspectives on elaborating key features to encompass facility location issues by applying interdisciplinary approaches.

A Comparative Analysis of the Gas Pipeline Geopolitics of China and India in the Central Asia Republics

After the discovery of large oil and gas deposits in Central Asia, the region has become a vital battlefield for major world powers’ competing interests, resulting in a complex geopolitical and energy transportation interaction known as ‘pipeline politics’. After independence, multinational energy companies and global powers contacted the Central Asian Republics. Chinese investment has dominated the region’s energy sector throughout the past decade. India is strategically seeking Central Asia’s energy resources as it becomes more global. This article compares China’s and India’s Central Asian natural gas strategy and identifies research shortcomings. The complex geopolitical landscape is considered while examining their objectives and regional investments. This analysis reveals these methods’ motivations and their effects on the Central Asian Republics and the world. China has an advantage over India in Central Asian pipeline politics, making the region vital to China’s energy security.

ECONOMIC-STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SECTOR IN UZBEKISTAN

This article describes the current state and dynamics of the agricultural network of our republic, an economic and statistical analysis of the production of agricultural products in economic entities and promising directions. The activities of farms operating in our country were also carefully analyzed, and with the help of statistical methods, the role and importance of this industry in the development of the industry was revealed. Dynamic changes in statistical indicators of network development over the years are shown. KEY WORDS: agriculture, agricultural products, gross domestic product, gross regional product, agriculture, livestock breeding, structural changes, investments, regional economy, economic and statistical analysis, agrarian reforms, socio-economic processes .

Analisis faktor-faktor penyerapan tenaga kerja di Karesidenan Pekalongan tahun 2017-2022

Pekalongan Residency faces significant economic challenges, especially in terms of low labor absorption. Economic growth, unemployment rate, minimum wage and investment are some of the factors that have the potential to influence it greatly. This study aims to estimate the effect of GRDP, district minimum wage, unemployment, and investment on labor absorption in the Pekalongan Residency in 2017–2022. The analysis technique used is panel data regression. The Chow and Hausman test analysis shows an optimal fixed effect model. The test results show that unemployment and district minimum wage affected labor absorption in the Pekalongan Residency in 2017-2022. Gross regional domestic product and investment did not affect labor absorption in the Pekalongan Residency in 2017-2022.

UPAYA PENERAPAN E-GOVERNMENT DINAS PENANAMAN MODAL PELAYANAN TERPADU SATU PINTU (DPMPTSP) DALAM MEMBERIKAN INFORMASI TERKAIT INVESTASI DI KABUPATEN PONOROGO (STUDI PADA WEBSITE PONOROGORO INVESTMENT SERVICE CENTER)

Through the implementation of e-Gov, the government can prepare public services that are more efficient, transparent and responsive to the needs of the community. The investment potential map in Ponorogo is an initiative of the Ponorogo Regency Government through the One-Stop Investment and Services Agency (DPMPTSP). The aim is to make it easier for investors to access or search and analyze investment opportunities in the area. The electronic basis of the investment potential map in Ponorogo is the composition of electronically based information data presentation, which can be accessed via the Ponorogo Investment Service Center (PISC) website at https://pisc.ponorogo.go.id. Qualitative methods emphasize more on the meaning and in-depth understanding of the phenomenon under study. A qualitative approach was chosen in this study because the researchers considered that the characteristics of this method matched the problems studied, namely the efforts to implement the E-Government Investment Service and One-Stop Services (DPMPTSP) in providing investment-related information in Ponorogo Regency, with case studies on the Website Ponorogo Investment Service Center. This study applies the theory of The Unified Model of Electronic Government Adoption (UMEGA) in which there are seven UMEGA E-Government conceptuals to analyze the factors that impact society to use the Ponorogo Investment Service Center Website. E-government-based educational information services at DPMPTSP Ponorogo Regency One of the e-government-based educational information services at DPMPTSP Ponorogo Regency is still at a developmental stage, namely discussing regional investment or the value of the level and capacity of services provided and how the community benefits from the services that have been provided. exist, the range of services implemented, how these services can be opened through the portal function to various services, and the convenience of users in learning how to obtain these services. The people of Ponorogo Regency have not been able to properly utilize DPMPTSP web-based information services because there are still many problems such as an inadequate number of servers and a network infrastructure that is not strong enough to access networks everywhere. Ponorogo Regency, making it difficult for the public to obtain web-based regional ranking information.

