Developed Economies Research Articles

Genomic epidemiology of early SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics in Bangladesh.

Genomic epidemiology has helped reconstruct the global and regional movement of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, there is still a lack of understanding of SARS-CoV-2 spread in some of the world's least developed countries (LDCs). To begin to address this disparity, we studied the transmission dynamics of the virus in Bangladesh during the country's first COVID-19 wave by analysing case reports and whole-genome sequences from all eight divisions of the country. We detected > 50 virus introductions to the country during the period, including during a period of national lockdown. Additionally, through discrete phylogeographic analyses, we identified that geographical distance and population -density and/or -size influenced virus spatial dispersal in Bangladesh. Overall, this study expands our knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 genomic epidemiology in Bangladesh, shedding light on crucial transmission characteristics within the country, while also acknowledging resemblances and differences to patterns observed in other nations.

Non-compete clauses in employment contracts: The case for regulatory response

Abstract In the employment context, non-competes are contractual terms which provide that once the employment ends the employee cannot work for another employer in the same industry or field (i.e. a competitor), within a specified geographic area, for a specified time. The existing law and practice regarding non-competes in Australia is plagued with confusion and uncertainty. Non-competes also have adverse economic consequences; they are associated with reduced employee mobility and consequent negative impacts on wages and productivity. The use of non-competes by Australian business has increased over the past 5 years and absent a policy response; this trend is likely to continue. Non-competes are no longer limited to highly paid executives but now apply to about one in five Australian workers, across income, age, occupational, and education groups. The distribution and prevalence of non-competes in Australia are broadly consistent with data in other developed economies. A number of jurisdictions within the Organisation for Economics Co-operation and Development have imposed restrictions on the use of non-competes. The US Federal Trade Commission is considering a ban on their use and, in the UK, the government has announced its intention to limit the term of non-competes to 3 months. In Australia, the Competition Minister has recently asked the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and Treasury for advice on the competitive aspect of non-competes. The Australian Government released an Issues Paper (https://treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-04/c2024-514668-issues-paper.pdf#page40) – ‘Non-competes and other restraints: understanding the impacts on jobs, business and productivity’ in April 2024. The Issues Paper outlines the existing research and evidence in Australia and overseas on the use and effects of non-competes. A public consultation process will conclude in May 2024 and Treasury will advise the Government on the outcomes of the consultations by the end of 2024. After reviewing the arguments for and against restricting the ‘reach’ of non-competes, I conclude that the weight of the evidence favours a regulatory response to ameliorate the unfairness inherent in the existing law and practice. A number of possible regulatory responses are considered.

Evaluating Enteric Fermentation-Driven Environmental Kuznets Curve Dynamics: A Bayesian Vector Autoregression Comparative Study of the EU and Least Developed Countries

Global warming and climate change, primarily driven by human activities, with agriculture playing a significant role, have become central topics of scientific research. Livestock production, especially enteric fermentation, is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, making it a focal point for both climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. Both the European Union (EU) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) are highly dependent on agriculture, particularly livestock, which plays a key role in their economic growth. In developing countries, livestock systems are evolving rapidly due to various factors, while in the EU, the livestock sector remains economically and socially significant, representing 36% of total agricultural activity. This study explores the environmental impact of enteric fermentation in livestock production, alongside the economic value it generates in both the EU and LDCs. The analysis utilizes a Bayesian Vector Autoregression (BVAR) methodology, which provides a more robust performance compared to traditional models like Vector Autoregression (VAR) and the Vector-error Correction Model (VECM). This research identifies significant relationships between the variables studied, with structural breaks quantified to reflect the impact of initiatives undertaken in both regions. Interestingly, the results challenge the environmental Kuznets curve, which hypothesizes an inverted U-shaped relationship between economic growth and environmental degradation, as proposed by Stern. This suggests that stronger economic incentives may be necessary to enhance policy effectiveness and promote eco-efficiency. The distinctive characteristics of livestock production in the EU and LDCs should be carefully considered when shaping agricultural policies, with a strong emphasis on farmer education as a critical factor for success. Additionally, corporate management practices must be tailored to address the unique needs, strengths, and challenges of livestock businesses in these two diverse regions.

