Consumption Structure Research Articles

Economic Globalization, Taxation and Public Expenditures: Evidence From OECD Countries

Globalization shapes the fiscal policies of countries, leading to changes in the structure of taxation and public expenditures. According to the theory of international tax competition, as globalization increases, countries use their tax policies to attract more mobile factors, resulting in tax competition. This competition causes capital tax rates to decrease and labor tax rates to increase, which is known as the efficiency effect of globalization. On the other hand, governments expand the welfare state to compensate for the increased economic risks resulting from globalization. This is known as the compensation effect of globalization. The purpose of this paper is to empirically test these hypotheses using a dataset of 26 OECD countries from the period 1990-2020. The study employed the Driscoll-Kraay estimator, which produces reliable estimates with robust standard errors in the presence of heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation, and cross-sectional dependency issues. The results indicate that economic globalization has a negative effect on corporate tax rates and a positive effect on labour tax rates. Additionally, it was observed that a high level of social spending is linked to an increase in economic globalization. These results emphasise that the efficiency effect and the compensation effect coexist and complement each other rather than being rivals.
 Key words: Globalization, tax competition, public expenditure, panel data 
 JEL Classification: E15, E62, C23

Government R&D Subsidies and Firms' Innovation Performance: Empirical Evidence Based on Listed Companies in the New Energy Industry

At present, China is actively changing the original energy consumption structure, reducing the use of traditional fossil energy and vigorously promoting the green development of new energy. To stimulate technological innovation and promote economic growth is the direction and principle of the current industrial policy, and to increase the investment of R&D funds and enhance the independent innovation ability is the way to accelerate the construction of China's core competitive strength, so it is necessary to scientifically assess the impact of government R&D subsidies on the innovation performance of enterprises. The government's investment of R&D funds also plays an important role in the new energy industry, which is characterized by technological innovation, government R&D funding also plays an important role in the new energy industry characterized by technological innovation. In this paper, we select the panel data of listed companies in the new energy industry from 2006 to 2020 as the research object to empirically analyze the relationship between government R&D subsidies and corporate innovation performance. Based on the results of benchmark regression in this paper, the overall results show that government R&D subsidies are conducive to the improvement of corporate innovation performance in the new energy industry. This study aims to explore the effect of government R&D subsidies on enterprise innovation performance and put forward feasible suggestions to understand the role of government subsidies in the process of enterprise R&D and innovation activities from a deeper perspective.

Distribution Characteristics and Pollution Sources Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Phthalate Esters in the Seawater of Land-Based Outlets around Zhanjiang Bay in Spring

This study analyzed the distribution characteristics and sources of pollutants in the coastal estuaries of Zhanjiang Bay (ZJB) to provide theoretical and data support for the scientific prevention and control of bay pollution. Monitoring data from eight rivers and flood drains flowing into ZJB in March 2021 were used to analyze the composition and spatial distribution characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phthalate esters (PAEs) in the water bodies of the bay. The dominant components in the eight rivers and flood drains were 3–4-ring PAHs, with Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), and Dibutyl-O-phthalate (DBP) being the main PAE compounds. Higher pollutant levels were observed in residential areas, aquaculture zones, and industrial areas. Eigen-ratio analysis and principal component analysis were used to identify pollution sources, including atmospheric inputs (coal, petroleum products, biomass combustion products), offshore petroleum pollution, and plastic pollution sources. The assessment showed that atmospheric inputs contributed to 89.75% of the total PAHs in the bay, with coal and biomass combustion accounting for 62.12% and petroleum fuel combustion accounting for 27.63%. The content of ΣPAEs ranged from 588.43 to 1427.26 ng·L−1, with a mean value of 906.59 ng·L−1, which is at a low to medium level compared to other regions of China and abroad, indicating a medium-low level of pollution risk. The results of this study have important implications for guiding urban development, adjusting energy consumption structures, and planning pollution prevention and control measures in ZJB.

Digital financial inclusion and upgrading of consumption structure: Evidence from rural China

Based on the perspective of spatial economy, this paper focuses on the primary effects and spatial characteristics of Digital Financial Inclusion (DFI) on the upgrading of rural consumption structure (URCS) in China, conducting a literature review and theoretical analysis. It then uses statistical data collected over the years and the Digital Financial Inclusion Index (DFII) of Peking University to prepare panel data for 31 provinces in China (aside from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) from 2011 to 2020 for empirical testing. The results are as follows: DFI can considerably boost URCS, and there is a strong spatial neighbor impact, that is, it is affected by random shocks in surrounding provinces via its spatial effect; DFI has nonlinear characteristics in the process of fostering URCS, with the threshold variables of income level and family sizes; the impact of DFI on URCS is spatially heterogeneous, and the promotion of the eastern region is better than other zones. These results can inform policymakers about rural development and provide valuable references to push forward rural vitalization.

