Specific Country Research Articles

Beyond authorship: Analyzing contributions in PLOS ONE and the challenges of appropriate attribution

Abstract Purpose This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of authorship attributions in scientific publications, focusing on the fairness and precision of individual contributions within academic works. Design/methodology/approach The study analyzes 81,823 publications from the journal PLOS ONE, covering the period from January 2018 to June 2023. It examines the authorship attributions within these publications to try and determine the prevalence of inappropriate authorship. It also investigates the demographic and professional profiles of affected authors, exploring trends and potential factors contributing to inaccuracies in authorship. Findings Surprisingly, 9.14% of articles feature at least one author with inappropriate authorship, affecting over 14,000 individuals (2.56% of the sample). Inappropriate authorship is more concentrated in Asia, Africa, and specific European countries like Italy. Established researchers with significant publication records and those affiliated with companies or nonprofits show higher instances of potential monetary authorship. Research limitations Our findings are based on contributions as declared by the authors, which implies a degree of trust in their transparency. However, this reliance on self-reporting may introduce biases or inaccuracies into the dataset. Further research could employ additional verification methods to enhance the reliability of the findings. Practical implications These findings have significant implications for journal publishers, highlighting the necessity for robust control mechanisms to ensure the integrity of authorship attributions. Moreover, researchers must exercise discernment in determining when to acknowledge a contributor and when to include them in the author list. Addressing these issues is crucial for maintaining the credibility and fairness of academic publications. Originality/value This study contributes to an understanding of critical issues within academic authorship, shedding light on the prevalence and impact of inappropriate authorship attributions. By calling for a nuanced approach to ensure accurate credit is given where it is due, the study underscores the importance of upholding ethical standards in scholarly publishing.

Taking stock and moving forward: What makes a contribution in business history?

This editorial reflects on the research published in Business History in the last few years in the context of wider discussions in the field of business history. In particular, we consider the authors and their thematic orientation, reflection on the geographic and disciplinary distribution and gender balance in the field. Articles published cluster around specific time periods, countries and regions, with early modern or medieval history, and research beyond Europe and North America less well represented. On the basis of this survey, we consider the journal’s recently changed aims and scope and what we see as a contribution to knowledge in business history. We particularly consider the role of theory in historical research and affirm our commitment to a range of relevant contributions in the journal. These are empirical, historiographical and theoretical in nature, and support our strategy to maintain Business History as a journal publishing interdisciplinary and diverse research.

Firm value and the use of financial derivatives: Evidence from developed countries

AbstractThis paper examines whether financial derivatives usage impacts firm value in seven developed countries from 2007 to 2016. We rely on textual analysis to identify derivatives users and address the potential reverse causality problem through propensity score matching and the difference‐in‐differences approach. Empirical findings suggest that the use of derivatives has a negative effect on firm value. Interestingly, we observe asymmetric valuation effects for specific countries when comparing firms that adopt derivatives with those that abandon them. US, UK, and Australian firms adopting derivatives experience a significant decrease in their valuation. Contrary to expectations, this adverse effect diminishes and may become insignificant at best when firms choose to abandon derivatives. Furthermore, most of the significant value effects disappear when using the industry relative valuation measure.

The impact of proposed price regulations on new patented medicine launches in Canada: a retrospective cohort study.

