Market Barriers Research Articles

Based on the economic perspective of data analysis, this paper deeply discusses the impact of blockchain technology on the financial market and its future trend. By using econometrics, we systematically analyze how blockchain technology can change the operation mechanism of financial markets, improve transaction efficiency, reduce transaction costs, and enhance the security and transparency of financial markets. The study has found that the decentralized nature of blockchain technology can help to break down the barriers of the traditional financial market and promote the popularization and inclusiveness of financial services. At the same time, the automatic execution function of smart contracts simplifies the process of financial transactions and reduces the risk of human intervention and fraud. In addition, the blockchain technology has also enhanced the trust mechanism of the financial markets by improving the security and traceability of the data. In terms of econometric analysis, we use a large amount of financial data to empirically test the impact of blockchain technology on the performance of the financial market by building regression models, time series analysis and other methods. The results show that there is a significant positive correlation between the application of blockchain technology and financial market efficiency, liquidity and stability. Looking into the future, with the continuous innovation and improvement of blockchain technology, its application in the financial market will be more extensive and deeper. On the one hand, blockchain technology is expected to promote the further digitalization and intelligence of the financial market, and improve the convenience and personalization of financial services. On the other hand, blockchain technology will also promote the cross-border integration and innovation of the financial market, and inject new vitality into the global economic development.

Coffee industry in Indonesia in the short- and long terms has the potential to boost the country’s economy which can be seen in the form of structure, behavior, and performance. Market forces affect the market structure in an industry. The formation of the market structure affects a company’s behavior which further affects the performance of the company. The data used in this study is sourced from the Central Statistics Agency. The study measures the relationship of structure and other factors that affect the performance of the Indonesian coffee industry using a multiple regression model. Our findings show that the coffee processing industry in Indonesia has an oligopoly structure with a fairly high market barrier. The market behavior of the coffee processing industry is seen in terms of price strategy, products, and promotion. The performance of the coffee processing industry in Indonesia has an increasing trend every year. A positive trend results in good performance for the company so that it will increase the level of profit. Based on the regression results, the Minimum Cost Price which represents the performance of the Indonesian coffee processing industry is significantly influenced by the Efficiency Value. CR4 value and Labor Productivity have no real effect on the Minimum Price Cost. The pattern of the relationship between Efficiency and Labor Productivity to the Minimum Price Cost has a positive effect while CR4 has a negative effect. Keywords: structure, conduct, performance, coffee processing industry

In recent years, ground breaking approaches have emerged to dismantle entry barriers in the labour market for individuals facing substantial challenges. The prevailing labour market policies predominantly centre around the activation strategy, however, vulnerable groups, grappling with individual and contextual obstacles, encounter difficulties overcoming societal stigmas to secure lasting employment. This study delves into how WISEs experiment with cross-sector partnerships (CSPs) to tackle these challenges. Through collaboration with public authorities and private entities, WISEs convert transitional initiatives into enduring, valuable experiences for beneficiaries. The paper scrutinises two case studies, shedding light on tensions encountered and how organisations navigate tensions to uphold social objectives amid partnerships with entities possessing distinct logics and goals. Despite the success in providing positive experiences and practical skills, CSPs introduce complexity and inter-organisational tensions. The research identifies mechanisms and strategies employed by WISEs to prevent mission drift and sustain a focus on work integration. The study underscores the imperative for further research on CSPs in work integration, recognising their increasing individual, local and policy impact, along with the organisational implications they entail.

The Challenges and opportunities of entering a new international market : Research the potential barriers in a new international market for a specific company or product

An assessment of barriers to digital transformation in circular Construction: An application of stakeholder theory

