Source Countries Research Articles

Estimating the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in New Zealand border arrivals

BackgroundTravel restrictions and border controls were used extensively during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the processes for making robust evidence-based risk assessments of source countries to inform border control policies was in many cases very limited.MethodsBetween April 2020 and February 2022, all international arrivals to New Zealand were required to spend 14 days in government-managed quarantine facilities and were tested at least twice. The infection rates among arrivals in the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 were respectively 6.3, 9.4 and 90.0 cases per thousand arrivals (487, 1064 and 1496 cases). Test results for all arrivals were linked with travel history, providing a large and comprehensive dataset on the number of SARS-CoV-2-positive and negative travellers from different countries over time. We developed a statistical model to predict the country-level infection risk based on infection rates among recent arrivals and reported cases in the country of origin. The model incorporates a country-level random effect to allow for the differences between the infection risk of the population of each country and that of travellers to New Zealand. A time dependent auto-regressive component of the model allows for short term correlation in infection rates.ResultsA model selection and checking exercise found that the model was robust and reliable for forecasting arrival risk for 2 weeks ahead. We used the model to forecast the number of infected arrivals in future weeks and categorised countries according to their risk level. The model was implemented in R and was used by the New Zealand Ministry of Health to help inform border control policy during 2021.ConclusionsA robust and practical forecasting tool was developed for forecasting infection risk among arriving passengers during a period of controlled borders during the COVID-19 pandemic. The model uses historical infection rates among arrivals and current infection rates in the source country to make separate risk predictions for arrivals from each country.

Analysis of the Role of Hong Kong's Key Industries During the Pandemic of COVID-19

This study investigates the variables that affect and encourage inbound travel to Hong Kong using data from 2019 to 2020. Five important regional source markets for tourism in Hong Kong have been chosen, namely Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Japan, and South Korea. Based on the research results, the COVID-19 pandemic had a major destructive effect on Hong Kong's tourism sectors while significantly impact the quantity of inbound tourists due to government response to COVID-19 infection case. The quantity of inbound tourists to Hong Kong is significantly impacted by the government's actions based on the COVID-19 infection cases. Additionally, existence of COVID-19 in the tourism source countries is often considered when defining Hong Kong's travel restrictions. According to the empirical findings, the demand for visitor arrivals was also lowered by the distance to Hong Kong and the expensive cost of travel there, while the expansion of tourism was facilitated by improved aviation services and potential for the tourism sector. These results demonstrate that for the city to be recognized as an attracting and cherished tourist destination, the tourism sector and the government must collaborate to restore after the pandemic. The complementary nature of pandemic control and tourist recovery is highlighted by this study. To establish a positive ripple effect, these operative and budgetary standards must demand the government to provide early recovery support to tourism sectors.

Global bank linkages and foreign direct investment

This study explores the impact of bank networks on foreign direct investment (FDI) using data on country pairs. Global bank linkages are quantified by the number of connected bank pairs engaged in international lending between the source and host countries. The empirical analysis reveals a positive correlation between bank linkages and bilateral FDI stocks. We interpret this relationship as indicating that bank connections facilitate FDI by addressing information asymmetry stemming from factors such as uncertainty, global financial crises, or host country shocks. Our findings remain robust across various robustness checks. This research suggests that governments should promote cross-border bank investments to attract FDI.

Does skill emigration hurt unskilled workers? Theory and cross‐country evidence

AbstractHow does out‐migration of skilled workers affect unskilled workers' wage in the source country? When skilled workers emigrate, unskilled wages tend to go down in some countries. If the sector that uses both skilled and unskilled workers shows a lower degree of capital intensity as compared to sectors that use only skilled workers in production, it is a common outcome. We use 19 years of cross‐country data from the International Labor Organization (ILO) spanning Asia and Latin America to show that skill emigration reduces unskilled wage unambiguously for panel fixed effects and difference generalized method of moments (DGMM) estimates. The structure is also subjected to system GMM with endogenous covariates and allied robustness checks. Importantly, we find a critical level of tertiary education, such that countries generating more skill shall face weaker negative impact on unskilled wages.

