Policy Measures Research Articles

How does environmental protection tax affect corporate technological innovation? - Perspective of corporate governance

ABSTRACT This study examines the effects of China’s Environmental Protection Tax (EPT) on technological innovation in heavily polluting industries across taxed provinces from 2013 to 2021, focusing on the influence of executives’ green cognition. The dataset comprises 14,582 observations from 1,276 listed companies in the China Stock Market & Accounting Research Database. The results of regression analyses, using the difference-in-differences and triple-differences methods, reveal that the EPT positively affects technological innovation within enterprises. This effect is particularly pronounced in heavily polluting industries and provinces where tax amounts have been adjusted. Notably, the effects are more significant in non-state-owned enterprises and in firms where the roles of chairman and general manager are separate. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of environmental policies in promoting technological advancement and offer vital insights for the development of future policy measures.

CATEGORY «EQUALITY» IN ASSESSMENT EFFECTIVENESS OF LEGAL REGULATION OF PUBLIC RELATIONS IN THE FIELD YOUTH POLICY

The article discusses issues of state youth policy in Russia in the context of ongoing “new wars”. Noting the importance of the category “equality” in the ideas of modern youth about what is proper and right, the correlation of this concept with the principles of implementation of state youth policy and its goals is determined. It is proposed to consider the effectiveness of youth policy taking into account its assessment in relation to the category of “equality” as the principle and goal of this policy. In connection with the instability and vulnerability of the actual side of equality, the conclusion is substantiated that the analysis of the category “equality” must also be carried out in relation to the real behavior of subjects in which the implementation and implementation of legal norms takes place – in relation to the key stages of legal regulation, to the deployment legal relations. This methodological approach will allow obtaining a real picture of the legal component of youth policy at the stage of the process of its implementation, including the result of a set of measures for its implementation. Accordingly, verification of the actual performance of state youth policy measures according to the criterion of ensuring equality of opportunity can be carried out by receiving feedback – studying the attitude of young people to these mechanisms. With this approach, we will be faced with a fairly objective situation (as far as it can be in the context of the action of many social regulators), expressed not only in the possible (allowed) behaviour of a person belonging to the socio-demographic group of young people stipulated by the legal norm in satisfying their legitimate interests in development and self-realisation guaranteed by objective law, but also the direct realisation of rights in this area through their implementation. In turn, the analysis carried out at this level will allow assessing, firstly, the degree of equal access of youth, young families, youth public associations to appropriate measures of state support as the currently existing reality of the implementation of the principle of youth policy; secondly, the effectiveness of the implementation of youth policy in terms of ensuring equal conditions for the spiritual, cultural, intellectual, mental, professional, social and physical development and self-realisation of youth as one of the goals of youth policy and, to a certain extent, as a value of the legal form as a whole.

Determinants of Formal Agricultural Credit Flow to Districts in India: An Econometric Analysis

Aims: This study investigates the determinants of formal agricultural credit flow at the district level in India, using region-wise fixed effects models. Study Design: Panel data regression technique. Place and Duration of Study: Data from districts across Indian states from 2000 to 2021 were analyzed. Methodology: Districts categorized into high, medium, and low credit exposure groups based on average outstanding agricultural credit by Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) through a clustering technique. One district from each category in each state was selected for analysis. The study examined outstanding agricultural advances by SCBs, the number of SCB branches, gross sown area, gross irrigated area, area under commercial crops, and annual rainfall using an unbalanced panel model. Results: The findings reveal that an increased number of SCB branches in a district significantly enhances agricultural credit availability. The share of gross irrigated area positively impacts credit flow, especially in the southern, western, and central regions, highlighting the importance of irrigation in accessing credit for high-value crops. In contrast, a higher share of area under commercial crops negatively affects credit flow in the southern and western regions, possibly due to limited financing for rainfed commercial crops. Rainfall was found to have no significant impact on agricultural credit at the district level. Additionally, there is a noticeable trend of increasing urban branches, particularly in the southern, northern, and northeastern regions, alongside a decline in rural branches in most regions except the eastern region. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the need for targeted policy measures to improve agricultural credit distribution. Policymakers should focus on the number of SCB branches, the share of irrigated area in total sown area, and address the rural-urban branch shift while considering region-specific agricultural requirements to ensure equitable and efficient credit allocation.