The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB), the agency that regulates the prices of patented medicines in Canada, published proposed amendments to the regulatory framework in December 2017. Because of a series of changes and delays, the revised policy has not yet been finalized. We sought to evaluate the potential early impact of the uncertainty about the PMPRB policy on patented-medicine launches. We developed a retrospective cohort of patented medicines (molecules) sold in Canada and the 13 countries that the PMPRB currently uses or has proposed to use as price comparators, from sales data from the IQVIA MIDAS database for 2012-2021. The outcome was whether a molecule was launched (i.e., sold) in a specific country within 2 years of its global first launch (2-yr launch). We compared the change of 2-year launch before (2012-2017) and after the proposed amendments were published ("uncertain period," 2018-2021) in Canada with the change in the United States and the other 12 countries as a group ("other-countries group"), using interrupted time series and logistic regressions, respectively. We further conducted analyses for each individual country and subgroups by molecule characteristics, such as therapeutic benefit, separately. We included 242 and 107 new molecules launched before publication of the proposed amendments and during the uncertain period, respectively. The corresponding 2-year launch proportions were 45.0% and 30.8% in Canada, 81.4% and 82.2% in the US, and 83.9% and 70.1% in the other-countries group. All analyses showed changes in 2-year launch during the uncertain period in the US and in the other-countries group that were similar to the changes in Canada. Greater decreases were observed in Norway and Sweden than in Canada. The 2-year launch proportion for molecules with major therapeutic benefit decreased from 45.8% to 31.3% in Canada during the uncertain period and from 87.5% to 62.5% in the other-countries group, but increased from 91.7% to 100% in the US. No negative impact of the PMPRB-policy uncertainty on molecule launches was observed when comparing Canada with price-comparator countries, except for molecules with major therapeutic benefit. The reduction in launches of medicines with major therapeutic benefit in Canada requires continuing investigation.

Land Registration using Blockchain Technology.

Land registration authorities face frequently criticism for the alleged mismanagement or manipulation the land records across various nations. Pakistan, out particular, grapples with the heightened susceptibility the falsification and corruption its property records due to economic challenges. This vulnerability results of conflicting claims of authority over specific parcels of land. consolidation of the data further exacerbates this susceptibility to the security threats. A land administration system (LAS) is the structured framework designed to the govern of management of land resources in a specific region or country. However, LAS faces challenges like the inefficiencies, of a lack of transparency, and the susceptibility to fraud. Digitization of land records improved efficiency but failed to address manipulation, centralized databases, and the double-spending issues. Traditional lease and mortgage management systems also suffer from complexity, errors, and a lack of real-time validation. At present, a significant influx of land transactions produces substantial data, classifiable as big data due to the constant minute-to the-minute occurrences like the land transfers, acquisitions, document verification, and leasing/mortgaging transactions. In that context, we present the Blockchain-driven system that not only tackles alteration and double-spending issues in atraditional systems but also a implements distributed data and management. Current state-of-the-art solutions do not fully incorporate crucial features of the Blockchain, such as transparency, prevention of double-spending, auditability, immutability, and user and their participation. To the tackle this problem, this the research introduces a comprehensive Blockchain-powered framework for the lease and the mortgage management, addressing transparency, user and their involvement, and the double-spending the prevention. Unlike existing solutions, ourused framework integrates the key Blockchain characteristics for the holistic approach. Through their practical use cases and involving property owners, banks, and financial institutions, they establish a secure, distributed, transparent method for the property financing

Financing the future: Asymmetric association between green investment and electric vehicles

Green investment in electric vehicles represents a pivotal shift towards a sustainable future, promising to revolutionize our transportation systems while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This research aims to probe the linkage between green investment and electric vehicles across the top 10 economies with the highest electric vehicle adoption rates (China, USA, Norway, Germany, UK, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, and South Korea). Unlike earlier studies that primarily utilized panel data methods and overlooked the individual nuances of each country, our investigation employs the advanced ‘Quantile-on-Quantile’ technique. This novel approach enables us to delve into the relationships between variables within each specific country, thereby improving the precision of our analysis. As a result, this study provides a comprehensive global viewpoint, revealing nuanced findings about each nation's distinct characteristics. The study's findings express a positive connection between green investment and the electric vehicle stock in various segments of the sample economies. Furthermore, this research highlights diverse trends in these connections within different nations. The results emphasize policymakers’ need to conduct comprehensive evaluations and develop effective strategies to address changes in both green investment and electric vehicles.