Time to say goodbye? The impact of environmental regulation on foreign divestment

Time to say goodbye? The impact of environmental regulation on foreign divestment

Commercial arbitration regime and sourcing decision

Introducing commercial arbitration into a two-country sourcing model, this paper examines how the quality of commercial arbitration regime affects sourcing decision when production involves a relationship-specific transaction. Arbitration may be invoked when a firm shaves the investment value of a customized intermediate input or does not pay in full for investment. Under the full verifiability of an ex-post investment value by an arbitrator, firm behavior is governed by the quality of arbitration regime, measuring how fully a national arbitration regime supports the enforcement of arbitral awards. I theoretically find that a firm’s likelihood of choosing global sourcing over domestic sourcing increases with the source and destination countries’ qualities of international arbitration regimes and the source country’s quality of general arbitration regime. These impacts are magnified as the production of an intermediate input involves a greater degree of relationship-specific transaction. Results also show that as the production of an intermediate input entails a greater degree of relationship-specific transaction, a firm’s likelihood of choosing global sourcing over domestic sourcing decreases when domestic arbitration offers the better enforcement of arbitral awards compared to international arbitration.

Dynamic analysis of SARS-CoV-2 evolution based on different countries

Since late 2019, COVID-19 has significantly impacted the world. Understanding the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for protecting against future infectious pathogens. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive chronological analysis of SARS-CoV-2 evolution by examining mutation prevalence from the source countries of VOCs: United Kingdom, India, Brazil, South Africa, plus two countries: United States, Russia, utilizing genomic sequences from GISAID. Our methodological approach involved large-scale genomic sequence alignment using MAFFT, Python-based data processing on a high-performance computing platform, and advanced statistical methods the Maximal Information Coefficient (MIC), and also Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models for correlation analysis.Our findings elucidate the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 evolution, highlighting the virus's changing behaviour over various pandemic stages. Key results include the discovery of three temporal mutation patterns—lineage distinct, long-span, and competitive mutations—with varying levels of impact on the virus. Notably, we observed a convergence of advantageous mutations in the spike protein, especially in the later stages of the pandemic, indicating a substantial evolutionary pressure on the virus.One of the most significant revelations is the predominant role of natural immunity over vaccination-induced immunity in driving these evolutionary changes. This emphasizes the critical need for regular vaccine updates to maintain efficacy against evolving strains.In conclusion, our study not only sheds light on the evolutionary trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 but also underscores the urgency for robust, continuous global data collection and sharing. It highlights the necessity for rapid adaptations in medical countermeasures, including vaccine development, to stay ahead of pathogen evolution. This research provides valuable insights for future pandemic preparedness and response strategies.

La reciente diversificación de los flujos turísticos internacionales hacia España

Rationale International tourism in Spain was highly buoyant in 2023, with record levels of tourist arrivals, hotel overnight stays and average spending per tourist. This article describes the recent characteristics of these tourist flows and the factors that could help explain them. Takeaways •The increase in international tourist arrivals in 2023 and early 2024 relative to the 2016-2019 period was more marked during the autumn and winter months than during the summer months. •In 2023 foreigner hotel overnight stays increased more sharply, compared with the pre-pandemic period, in the northern regions of Spain than in the islands and the south of mainland Spain. •Foreign tourist source countries also appear to have diversified in 2023, with a notable increase in the number of tourists from the Americas and a slight decrease in the number of tourists from countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom. •In 2023 as a whole international tourists appear to have chosen higher category hotels to a greater extent, thus boosting average spending per tourist.

The role of outward foreign direct investment as a filter for high energy intensity economies in the European Union

This study examines the effects of outward foreign direct investment (FDI) on energy intensity among the member countries of the European Union between 2000 and 2021. This relationship is deemed important in elucidating whether there is a process of filtering out energy-intensive companies where the use of FDI is employed to lead out production and improve energy intensity in the source country of the investment. To estimate this relationship, we employ feasible generalized least squares (FGLS) and panel corrected standard error (PCSE) for robustness purposes. Additionally, we complement our results with an estimation of the Granger causality relationships between our variables. Our findings reveal a highly significant trend wherein outward FDI from European Union countries tends to reduce energy intensity, thereby enhancing the productivity of the source countries of the investment. Conversely, only the technological productivity ratio exhibits a unidirectional causal relationship with energy intensity, while GDP per capita and natural resource rents serve as causes of energy intensity and vice versa. From this study, some policy recommendations can be derived whereby the European Union can continue to incentivize this filtering process to ensure better technological advancement in its production system, thereby improving the efficiency of the European industrial fabric.