EU as a Trade Power: Adjusting Instruments of Foreign Economic Policy

The focus of this study is aimed at the foreign economic policy of the European Union and the areas of its implementation. The article is based on a comprehensive approach to the concept of EU foreign economic policy as a set of instruments combining trade and investment policies of the EU. The study evaluates the communitarization of the main directions of the EU’s foreign economic policy. As a result, it is concluded that the exclusive competence of the supranational bodies of the Union is partially extended to investment policy. Considering that the paradigm of realism is taken as the basis for the study, the subject of the article is to assess the role of the EU’s foreign economic policy in the realization of the Union’s foreign policy interests. The authors believe that the European Union as a “trade power”, seeks not only to achieve economic benefits, but also to ensure that its trading partners meet a number of regulatory and value requirements. Taking into account the transformation of the world order, the need for the European Union to strengthen its own political subjectivity and economic competitiveness is increasing. This leads to the expansion of “defensive” measures in trade policy (sanctions mechanism for non-compliance with the provisions on sustainable development in trade agreements) and investment policy (mechanism for controlling foreign direct investments). As a result, it strengthens the normative and value content of EU foreign economic policy on one hand and make it more protectionist on the other hand. The authors of the article conclude that by means of foreign economic policy, the European Union, as a “trading force”, seeks to create and maintain an international trade order based on rules that are beneficial to the EU.

Taming inflation: the Brazilian experience of combatting inflation in the last quarter of the 20th century

In the context of a global inflationary spike, a retrospective view on the problem of curbing inflation in Brazil is becoming more relevant than ever. This paper aims at analyzing the measures of inflation targeting policies set in motion by the Brazilian economic stabilization plans over the last quarter of the XXth century. The commencement of “The Lost Decade” in Brazil negated the achievements of “The Brazilian Economic Miracle” which occurred in the first half of the 1970s: inflation hit an all-time high. The only viable solution that led Brazil out of the crisis proved to be the stabilization plan - named “The Real Plan” - carried out in three phases: fiscal adjustment, transition to the Real Value Unit and emission of a new currency - the Brazilian Real. The authors confine their attention to how Brazilian experience of taming inflation helps the country suppress current inflation surge.

Industrial policy and the State of development: to actualization of the notion

Objective: to analyze the trajectories of industrial policy effective implementation by determining the relevance of key elements of the “development state” model in modern international realities. Methods: monographic, historical, abstract-logical, comparative methods. Results: the characteristics of the “development states” concept described on the example of some Asian countries allowed their governments to carry out industrial modernization of national economies in a short time and switch to the sustainable economic development trajectory. For many years, the “development state” has been perceived by researchers as part of history. This was determined by the consensus on the existing boundaries of state intervention in the economy. In recent years, the interest of governments in industrial policy has been growing. The implementation of measures withinthe industrial policy gives rise to new challenges to public administration, probably similar to those that the development states have gone through. The author shows that the available formulations of the qualitative characteristics inherent both in the “development state” concept and in some Asian countries in a certain period of their development are significant for the modern theory of public administration in the context of industrial policy measures. Scientific novelty: it consists in understanding the concept of the “development state” in the modern context. Practical significance: the research provisions and conclusions can be used in the future studies of the economic theory influence on socio-political discourses and political decisions.