The Transitional Dynamics of Debt: Productivity Shocks, Fiscal Policy and Economic Growth

We propose a two-sector endogenous growth model with both public and private production. The government sector produces an output that enters both the utility function and the production function, financed by both taxes and borrowing, such that public expenditure and public finance are independently determined. We impose a homogeneous stylized labour productivity supply shock to country specific simulations, coinciding with hypothetical year 2020, and consider their respective heterogeneous fiscal responses. The simulations depict the transitional dynamics in both developed and less developed economies to the simultaneous labour and policy shocks. Using advanced software applications, explicitly suited to model continuous time mathematics, we simulate closed form solutions to continuous time general equilibria that are defined by a three-dimensional modified golden rule across consumption, capital and debt. The model represents a baseline for analysis of the short to medium term impacts of shocks, both exogenous or policy induced, within a richly defined dynamic general equilibrium. Our methodology extends the ability to analyze transitional dynamics in multidimensional models where hitherto analysis has been confined to the long run equilibria.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between neglected tropical diseases and malnutrition: more research needed on diseases other than intestinal parasites, leishmaniasis and leprosy.

Background. According to the World Health Organization, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affect over two billion people worldwide. While the links between nutrition and many diseases have become clear over recent decades, NTDs have lagged behind and the linkage with nutrition is largely unknown. We conducted this systematic review with meta-analysis to determine the current knowledge on the association between NTDs and malnutrition. Methodology. PubMed, Embase, Scopus and African Journals Online databases were searched using predefined search terms. We included all original articles with a case-control design and at least one NTD. The studies had to compare nutritional parameters between infected cases and control participants. Articles that did not report original data were excluded. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Pooled estimates were conducted using the random effect model. The publication bias of the studies was determined by funnel plots. Q and I 2 statistics were used to assess the heterogeneity of the studies. Results. After screening 1294 articles, only 16 qualified for the systematic review and 12 for meta-analysis. These predominately had a focus on soil-transmitted helminthiasis (ascariasis, hookworm diseases and trichuriasis) and schistosomiasis, with a minority concerning leishmaniasis and leprosy. Pooled estimates showed an association between intestinal parasites and stunting in children [odds ratio (OR) = 1.38, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14-1.66, I 2 = 0%, tau2 = 0]. We also identified a moderate association established between serum iron deficiency (OR = 4.67, 95% CI: 1.91-11.44, tau2 = 0) and intestinal parasites. Conclusions/significance. Of the 20 NTDs, the links between diet and disease have been explored for only 4. There is a paucity of data from low- and middle-income countries and least-developed countries where the NTD burden is high. Therefore, more research into the role of malnutrition in NTDs other than intestinal parasites, leishmaniasis and leprosy is needed.

Environmental shocks and agriculture: implications of floods on labor market outcomes

Abstract Floods often displace people and exacerbate their access to finance, affecting the livelihood of daily wage workers in least-developed countries. In August 2017, Nepal experienced the heaviest rainfall in more than 60 years, severely flooding about 80 per cent of the land in the southern part of the country. Using the two-way fixed effects approach and an event study design, we evaluate the impact of severe flooding on the wages of agricultural workers. We show that the 2017 floods resulted in a 9–10 per cent decrease in cash wages among agricultural households while in-kind wages of agricultural laborers increased significantly after the floods, implying that in-kind wages helped mitigate the adverse effects of floods on cash wages. We also investigate changes in assistance, loan-seeking behavior, loan repayment, and collection behavior as mechanisms leading to the risk-mitigating behavior by farmers.