Rural roads and consumption: empirical evidence from China

ABSTRACT Inconvenient transportation limits the expansion of the rural consumer market, further widening the consumption gap between urban and rural areas in China. To examine the impact of rural road construction on rural consumption, we derive two-sector overlapping generations model and use city-level panel data for rural China from 2010 to 2019 by empirical analysis. The findings show that the construction of rural roads has not only achieved an increase in the level of consumption expenditure of rural residents, but also promoted the transformation and upgrading of the consumption structure in rural areas.

Methodological Approach to the Bioactive Emulsion Food Systems Development

The macro- and micronutrients deficiency in the diet of the population contributes to the alimentary disorder occurrence requiring correction. The development of new foods enriched with BAS, enabled a targeted impact on the functional activity of individual organs, systems and the body as a whole, solves the issue. Fortification (amplification, enrichment) of food systems ensures the nutrient delivery to all population groups without radical changes in the food consumption structure. To induce the BAS permeability, increase its stability, mask undesirable flavors, control the rate of release and targeted delivery, a man uses various effective BAS encapsulation systems including emulsions. Based on the “food systems” and “emulsion food systems” concepts, the author defines the concept of “bioactive emulsion food systems”. The study aimed at methodology formation for the development of bioactive emulsion food systems of optimized composition. On the basis of a system of basic principles and research methods, a set of applied methods united by a common goal and study direction, a man formulated the development methodology for bioactive emulsion food systems of optimized composition; determined its content and structure.

Development of the ability of future science teachers to put the environmental component into practice

A shift of the science and technology from eco-unfriendly to nature-friendly is reflected in environmental education, which is aimed at improving of the moral values, consumption structure and relationship between human and nature. The purpose of research is to consider the directions of development of the ability of the students to put the environmental component of education into practice upon learning the teaching of the subjects in the higher education institutions. The author discusses the changes being made in the last update of the chemistry curriculum for the secondary school (2017) in accordance with the conception “New Ukrainian school 2016”, dealing with the requirements for the development of the key subject competencies as well as the new structural element of the program “Through content lines” intended to the implementation of the competency-based approach in teaching chemistry. The author suggests that the deep understanding of these changes by the students, especially in the course of mastering by the students such a core competencies as “Environmental awareness and healthy lifestyle”, “Basic competencies in science and technology” is an essential requirement for development of being able to put the environmental component of education into a future practice, that performs in two ways: project-based learning and competency-based learning with the focus on the green tasks.Project-based learning as an educational approach combines research, creative and problem-solving techniques. It was found that combined use of these methods at the different steps of projects life cycles allows shifting the focus from just reproduction of an array of knowledge by the students to the motivative educational journey, which encourages cognitive interest and promotes thinking of the future teachers.Carrying out the projects on various topics, resolving the competency-targeted tasks, cross-disciplinary approach assumes sequentially structured work of the students on solving some tasks that is generally aimed at development of the students’ ability to put the environmental component of education into future practice.

Trends in the livestock and pork market in Poland with regard to the environmental impact of this production direction

After joining the European Union, the market economy continued to drive structural changes in meat production and processing. Unfortunately, the functioning of meat markets was impacted by several threats with significant adverse influence. Phenomena such as the spread of ASF disease, the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union or the Covid-19 epidemic added instability to the already cyclical pork market. The study aims to evaluate the functioning of Poland’s pork market and to identify the main trend in this market. Livestock and pork meat production in Poland form a significant economic sector; however, it creates considerable environmental challenges. The study focuses on key aspects such as greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, feed consumption, and waste management. The study covers the years 2004-2021, i.e., the period of seventeen years after Poland's accession to the European Union. The statistical data analysis methods showed four to three-year cycles in pork live stock with a decreasing amplitude over time and high and relatively stable domestic demand for pork. This provides a favourable foundation for future production direction. However, the systematic changes in the structure of meat consumption and price development led to a steady increase in the share of poultry meat at the expense of pork and bovine during the observed year span.