Diversity and potential sources of introduction of the beech leaf nematode (Litylenchus crenatae mccannii) to Ontario, Canada

Litylenchus crenatae mccannii is a foliar nematode that causes severe damage to beech, known as beech leaf disease (BLD). Previous studies have characterized and identified L. crenataein Japan and a subspecies L. crenatae mccannii in the USA. Litylenchus crenatae mccannii has been found to cause BLD in native and non-native beech hosts in North America. As little is known about the distribution and diversity of the nematode in Ontario, Canada, beech foliage was sampled throughout southcentral Ontario. Incidence and severity maps show that BLD spread from its first detections in 2017, in Elgin and Norfolk counties, to the west and northeast. A gradient in severity and incidence was observed with the highest ratings at the locations where it was originally found. The extent of the nematode’s distribution is much broader than BLD, occurring throughout much of the range of American beech. Sequences of two barcoding loci for the L. crenatae mccannii isolates from 11 locations in Ontario showed 100% similarity within and among these locations. The genotype of L. crenatae mccannii found in Ontario is the same as that identified in the USA. This finding is consistent with the fact that 92% of beech imported into Canada is from the USA and suggests that the USA could be the origin of L. crenatae mccannii nematodes in Ontario or that both countries have imported beech trees from the same source country of BLD. This research provides motivation for further studies to clarify the sources of L. crenatae mccannii.

International Student Recruitment and Support in Indonesia: A Systematic Review of Literature from 2012–2022

The Republic of Indonesia has been a significant source country of international students worldwide yet data is scarce about local international students. Increasing international student numbers is in line with the country's strategic development goals yet growth has been limited over the last two decades despite government funding of both long/short-term mobility programs and changing global/regional student mobility trends. This review systematically analyzes 28 papers from 2012–2022 investigating international students in Indonesian higher education regarding recruitment and support via an inductive thematic analysis. Six themes emerged showing that research has focused on the overall scope, rationale, and high-level organizational challenges of internationalization with scholarship only occasionally investigating Indonesia's destination attractiveness or student-centric issues. Research on international students, in Indonesian or English, is nascent and policy/practice suggestions and avenues of future research are discussed.

Foreign investors, firm level productivity, and European economic integration

Using a comprehensive sample of listed and unlisted firms from 34 European countries, we study firm-level manufacturing outcomes conditioned on foreign investment, country characteristics, and EU membership. Higher foreign ownership is associated with higher productivity but lower employment, particularly when the host or source country is an EU member and scores high on disclosure and investor protection, and low on corruption. We confirm our interpretation using staggered EU accession dates and industry-level external financial dependence interacted with a financial crisis. The subset of Eastern European countries appears to benefit from foreign investment and EU accession without losing jobs. Nevertheless, manufacturing outcomes associated with survey findings on public sentiment towards globalization and migration confirm the social and political costs of globalization.

Tracing beach litter sources: Drink lids tell a different story from their bottles

Water and soft drink bottles made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sink at sea unless they contain trapped air, whereas their lids are made from polymers that float and can drift long distances. We sampled loose lids and bottles at 21 South African beaches to compare their origins. The proportions of foreign-made bottles and lids were correlated, and increased away from urban centres, indicating that much land-based litter strands close to source areas. Over 80 % of foreign-made drink bottles and 90 % of lids came from Asia, but most bottles were manufactured in China, Malaysia-Singapore and the UAE, and were dumped from ships. By comparison, most loose lids were in poor condition after being carried across the Indian Ocean from Indonesia by the South Equatorial Current. Reducing PET drink bottles at sea requires enforcement of regulations banning dumping at sea, whereas reducing their lids requires better control of littering in source countries.

Current Update Waste to Energy in Developing Country; A Review and Bibliometric Analysis

The concept of processing waste into energy has developed in the last few decades, especially in developing countries. This paper reviews a bibliometric overview of the waste-to-energy literature and related analyzes in developing countries in the last 10 years. The research method used is quantitative with bibliometric analysis on the Scopus database. Based on this method, the number of articles analyzed was 1,880 articles in the form of journals, conference papers, and scientific reviews. There are four stages of analysis, namely determining the source title, keywords, country, and selection literature. Data analysis using a bibliometric approach found 116 articles related to Waste-to-Energy Incineration in developing countries. This study uses VOSviewer software version 1.6.19 for data complexity. The results of this study indicate that the Waste to Energy was divided into five clusters with 56 keywords. The most powerful topics related to this Waste-to-Energy are Municipal Solid Waste and Technology. Research on related waste into energy has increased in developing countries since 2004. This study found keywords such as biofuel and electricity, indicating the current trends in Waste to Energy research in the visualization of research trend mapping.