Abstract Dairy farmers in developing countries face numerous challenges, including price instability, limited credit access, outdated technology adoption, market barriers, and poverty. Cooperatives offer promising solutions to farmers’ problems and help them enhance their agricultural sustainability. Although the impact of cooperative membership has been widely investigated, little evidence is found in dairy farming households. This study estimates the impact of cooperative membership on dairy farmers’ household incomes, net returns, and profits from dairy products (processed and fresh milk). The cross‐sectional data were collected from 300 dairy farmers in East Java, Indonesia. Inverse probability weighting with regression adjustment (IPWRA) and two‐stage predictor substitution (2SPS) were used in the analysis to address the selection bias in the estimation. The findings are corroborated by a robustness check using propensity score matching. The results show that dairy farmers’ decisions to join a cooperative are positively and significantly influenced by farming experience, transportation ownership, number of cattle owned, and involvement in social activities and are negatively influenced by age. Cooperative membership significantly improves farmers’ welfare by increasing their household incomes, net returns, and profits from fresh milk products. However, the membership reduces profits from processed milk products. These findings suggest that the government should encourage farmers to participate actively in cooperatives.

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the Canadian financial sector’s reaction to opportunities and risks created by the green bond market in a low-carbon and climate-resilient (LCR) economy.Design/methodology/approachThe authors used a concurrent mixed methodological approach that undertakes an online survey and semistructured interviews with critical green bond market stakeholders.FindingsThe most significant market driver in Canada is the reputational benefit for stakeholders, i.e. its ability to meet the high demand for sustainable finance and the marketing potential of its green credentials. The major market barriers are transactional costs, i.e. additional tracking required for reporting purposes, lack of market liquidity and identification of environmental impact or additionality. Canadian green bonds are also more likely to be evaluated on their green impact than their global market peers.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations of this study include its focus on Canada, which may exclude or not apply to drivers and barriers in other green bond markets.Practical implicationsThe paper helps create an accounting-based conceptual framework for key motivations and barriers that affect financial decision-making regarding green bonds.Social implicationsThe authors identify economic and policy-related barriers and drivers for green bonds, addressing the financing gap for the LCR economy.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to identify and compare Canadian green bond market drivers and barriers and to examine relevant stakeholder- and policy-related approaches that can be targeted to scale this market effectively.

IntroductionPlant-based meats (PBM) are an emerging set of food technologies that could reduce the environmental impacts of food systems by mitigating consumer demand for animal products. However, scaling up the production and consumption of plant-based meats requires overcoming multiple technological, regulatory, political, and market barriers. An evidence-based prioritization of needs and actions may help actors (e.g., investors, funders, policymakers) who wish to help scale PBM achieve desired outcomes with limited resources.Research questionWhat actions could most effectively help to scale up the production and/or consumption of plant-based meat in Brazil?MethodsWe selected Brazil as a case study of a country with a significant animal agriculture sector and a burgeoning PBM sector. We constructed a panel of nine experts and employed the Delphi technique during two rounds of an online survey to iteratively assess the degree of consensus and disagreement around the relative priority of 14 possible actions (identified from relevant literature) that could help to scale up the production and/or consumption of PBM in Brazil. We used the Importance, Neglect, and Tractability framework.ResultsThe panelists collectively concluded that the top priority action for scaling up both the production and the consumption of plant-based meat in Brazil was to reduce the price of products for consumers. For most priority actions, there was greater consensus among panelists in the second round of the survey.DiscussionOur findings contribute to an improved understanding of (a) which actions may be of highest priority for investors, funders, and policymakers, (b) synergies and differences between priority actions to scale up the production versus consumption of PBM in Brazil, (c) the relative merits of focusing on scaling up PBM production versus consumption, and (d) the strengths and limitations of assessing expert opinion on alternative protein futures using the Delphi technique.

Global business today is driven by brands, each with a unique story, but rarely of a product that is a public good. Building a brand requires careful planning, creativity, and an understanding of the target market. Borrowing from various brand concepts and frameworks, this paper explores how a government-bred common bean cultivar., NUA 45, defied the odds to create a new identity and association in Zimbabwe. Firstly, the cultivar overcame the general lack of promotion investment in government-bred (public) common bean cultivars. Secondly, being a red mottle-colored cultivar in a red-speckled (sugar type) bean-predominated country, NUA 45 had to break the preference typecasts. Thirdly, NUA 45 was among the first generation of biofortified bean cultivars enriched with iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), some of the most sought-after micronutrients in a world ridden with hidden hunger. Overcoming these market barriers required a systematic approach to awareness creation, collaboration, and commercialization, avoiding the tragedy of the commons, and instead, achieving a win-win situation for all stakeholders. This entailed understanding the needs and preferences of different value chain actors, developing messages, and engaging local farmers, retailers, aggregators, and private and public sector partners to promote NUA 45. Lastly, developing compelling stories and leveraging digital channels to reach new customers that sought personal experiences, moved the cultivar name from a mere label to a spontaneously endorsed lifestyle and a brand that ‘spread like wildfire’ across the country and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region. The NUA 45 brand broke new ground for other biofortified bean cultivars and non-sugar bean cultivars. Following its release in seven other countries, NUA 45 pioneered listing on the SADC regional variety catalog.

