Socio-economic Progress Research Articles

Global, regional, and national burden of esophageal cancer using the 2019 global burden of disease study

Esophageal cancer, with its aggressive nature and high mortality, poses diverse epidemiological challenges worldwide. Over the past three decades, esophageal cancer has exhibited a substantial global burden, marked by a significant increase in absolute numbers, contrasting with a decline in age-standardized metrics. Prevalence nearly doubled, reaching 0.961 million in 2019, while the age-standardized rate (ASR) decreased to 11.6 per 100,000 cases. New incidence cases surged by 67.07%, yet the age-standardized incidence rate reduced to 6.5 per 100,000 cases. Deaths increased to 0.498 million, with a decline in age-standardized mortality to 6.1 per 100,000 cases. Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) rose to 11.67 million, but the ASR decreased to 139.8 per 100,000 cases. Gender-specific analysis revealed consistently higher rates in males, with increasing gaps over time. Correlations with SDI indicated a negative association, and frontier analysis underscored the impact of socio-economic progress on disease control. Projections suggest a continued rise in prevalence, incidence, deaths, and DALYs, with gender-specific variations. The research underscores the importance of continued efforts in public health and medical research to adapt to and manage the changing landscape of esophageal cancer globally.

Balancing socioeconomic progress, renewable energy transition, and long-term environmental sustainability in fast-developing African nations

Balancing socioeconomic progress, renewable energy transition, and long-term environmental sustainability in fast-developing African nations

The Mandate of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development: A Case of Kabwe District, Zambia

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) in Zambia plays a pivotal role in enhancing local governance, facilitating rural development, and promoting sustainable socioeconomic progress. This study examines the implementation of the Ministry’s mandate in Kabwe District, focusing on its governance structures, institutional dynamics, and decentralization practices. Using Public Administration, Decentralization, Good Governance, Institutional, Development, and Political Ecology theories as analytical frameworks, the research investigates how effectively the MLGRD fulfills its responsibilities. The study employs literature review of other scholars to assess the Ministry's operational efficiency, policy implementation, and community impact. Key findings reveal challenges such as limited institutional capacity, resource constraints, and the influence of political dynamics, which hinder effective service delivery and rural development initiatives. The review highlights the need for enhanced institutional frameworks, participatory governance mechanisms, and strategic resource allocation to strengthen the Ministry’s performance. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on decentralization and local governance in Zambia, offering actionable recommendations for improving policy and practice. This study underscores the critical role of the MLGRD in driving equitable and sustainable development at the local level, with Kabwe District serving as a microcosm of broader national challenges and opportunities.

Empirical Analysis of Key Factors Influencing China's Grain Production Capacity

China, as the world's most populous country, is also its largest consumer of grain. Ensuring grain security is vital for national stability and economic development, underpinning socioeconomic progress. Since the reform and opening-up period, China's grain production has doubled, successfully mitigating challenges such as the global grain crisis in 2006 and the food crisis triggered by COVID-19 in 2020. However, this achievement has come at a cost, with grain output heavily reliant on practices that deplete soil fertility and involve excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers, causing significant environmental strain. This study investigates the factors influencing China's grain production from 1980 to 2020, aiming to evaluate its comprehensive production capacity and provide practical recommendations. The analysis integrates theoretical and empirical approaches. Theoretically, the study examines the effects of variables such as irrigated arable land area (X1, thousand hectares), agricultural machinery power (X2, ten thousand kilowatts), grain sowing area (X3, thousand hectares), fertilizer consumption (X4, ten thousand tons), and natural population growth rate (X5, percentage) on grain output. Empirically, it utilizes principal component analysis and model testing through Eviews, incorporating five grain-related indicators. The findings reveal that the influence of these factors shifts across different stages of grain production and development. Based on the results, the paper offers targeted strategies to enhance China’s grain production capacity sustainably.

The attraction effect of cleaning air on migrants in China: A comparative analysis with the contribution of wage and house prices.