Migrants Stock And Income: A Zoological Analysis Of The Remittance Flow Between India And 31 Pairs Of Countries

This research delves into the complex dynamics of remittance flows between India and 31 pairs of countries through a unique zoological lens, offering a novel perspective on the migratory patterns and financial implications of these flows. With the increasing interconnectedness of the global economy, remittances have emerged as a vital component of international migration. This study employs a zoological analogy to better understand the behaviors and patterns of these financial transfers, akin to the diverse species in an ecological ecosystem. Through a comprehensive analysis of migrants' stock and income levels, we investigate the multifaceted relationships between India and its partner countries, dissecting the characteristics that define these remittance flows. This analysis not only considers the raw numbers and amounts of remittances but also explores the underlying factors, including socio-economic conditions, policies, and historical ties, which shape the migration corridors. Our zoological analysis reveals that remittance flows can be likened to various species in the animal kingdom, each with its unique traits and contributions to the ecosystem. Some flows may resemble migratory birds, representing consistent and reliable remittances over time, while others may be more akin to elusive predators, with sporadic and unpredictable contributions. The study further examines the impact of remittances on the economic well-being of both sending and receiving countries, shedding light on the intricate interplay between migrants' income levels and the socio-economic environments they inhabit. We identify how remittances can act as economic stabilizers, enhancing financial security for families in the source countries and boosting economic development in the recipient nations. The zoological approach to the analysis of remittance flows between India and 31 pairs of countries offers a fresh perspective that can enhance our understanding of this vital aspect of international migration. By recognizing the diverse "species" of remittance flows and their roles within the global ecosystem, policymakers and researchers can better tailor strategies to optimize the benefits and mitigate the challenges associated with these financial transactions.

The impact of international health worker migration and recruitment on health systems in source countries: Stakeholder perspectives from Colombia, Indonesia, and Jordan.

To address domestic shortages, high-income countries are increasingly recruiting health workers from low- and middle-income countries. This practice is much debated. Proponents underline benefits of return migration and remittances. Critics point in particular to the risk of brain drain. Empirical evidence supporting either position is yet rare. This study contributes to filling this gap in knowledge by reporting high-level stakeholders' perspectives on health system impacts of international migration in general, and active recruitment of health workers in specific, in Colombia, Indonesia, and Jordan. We used a multiple case study methodology, based on qualitative methods integrated with information available in the published literature. All respondents decried a lack of robust and detailed data as a serious challenge in ascertaining their perspectives on impacts of health worker migration. Stakeholders described current emigration levels as not substantially aggravating existing health workforce availability challenges. This is due to the fact that all three countries are faced with health worker unemployment grounded in unwillingness to work in rural areas and/or overproduction of certain cadres. Respondents, however, pleaded against targeting very experienced and specialised individuals. While observing little harm of health worker migration at present, stakeholders also noted few benefits such as brain gain, describing how various barriers to skill enhancement, return, and reintegration into the health system hamper in practice what may be possible in theory. Improved availability of data on health worker migration, including their potential return and reintegration into their country of origin's health system, is urgently necessary to understand and continuously monitor costs and benefits in dynamic national and international health labour markets. Our results imply that potential benefits of migration do not come into being automatically, but need in-country supportive policy and programming, such as favourable reintegration policies or programs targeting engagement of the diaspora.

Türkiye: transforming from a source country to a target country and the disadvantages of being a target country

Göç kavramı, belirli bir coğrafya ya da ülke üzerine değerlendirilmeye başlandığında ilk dikkat çeken husus, bölge veya ülkenin göç alan (mı) yahut göç veren (mi) olma durumudur. Ülkenin; hedef ya da kaynak ülke olması, göç çalışmalarının birincil adımını oluşturmaktadır. Bazı durumlarda ise ülke/bölge, hem göç alan hem de göç veren nitelik gösterebilmektedir. Ülkenin; transit göç rotası dâhilinde olması, gelişmiş veya az gelişmiş ülkelerin arasında bulunması ve ülkeye giriş-çıkışların kolaylıkla yapılabilmesi bu durumu beraberinde getirmektedir. Türkiye tarihi boyunca, hem göç alan hem de göç veren bir ülke olmuştur. Dönemsel olarak birinin diğerine baskın olduğu zaman aralıkları olsa da göç alma ve verme durumu, Türkiye için genellikle dengeli bir seyir izlemiştir. 1960’lar ise bu dengenin ilk defa bir taraf lehine bozulduğu yıllardır. 1960’lardan günümüze bakıldığında ise, 1960-1980 arası genellikle göç verme eğiliminin baskın olduğu, 1980’lere gelindiğinde ise Türkiye’nin yoğun olarak hedef ülke olduğu ve göç aldığı görülmektedir. 1980’lerden günümüze kadar olan süreçte de Türkiye’nin hedef ülke olma durumu kaynak ülke olma durumundan daha baskın olduğu göze çarpmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, kuruluşundan günümüze Türkiye’nin, göç alan ve veren ülke olma durumunda yaşanan değişimlerin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bununla birlikte, Türkiye hangi yıllar arasında kaynak ülke ya da hedef ülke olmuştur ve Türkiye’nin aldığı göçler sorun yaratmış mıdır, yaratmışsa bu sorunlar ve çözümleri nelerdir? Sorularına cevap aranması düşünülmüştür.