National innovation system for resilience, transformation and sustainable development in Uganda: contextual analysis of the factors, actors and associated linkages

Purpose While the role of the National Innovation System (NIS) in promoting economic growth is well recognized, there remains a significant knowledge gap concerning how interactions among actors and learning processes within these systems facilitate innovation commercialization in Uganda. This gap hinders the effective design and implementation of policies aimed at boosting innovation-driven development in emerging economies. This study aims to explore the linkages and interrelationships among NIS actors in Uganda. Design/methodology/approach This study used systematic document reviews and case-study techniques. A systematic review based on the SPAR-4-SLR protocol evaluated the literature on Uganda’s NIS, including policy and strategy documents, development frameworks, journal articles and working papers. This dual approach allowed for an in-depth analysis of policy documents and empirical examples, revealing complex mechanisms within Uganda’s NIS. A content analysis tool facilitated the reduction of qualitative data through codification, theme development and the reporting of results. Findings This study explored the relationships among NIS actors, offering insights into using Uganda’s unique institutional and economic landscape for sustainable growth. It identifies key drivers, such as improved collaboration between the government, industry and academia and strategic policy measures in technology transfer and innovation funding, which are essential for revitalizing Uganda’s innovation ecosystem. Research limitations/implications This study presents a preliminary analysis of Uganda’s NIS. Future studies should adopt a longitudinal approach to examine the evolution of NIS over time, including the impact of global technological advancements and policy changes on Uganda’s innovation ecosystem. To elucidate the complex interrelationships within an NIS, subsequent research could employ network analysis or systems thinking methodology. These approaches would facilitate a more nuanced understanding of the interconnections and reciprocal influences among various NIS stakeholders. Practical implications The inclusion of the innovation, technology development and transfer (ITDT) program in National Development Plan III demonstrates that National Innovation System (NIS) incorporation into the country’s development process is possible through a combination of policy/regulatory, market/economic and technical/technological factors. Originality/value This study significantly advances the understanding of innovation systems by detailing the intricate network of relationships within Uganda’s NIS. This highlights the unexplored dimensions of learning and cooperation and offers a thorough analysis of the factors that enable innovation, which are crucial for promoting innovation in a developing country.

Analyzing The Effect of Monetary Policies and Financial Stability Measures Across Global Markets amid Covid-19 Pandemics

This study investigates causal relationships among financial stability measures and monetary policies implemented in US, EU and Turkey. Selected variables from stock markets, money markets, and bond markets are tested. The set of macrofinancial process covers S&P500 stock market, BIST-100 stock market; Volatility index; German, US and Turkey 10-year treasury bond interest data, European Union 27 average CPI, US CPI, Turkey CPI, ECB policy rate, FED policy rate, CBRT policy rate data. The Granger causality analysis is applied for first; each dataset of US, EU and the Turkish economy, separately. Second, mutual impact of stock markets, money markets and bond markets are examined. Finally CBOE Volatility index (VIX) is taken into account. It is aimed to observe spillover effects from developed economies to emerging markets amid pandemics. The dataset covers the monthly period of 2019M1 to 2023M6.

Інституційна структура радянської економіки та її роль у формуванні економічної спадщини України

The article is devoted to the historical and economic analysis of the key determinants of the institutional structure of the planned and distributed economy and their influence on the formation of the economic heritage of Ukraine. The purpose of the study is to summarize the main trends in the evolution of the institutional structure of the Soviet economy and to determine its role in the formation of the «track effect» in the economic development of Ukraine. The article reveals the historical prerequisites of the institutional breakdown and the formation of the Soviet socialist economy, and characterizes the peculiarities of its institutional structure at various historical stages. The author reveals the mechanism of interaction between formal and informal institutions and their role in the economic development of the planning and distribution system of management. Defined the institutional features of the formation and functioning of the mobilization economy and the system of centralized state management of economic processes. The impact of the economic reforms of the 1950s and 1960s on the strengthening of the communicative value of horizontal economic ties and the formation of the «administrative market» as a matrix of the shadow economy has been established. Revealed the main distortions of the institution of property, the essence of power-property relations, the reasons for their rooting, and the economic consequences of its functioning. The author identifies the role of the Soviet institutional heritage in the distortions of the Ukrainian business environment and the risks of the emergence of the «historical rut» effect in the institutional development of the Ukrainian economy. Substantiated the conclusion about the advisability of a limited application of mobilization methods of economic management in the post-war economic revival and the need to develop state policy measures aimed at strengthening the institution of private property, protecting the rights of owners, overcoming corruption and establishing social control over the distribution of economic power and responsibility.