Air pollution poses significant health risks and influences migration patterns, making it a global concern with widespread implications. Understanding its effects on where migrants choose to reside can provide insights for addressing environmental and social challenges. Matching micro-survey data of 1.048 million migrants in China with the air quality data of 360 cities (2011-2017), we identified a significant negative impact of air pollution on migrants' willingness to reside. The subgroups of migrants with different household registration (urban and rural Hukou), occupation, education, income, and rent are affected by air pollution. During the observation period, the contribution of air pollution control to migrants' willingness to reside is 77.6% of the contribution of rising wage and exceeds the absolute value of the adverse contribution of rising house price. These findings suggest that air pollution control can promote environmental and socioeconomic progress by attracting more migrants, mitigating environmental injustice, and reducing inequality.

A Survey-based Inquiry and Future Foresight of ‘Research’ in the Arab World

The current state and future directions of scholarly research in the Arab world are examined in this study. A group of Arab individuals with PhDs and master’s and bachelor’s degrees made up the study’s sample. They were asked to answer twelve items in two primary categories—conditions and horizons—on an online questionnaire. A number of issues confronting Arab research endeavors were illustrated, most notably the difficulties necessitating collaboration among all relevant sectors, more funding, and public awareness for the advancement and prosperity of societies. In any case, scholarly research was identified as a priority that needs greater focus for further socioeconomic progress in the Arab world and, consequently, support worldwide growth. The study’s conclusions led to a number of recommendations and suggestions, including greater funding for research from the public and commercial sectors to provide any necessary financial and technological resources. In order to encourage employees at the relevant institutions to put out more effort in a sufficient and productive manner, it is necessary to improve the research environment(s) by providing suitable infrastructures (such as laboratories, facilities, equipment, and apparatuses). In the end, it became clear that all parties involved were eager to improve the current state of ‘research’ in the Arab world and imagine a better future that fosters creativity and scientific advancement in the area.

Study on driving factors of island ecosystem health and multi-scenario ecology simulation using ecological conservation and eco-friendly tourism for achieving sustainability

Maintaining ecosystem health on islands is essential for constructing an ecologically balanced civilization and supporting sustainable development of island tourism. This study provided a quantitative analysis of the ecosystem's evolution on Hainan Island from 2000 to 2020, meticulously investigating the interplay between biodiversity, tourism, and local economic activities on ecosystem health. Additionally, it simulated ecosystem health in 2030 across four distinct scenarios: ecological conservation, eco-friendly tourism, natural development, and economic growth. Finally, practical management suggestions were proposed for achieving multifaceted sustainable ecosystem development. The findings indicated: (1) Ecosystem health on Hainan Island exhibited an overall declining trend from 2000 to 2020, with a noticeable decrease moving from the central mountainous to the plains area. (2) Variations in ecosystem health were primarily shaped by natural geographic factors such as altitude and slope, though socio-economic factors and tourism development increasingly influenced these trends. In addition, natural environmental factors and tourism factors contributed positively to ecosystem health, while socio-economic factors had a negative effect. (3) Simulation predictions demonstrated that prioritizing ecological protection alongside promoting tourism can positively impact ecosystem health on Hainan Island, whereas exclusive emphasis on economic growth may jeopardize long-term sustainability. This study offers invaluable perspectives for conserving biodiversity, fostering socio-economic progress, and aligning ecological conservation with tourism development towards a harmonious multi-objective strategy.

The Role of Legal Regulation in Promoting Organic Agriculture to Achieve Sustainable Food Security

Objective: The objective is to analyze the existing legislation, compare it with international standards, and propose improvements to enhance environmental sustainability and socio-economic progress. Method: This research adopts a multidisciplinary approach to analyze the legal regulation of organic agricultural production in Kazakhstan within the framework of sustainable development. By examining legislative frameworks and their effectiveness, the study draws on a thorough review of scholarly articles, legal statutes, policy documents, and international conventions related to organic agriculture. Results and Discussion: The results of this study highlight significant gaps in Kazakhstan’s current legal mechanisms regulating organic agricultural production, which require comprehensive reforms to align with international standards and promote sustainable development. The analysis reveals that while Kazakhstan has made progress, such as enacting the 2015 Organic Products Law, further legislative amendments are needed to integrate sustainable practices fully. Research Implications: The study concludes by recommending specific legal amendments to integrate sustainable development principles into Kazakhstan's agricultural laws, fostering better environmental protection and economic growth. Further research is suggested to evaluate the practical implementation and impact of these proposed changes on the productivity and sustainability of organic farming in Kazakhstan.