Comparing the determinants of household carbon footprints between rural and urban: evidence from China household survey data

PurposeUrbanization is driving the growth of China’s carbon footprint. It’s important to investigate what factors, how and to what extent, affect carbon footprints embedded in various categories of rural and urban households’ consumption.Design/methodology/approachWe employ an environmental extended input-output model to assess and compare the rural-urban household carbon footprints and perform a multivariant regression analysis to identify the varying relationships of the determinants on rural and urban household carbon footprints based on the panel data of Chinese households from 2012 to 2018.FindingsThe results show evidence of urbanity density effect on direct carbon footprints and countervailing effect on indirect carbon footprints. The old dependency ratio has no significant effect on rural family emissions but has a significantly negative effect on urban direct and indirect carbon footprints. A higher child dependency ratio is associated with less rural household carbon emissions while the opposite is true for urban households. Taking advantage of recycled fuel saves direct carbon emissions and this green lifestyle benefits urban households more by saving more carbon emissions. There is a positive relationship between consumption structure ratio and direct carbon footprints while a negative relationship with indirect carbon footprints and this impact is less significant for urban households. The higher the price level of water, electricity and fuel, the lower the rural household’s direct carbon footprints. Private car ownership consistently augments household carbon footprints across rural and urban areas.Originality/valueThis paper provides comprehensive findings to understand the relationships between an array of determinants and China’s rural-urban carbon emissions, empowering China’s contribution to the global effort on climate mitigation.

Do green trade and technology-oriented trade affect economic cycles? Evidence from the Chinese provinces

This paper explores the determinants of economic cycles in Chinese provinces, examining factors like information accessibility, communication infrastructure, technical innovation, and energy usage patterns. The research unveils a negative impact of green exports on economic cycles, potentially influenced by China's recent stringent environmental regulations. The findings suggest that basic communication facilities and energy consumption structure pose initial hindrances to economic cycles. Yet, they foster information dissemination and technical innovation. Despite the negative influence of green imports and specific technology-oriented trade segments on economic cycles, the study underscores the imperative of prioritizing long-term sustainability. It emphasizes the adverse association between energy consumption structure and economic cycles, highlighting the necessity of transitioning to cleaner energy sources despite short-term financial implications. The outcomes are in harmony with the evolving nature of these associations, underscoring the pivotal role of flexible policies and holistic development strategies in steering China's quest for green and sustainable economic development.

Can China railway express enhance the economic-trade vitality of cities? A spatial empirical evidence from China

The process of globalization has encountered obstacles, with increasing regional conflicts and unforeseen events, posing greater challenges to global cooperation. Particularly, transportation bottlenecks are hindering international economic and trade activities and exerting significant pressure on economic recovery. In response to the principles of economic development, China introduced the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that targets to enhance economic and trade activities in the regions along the route. China Railway Express (CR Express) is an essential vehicle for the BRI, characterized by advantages such as convenience, safety, stability, and promotion of green economy. It serves as a necessary means for China to enhance economic and trade influence. This study conducts quantitative research utilizing a dataset from 287 prefecture-level Chinese cities, with a primary focus on examining the operational effects of the CR Express and deriving the following conclusions. Firstly, combining theoretical insights with practical experience, a comprehensive analytical framework was established, and an economic and trade vitality (ETV) index was constructed. The results showed that the ETV increased in over 43.9% of cities. Secondly, using a multi-temporal asymptotic spatial different-in-differences (SDID) model, we obtained that CR Express exhibited significant spatial spillover effects, making a substantial contribution to urban ETV. Thirdly, spatial heterogeneity detected that the intensity of CR Express policy effects varied across city types due to diverse patterns of economic development and consumption structures. Ultimately, mechanisms for the impact of CR Express on ETV was examined more precisely and an integrated five-sphere mechanism was proposed. The conclusions of this research enrich the vital connection between CR Express and urban ETV, providing managerial insights for both enterprises and governments seeking new development opportunities.

A pathway towards high-quality development of the manufacturing industry: Does scientific and technological talent matter?

Against the background of the accelerated evolution of the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial change, scientific and technical talents, as essential innovation resources, play an important role in promoting the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry. Based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2012 to 2021, the article constructs a fixed-effects model and systematically researches the impact of scientific and technological talents on the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry. The results show that scientific and technical talents play a significant role in promoting the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry, and the upgrading of the consumption structure and the accumulation of productive service industries play a mediating role. Heterogeneity analysis found that the promotion effect of scientific and technical talents is more favorable in the eastern region, medium-technology level manufacturing, and labor-intensive manufacturing. Among the three sub-dimensions of scientific and technological talents, the scale of scientific and technical talents has the most significant impact on the development of the manufacturing industry. The analysis of the spatial spillover effect finds that scientific and technological talents will have a positive spillover effect on the development of the manufacturing industry in neighboring areas. The study provides a basis for relevant departments to formulate effective strategies and policies.