Technological progress in central and eastern Europe: Digitalization and business innovation leaders and outsiders

Innovation and the associated digitization of the global economy are becoming the foundation of competitiveness and development. This state of affairs affects all regions and countries of the world, especially enterprises, which need to adapt to stay in the market. The situation is particularly challenging in developing countries, whose economic potential is lower than that of developed economies. Addressing this issue, the article presents the results of a study on the degree of digitization and innovation of enterprises in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), which are among the group of developing economies. The research included independent assessments of innovation and digitization in these countries, as well as a combined assessment of both processes. It was based on a set of 17 selected indicators characterizing the processes of digitization (9) and innovation (8). The CRITIC method was used to calculate the weights of these indicators, and the TOPSIS method was used to determine the digitization and innovation indices, as well as the final digitization and innovation index. Using the results of this analysis, relationships were determined between the digitization and innovation indices, as well as between the final index (innovation and digitization) and selected economic parameters of the countries under study (CEE). The results show that companies in the studied countries are highly differentiated in terms of their digitization and innovation. The best results in both dimensions were obtained by the Czech Republic and Slovenia, while the weakest were by Latvia and Romania. In terms of business innovation, the Czech Republic and Slovenia are the best performers, while Latvia and Romania are the weakest. On the other hand, Slovenia and the Czech Republic are the leaders in business digitization, while Romania and Bulgaria are the worst performers. The remaining countries fell within the area of average development in these dimensions. The obtained results should be a valuable source of knowledge for assessing the measures taken to date in CEE countries in the field of innovation and digitization. It would also be advisable to use them in the development and implementation of economic policy and the targeting of investment activities in the EU. A major opportunity, especially for improving the innovativeness of CEE countries, could be the Open Innovation concept. Its wider implementation in these countries should improve their performance in this regard.

Using Survey Data to Estimate Intergenerational Mobility in Income and Education in Portugal

AbstractPrevious studies about intergenerational mobility for the Portuguese economy find that education and income persistence is very high in comparison with other developed economies. We construct relative, absolute, global and local measures of mobility for Portugal, comparing them with existing evidence for this and other countries. These are the intergenerational income elasticity (computed using the two-sample two-stage least squares method), income correlation, rank-rank slope, bottom to top income level probability, the share of individuals earning more than their fathers and also the intergenerational education correlation, the low to high education level probability, and the share of individuals with a higher education level than their fathers. We consider the 1968–1988 cohorts and the 1995 and 2019 waves of the European Community Household Panel and the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions, respectively. Overall, based on the point estimates, women seem to present more mobility in income. Upward income mobility is verified at the bottom while persistence exists at the top. Women present a greater absolute educational mobility. More than 80% of individuals have a higher education than their fathers and full upward education mobility exists for children of low-educated fathers. Mobility in education is higher for the offspring of medium–high-income fathers. Individuals with a high education level, in the medium–high income level or with occupations requiring a higher education level show higher mobility.

СУЧАСНІ ТЕНДЕНЦІЇ РОЗВИТКУ СЕКТОРА ІКТ В УКРАЇНІ

The article emphasizes the priority role of the ICT sector in building a highly developed and competitive national economy. Attention was drawn to the ability of the ICT sector to improve the country's adaptation to globalization and neo-industrial challenges. The role of the ICT sector in the course of our country overcoming hybrid risks and threats and challenges of a full-scale military invasion and subsequent post-war recovery is increasing. An economic and statistical analysis of the number of enterprises (business entities) by type of economic activity «Information and telecommunications» in Ukraine in 2010-2022 was carried out and their absolute growth, growth rate, absolute value of 1% of growth, average annual value, average annual absolute growth and growth rate. It was established that during the analyzed period, the number of subjects of this type of economic activity increased by 5.3 times, while the annual increase was 20 units or 14.9%. If in 2010 there were 55.9 thousand business entities in the field of information and telecommunications, then in 2022 their number was 295.9 thousand units. The shares of enterprises (business entities) by the type of economic activity «Information and telecommunications» in the total number of enterprises (business entities) in Ukraine in 2010-2022 were calculated. It was concluded that the share of entities of this type of economic activity in the total the number of enterprises in Ukraine is constantly increasing and in 2022 was equal to 4.5%, which is by 1% more compared to 2010. It was emphasized that in order to increase the intensity of the development of the ICT sector, it is necessary to change the state’s approach to ensuring the digitalization of the economy and the development of the information society, while providing support, guarantees, broad opportunities for businesses to realize their own economic interests.