Cross-country comparative analysis of social policy process: Implications for sustainable development in Vietnam

This study explores how social policy institutions contribute to an "equal and fair society." Using Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) on OECD and EU data, it examines six institutional conditions: election processes, transparency, civil rights, rule of law, executive capacity, and accountability. The findings highlight those strong democratic processes and robust institutional capacity are crucial for equitable outcomes. Vietnam’s socio-economic progress and challenges are analyzed to draw lessons for developing nations, emphasizing institutional reforms to enhance governance, equity, and sustainability. The study offers insights for policymakers to design inclusive and resilient social policies.

Национальное наследие как фактор роста инновационного потенциала компании

The article is devoted to the implementation of the company's innovative potential, during which the national heritage acts as a contributing factor. In the modern world, innovation acts not only as a source of socio-economic progress, but also asthe basis of a business’s competitive advantage. By developing and implementing innovations, the company improves its position in the market, produces competitive products, and improves its financial and economic results. An enterprise can increase demand for its products by differentiating them and developing new markets. The publishing industry is a sphere of application of innovations, as well as a sphere of popularization in society of innovations in various fields of knowledge and promoting their acceptance by society. Innovation is a way to optimize the activities of an enterprise and increase its competitiveness in the market. The development of a “flexible” approach to business, the development of new management strategies and decision-making in an innovative way, due to constant changes in market conditions, such as the economic situation, changes in sales markets, can be much more effective when accessing the wealth of cultural heritage. This not only solves purely economic problems, but generally supports the course towards strengthening state, cultural, value and economic sovereignty, civil identity based on the spiritual, moral and cultural values of the peoples of the Russian Federation, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Impact of Women Empowerment in the State, Market and Social Domain: Empirical Evidence of Developing Countries

The authority to carry out a job is a matter of delegation of power and jurisdiction. When women are empowered, they can make their own decisions and have access to resources. When a society strives for growth in its social and economic spheres, it is said to be developing socially and economically. Half of the world's population comprises women, who comprise a significant percentage of society via their reproductive and productive labor. This article examines the significance of women's empowerment in socio-economic progress, which is crucial for a country's advancement since it recognizes and incorporates women's influence into the economy to enhance their situations. This article falls under the qualitative category since it relied on supplementary methods to gather data. The study examines how empowering women in developing countries may lead to positive socio-economic change in society, the market, and the state. Filling a vacuum in our understanding, this research employs theoretical frameworks and case studies to assess how women's empowerment affects development via the state, the market, and society. The implications, methodology, and linkages are examined using quantitative data and qualitative observations from developing countries. Out of all the population categories, the one for political approval produces the fewest results. Statistics under support the representation of women in political institutions, internet accessibility, and the judicial system. To measure women's empowerment, researchers often use the Women's Empowerment Index. Many studies have used this measure or one of its variants to assess empowerment; examples include the agricultural level, the Women's Empowerment Index (Weeai), and empowerment indices for women in livestock.

Survivalist mobilities: freedom of movement and the economic lives of settlement refugees in Uganda

Abstract This article draws upon qualitative and quantitative data from Uganda to explore the ways in which mobility supports the livelihoods of refugees in rural settlements. It shows how, under conditions of extreme precarity and against the background of gradual reductions in humanitarian aid, refugees resort to short distance ‘survivalist mobilities’ underpinned by economic desperation. While trips to urban areas are rare and infrequent, refugees regularly move out of the settlements to access firewood, vegetation, and farmland and to engage in casual labour and petty trade. Such activities enable day-to-day survival, but there are structural constraints that prevent them from becoming sustainable livelihoods that allow for stability or growth. The article challenges the common description of mobility in policy and scholarly discourse as empowering, natural, and essential for the socio-economic progress of refugees, as well as some of the assumptions underpinning current refugee ‘self-reliance’ policies in Uganda.

Exploring the Dynamics of Remittances and their Socioeconomic Impacts on Pakistan

Aim of the Study: The prime objective of this study is to examine the association between remittances and the socio-economic development of Pakistan spanning the period from 1991 to 2022. Methodology: The examination applies a robust estimation strategy, including the unit root test of Augmented Dickey-Fuller, the Autoregressive Distributed Lag bound testing approach, and the Error Correction Model. To ensure the validity and reliability of the estimated results, diagnostic tests, including the White test for heteroscedasticity and the LM test for autocorrelation, are applied. Findings: The findings of the study unveil compelling evidence of the statistically significant and positive impact of remittances on socio-economic development in Pakistan. Furthermore, foreign investments emerge as a significant contributor to development while inflation exhibits a significant albeit negative association with socioeconomic progress. On the contrary, foreign aid is found to have a negative but insignificant impact on the socio-economic development of Pakistan. Conclusion: In response to the findings, this study recommends optimizing foreign investment policies to harness their positive impact. Simultaneously, a careful reevaluation of the role of foreign aid in the socio-economic development paradigm is directed.