Land investment regulation and allocative efficiency: evidence from the Chinese manufacturing sector

Abstract This article analyzes the role of production factor land in the production process. Using a novel dataset of 20,205 newly established firms in the Chinese manufacturing sector from 2007 to 2014, our production function estimates suggest the existence of a sizable gap (averaging 50 USD/m2) between the marginal productivity of land and its user cost. Basic economic theory suggests a possible relationship with China’s minimum investment intensity (MII) regulation. An analysis using changes in MII limits over time and the resulting discontinuities at county borders confirms that larger gaps are significantly associated with increases in MII limits. Thus, the results of this study suggest that MII regulation leads to allocative inefficiency of land.

Home country regulates outbound investment to fulfill human rights obligations-taking China as an example

ABSTRACT Restricted by economic and social development conditions and the construction level of the domestic regulatory system, the traditional host country-centered approach makes it challenging to ensure that multinational enterprises fulfil their human rights obligations. The jury is still out on whether international law can directly impose obligations and responsibilities on enterprises. Therefore, the home countries could regulate human rights violations in enterprises' outbound investments. However, in the domestic regulatory system of the home country, there is often a problem of no regulation or ineffective regulation of enterprises' outbound investments. Taking China as an example, this article explores how to enhance the home country's regulation on multinational corporations' fulfilment of human rights obligations,by comparing and drawing on the experience of other jurisdictions in dealing with similar issues and combining with the regulatory practice of China's outbound-invested enterprises, which will better promote China's full implementation of the commitment to the UNGP as stated in the National Human Rights Action Plan, and help Chinese multinational companies go global better, highlighting the value concept of community with a shared future for mankind that China has always advocated as a responsible major country.

Legal Review of Investment Implementation In Vietnam and In Indonesia Is Reviewed Based On Investment Regulations In Each Country

Investment or investment is an activity to increase the capital owned by a company or country with the aim of earning profits in the future. This activity is carried out by investors both from within the country and abroad, having a positive impact on Indonesia's economic development. The purpose of this study is to analyze the implementation of investment in Indonesia and Vietnam, especially related to regulations in each country. In addition, the study also aims to identify the advantages and disadvantages of foreign investment in both countries. Descriptive legal research methods and comparative approaches are used to analyze the implementation of investment in Indonesia and Vietnam, focusing on investment regulations, advantages, and disadvantages of each country. The results of the study show that although Indonesia has natural potential, political stability, and strong government support, the country is still less attractive than Vietnam in terms of Foreign Investment (FDI). Vietnam has managed to attract more foreign investment thanks to more investor-friendly regulations and better legal certainty. In conclusion, to increase competitiveness in attracting foreign investment, Indonesia needs to improve investment regulations and create a more conducive investment climate.

Label-free multiphoton imaging reveals volumetric shifts across development in sensory-related brain regions of a miniature transparent vertebrate.