The tax system is based on the principle of the source

The free movement of capital, goods, services and workers between countries creates new challenges for national tax systems. The problem is complicated by the growing importance of intra-firm cross-border trade and complex production chains, the growing contribution to added value of hard-to-assess and easily mobile intangible assets, as well as the growing digitalization of the economy. The interaction of national legislation, international norms and bilateral treaties has formed a very complex international tax architecture. This makes it necessary to distinguish between the countries of origin, residence and destination. The paper analyzes the problems of building a tax system based on the source principle, defines the criteria for identifying the source of income, which is equated with added value, which is determined by the sum of factor incomes – wages and profits. The transition to the application of the balance sheet method of calculating added value automatically identifies the source of income by the place of payment of wages and receipt of profit. The country in which the added value is created clearly determines the place where this value should be taxed. The place of taxation of added value and its components does not depend on the composition and origin of capital, the use of intangible assets, the ownership of shares and any components. All these features of capital must be used in the distribution of the remaining profit after paying all taxes, contributions and fees provided by the law of the source country. Due to the uncertainty of the concept of “resident” and the possibility of residence in many jurisdictions at the same time, the principle of taxation of distributed profits (dividends) based on residence should be replaced by the principle of citizenship. The application of the proposed changes to the Tax Code of Ukraine makes it impossible to transfer profits.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol: Implications and Compliance Strategies for the Global Coffee Community.

The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a fundamental international agreement that plays a crucial role in the protection and equitable utilization of plant genetic resources. While this agreement is essential for conservation and sustainable use, it presents specific challenges to coffee research and industry. One major issue is the requirement to obtain prior informed consent (PIC) from the source country or community, which can be a complex and time-consuming process, especially in regions with limited governance capacity. Additionally, the mandates of this agreement necessitate benefit-sharing with the source community, a requirement that poses implementation challenges, particularly for small businesses or individual researchers. Despite these challenges, the importance of the Nagoya Protocol in the coffee sector cannot be overstated. It contributes significantly to the conservation of coffee genetic resources and the sustainable utilization of these resources, ensuring fair distribution of benefits. To address the complexities presented by this international framework, coffee researchers and industry need to engage proactively with source countries and communities. This includes developing clear and equitable benefit-sharing and implementing strategies for compliance. This article explores the impact of the Nagoya Protocol on the coffee industry, particularly emphasizing the need for balancing scientific investigation with the ethical considerations of resource sharing. It also discusses practical strategies for navigating the complexities of this agreement, including research focused on authenticity control and the challenges in conducting large-scale coffee studies. The conclusion underscores the potential for international collaboration, particularly through platforms like the International Coffee Organization (ICO), to harmonize research activities with the ethical imperatives of the Nagoya Protocol.

Investigating diffusion and convergence trajectory of hydrogen storage technology based on patent analysis

Safe and flexible hydrogen storage technology (HST) emerges as a crucial element in driving the industrialization of hydrogen energy. Consequently, HSTs are being extensively investigated globally, with an increasing number diffusing beyond national boundaries through transnational patent applications. However, the absence of an evolutionary analysis constrains the exploration of technological opportunities in HST. In this study, we unveil the evolutionary trajectory and innovation trends of HST by analyzing its global diffusion and convergence network, utilizing patent family and IPC co-occurrence data spanning from 1993 to 2022. Our results indicate that the transnational diffusion of HST is concentrated in core countries. Japan and France emerged as dominant source countries, while China, Europe, Korea, and Canada were identified as main target countries for HST diffusion. Notably, in the past decade, China and France have experienced significant expansion in filing HST patents. However, China filed a relatively limited number of patent families, suggesting a varied level of engagement in transnational HST diffusion. Hydrogen fuel cells, storage alloys, vessels, and distribution systems constitute the primary technological domains of HST. In the initial stages, fuel cells and alloy materials dominated HST development, often converging with metal powders and heat treatment. However, since 2003, F17C, related to storage vessels, has evolved as a focal point of convergence, involving the integration of pressure tanks, filling and discharging systems, liquid transportation, gas purification, and rare earth materials. Overall, this research offers novel insights for strategizing future HST innovations.