INSTITUTIONALIZING EDUCATIONAL REFORM: BALANCING TRADITION AND MODERNITY AT PESANTREN

The educational reform of Rasyidiyah Khalidiyah Islamic Boarding School (RKIBS) has played a transformative role in shaping the social and economic dynamics of the Amuntai community in South Kalimantan. This study investigates the reform’s impacts on the traditionally rooted Amuntai society using a socio-historical method that integrates historical and sociological perspectives. The findings demonstrate that RKIBS fulfills four critical functions: transmitting Islamic knowledge, preserving Islamic traditions, developing intellectual scholars, and driving socioeconomic progress. These roles underscore the school’s influence not only as an educational institution but also as a catalyst for broader community development. By blending traditional values with modern advancements, RKIBS has significantly contributed to the intellectual growth and economic empowerment of the Amuntai society. The study concludes by emphasizing the broader implications of educational reform in balancing cultural preservation and progressive change, positioning RKIBS as a model for fostering intellectual and socioeconomic advancement in similar communities. This case study provides valuable insights into the potential of Islamic boarding schools to serve as agents of sustainable development while maintaining their cultural and religious heritage.

The role of small, medium, and micro enterprises in contributing to the socioeconomic development of South Africa

Since the start of the democratic era in 1994, South Africa has prioritised small, medium, and micro enterprises for economic growth and social development, offering significant opportunities to the unemployed population. However, the extent to which SMMEs contribute to the socio-economic progress of a particular economy is contingent upon various factors, including the specific country or sector in which they operate. In South Africa, the majority of SMMEs operate within the services sector, with 30% in wholesale and retail trade, 23% in community and social services, and 14% in financial services. Grounded on the Resource-Based View theory, this study aims to investigate how SMMEs contribute to the social and economic development of South Africa. Furthermore, their contributions align with four of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, making this research both relevant and timely. This systematic literature review included nineteen research articles using bibliometric indicators from the Google Scholar database. As a result, the literature review revealed four key SMMEs’ contributions to South African socio-economic development namely employment creation and income generation, economic growth, development and specialisation, contribution to GDP, and poverty alleviation. To further enhance this contribution, it is recommended that governments provide support in the form of training programs, access to finance, and mentorship opportunities to help SMMEs grow and create more job opportunities..

Artificial Intellect Systems in Today’s Economic Environment

The article provides analysis of artificial intellect (AI) system development at the current stage of socio-economic relation progress. Processes of technological, finance and social system transformation are connected with application of AI technologies and systems. As processes of digitalization advance deep changes in socio-economic and social relations take place, style and nature of production forces keep altering and new forms of organizations and links turn up. The authors provide examples of AI technologies that are used in different fields of human life. Special attention is paid at using AI technologies in power-intensive spheres, such as agro-industrial complex and industrial-technological one, as they build the economic basis for sustainable development. In order to promote further development of AI systems at enterprises it is necessary to carry out a vast volume of job on digitalization of all business-processes (data-fixation and soft-verification). The article demonstrates future trends of digital transformation in production and technological systems and identifies barriers hindering the development of data technologies in the Russian Federation. Finally, conclusions were drawn about trends of AI system development.

Influence of strength inhomogeneity on transboundary expansion characteristics of hydraulically fractured fractures in coal seams

Coal, a vital strategic resource, facilitates industrial development and socio-economic progress. Ensuring the high-quality development of the coal industry is crucial for national energy security and safety. Coal and gas outbursts are frequent hazards in coal mining processes. This research delves into the impact of heterogeneous coal seam strength on hydraulic fracturing propagation, utilizing both physical experimentation and the ABAQUS finite element approach. Experimental findings reveal distinct variations in water injection pressure profiles and fracturing fluid distribution patterns within coal seams of varying strengths, in contrast to those exhibiting uniform strength. When fractures propagate from a weaker to stronger coal seam region, a notable increase in pressure build-up effect is observed, leading to higher water injection pressure, wider fracture widths, augmented coal body displacement, and an elevated rate of rigidity reduction. In this study, the physical test results and numerical simulation results are verified with each other. After fractures propagate across the interface, zone with higher coal seam strength experience decreased fracture width, lower coal body displacement, and slower rates of rigidity decline compared to weaker seam zone. When fractures propagate from high to low coal seam areas, the fracture experiences instantaneous cross-boundary extension, resulting in a decrease in pore pressure, increased coal body displacement, and an elevated rate of rigidity decline.