Potential environmental impact of mycelium composites on African communities

The ecological and economic benefits of mycelium composites offer a promising opportunity for supporting sustainable development in Africa. This study focuses on assessing the environmental impact of mycelium composites for building and construction (MCBs) by conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) in the context of Africa. It is demonstrated that the potential environmental impact of MCBs is substantially influenced by the use and source of electrical power for autoclaves, incubators, and ovens, making the culturing and post-processing phases the major environmental hotspots. The impact of MCB production is also relative to the energy mix of specific countries, being higher in countries that rely on fossil fuel energy (e.g., South Africa) and lower in those that rely more on renewable sources (e.g., Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC). Furthermore, the impact of MCB production is found to be sensitive to travel distance, suggesting that situating production facilities closer to agricultural, agro-industrial, and/or forestry waste sources could be more beneficial than interregional sourcing, for example. It is also demonstrated that MCBs have the potential to be a more ecologically sustainable alternative to some conventional construction materials (e.g., concrete) over an entire life cycle. Based on the insights obtained from this LCA, some recommendations have been proposed to address potential environmental repercussions pre-emptively and proactively: this is particularly important for nations, mainly in the Global South, that exhibit low resilience to climate change due to limited economic resources. Furthermore, with the rapid expansion of mycelium composite technology, there is a need to increase awareness about its potential environmental impact and, ultimately, to mitigate its potential contribution to pressing environmental concerns (e.g., global warming and climate change). Consequently, this study also adds to the existing body of literature on LCA studies, delineating key factors for consideration in future LCA studies and providing guidance for the sustainable establishment and expansion of this technology.

Optimizing test and treat options for vivax malaria: An options assessment toolkit (OAT) for Asia Pacific national malaria control programs.

Designing policy in public health is a complex process requiring decision making that incorporates available evidence and is suitable to a country's epidemiological and health system context. The main objective of this study was to develop an options assessment toolkit (OAT) to provide a pragmatic and evidence-based approach to the development of policies for the radical cure (prevention of relapse) of vivax malaria for national malaria control programs in the Asia-Pacific region. The OAT was developed using participatory research methods and a Delphi process using a sequential multi-phase design, adapted with a pre-development phase, a development phase, and a final development phase. In the pre-development phase, a literature review was conducted to inform the toolkit development. Data collection in the development phase consisted of core research team discussions, multiple rounds of consultation with participants from National Malaria Control Programs (NMP) (online and in person), and two separate modified e-Delphi processes with experts. The final development phase was the piloting of the toolkit during the annual meeting of the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN) Vivax Working Group. We developed a tool kit containing the following elements: i) Baseline Assessment Tool (BAT) to assess the readiness of NMPs for new or improved coverage of radical cure, ii) eight scenarios representative of Asia Pacific region, iii) matching test and treat options based on available options for G6PD testing and radical cure for the given scenarios, iv) an approaches tool to allow NMPs to visualize considerations for policy change process and different implementation strategies/approaches for each test and treat option. The OAT can support vivax radical cure policy formulation among NMPs and stakeholders tailoring for their unique country context. Future studies are needed to assess the utility and practicality of using the OAT for specific country context.

Impact of environmental, energy and business efficiency on [formula omitted] emissions: A composite indicator for emerging Asia-Pacific markets

Environmental, energy, business and development dynamics have received strong research interest. However, previous studies have mainly explored these topics separately. Conversely, we study these aspects jointly, constructing a composite indicator and assessing resulting impact on several SDGs domains. The aim of the analysis is to discover the importance of latent aspects in explaning the environmental, energy and business efficiency for specific countries. Estimating this multidimensional efficiency is relevant for the identification of the conditions for the achievement of CO2 containment and sustainable development progress. We make use of the World Bank's World Development Indicators (WB WDI) for selected emerging countries from the Asia-Pacific region ranging from lower-middle-income to upper-middle-income economies, following the WB Group country classifications by income level. We build a composite indicator for eliciting diverse dimensions related to the environment, energy policy and economic factors. The first steps of the indicators analysis are achieved by the combination of the DEA and Tobit analyses. Therefore, we examine the environmental, energy and business efficiency according to the economic development stage of the analysed countries, making use of an entropy index. The index’ robustness is tested at both stages – first, exploring the Tobit analysis, therefore, by inspecting an additional Asia-Pacific country having a different income with respect to the benchmark. The results suggest the creation of country clusters. Above all, China outstands in terms of environmental efficiency and R&D, as a result of a broader energy development strategic plan in the last few decades.

Public attitudes toward medical waste: Experiences from 141 countries.