The Role of NGOs in Health Capacity Building for Organizational Staff and Volunteers in Myanmar

The role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in health capacity building for trained community volunteers in Myanmar, a Least Developed Country (LDC) is significantly noteworthy. The study highlights the training programs and initiatives conducted by NGOs in areas such as sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention, addressing critical needs in family planning, maternal health, GBV prevention, and the prevention of TB, HIV/AIDS, and other infectious diseases. The training programs and packages are designed to equip healthcare providers and community volunteers with fundamental skills, thereby enabling them to effectively address the health issues facing by the community especially among the vulnerable population. The study also points to the effective use of participatory learning methods by NGOs, such as interactive workshops, role-plays, case studies, and group discussions, which actively engage participants and promote an environment conducive to collective learning and knowledge sharing. Furthermore, through FGD, it was found that NGO interventions contribute to positive changes in health behaviors, such as increased awareness of preventive measures and adoption of healthier lifestyles.

An assessment of economy- and transport-oriented health performance

BackgroundGood health can prolong one’s lifespan and is a fundamental human right. Thus, human health is being influenced by prejudiced from sociological, environmental, economic, and geographic aspects. The economy and transportation system pose a serious challenge to the assessment of the health performance of economies.ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the health performance of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) economies by using economic and transport-related indicators and examining the role of health expenditure and governance in improving efficiency.MethodsThis study measures the economy- and transport-oriented health efficiency of 35 OECD economies for the period of 2000–2022. In the first stage, this study employs a slacks-based measure and the data envelopment analysis–window analysis approach to conduct individual (economy and transportation) and joint assessments to measure health efficiency. In the second stage, this study uses the tobit regression method to investigate the effects of influencing factors, namely, government general health and pharmaceutical expenditures, the medical infrastructure, and governance, on health efficiency.ResultsEmpirical results reveal that a 1-unit change in the health expenditure during the research period improves economy-oriented health efficiency by 71% and transport-oriented health efficiency by 58%. The econometric analysis demonstrates that all the coefficients of economy- and transport-oriented health efficiency are significant and positive. Notably, a 1-unit change in the medical infrastructure increases economy- and transport-oriented health efficiency by 50.8%, and a 1% increase in pharmaceutical expenditure increases the health, economy, and transport efficiency scores by 16.3%, 33%, and 58.6%, respectively.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that some of the economies were efficient with regard to their health-oriented outputs, that is, quality of life and mortality and morbidity rates, and most of the economies demonstrated excellent economic performance. The findings of the transport-oriented health efficiency assessment reveal that the economies were unable to perform well in the last year of the research period owing to the nationwide lockdowns. Nonetheless, they demonstrated efficiency in the first half of the research period. The joint assessment of economy- and transport-oriented health efficiency indicates that economic and transport input resources can adversely affect the GDP and life expectancy simultaneously, and the medical infrastructure, pharmaceutical expenditure, and number of medical graduates serve as constructive stimuli for health efficiency improvement.

Business Cycle Dynamics in the Romanian Economy: Phases and Developments

Romania's economy is not yet sufficient / complete and competitive connected to the developed European economy and the global one. In recent economic and general political history, the political, institutional and economic changes that have taken place since 1990 in Central and Eastern Europe, including Romania, are already recognized. The article deals with the evolutionary situational stages towards the New Economy of Romania. It also describes the post-transformation horizon for achieving quasi-constant inverted levels between “tangible-intangible” for the transition to a new business cycle in the New Knowledge-Based Economy and Risk. It follows that if GDP reflects the sum of the market value of all goods and services intended for final consumption, not intermediate ones, produced in all branches of the economy within Romania within a year, by way of investigative proximity, business and cycles of manifestation of these were closely followed by dimensional evolutionary trends of similarity and aggregation with GDP. In fact, the New Knowledge-Based Economy has radically and positively changed Romania's advance towards the digitalized society, based more and more on the operationalization of intangible assets. The problem of vision, strategy and development tactics through new business cycles is found in the search for the optimal structural ratio between tangible and intangible assets (knowledge) insurers for competitiveness and sustainability. Keywords: business cycle, Romanian economy, business, entrepreneurship, investment, new knowledge-based economy, tangible assets, intangible assets