Investigating the Relationship between History, Urbanization and Wealth Gap in Johannesburg, South Africa

The city of Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and named as one of the economic drivers of the country. However, the city has the widest wealth gap in the country. This article examines the relationship between historical occurrences, urbanization, and the resulted wealth disparity in Johannesburg and look at the mitigation measures. The findings point to the wealth disparity in the city as a multifaceted problem influenced by historical, urbanization, and political variables. Comprehensive and multifaceted policy initiatives are required to address the structural causes of inequality and the urgent needs of vulnerable populations to close the wealth gap. To solve this problem, there is a need for better coordinated and planned methods which are in accordance with the consequences of policy and practice. Future studies should concentrate on gaining a deeper comprehension of the interactions between historical, urbanization, and governance aspects in causing the wealth gap in Johannesburg and proposing efficient policy measures to deal with this problem.

Радянська політика аграрного виснаження України: голод 1946–1947 рр.

In the conditions of war, the issue of food security of the population is urgent and important. Ukrainian historical experience contains dramatic pages of post-war famine. It is necessary to analyze the reasons and actions that caused it in order to avoid such a social catastrophe. The object of the study is the economy of Ukraine after the end of the Second World War. The subject of the study is the reasons, political and economic determinants and consequences of the famine of 1946–1947. The purpose of the article is to identify the economic reasons of the famine based on a comprehensive analysis of the events that took place on the eve of and during 1946–1947. Methodological approaches are determined by the content of the article and are based on interdisciplinary techniques. The research methods of economic history, demography, social psychology and the corresponding categorical apparatus are used. First, the prerequisites for the emergence of famine are considered, namely the consequences of the Second World War for the Ukrainian economy and the weather and climate conditions of that period. In the second part of the article, the main events and reasons that led to the emergence of famine after the Second World War are given directly. The third part is dedicated to revealing the short- and long-term consequences of the famine of 1946–1947. In the results, it is determined that economic policy measures caused the transformation of the food crisis into a humanitarian disaster. Objective prerequisites and political and economic causes of famine are distinguished.

Роль іноземних капіталів у формуванні господарської системи України: аналіз наукової літератури другої половини XIX – початку XX ст.

The article is devoted to the analysis of scientific literature of the second half of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries, regarding the role of foreign capital in the formation of the economic system of Ukraine. In the context of modern challenges as to the financial support of the war economy, and in the future – of the post-war recovery, attention is focused on the presence of a wide scientific discourse on the search for financial sources of reconstruction, whose important aspect is the attraction of foreign capital. An important informative source for the development of this issue is the presence of domestic historical experience of the period of market-industrial transformations, when Ukraine’s economic system developed as part of the overall imperial complex, and foreign investments became an important factor in its formation and development. In particular, it was found that due to direct and portfolio foreign investments, extensive modernization of this country's industry, and development of the financial sector and communication routes took place, which gives grounds to characterize foreign investment as one of the main stimulating factors for the development of an economic system. Along with this, it is emphasized that foreign investment can be considered a factor in the innovative development of Ukraine’s economy in the second half of the 19th and early 20th centuries, due to the promotion of the creation of new branches of production, the introduction of new technologies and methods of production organization into domestic practice, etc. An important practical conclusion of the conducted research is that the existing historical experience is an important source of substantiation of modern state policy measures in terms of ensuring a favorable institutional environment for attracting foreign capital for the implementation of socially significant projects of modernization and restoration.

Household car-ownership in a world of constant change: The continued influence of traditional variables and the rising influence of emerging mobility scenarios