Abstract Microgas turbines are an on-site power and heat generation technology with a small footprint, low gaseous (NOx) and acoustic emissions, low maintenance, and high-grade heat. They entered the market at the dawn of the twentieth century; nevertheless, they achieved minimal success and a marginal role in the microgeneration market. Reciprocating internal combustion engines (ICE) raised considerable barriers hindering their market deployment, and fuel cells are also set to compete in this segment. In this scenario, this work presents an analysis of competitiveness grounded in the theory of constraints (TOC). To this end, a specific key performance indicator (KPI) has been produced, which combines technical, economic, and operational factors according to the end-user requirement. This indicator is a function of several penalty factors representing technology and market barriers, which aims to yield a unique insight into the most competitive technology for a given application, accounting for the uncertainty deriving from technical and economic elements. This novel methodology is applied to a new potential niche market: Power-to-Hydrogen-to-Power for remote applications. The methodology is applied to an independent rural community in South Wales for which a backup power system is assessed. Four technologies are considered in the analysis: reciprocating engines, fuel cells, and two different microturbines layouts. Finally, this work provides an overview of the possible R&D&I paths necessary to increase the competitiveness of microgas turbines in certain markets.

The need for the use of renewable energy sources in general and solar energy in particular is immensely increasing over time. It is true that our planet’s future relies to a great extent on the speed of shifting to renewables instead of the use of fossil fuels for energy supply. Accordingly, the Egyptian government has put sustainable development as a priority in its 2030 vision. But to achieve sustainability, various obstacles that impede this process should be carefully identified and addressed. For that, this research work is studying various challenges and barriers that face private solar energy suppliers in Egypt. This is conducted by using an exploratory approach that relies on detailed interviews with private solar energy firms. Results highlight that private solar energy firms are challenged by trade barriers, market barriers, organisational barriers from New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), macroeconomic barriers and legal barriers. Furthermore, this study provides policy solutions to partially address the identified barriers and to further speed up the transition to solar energy production and usage. 
 Keywords: Solar energy market, Egypt, Barriers and challenges, Semi structured interviews, renewables.
 JEL: O1, Q2, Q4

ABSTRACT We analyze the characteristics and outcomes of a Canadian foundational learning program's dropouts and compare them with those of the completers. We find significant heterogeneity within dropouts along two dimensions: when they drop out and why. Individuals whose characteristics have been historically associated with greater labour market barriers, and those with lower employability skills are more likely to complete the program. Individuals who face fewer barriers tend to leave at an early stage, while individuals without a high school degree tend to drop out later. Conditional on education, higher employability-skill participants are more likely to leave and return to school.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine whether refugees in Cox's Bazar area of Bangladesh can successfully integrate into the informal economic sector. This evaluation was carried out by comparing the actions of refugees in the labor market with those of the local population.
 Research methodology: This study used survey data from two population groupings. The sample size included 300 Rohingya refugees and 300 locals from Coxs' Bazar, where they are now living. ANOVA was employed to compare the category mean differences owing to the limited sample size. The calculations would include wealth, occupation, language, religion, and race as labor market barriers.
 Results: The data indicated significant disparities in both types of occupations and monthly incomes between local workers and refugee workers. Furthermore, the findings also suggest that Rohingya refugees encounter greater challenges when entering the job market than local workers.
 Limitations: Refugees in Bangladesh are unable to work. They must stay at local and international NGO (Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2014). No Bangladeshi labor legislation has protected them. Bangladeshi authorities can also imprison refugees on illicit travel. A good Rohingya refugee policy in Bangladesh is crucial to human rights.
 Contribution: The Rohingya Muslim population in Myanmar has been subjected to genocide, resulting in their expulsion and subsequent migration to neighboring countries. Bangladesh is the primary host nation for the Rohingya group from Myanmar, which has sought safety there as refugees for many years. Due to their lack of legal employment opportunities in Bangladesh, these refugees engage in informal economic operations and participate in various criminal activities inside the place where they reside.