Medical Waste (MW), conceptualized as waste generated in the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of human beings or animals, posing massive threat to public health. Environment-friendly public attitudes promotes the shaping of pro-environmental behavior. However, the public attitudes of MW and the potential determinants remained scarce. The present study aims to reveal globally public attitudes towards MW and captured the determinants. We integrated the crawler technology with sentiment analysis to captured the public attitudes toward MW across 141 specific countries from 3,789,764 related tweets. Multiple cross-national databases were integrated to assess characteristics including risk, resistance, environment, and development. The spatial regression model was taken to counterbalence the potential statistical bias. Overall, the global public attitudes towards MW were positive, and varied significantly across countries. Resilience (β = 0.78, SD = 0.14, P < 0.01) and development (β = 1.66, SD = 0.13, P < 0.01) posed positive influence on public attitudes towards MW, meanwhile, risk (β = -0.1, SD = 0.12, P > 0.05) and environment (β = 0.09, SD = 0.09, P > 0.05) were irrelated to the shaping of positive MW public attitudes. Several positive moderating influences was also captured. Additionally, the cross-national disparities of the determiants were also captured, more specific, public attitudes towards MW in extremely poor areas were more likely to be negatively affected by risks, resilience and development. This study focused mainly on the public attitudes as well as captured the potential determinants. Public attitudes towards MW were generally positive, but there were large cross-national disparities. Stakeholders would need to designate targeted strategies to enhance public satisfaction with MW management.

Religiosity and entrepreneurship: women entrepreneurs in Turkiye

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to showcase how entrepreneurial opportunities can be contextually formed differently for women entrepreneurs concerning their relationship with religion. This article reveals the multi-level and nuanced relationship between religiosity and entrepreneurship through a contextual lens by studying the interaction in a specific national country, Turkiye.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses the life stories of 10 Turkish women entrepreneurs operating in Turkiye. Data were selected purposefully to conduct an in-depth analysis. Thematic content analysis with a discursive approach and deductive and inductive coding methods were performed.FindingsThe findings suggest that the relationship between religiosity and entrepreneurial opportunities is highly contextual and nuanced. Religiosity brings trust and provides access to religious networks which can lead to entrepreneurial opportunities, while leaving people outside of this network bereft of these benefits. The creation of a closed circle for its beneficiaries is a feature of a social network, yet the results show that contextual forces of politics and gender can lead women entrepreneurs outside of this religious network to limit their possibilities of accessing public funding and facilities based on their perceptions as well as negative experiences. It is also seen that religiosity at a certain level is necessary to operate in conservative settings and traditionally masculine business environments with patriarchal practices and norms, as well as due to the religious affinity of the ruling political party. However, because of perceptions and discursive meanings attached to religion and religiosity in the country, women entrepreneurs need to be cautious in expressing their religiosity and find a balance so that they are not seen as unprofessional, incompetent and unqualified as well as do not jeopardise their business due to a controversial religious affiliation.Originality/valueThis paper is of value as it studies religiosity from a contextual perspective enabling and constraining women entrepreneurs in their entrepreneurship in relation to gendered and political structures. In this way, it displays the multiple ways of limitation and support that religiosity can bring for them concerning entrepreneurial opportunities. Turkiye provides a rich context with its mixed religious and secular societal norms and values and neo-liberal institutions and policies to examine the so-far underexplored issue of religiosity in the field of entrepreneurship.

Strategic Alliance Governance Through Termination Provisions: Safeguard and Incentive, Flexibility and Commitment

Termination provisions establish vital governance mechanisms in alliances, offering essential safeguards and incentives by providing the flexibility to exit (underperforming) partnerships. However, they can also foster distrust and instability by potentially undermining commitment and continuity. We argue that the motivation behind termination provisions lies in the need to address safeguarding and flexibility concerns arising from increases in alliance scope, upfront payments, and technological uncertainty. Conversely, alliances with strong relational commitment and social embeddedness stemming from prior and indirect ties tend to omit termination provisions. Drawing on an analysis of 1,576 biopharmaceutical alliance contracts, we scrutinize various conditional and unconditional termination rights, along with their partner-specific allocations. Among other findings, we observe a positive association between broad alliance scope and termination rights for patent challenge, for lack of reasonable effort, and for specific countries assigned to the research and development (R&amp;D) firm contributing technological expertise and, furthermore, termination rights for convenience for the client firm sponsoring the alliance. Larger unilateral upfront payments increase the likelihood that the client firm receives termination rights for lack of reasonable effort and for convenience. Higher technological uncertainty is associated with termination rights for convenience for the client or R&amp;D firm. In contrast, prior ties negatively correlate with termination rights for convenience for the client firm, while indirect ties show a negative association with termination rights for convenience and specific countries for the R&amp;D firm. Conceptually, our study highlights the relevance of termination provisions as elastic governance mechanisms that enable partners to accommodate postcontractual disturbances.