Die österreichische Wettbewerbsfähigkeit im Check

Abstract Austria's economy is highly competitive internationally in many areas. Nevertheless, there are various economic policy challenges. In addition, the intensity of international competition is increasing. A comparison of Austria's economic environment with 21 other highly developed economies based on comparable indicators that are available across the board shows the most important areas where action is needed. This contribution identifies the respective challenges in different areas and provides solutions. Finally, the growth effects of selected measures are quantified based on a model-based scenario calculation.

국제표준이 최저개발국의 수출에 미치는 영향: 기술수준의 매개효과를 고려하여

While previous studies have analyzed the impact of standards on trade between regions and countries, there has been limited research on how international standards affect the overall exports of countries that do not actively participate in international standardization. This study aims to investigate the impact of ISO international standards on the exports of countries that do not actively participate in international standardization, and to examine whether the technological level of a country serves as a mediating variable in this process. Through this, the study seeks to verify whether ISO achieves its goal of harmonizing global standards to promote trade. For the analysis, a regression analysis was conducted using the export volume of least developed countries (LDCs) as the dependent variable and ISO international standards as the independent variable, with the technological level of each country as a mediating variable. The analysis results indicated that ISO international standards positively influence the exports of LDCs, and the technological level fully mediates the process through which international standards affect exports. Unlike previous studies, this research focuses on the impact of international standards on the exports of LDCs rather than developed countries, and holds significance as an initial study exploring the mediating role of variables in this process.

The role of digital transformation in boosting CSR-driven green innovation among Yemeni manufacturing SMEs

This study aims to examine the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and digital transformation (DT) on green innovation (GI) among manufacturing SMEs in Yemen, in addition to exploring the moderating role of DT in the relationship between CSR and GI. To this end, data collected from 224 SME managers/owners in Yemen were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM-PLS) via SmartPLS. The results indicate that CSR significantly enhances GI among manufacturing SMEs. Furthermore, DT not only has a direct positive effect on GI but also moderates the relationship between CSR and GI, amplifying the impact of CSR practices. This suggests that DT acts as a catalyst, strengthening the effects of CSR on GI. These results are expected to enlighten managers of manufacturing SMEs in least-developed countries on the importance of integrating CSR with DT strategies to improve GI capabilities. Therefore, policymakers should support this integration to foster sustainable development and enhance SMEs’ performance. Overall, our findings contribute to the literature by combining CSR and DT within a framework that elucidates their interaction and impact on GI. It provides new insights into how DT can enhance CSR-driven GI in less developing countries.

Risk factors associated with Helicobacter pylori infection among patients attending private clinics in Borama district, Somaliland

ABSTRACT Risk factors associated with Helicobacter pylori infection among patients attending private clinics in Borama district, Somaliland, are studied. We specifically investigated the association among the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the users’ socioeconomic status, and the household hygiene practice of people with H. pylori infection attending the Borama private clinic. Helicobacter pylorus (H. pylori) is a Gram-negative spiral-shaped bacterium that infects gastric-type epithelium, and it is probably the most common bacterial agent in humans after Streptococcus mutans, which causes dental caries. H. pylori infection is now recognized as a worldwide problem and it is the most common cause of chronic gastritis and is strongly linked to peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. The prevalence of H. pylori infection is high in less-developed Asian countries like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Thailand, and is acquired at an earlier age than in the more developed Asian countries like Japan and China. H. pylori infection is a global public health problem, affecting over 50% of the population worldwide.