AbstractEmerging modes (e.g., cargo bikes), mobility solutions (e.g., shared mobility services) and policy measures (e.g., the reduction of public parking spaces) are envisioned to reduce private car-ownership. However, the development of disaggregate car-ownership models dealing with them, which can be integrated with transport simulation systems, is still missing. Therefore, this study aims to fill this gap through the development of household car-ownership models, focusing on the cities of Madrid, Regensburg and Leuven. These cities correspond to distinct urban contexts in Europe. Models based on a representative individual as well as based only on household variables are explored, to check whether the latter shows congruence with the former and can achieve good summary statistics with lower data requirements. Furthermore, such models with only household-level variables are also found to be useful in ascertaining the impact of small-scale shared services. The estimation results show the influence of socio-demographic characteristics, mobility patterns, mobility tool ownership, transport supply and urban characteristics. Discussions are included on behavioural and policy insights. For example, cargo bike ownership and the presence of shared services support in car-ownership reduction. Furthermore, public parking spaces have a significant impact on single car-ownership in Madrid, but not on multiple car-ownership. Besides, the contrasting effects found for the mobility rates in Madrid and Regensburg convey the importance of urban design contexts. The contributions from this study enable to estimate the household car-ownership with the consideration of emerging mobility scenarios, and to devise policies to reduce private car-ownership and promote sustainable urban mobility.

Geospatial Analysis of COVID-19 Death Rate and Influencing Factors in the Middle East and North Africa Region

Introduction: This study uses advanced geospatial modeling to analyze key determinants of COVID-19 death cases across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, aiming to reveal spatial patterns and inform targeted interventions for enhanced public health response. Methods: This study employs GIS and geostatistical models, including OLS, SLM, SEM, GWR, and MGWR, to analyze spatial and demographic determinants of COVID-19 mortality across MENA. By examining socioeconomic, medical, and demographic factors, it identifies key drivers and explores spatially non-stationary relationships impacting death rates. Results: The study found that hospital bed allocation, unemployment rate, and vaccination doses positively correlate with COVID-19 death cases in MENA, likely due to better reporting and healthcare access. The OLS model (R² = 0.7346) highlighted spatial autocorrelation, prompting the use of SLM and SEM, which confirmed predictor significance. GWR (R² = 0.8140) and MGWR (R² = 0.8187) revealed spatially non-stationary relationships, with hospital beds impacting the northwest (GWR) and southwest (MGWR). Unemployment was significant in the northeast (Iran, Turkey) and northwest (Morocco), while vaccination doses were notably influential in Iran and Somalia. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the significant roles of healthcare capacity, socioeconomic factors, and vaccination coverage in influencing COVID-19 mortality across MENA. It highlights the vulnerability of healthcare systems in developing countries and underscores the need for targeted resource allocation. Using spatial models like GWR and MGWR, the research reveals regional variations, especially in the northwest, advocating for tailored, region-specific interventions. By integrating GIS and geostatistical models, this analysis lays a foundation for future research on COVID-19 dynamics, providing crucial insights to inform policy measures for better public health crisis management

Turkey’s Trade and Foreign Direct Investment in Ethiopia: An Insight into Challenges from 2012-2023

The first decade of the 21st century marks a new phase in relations between Ethiopia and Turkey. During this period, relations between the two countries transformed into an unprecedented stage. The aim of this study is to examine the challenges of Ethio-Turkish economic relations from 2012 to 2023, with particular reference to trade and FDI. To attain its objectives, the study employed a qualitative research approach. Essentially, primary data were collected through key informant interviews, observation, and document reviews. Despite the growth in trade and foreign direct investment between the two countries, various challenges hinder the smooth operation of these economic ties. The main results of this study show that issues like changing exchange rates, lacking access to the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), corruption, inefficient government, high tariffs, infrastructure issues, companies that can't pay their debts, customs procedures, fluctuating exchange rates, and a lack of data were major problems for trade and investment between Ethiopia and Turkey. The findings of the study suggest that there are certain problems that need policy measures for further industrial development through attracting foreign direct investment.

Climate change and human economic misery in West Africa: evidence from a tail-dependence model

ABSTRACT Climate change severely impacts Africa due to the high sensitivity of its economic activities to climate variability and its geographical position at lower latitudes, causing around 80% of the damage. The region's vulnerability is exacerbated by structural weaknesses, government failures, and a lack of financial, technical, and institutional capacity to address these effects. This study uses a panel quantile via moment model to examine the potential impact of climate change on human misery in 16 West African countries. The findings reveal that climate change disproportionately increases misery in the most affected countries, linked to their inability to cope with or adapt to the impacts. This suggests that without incorporating climate change into economic policies, West African countries may face increasingly severe welfare challenges. Also, the study finds that emission abatement and climate risk mitigation programs can reduce economic misery by moderating climate change effects. Increases in remittances and government spending are shown to alleviate human economic misery, highlighting the importance of fiscal policies and remittance inflows on economic well-being. Therefore, the study recommends including emission reduction, climate change mitigation, and remittance improvement measures in policies aimed at promoting economic welfare in West Africa.