Impacts of carbon market and climate policy uncertainties on financial and economic stability: Evidence from connectedness network analysis

We use the conditional network connectedness approach of Stenfors et al. (2022) along with its frequency-domain, and tail and dynamic extensions to explore complex linkages among the carbon market, climate policy uncertainty, economic stability, and financial market stability. We focus on whether the carbon market and climate policy uncertainty impact US economic and financial market stability, and how these impacts occur. We identify a dynamic impact of the carbon market on economic and financial market stability, with these impacts varying in different frequency-domains and different quantile levels. Energy consumption and production structures as well as carbon emissions are found to be important mediators for carbon market to affect economic stability, while renewable energy equity is found to be a mediator through which the carbon market affects financial market stability. Further, while the impact of climate policy uncertainty on economic and financial market stability is typically weak, it strengthens under some circumstances, particularly in the long-term frequency-domain, right-tailed, prior to 2020. In these cases, carbon market, energy production structure and financial market stability are found to be weak mediators for climate policy uncertainty to impact economic stability.

How does air pollution affect household consumption? Evidence from China.

Increasing air pollution not only affects the population's health but also changes its consumption structures and patterns. Using China Family Panel Studies, this study investigates the relationship between air pollution and household consumption. The findings reveal that household consumption is considerably affected by air pollution: One standard deviation rise of PM2.5 concentration will decrease the household consumption by 8.7%. Moreover, this effect is irreversible in the short term. What is more, air pollution has significantly changed consumption structure and patterns. Heterogeneous analysis indicates that the influence of air pollution on consumption generates the so-called Matthew Effect, wherein medium and low-income and rural households are exposed to a greater negative effect. Mechanism tests indicate that air pollution may reduce household consumption through three channels: increase negative emotions, decrease outdoor activities, and depress future expectations. The conclusions drawn in this paper enrich our understanding of the economic impact caused by air pollution and bring important significance to the government in promoting the coordination and sustainable development of the environment and economy.

Optimization path of China’s energy industry structure under low carbon economy situation

The study discusses the main aspects of optimizing the structure of China’s energy industry in a situation with a low-carbon economy. To build a model for forecasting electricity demand, the method of partial least squares regression is used. The basic scenario and the scenario with restrictions are set taking into account the peculiarities of the development of a new normal economy. Based on the baseline scenario and the restricted scenario, the total energy demand, energy consumption structure and CO2 emissions in China are projected. Taking into account energy, economic and environmental factors, a multi-purpose optimization model of the energy consumption structure was built and the structure of China’s energy consumption and the corresponding CO2 emissions under optimization scenarios were obtained. This research describes revise the energy consumption structure in China, should reducing energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions is very helpful.

The influence and forecast of three industries and energy structure on regional carbon emission

ABSTRACT Carbon emission reduction is an important part of regional low-carbon economic development. In this paper, gray correlation analysis, neural network model, Gaussian multi-mode fitting and other methods were used to analyze the relationship between total carbon emissions and regional economic development, industrial structure, and energy consumption in Henan Province. On this basis, the future development of carbon emissions is predicted. The calculation results showed that the correlation between the three industries and carbon emissions in Henan Province is more than .7, among which the secondary industry has the highest correlation (.77). In the secondary industry, the correlation coefficient between coal and carbon emissions is the highest .87, while the correlation coefficient between other energy sources is about .5. In the neural network prediction model, the correlation coefficient between the prediction curve and the actual total carbon emission curve is .989, and the prediction results have a good degree of fit. The carbon emission prediction curve was divided into two parts: a linear decline stage from 2018 to 2024, and a rapid decline stage after 2024.The results showed that more efforts should be made in industrial structure, energy consumption structure and environmental protection to achieve low-carbon development in Henan province.

Source reduction and innovation: Can sustainable finance assist in mitigating haze pollution?