The paper highlights and analyzes the renewable energy policy instruments and market developments in Kosovo, with the aim of highlighting policy design and implementation lessons relevant to the wider and faster replication of RES (renewable energy sources) in Kosovo. The promotion of electricity from renewable energy sources is a high priority for several reasons. First of all the obligation rise from Kosovo’s membership in the Energy Community Treaty of South East Europe, the security and diversification of energy supply, environmental protection and social and economic cohesion. RES-E (renewable energy sources - Electricity) penetration, support schemes and certificate of origin will be presented in the context of Kosovo energy market. Successful policies also take into account real market factors and barriers, the need for simplicity and accountability, minimum costs and profitability levels.

Information infrastructure construction and optimization of resources allocation among firms: Evidence from “Broadband China” strategy

The Circular Economy has been gaining a growing interest in the research community, particularly in recent years. Its application to the Supply Chain Management field is gaining traction in the literature, as the Supply Chain is recognized as a primary avenue for implementing circular models. However, despite this growing interest, there are few documented examples of the implementation of circular supply chains. This article presents a prioritization of barriers to the adoption of circular supply chains using a combined qualitative analysis and Multi-Criteria Decision Models (MCDM) approach. The study identifies 28 barriers grouped into six main categories: financial barriers, regulation barriers, expertise and technology barriers, governance barriers, market barriers, and infrastructure barriers. The prioritization is based on a multi-case study involving six Moroccan companies. The findings highlight the predominance of regulation barriers, followed by financial barriers. Additionally, the study shows the significant role of market barriers in impeding progress toward circularity.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a critical technology in the U.S. strategy to achieve net-zero emissions and combat climate change. This review explores the market challenges and policy recommendations associated with CCS deployment, emphasizing its role in decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors such as power generation, manufacturing, and industrial processes. Despite significant advancements in CCS technology, widespread adoption faces barriers, including high capital and operational costs, insufficient market incentives, and public acceptance challenges. Moreover, the lack of comprehensive infrastructure, such as CO₂ transport pipelines and storage facilities, poses a significant hurdle to scaling CCS operations. Policy frameworks like the 45Q tax credit and state-level initiatives have spurred CCS projects, but inconsistencies in regulatory standards and insufficient federal and state collaboration hinder broader adoption. This review highlights the importance of integrating CCS into broader climate policies, leveraging public-private partnerships, and fostering innovation to reduce costs and enhance efficiency. Stakeholder engagement is crucial to addressing community concerns and ensuring equitable implementation, particularly in regions with high CCS potential. The analysis identifies key strategies to overcome these challenges, including enhancing financial incentives, streamlining permitting processes, and investing in infrastructure development. Additionally, it underscores the need for robust monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) frameworks to ensure the long-term safety and effectiveness of CO₂ storage sites. Case studies of successful projects in the U.S. and other countries are examined to extract best practices and inform future initiatives. By addressing market and policy barriers, CCS can become a cornerstone of the U.S. decarbonization strategy, contributing to economic growth, job creation, and environmental sustainability. This review provides actionable policy recommendations to accelerate CCS deployment, supporting the U.S. in meeting its climate goals and maintaining global leadership in clean energy innovation.