Tracking earmarked funding to international organizations: Introducing the earmarked funding dataset

AbstractOver the past two decades, donor funding of international organizations (IOs) such as the United Nations, has shifted from core resources toward earmarked contributions. While core resources provide IOs with discretion how to achieve their mandates, earmarked contributions require IOs to focus their assistance on specific themes, sectors, countries, or projects, as determined by the donors. Our understanding of the drivers and effects of earmarked funding has been limited by the lack of systematic data. To address this gap, we introduce the Earmarked Funding Dataset. The dataset contains 342,812 earmarked aid activities from nearly 50 donors with over 340 IOs with a mandate in international development from 1990 to 2020. We first explore the data descriptively to cast light on the evolution of the multilateral development system. We then use the data to examine whether and how donors financially reward well-performing IOs. To that end, we combine our data with newly available performance data synthesized from Multilateral Organization Performance Assessment Network (MOPAN) evaluations of 32 IOs in 2009–2020. Using difference-in-difference estimations, we find a significantly positive relationship between outcome performance and earmarked contributions. In contrast, performance does not seem to affect core resources. These patterns suggest that donors reward well-performing multilaterals with more funding, albeit based on development outcomes which are not easily contractible. From a policy perspective, these findings suggest that performance-based approaches to aid allocation—as they are currently practiced—upload the financial risks of organizational reform processes to international organizations.

The impact of the proportion of renewable energy consumption on geopolitical risks in the United States and the United Kingdom

Renewable energy serves as an effective alternative to traditional fossil fuels, reducing reliance on energy imports from specific countries, thereby alleviating geopolitical risks and ensuring national energy security. The development and utilization of renewable energy have profound implications for the global energy consumption structure and geopolitical landscape. This paper utilizes time-series and panel data from 1990 to 2020 to examine the causal relationship between renewable energy consumption and geopolitical risks. Focusing primarily on the United States and the United Kingdom, a multivariate regression model was developed for empirical analysis, with a comparative analysis conducted against other Group of Seven (G7) member countries. Subsequent robustness checks were performed to further validate the model's robustness. Additionally, this study explores the role of military strength as a moderating variable in the relationship between renewable energy and geopolitics. Lastly, a vector autoregression model was constructed to analyze the dynamic relationships between renewable energy and related variables. The findings reveal that (1) consumption of clean renewable energies, such as solar, wind, and tidal energy, significantly reduces geopolitical risks in the United States and the United Kingdom, with differing empirical results for France, Canada, and Japan, interpreted according to their developmental contexts and (2) increased defense expenditure in the US and the UK significantly enhances the positive impact of renewable energy consumption on mitigating geopolitical risks. Utilizing renewable energy not only diversifies national energy options but also reduces reliance on fossil fuels and fosters international cooperation, thereby easing geopolitical tensions. This research enriches the literature on the relationship between renewable energy consumption and national energy security in key global nations and offers theoretical insights for the formulation and implementation of national energy development strategies in the new world development paradigm.

Peacekeeping armies: how the politics of peace operations shape military organizations

Abstract What is a ‘peacekeeping army’? Why do some states develop them? And what influence do they have on military organizations, their soldiers and the practices of peacekeeping more broadly? This article provides the first attempt to theorize this concept and illustrate its utility with reference to specific country examples. We develop the concept by drawing on a comparative analysis of troop contributions to peace operations over time, an examination of national security documents and institutional military reforms. Specifically, we define a ‘peacekeeping army’ as one which has undertaken institutional reforms to regularly perform the military functions of peacekeeping at a relatively large scale compared to the size of its active force and has prioritized international peacekeeping as one of its top-tier priorities. We find that political, economic and institutional motives for establishing a ‘peacekeeping army’ are more important than normative and security factors. Once established, a ‘peacekeeping army’ generates significant, and diverse effects on the soldiers, the military organization, the government and potentially the practices of peacekeeping more broadly. The conclusion summarizes our main findings and identifies implications for policy.