In the context of China's pursuit of an ecological civilization, controlling haze pollution (HP) and enhancing environmental quality occupy a pivotal role. Addressing this issue, this study utilizes a dataset spanning from 2006 to 2020, encompassing 278 Chinese cities, to examine the impact and mechanisms of sustainable finance on HP management. This research innovatively constructs a Sustainable Finance Index and employs fixed effects models, mediation effect models, and spatial Durbin models for comprehensive empirical analysis. The findings indicate a significant negative relationship between sustainable finance and HP, with pronounced effects in cities experiencing severe haze, cities in the central and eastern regions of China, and non-provincial boundary cities. Mechanism analysis reveals that sustainable finance curtails urban haze formation through the optimization of energy consumption structure, enhancement of energy efficiency, and advancement of environmental technologies. This is primarily achieved through pollution source reduction and innovation effects. Additionally, the study uncovers a spatial spillover effect of sustainable finance in mitigating HP, peaking within a 500-km radius. This research not only provides new insights into the role of sustainable finance in the construction of ecological civilization but also offers empirical support for policymakers and stakeholders in formulating clean production policies, enhancing both the academic dialogue and practical policymaking in environmental management and sustainable development.

Multiple energy price distortions and improvement of potential energy consumption structure in the energy transition

Price distortion correction is considered an effective way to improve the energy consumption structure (ECS) in the era of carbon neutrality. However, the quantitative relationship between multiple energy price distortions and ECS has not been verified from the sector's perspective. Taking China's heavy industry as the research sample, we first estimate multiple energy price distortions (including coal, oil, and natural gas) from 2003 to 2019. Then, we employ the system generalized method of moments model to explore the impact of price distortion on ECS. On this basis, we further apply the input– output price and price- shifting models to analyze potential ECS improvement resulting from price distortion correction. The main results indicate the following: (1) The price distortion of natural gas is the most serious (− 25.54%), followed by oil (−15.99%) and coal (−7.25%). (2) The effects of absolute price distortion of coal and natural gas on ECS are positive, while oil price distortion negatively affects ECS. And relative price distortion for oil negatively affects ECS, while natural gas exerts a positive effect. (3) Removing the price distortion of coal and natural gas and slightly increasing the oil price will significantly improve the ECS without price control. Eliminating distortions of coal or natural gas individually under price controls would have a greater positive impact on ECS upgrade than that under non-price control. The results may offer policy support for the low-carbon transition of China's heavy industry.

Determinants of the Polish State Budget Stability

The problem of the stability of budget revenue and expenditure has been the subject of research for many years. However, there is still a need to monitor this phenomenon to achieve a correct balance in the budget because of the instability of different factors in the economic surroundings that affect the budget. This is especially important in developing countries undergoing economic transformation, and Poland is still in that process. The study aims to assess changes in the Polish state budget’s size and revenue and expenditure structure between 2000 and 2022. The method of comparative analysis over time is used with the actual value of the money concept, measures of dynamics, structure, GDP ratios, statistical description and coefficients of dissimilarity of structures. Analyses have shown a permanent imbalance in the Polish budget. However, the budget’s primary result oscillates around zero and both revenues and expenditures have gradually increased. The volatility of budget revenue and spending is moderate. Only the use of EU funds is characterised by high volatility. The emerging crises (e.g. Russia’s war against Ukraine and the coronavirus pandemic) have a negligible impact on the budget structure, but they influence its level of expenditure. The changes in Polish budget size are generally due to inflation, economic growth rates, and the inflow of funds from the European Union budget.

Integrated Demand Response for Micro-Energy Grid Accounting for Dispatchable Loads

Micro-energy networks are the smallest element of integrated energy systems, and tapping into the integrated demand response potential of micro-energy networks is conducive to improving energy use efficiency and promoting the development of new energy sources on a large scale. This paper proposes a day-ahead integrated demand response strategy for micro-energy grid that takes into account the dispatchable loads. Considering the gradient use of thermal energy, a typical micro-energy grid structure including electricity, gas, medium-grade heat, low-grade heat, and cold energy is constructed, a comprehensive energy equipment model is established, and the refined scheduling models of the dispatchable loads are given. On this basis, with the operating economy of the micro-energy grid as the optimization objective, the integrated demand response strategies of tariff-type and incentive-type are proposed. Through case study analysis, it is verified that the proposed strategy can optimize the energy consumption structure of the micro-energy grid under the guidance of time-of-use tariffs, reducing the operating costs. The proposed strategy fully exploits the demand response potential of the micro-energy grid through the dispatchable loads and the multi-energy complementarity of electricity, heat, and cold, realizes the comprehensive coordination and optimization of source-network-load-storage, provides a larger peak-regulating capacity, and exhibits practical applicability in engineering.