Civil Service and Socio-Economic Development in Akwa Ibom State

The civil service played a critical role in fostering socio-economic development, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. This paper examined the role of the civil service in driving socio-economic progress, with a focus on Akwa Ibom State. The study assessed how civil service structures and policies influenced key areas such as employment generation, economic growth, infrastructure development, and public service delivery. To achieve the study objectives, the researcher utilized both descriptive and ex post facto research designs to analyze civil service operations and their impact on socio-economic development. The descriptive design provided a detailed overview of the current state of civil service practices, while the ex post facto design allowed for the examination of past policies and their outcomes without manipulating variables. Data were collected from a variety of secondary sources, including textbooks that offered foundational knowledge, journals with empirical studies, civil service information handbooks detailing regulations, and government bulletins providing insights on policies and challenges. The findings revealed that inadequate allocation of resources; bureaucratic delays, corruption, and ineffective human resource management were major factors that hindered the civil service's ability to achieve socio-economic development. The paper concluded with recommendations for enhancing the efficiency of the civil service, including policy reforms, capacity building, and strategic leadership, to better align with national development goals in Akwa Ibom State.

Transforming Higher Education in Sierra Leone – A Path to Sustainable Development

This paper examines the critical role of higher education in driving sustainable development in Sierra Leone, guided by Transformative Learning Theory (TLT) and Sustainable Development Theory (SDT). The study investigates challenges within the higher education system, such as inadequate funding, outdated curricula, and limited research capacity, and presents a comprehensive framework for transformation. These obstacles hinder the effectiveness of higher education institutions (HEIs) in contributing to national development. The paper highlights innovative teaching methods, such as Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and experiential education, as strategies to foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and leadership capabilities among students. By aligning academic programs with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emphasizing interdisciplinary research and industry collaboration, HEIs can play a pivotal role in Sierra Leone’s socio-economic progress. Drawing on successful models from universities such as Aalborg, the University of Malaya, and the University of Cape Town, the study demonstrates how interdisciplinary research and industry partnerships can drive innovation and development. The findings underscore the need for coordinated efforts from academia, industry, government, and international partners to transform Sierra Leone’s higher education system into a driver of sustainable development. The paper concludes that, while challenges persist, the integration of transformative learning and sustainable development principles can enable HEIs to equip graduates with the skills necessary to address the country’s most pressing socio-economic and environmental issues.

Assessment of Waterlogging and Mitigation Strategies for Alanda Micro Watershed Using Remote Sensing in Akola District of Vidarbha Region, India

The socio-economic progress of Vidarbha, where 89% of the land is used for rainfed farming, is significantly influenced by water resources. Unfortunately, waterlogging, driven by insufficient drainage and erratic weather conditions, poses serious challenges to agricultural productivity and soil health. The Alanda micro watershed in Barshitakli tehsil, Akola district, Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, features hard basaltic terrain and clay soils primarily used for agriculture. Poorly drained soils have caused waterlogging and salinization, highlighting the need for assessment of mitigation measures for the waterlogging to improve agricultural productivity and address climate change impacts. Waterlogging can be effectively identified through remote sensing techniques like NDWI, NDMI and NDVI, using high-resolution Landsat 8 imagery processed in ArcGIS 10.8. These methods facilitate the analysis and management of waterlogged areas, which is critical for improving agricultural output. The NDVI, NDWI and NDMI maps of the Alanda micro watershed highlight vegetation health, moisture levels and waterlogging potential, with the northern regions showing higher moisture and increased waterlogging risk. Mitigating waterlogging in the area requires the implementation of efficient drainage systems, soil improvement through organic matter and deep tillage and precise water management practices, including levelling fields to prevent water accumulation and using drought-resistant crops.