Lack of Diversity in Research on Females with Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes: Recruitment Protocol for a Quantitative Online Survey.

Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) are a group of connective tissue disorders caused by fragile lax collagen. Current EDS research lacks racial and ethnic diversity. The lack of diversity may be associated with the complexities of conducting a large international study on an underdiagnosed condition and a lack of EDS health care providers who diagnose and conduct research outside of the United States and Europe. Social media may be the key to recruiting a large diverse EDS sample. However, studies that have used social media to recruit have not been able to recruit diverse samples. This study aims to discuss challenges, strategies, outcomes, and lessons learned from using social media to recruit a large sample of females with EDS. Recruitment on social media for a cross-sectional survey examining dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse) in females was examined. Inclusion criteria were (1) older than 18 years of age, (2) assigned female at birth, and (3) diagnosed with EDS. Recruitment took place on Facebook and Twitter (now X), from June 1 to June 25, 2019. A total of 1178 females with EDS were recruited from Facebook (n=1174) and X (n=4). On Facebook, participants were recruited via support groups. A total of 166 EDS support groups were identified, 104 permitted the principal investigator to join, 90 approved posting, and the survey was posted in 54 groups. Among them, 30 of the support groups posted in were globally focused and not tied to any specific country or region, 21 were for people in the United States, and 3 were for people outside of the United States. Recruitment materials were posted on X with the hashtag #EDS. A total of 1599 people accessed the survey and 1178 people were eligible and consented. The average age of participants was 38.6 (SD 11.7) years. Participants were predominantly White (n=1063, 93%) and non-Hispanic (n=1046, 92%). Participants were recruited from 29 countries, with 900 (79%) from the United States and 124 (11%) from Great Britain. Our recruitment method was successful at recruiting a large sample. The sample was predominantly White and from North America and Europe. More research needs to be conducted on how to recruit a diverse sample. Areas to investigate may include connecting with more support groups from outside the United States and Europe, researching which platforms are popular in different countries, and translating study materials into different languages. A larger obstacle to recruiting diverse samples may be the lack of health care providers that diagnose EDS outside the United States and Europe, making the pool of potential participants small. There needs to be more health care providers that diagnose and treat EDS in countries that are predominantly made up of people of color as well as research that specifically focuses on these populations. RR1-10.2196/53646.

UKRAINIAN FORCED MIGRANTS’ INTEGRATION IN EUROPEAN LABOUR MARKET: GERMAN VS POLISH CASE

The tsunami of forced migration caused by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 poses a significant challenge to the socio-economic systems of host European countries, in particular Germany and Poland, which are the two main destination countries for displaced Ukrainians. Despite relatively similar statistics on the number and demographic structure of Ukrainian forced immigrants, the two countries differ significantly in terms of the level of labour market integration of refugees, which is a key factor determining their social integration and economic outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to study the peculiarities and common features of the integration of Ukrainian forced migrants in the labour markets of Germany and Poland, taking into account the pre-war experience of these countries in attracting Ukrainian economic migrants. Methodology. The study is a comparative analysis of the pre-war and forced migration trajectories of the two countries based on data from the German and Polish statistical services and Eurostat in 2010-2022. Results. The article discusses the redistribution of the main demographic characteristics in the profile of Ukrainian migrants in the post-war period, which led to an increase in the share of women with higher education in the demographic structure of migrants. These demographic differences, coupled with the peculiarities of European labour markets, have affected the employment prospects of Ukrainian refugees in European countries of destination. The pre-war experience of temporary labour migration from Ukraine and social ties between refugees and members of the diaspora were recognised as factors that facilitated the integration of Ukrainian refugees. The analysis showed that in addition to the geographical and cultural proximity between Ukraine and Poland, the circular labour migration model that dominated relations between Ukraine and Poland contributed to the rapid integration of Ukrainian refugees into the labour market after the outbreak of full-scale war. The lack of German language skills is the most common reason for the lower participation of Ukrainians in the German labour market compared to the Polish one. In Germany, favourable labour market conditions combined with integration policies facilitate access to the labour market for Ukrainian refugees in the long term. Practical implications. By examining the previous circular seasonal migration of Ukrainians over the past decade and their labour market integration in specific destination countries after the outbreak of war, this paper provides a broader perspective for the study of the transition from forced to permanent migration. Value/Originality. Given the global growth of both seasonal labour migrants and forms of movement, the key findings of the study provide a better understanding of these changing categories of mobility and their implications.