Animals integrate information from different sensory modalities as they mature and perform increasingly complex behaviors. This may parallel differential investment in specific brain regions depending on the demands of changing sensory inputs. To investigate developmental changes in the volume of canonical sensory integration brain regions, we used third harmonic generation imaging for morphometric analysis of forebrain and midbrain regions from 5 to 90 days post fertilization (dpf) in Danionella dracula , a transparent, miniature teleost fish whose brain is optically accessible throughout its lifespan. Relative to whole brain volume, increased volume or investment in telencephalon, a higher order sensory integration center, and torus longitudinalis (TL), a midbrain visuomotor integration center, is relatively consistent from 5 to 30 dpf, until it increases at 60 dpf, followed by another increase at 90 dpf, as animals reach adulthood. In contrast, investment in midbrain optic tectum (TeO), a retinal-recipient target, progressively decreases from 30-90 dpf, whereas investment is relatively consistent across all stages for the midbrain torus semicircularis (TS), a secondary auditory and mechanosensory lateral line center, and the olfactory bulb (OB), a direct target of the olfactory epithelium. In sum, increased investment in higher order integration centers (telencephalon, TL) occurs as juveniles reach adulthood and exhibit more complex cognitive tasks, whereas investment in modality-dominant regions occurs in earlier stages (TeO) or is relatively consistent across development (TS, OB). Complete optical access throughout Danionella 's lifespan provides a unique opportunity to investigate how changing brain structure over development correlates with changes in connectivity, microcircuitry, or behavior.

Off-grid hydrogen production: Analysing hydrogen production and supply costs considering country-specifics and transport to Europe

Hydrogen plays a pivotal role in transitioning to CO2-free energy systems, yet challenges regarding costs and sourcing persist in supplying Europe with renewable hydrogen. Our paper proposes a simulation-based approach to determine cost-optimal combinations of electrolyser power and renewable peak power for off-grid hydrogen production, considering location and energy source dependencies.Key findings include easy estimation of Levelized Costs of Hydrogen (LCOH) and optimal plant sizing based on the regional energy yield and source. Regional investment risks influence the LCOH by 7.9 % per 1 % change of the Weighted Average Cost of Capital. In Central Europe (Austria), hydrogen production costs range from 7.4 €/kg to 8.6 €/kg, whereas regions like Chile exhibit cheaper costs at 5.1 €/kg to 6.8 €/kg. Despite the favourable energy yields in regions like Chile or the UAE, domestically produced hydrogen can be cost-competitive when location-specific risks and transport costs are taken into account. This underlines the critical role of domestic hydrogen production and cost-effective hydrogen transport for Europe's future hydrogen supply.

Rate of Return (RoR) and Return on Investment (RoI) of Indonesia and India

In the era of globalization and economic liberalization, cross-border investment has become the main strategy for developing countries to increase their economic growth and global competitiveness. This research aims to explore and compare RoR and RoI in Indonesia and India and identify key factors that influence the differences in RoR and RoI between the two countries. This research method uses literature study and conceptual analysis to collect and analyze data from various sources. The research results show that the comparison of RoR and RoI between Indonesia and India involves various factors such as macroeconomic conditions, infrastructure, political stability, investment regulations, labor market, market, and industry, as well as innovation and technology. The two countries show significant differences and similarities in these factors, which influence investment returns. Indonesia has relatively good political stability and a developed capital market, while India stands out in the technology sector and economic reform. However, challenges such as complex regulations, inadequate infrastructure, and fluctuations in currency exchange rates remain obstacles to achieving optimal ROI for investors.

Examining public private partnership investment in energy towards achieving sustainable development goal 7 for ASEAN region

The gradual progress in aligning financial flows with the adoption of clean technologies reveals a persistent funding gap, signaling a global misallocation of capital. Addressing this challenge necessitates political leadership and robust policies to counteract the insecurities impeding the redirection of financial flows. This study investigates into the impact of energy-related public–private partnership investments (PPPIE) and macro-environmental variables on the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) across Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries from 1999 to 2021. Employing the Dynamac command technique, we conduct autoregressive distribution lag analysis and the Bounds Cointegration Test to evaluate ASEAN’s efforts in achieving SDG7. Results indicate that a ten-year exogenous shock to the GDP growth rate initially causes a temporary decline in both GDP and PPPIE, albeit not statistically significant. However, in the long run, the shock becomes statistically significant, correlating with a negative decline in the GDP growth rate. This underscores the negative impact of external factors like the COVID-19 pandemic on the economic growth of ASEAN member countries. Specifically, a percentage increase in PPPIE leads to an 8.3% reduction in the GDP growth rate, revealing a detrimental and unsustainable impact on the economy. This signifies that energy investments in the ASEAN region, are predominantly unsustainable and adversely impact economic growth. Moreover, these energy investments contribute to a significant 52.6% increase in greenhouse gas emissions, indicating a substantial setback in the region’s progress towards meeting SDG7’s clean energy objectives by 2030. This suggests the present state of PPPIE does not align with sustainable clean energy goals of the region. Therefore, recommendations should include diversifying energy sources and investment strategies to enhance sustainable clean energy. Also, policymakers and researchers should reassess the terms and conditions of PPPIE, refining frameworks for private sector involvement to align with long-term economic sustainability goals.