Identifying the Determinants of Recycling Rates in the US: A Multi-Level Analysis

As sustainability challenges become more urgent, concerns about resource depletion and the need for material recovery have brought recycling to the forefront of circular economy discussions. Compared to other developed nations, the US has underperformed in recycling, with its rate remaining relatively unchanged over the last two decades. However, limited academic research has explored the factors influencing recycling rates, and little is understood about how various elements, such as infrastructure and policy measures, affect state-level recycling. Utilizing publicly available data and multivariate regression analysis that considers demographic, infrastructural, ecological, policy, and political factors, this study investigated the state-level variations that contribute to the overall US recycling rate. The findings indicate that states with a high number of landfill sites tend to recycle less, whereas those with a high number of Superfundsites are more likely to recycle more. Furthermore, states that restrict local governments from banning plastic bags and straws are negatively associated with increased recycling. This research provides important insights into how states can improve their recycling rates, which, in turn, would enhance national recycling outcomes.

The relationship between dividend policy and bank size: Evidence from Jordan

The growing need to comprehend how dividend policy affects bank size, particularly in emerging markets like Jordan, makes this study relevant. Bank size, often measured by total assets, is a key indicator of financial strength and stability. This study aims to examine the relationship between various measures of dividend policy – dividend per share, dividend yield, and dividend per share to earnings per share ratio – and bank size in Jordanian banks, using earnings per share as a control variable.The study employs ordinary least squares regression analysis to investigate the relationship between these variables over a sample of Jordanian banks. Three regression models were constructed to evaluate the impact of each dividend measure on bank size. The results indicate a significant positive relationship between dividend per share and bank size, and between the dividends per share to earnings per share ratio and bank size. The results show that approximately 43.9% of the variance in bank size is explained by the Dividends per share and Earnings per share, and a significant positive correlation is observed between total assets (bank size) and dividend per share, with a coefficient of 53%. Dividend yield, however, showed no significant impact on bank size.The results support that Jordanian banks with a sound dividend policy on dividend per share and its continuity with earnings exhibit higher asset growth. In this respect, bank growth appears to be highly dependent on a prudent dividend policy even from an emerging markets perspective.

The impacts of convergence policies on macroeconomic stability in the West African monetary zone

PurposeThis paper examines the effectiveness of the joint impact of convergence policy measures on macroeconomic stability conditions in the West African monetary zone (WAMZ) countries, using an annual panel data from 1990 to 2021.Design/methodology/approachIt uses the dynamic autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to exploit the short and long run dynamics macro stability. A composite convergence index was constructed and its impact was examined on three different macroeconomic stability measures representing: internal stability, external stability and overall stability.FindingsFindings from the study suggest that a unit deviation of the convergence policy index from its mean, in the short run, leads to worsening external and overall macroeconomic stability conditions in the zone, but it leads to improvement in the internal macroeconomic stability conditions. However, in the long run, the opposite occurs, a unit deviation of the convergence policy index from its mean, it leads to improvement in both external and overall macroeconomic stability situations and deterioration in internal macroeconomic stability situation.Practical implicationsIt is concluded that the convergence policy criteria are effective only in the long run and therefore these policies alone cannot be used to achieve short run macroeconomic stability within the zone. Thus, policymakers should have a second look at how fiscal and monetary policies are conducted and also work to address structural challenges.Originality/valueThe paper examines the effectiveness of the joint impact of convergence policy measures on macroeconomic stability conditions in the WAMZ countries.

The de-ideologization of welfare politics: Political governments’ social policy measures in eight welfare states during the COVID-19 pandemic

The de-ideologization of welfare politics: Political governments’ social policy measures in eight welfare states during the COVID-19 pandemic