Uncovering the priorities of scientific research onsustainable development goals: A case study in Ethiopia

AbstractThe United Nations has defined 17 SDGs aimed at addressing fundamental human needs. While the SDGs are relevant to all countries and communities worldwide, they hold particular significance to Ethiopia. Scientific research dedicated to a specific country, or a region therein plays a crucial role in identifying the necessary interventions, planning appropriate courses of action, and monitoring progress toward achieving the SDGs. A considerable amount of scientific research directly or indirectly related to the SDGs, has been conducted on Ethiopia, but the research is fragmented and a clear overview of its focus and impact on the SDGs is lacking. In this study, we conduct a comprehensive review of all available scientific literature on the former province of Wollo, which was the site of one of the most infamous famines in recent times. We found 1591 relevant studies, classified, and analyzed them based on their relevance to the SDGs. Our results indicate that while there has been a significant increase in scientific research in recent years, the focus has been skewed toward a few goals and limited targets within them. Specifically, SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) have received significantly more attention. Further analysis also reveals misplaced priorities indicating a misalignment between scientific research and the needs of the study area. We conclude that while we approach 2030, the deadline for the SDGs, considerable attention must be given to the prioritization of SDGs in scientific research.

Perspectives of Vietnamese Students and Teachers Regarding the Preservation of Languages of Ethnic Minorities

Background: In today’s globalized world, ethnic minority languages face an increasing threat of extinction, both on a global scale and within specific countries. The urgent need to preserve and promote awareness of these languages among younger generations cannot be overstated. Purpose: The present study was undertaken to investigate the perspectives of students regarding ethnic minority languages, as well as the efforts undertaken by teachers and schools to safeguard and preserve these languages. Methods: A sample of 3,250 ethnic minority students and 646 teachers actively participated in this research, allowing for a rich and diverse range of viewpoints to be gathered. Results: The findings of this study revealed that students hold a deep appreciation for their native languages and possess a keen understanding of the imperative nature of their preservation. It is heartening to note that schools and teachers have also been actively engaged in implementing various initiatives and policies to protect and promote ethnic minority languages. Conclusion: While it is important to acknowledge the existence of challenges and obstacles in this endeavor, the overall results paint an encouraging picture. The fact that students value and embrace their ethnic minority languages, alongside the commitment demonstrated by educational institutions and teachers, provides hope for the continued existence and resilience of these linguistic treasures. Originality/value: It is through the dedication and collective efforts of all stakeholders involved that ethnic minority languages can defy the threat of extinction and thrive for generations to come.

Non-Traditional Methods for Assessing the Financial Situation of a Farm

The main objective of assessing a company’s financial state is predicting its future development. In agriculture, failure factors differ from other industries, including high debt and interest rates, lower profitability during recessions, and environmental impacts like droughts and floods. To ensure market survival, modern management of agricultural enterprises is crucial. Business analysis generates data for this. A financially healthy enterprise is profitable, efficiently uses capital, and repays obligations on time. Various methods measure financial performance, chosen based on time frame, purpose, data nature, and sources. Complex measurements should be balanced. Financial issues arise from internal and external factors, often due to environmental changes. In agriculture, understanding success factors is vital for long-term survival as food demand increases. Failure factors are diverse, spanning economic (profitability, liquidity) and non-economic (planning, decision-making). Mismanagement and external factors can lead to farm failure. In this changing environment, success requires future-focused financial development, making retrospective analysis insufficient. Predictive models tailored to each country's specifics are essential for agricultural sustainability. This study explores such models and their relevance for agricultural financial sustainability.