Characteristics of the Basic Socio-Economic Factors of the Development of Small Towns in Russia

Currently, small towns in Russia are going through a difficult period due to changes in the economic situation, demographic trends and financial constraints. These factors have a significant impact on the lives of citizens and require in-depth study and analysis. The purpose of the study is to identify the general features of small forms of settlement as part of the regional socio-economic system for the further development of proposals for the formation of specific measures for the socio-economic development of small towns. The research was conducted on a sample of data from 82 regions of Russia for 2018–2022 according to 11 statistical hypotheses. The work used modern methods of statistical analysis, including testing the normality of distribution (ShapiroWilk statistics), equality of variances (Livigne criterion) and the method of statistical testing of hypotheses based on the Mann-Whitney test. Calculations were performed in the Python software environment using the NumPy and Pandas libraries for data preprocessing and SciPy and XlsxWriter for statistical analysis and export results. The following socio-economic indicators are considered: average per capita cash income of the population, gross regional product and investment in fixed capital per capita, average turnover of organizations and the share of the population with cash income below the subsistence level. It is shown that, within the framework of the existing administrative structure of regional governance, regions with different levels of urbanization have statistically significant differences in these indicators. At the same time, no such differences were found in relation to indicators such as expenditures and revenues of consolidated budgets per person, the total area of residential premises per inhabitant on average, the fertility rate, the population maturity index and the dynamics of population change over 10 years (2012-2022 inclusive).

Regional investment potential as a factor in achieving technological sovereignty in key sectors of the Russian economy

Aim. To develop a model of interrelation of factors and tools for increasing the region’s investment potential, aimed at accelerating the processes of achieving technological sovereignty in key sectors of the Russian economy by increasing the efficiency of regional investment policy on its basis.Objectives. To study the main approaches to understanding the essence and role of technological sovereignty; to group the key factors and tools for managing the region’s investment potential, to give their generalizing characteristic; to develop an algorithmic model of the relationship between factors and tools for increasing the region’s investment potential; to identify the main discussion aspects in understanding the essence and objectives of managing the level of investment potential of the region and technological sovereignty of the national economy.Methods. The principles and approaches of general scientific methods of scientific cognition: historical, logical, comparison, dialectical, system approach, structural-functional analysis, qualitative analysis and synthesis served as the methodological basis of the research.Results. Purposeful management of factors of the region’s investment potential allows to use its objective and potential advantages as an object of investment investments more effectively. In this regard, it seems reasonable to use a complex algorithmic model of interrelation of factors and tools to increase the investment potential of the region. The model proposed by the authors includes three groups of factors and related tools for the analysis of investment potential, as well as a block of generalizing tools for its comprehensive development. Technological sovereignty in modern conditions to a greater extent acquires the role of an effective protective mechanism of national identity and subjectivity for the states facing the problems generated by the external environment. The task of ensuring technological sovereignty today is a rational response to the rapidly changing world order, in which opportunities for free trade and international cooperation are no longer guaranteed in equal proportions to the countries concerned, which becomes a significant factor in their global vulnerability; it is an opportunity for more active development of national scientific and production potential, which will contribute to a relative equalization of the existing imbalances in the levels of technological development with the international community; is the first priority need to take into account long-term systemic effects, rather than current economic benefits, when making decisions on the conscious rejection or priority development of certain competencies, technological niches, types of production at the national and regional levels.Conclusions. High dynamism due to fierce competition in the technological sphere requires from federal and regional government bodies systematic systematic work aimed at ensuring a high level of investment attractiveness of key sectors and segments of the economy. Strengthening the role and attention to the issues of investment policy management due to the achieved level of investment potential both at the level of individual regions and industries, and the country as a whole, is now associated not only with current economic interests, but also with the strategic priorities of national identity and preservation of statehood. At the national level, it is necessary to form and regularly adjust the list of critical products and technologies, key industries that require continuous development while maintaining a leading rate of investment in research and development in order to create demanded and competitive products and services on their basis.