Promoting carbon neutrality: Indian tourists’ intentions to adopt energy-saving behaviours

ABSTRACT Tourism in India contributes to the world's fourth-largest carbon footprint due to its escalating population and rising income levels, but its emissions per person are lower than those of other developed world economies. As one of the largest emerging economies, India's pledge to transition to Net Zero emissions to become Carbon Neutral in COP26 is a great leap forward in achieving Sustainable goals. This study provides an empirical investigation of Indian Tourists’ Intention to adopt Energy-Saving Behaviours (IESB) to promote Carbon Neutrality while travelling by constructing an integrated model incorporating the Norm Activation Model (NAM) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) with Environmental Value (EV) and Climate Change Awareness (CA). Data from 456 tourists were gathered online and offline from March 9 to April 25, 2023. The analysis utilised Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with AMOS and SPSS, testing eight hypotheses statistically. The findings are instrumental for the new climate change goals, policymakers, the tourism sector and various related businesses and hotels for ensuring sustainable practices. This is one of the first studies empirically investigating ESB and Carbon neutrality in one of the largest growing economies by extending the NAM and TPB through the realm of travel and tourism.

How artificial intelligence affects international industrial transfer ——Evidence from industrial robot application

The development of high technology represented by artificial intelligence is an essential driver of international industrial transfer. Using country-industry-level industrial robot data and value-added trade data from 2002-2018, this paper empirically examines the impact and mechanism of artificial intelligence on the international industrial transfer undertaken by a country (region). The study shows that the application of artificial intelligence can significantly enhance the international industrial transfer undertaken by a country (region). Further analysis shows that artificial intelligence positively affects international industry transfer through two channels: Improving the quality of labor force and promoting the level technological innovation. Further heterogeneity analysis shows that, first, from the economic development degree perspective, artificial intelligence's role in promoting developing economies is more substantial than that in developed economies. Second, the financial crisis has weakened the impact of artificial intelligence on international industrial transfer from the perspective of time division，especially in developing economies. Third, from the perspective of industry heterogeneity, artificial intelligence has significantly promoted the transfer of medium-low and medium-high technology industries. The research in this paper extends the analysis of the effect of artificial intelligence. It provides realistic insights for optimizing the strategic layout of the robotics industry, achieving industrial structure upgrading, optimizing resource allocation efficiency, and grasping the opportunities of global industrial chain restructuring.

Circular Economy Business Model in Cambodia: Drivers, Barriers and Impacts

The notion of the circular economy has garnered noteworthy interest as a viable substitute for the conventional linear economic framework. This paper investigates the emergence of circular economy business models in Cambodia, focusing on the drivers that are shaping this transition, the barriers that businesses encounter, and the potential impacts of circular economy initiatives on the Cambodian economy and society. By examining the Cambodian context, this study seeks to shed light on the opportunities and barriers associated with the adoption of circular economy practices in a least developed country setting. Even though Cambodia has made strides toward development, Gaudemar (2016) noted that it is improbable for the country to "graduate" from its Least Developed Country (LDC) classification until 2025 or later. Furthermore, the findings of this research can contribute to the gap in the literature related to policy interventions and strategic decision-making aimed at promoting sustainable economic development and environmental stewardship in Cambodia.

Productivity drivers and pro-productivity policies: G20 economies, India and South Korea

In this article we look at productivity trends, drivers of productivity growth and pro-productivity policies across the G20 economies since 1970. We distinguish between three sub-groups of G20 economies: a “leading but slowing” group of the most developed economies, a “lagging but growing” group of economies that have shown rapid growth and a “muddling through” group of economies with no sustained improvement in productivity performance. We find distinctly different dynamics between the sub-groups regarding the contributions of capital deepening and total factor productivity (TFP) to labour productivity growth. The slowdown in labour productivity growth since the 2010s has been underpinned by lower TFP growth. India is the only G20 economy which has experienced a significant improvement in TFP growth over the past few decades. We develop a typology distinguishing five domains of pro-productivity policies (accumulation of the factors of production, markets and resource allocation, technological and structural change, internationalisation, and foundational policies) and explore how these have been applied across countries and over time. We also provide a more detailed analysis of productivity and related policies for two G20 countries: India and South Korea. We argue that a revival of productivity growth in the G20 requires a greater focus on policies which balance technological progress with knowledge diffusion; more investment in intangibles and public assets; and improvements in the quality of human capital.