The article discusses the problems of the global use of primary materials and the generation of waste, which increases the pressure on the environment and complicates the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. There is studied the concept of circular economy, the transition to which can lead to a decrease in the use of materials through sustainable procurement, eco-design, responsible consumption, recycling, extension of the product life cycle, etc., which will have a positive impact on the economic situation of the country and increase the level of employment. The transition to a circular economy requires a comprehensive approach, the development of appropriate policies and strategies that would lead to large-scale changes in the behaviours of both producers and consumers, considering a number of cultural, technological, market and regulatory barriers. There are studied the progress of the European Union in the implementation of the principles of the circular economy, as well as the existing regulatory acts, strategic and program documents, institutions and financial mechanisms that ensure the development of the circular economy in the EU countries. There are considered the purpose and main activities of the new Circular Economy Action Plan for a Cleaner and Competitive Europe, in which 35 measures are introduced aimed at improving the framework policy for sustainable development of products, the legislative framework, key value chains of products, reducing waste and increasing their value, etc. The indicators by which the circular economy is monitored in terms of production and consumption, waste management, secondary raw materials, competitiveness and innovation, global sustainability and resilience are studied. To provide information support for the development of the circular economy in the EU, the European Stakeholder Platform has been created. A powerful network of public organizations and business associations is developing, which working on the implementation of informational, educational, research and other initiatives on the circular economy. There is strong financial support for the EU circular economy through the European Structural and Investment Funds, Horizon 2020, the LIFE program, the European Investment Bank, The European Circular Bioeconomy Fund, and other regional financial and credit institutions.

The integration of advanced analytics in sales operations is transforming the district energy market, particularly in optimizing heat pump solutions in the United States. As energy efficiency and sustainability take center stage in addressing climate change, heat pump technologies have emerged as a critical solution in district energy systems. This conceptual model explores the application of advanced analytics in enhancing sales strategies, identifying market opportunities, and optimizing operational efficiency for heat pump solutions. The model emphasizes leveraging big data, predictive analytics, and machine learning to analyze market trends, customer preferences, and regulatory landscapes. By integrating these analytics tools, organizations can identify high-potential market segments, optimize pricing strategies, and develop tailored marketing campaigns that align with consumer and policy demands. Additionally, the conceptual model highlights the importance of real-time data in monitoring sales performance and adjusting strategies dynamically to maximize profitability. Advanced analytics also facilitates demand forecasting and capacity planning, ensuring that supply chain operations meet market requirements efficiently. Furthermore, this approach enables better risk management by identifying potential market barriers and aligning solutions to mitigate them. The model underscores the role of customer-centric analytics in enhancing user experiences, focusing on energy savings, environmental benefits, and cost-effectiveness as key selling points of heat pump solutions. This research is significant for stakeholders in the district energy market, including policymakers, manufacturers, and sales teams, as it provides a roadmap for integrating data-driven strategies into sales operations. By aligning with evolving energy policies and consumer preferences, organizations can strengthen their competitive positioning while contributing to sustainability goals. In conclusion, this conceptual model demonstrates the transformative potential of advanced analytics in revolutionizing sales operations for heat pump solutions in U.S. district energy markets. It provides actionable insights for optimizing strategies, enhancing customer engagement, and achieving operational excellence in the pursuit of sustainable energy systems.

Wooden construction has the potential to contribute to climate change mitigation, and it is being promoted by the EU and national governments. However, several market barriers to wood-frame multi-storey building (WMSB), have been recognized, including obstacles in national building codes, lack of expertise in wood construction, and material durability concerns among end-users as well as other technical aspects. Given that increased wood construction is a target, understanding consumer perceptions of WMSB is crucial. In this study, consumer attitudes on WMSB were studied through consumer segmentation relying on demographic attributes. Further, the effect of providing fire safety information was explored. To this end, an online survey was deployed in seven European countries, with 7007 responses. The results show that in general, the awareness and attractiveness of WMSB is low amongst European consumers. Out of all respondents, 46% had not heard of WMSB before and only 12% stated that they are interested in the subject and know something about it, showing a clear lack of information and awareness within the general public. Significant differences in the perceived attractiveness of wooden multi-storey construction between consumer segments exist, with younger consumers and urban consumers being more attracted to living in WMSB than older or rural consumers. Fire safety was an important attribute affecting overall attractiveness, yet updated information regarding fire safety and control in WMSBs had a small but statistically significant negative effect on the perceived attractiveness. The results indicate that targeted marketing efforts are needed to inform potential consumers of WMSB and aspects related to fire safety effectively.