Forecasting ASEAN-5 Stock Index Price Movement Using Machine Learning Techniques

This research investigates the effectiveness of various machine learning models, including Random Forest, Neural Networks, Adaboost, Discriminant Analysis, Logit Model, Support Vectors, and Kernel Factory. The study aims to forecast fluctuations in the ASEAN-5 stock index prices within an eleven-year period. The study provides useful information about how well machine learning techniques can predict changes in the stock market, with potential implications for both academic researchers and market participants. The findings imply that Adaboost consistently outperforms all others in predicting price changes accurately. This shows that machine learning algorithms are capable of accurately forecasting the movement of the ASEAN-5 stock index values. This study contributes to the growing body of research on the use of machine learning techniques in finance and provides investors with information to make informed decisions about investments in the ASEAN-5 region, ultimately leading to increased returns and improved portfolio performance.

Does the digital economy enhance common prosperity? Examining the mediating influence of resilience in environmental investment

BackgroundThe link between the digital economy and prosperity is well established. However, the mechanism underlying the relationship between the digital economy and common prosperity is yet to be investigated. Study rationale and purposeThe main purpose of this study is to address this mechanism by examining the extent to which the digital economy has optimized regional investments in protecting the environment, particularly the resilience of environmental investment, thus influencing common prosperity. We draw upon insights from the fault tolerance and social inclusion theories to develop a model that illuminates how the digital economy enhances common prosperity through the resilience of environmental investment. MethodsWe used econometric, gray predictive modeling methods for data analysis. We propose environmental investment resilience, including flexibility and stability, as a mediating mechanism through which the digital economy can improve common prosperity. This study selected Chinese cities in 2010–2021 as a sample for the experiment and employed a difference-in-differences model to examine whether the digital economy enhances regional common prosperity. Principal findingsThe results show that the digital economy improves common prosperity through the resilience of environmental investment. Specifically, the digital economy enhances the flexibility and stability that are two indicators of resilience in environmental investments, which in turn enhances the level of common prosperity. Moreover, the relationship between environmental investment resilience and common prosperity is strengthened by inaugurating a high-speed rail. In addition, this relationship is weakened in an aging population. Finally, we focused on environmental investment efficiency using a gray prediction model. The results show that environmental investment efficiency generally shows an upward trend in fluctuation, which proves the robustness of our results.

Linking Economic Diversification and Regional Investments in the Gulf: Saudi and Emirati Investment Trends in Egypt

Linking Economic Diversification and Regional Investments in the Gulf: Saudi and Emirati Investment Trends in Egypt

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ПУТИ РАЗВИТИЯ ИНФОРМАЦИОННОЙ ГРАМОТНОСТИ ПРЕПОДАВАТЕЛЕЙ ИНОСТРАННЫХ ЯЗЫКОВ В ЭПОХУ ЦИФРОВОГО ИНТЕЛЛЕКТА

In the digital era, information technology empowers foreign language teaching. Teachers' information literacy refers to their ability to screen, process, internalize, apply, and transmit all kinds of knowledge and information, including data literacy, belief literacy, and application literacy, which have both technical and humanistic significance. Challenges include low-tech applications in languages, incomplete training systems, marginalized relationships, uneven regional investment, and unclear evaluation standards. To advance, focus should be placed on belief systems, knowledge, application practices, and habits to transcend technology to humanities. This involves reinforcing policy guidance, fostering a research community, driving information integration, ensuring equal resource distribution, enhancing disciplinary- technological integration, and improving online educational norms.