Sustainable Development Of Country Research Articles

How does governance quality affect the shadow economy-sustainable development nexus? New insights from a dynamic threshold analysis

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the shadow economy on three sustainable development indicators while considering the moderating effect of the governance quality, and to highlight the non-linearity of the considered relationship.Design/methodology/approach A sample of 82 countries covering the period from 1996 to 2017. The dynamic first-differenced generalized method of moments (FD-GMM) panel threshold model is implemented to control for non-linearity.Findings The shadow economy hinders sustainable development in countries with low-governance quality, while the opposite result holds in countries with high-governance quality. The critical thresholds triggering the switch from one regime to another vary across the sustainable development indicators. Boosting growth requires enhancing the legal system and the economic dimension of governance, while promoting environmental quality requires the implementation and enforcement of specific environment-friendly regulations.Originality/value The study addresses non-linearity and the moderating effect of governance quality. The use of six governance indicators allows to gauge the ability of each governance dimension to curb the negative effects of the shadow economy. Considering the three objectives of sustainable development allows to identify specific policy recommendations for each of them.

Envisioning the future of agri-tourism in Ukraine: from minor role to viable farm households and sustainable regional economies

Agritourism is known to play a pivotal role when providing diversification of farm activities, making in such way for sustainable regional and local development. However, it should be stated that in Ukraine agritourism has not received proper attention in the pre-war and current period. This paper explores the landscape of agritourism in Ukraine across pre-war and current periods, assessing its potential for the country advancement. The research involves the analysis of data on agriculture and tourism obtained from the World Bank, Ukrainian authorities, and agritourism association leaders. We also delve into 62 Ukrainian legislative and program documents to highlight institutional barriers and existing issues. The findings reveal that agritourism occupies minor position within robust agricultural sector in Ukraine, accompanied by notable regulatory gaps, nevertheless it possesses significant institutional and policy implications. We demonstrate that fostering agritourism in Ukraine can play a vital role in enhancing the sustainability of farms by broadening their range of activities. This holds particular importance in the context of the post-war economic recovery in Ukraine. Agritourism, operating at the intersection of agriculture and tourism, has high potential to generate positive effects in Ukraine not only on the agricultural sector but also on the country sustainable development. As a result of the investigation, the paper substantiates possible institutional changes (at the macro-, regional, and local levels) necessary to relaunch agritourism in Ukraine successfully.

The Influence of Demand-Based Policy Instruments on Urban Innovation Quality—Evidence from 269 Cities in China

Enhancing the quality of urban innovation is a powerful strategy for advancing urban sustainability. A strong public innovation policy is a crucial building block for advancing urban innovation quality. This study identifies innovative procurement instances from over 640,000 public procurement contract data through textual analysis to investigate how urban innovation quality could benefit from demand-based policy instruments. The study’s findings indicate the following: (1) It provides evidence that the adoption of public innovation procurement has a significant impact on urban innovation quality, suggesting an inverse U-shaped relationship between the two. (2) Heterogeneity analysis reveals public innovation procurement stimulates urban innovation quality more remarkably in cities with provincial status and provincial capitals, as well as in eastern cities. (3) We discovered that it is not possible to increase the quality of urban innovation in the city when human capital in the city is performing poorly and when there is also a lack of external technology and entrepreneurial activity. Finally, this paper argues that our findings also provide important insights for the development of proactive innovation policy instruments, the construction of innovative cities, and the realization of sustainable development in countries around the world, especially in developing countries.

SISTEM 2.04kWp OFF-GRID CONNECTED PHOTOVALTAIC DI POLITEKNIK TUN SYED NASIR SYED ISMAIL SEBAGAI MEDIUM PENILAIAN PRAKTIKAL BAGI KURSUS POWER SYSTEM

One of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) agenda is to reduce the carbon footprint by transforming the economy towards sustainability. This effort further accelerates the solar technology development industry in Malaysia. The Department of Polytechnic and Community College Education (JPPKK) has developed various programs under the polytechnics POLYgreen blueprint to support the country's green technology. Therefore, ADDIE model, as an instructional design, is used in developing the practical assessment for Power System course under the subtopic of Renewable Energy (RE) solar energy that is based on the current curriculum syllabus. The 2.04kWp Off-Grid Connected Photovoltaic (OGPV) system at Politeknik Tun Syed Nasir Syed Ismail (PTSN) is used as the medium of learning for this study. The findings and discussions revolve around three targeted objectives. The first objective is to study the 2.04kWp OGPV system at PTSN, the second objective is to develop a practical assessment for the Power System course based on the 2.04kWp OGPV system at PTSN, and the third objective is to propose the purchase of practical assessment testing equipment for the Power System course based on the 2.04kWp OGPV system at PTSN. Overall, the gist of this practical assessment development refinement is to provide graduates who can position themselves in the job market using the latest technology, especially in the field of solar energy industry. This effort is also to produce competent and knowledgeable workers supporting the country's sustainable development.

Study on the Path of Developing Sports Lifestyle among College Students

The "Opinions on Promoting National Fitness and Sports Consumption to Promote the High-quality Development of the Sports Industry" for the first time combines "promoting national fitness" with "promoting sports consumption". Sports are the dream of national strength and national rejuvenation, as well as a healthy lifestyle for the people. College students, as the fresh force of reform and innovation, and the main force of the country's future, are the main implementers of the goal of becoming a strong sports country. Their health level is related to whether the country's strategic goals can be achieved. Cultivating a healthy sports lifestyle among college students and paying attention to the health of each individual are the ultimate goals pursued by school physical education, while providing a strong human resource for the country's sustainable development. Strengthening the concept of a healthy sports lifestyle among college students helps promote their practice of physical activity. This is not only related to the realization of individual and school sports goals, but also to the construction and development of higher education in China. College students are the pillars of the country and shoulder the responsibility of national construction. Their health level is related to the destiny of the country. Therefore, understanding the health status of college students in sports life and exploring ways to improve their sports lifestyle development are of great significance to both individuals and the country.

Impacts of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River’s downstream reservoirs

The Nile River Basin’s (NRB’s) water resources are vulnerable to hydrologic alteration projects. Construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a hydroelectric power project on the Blue Nile, is expected to improve living standards in Ethiopia and contribute to the country's sustainable development. However, the effects of the GERD on water resources of downstream countries (Sudan and Egypt) have been a source of concern. In this study, eight types of remote sensing data and products were used to assess the impacts of the GERD reservoir’s filling process on Ethiopia’s, Sudan’s, and Egypt’s surface water resources. Specifically, spatiotemporal variability in surface area, volume, rainfall, and water storage for five reservoirs located in Ethiopia (GERD), Sudan (Roseires and Merowe), and Egypt (Lake Nasser and Toshka) for the period 2013–2022 were examined. Results indicate that (1) the GERD reservoir’s three filling phases started in July 2020, July 2021, and August 2022, respectively, (2) at the onset of these three phases, the GERD reservoir covered an area (volume) of 110 ± 7 km2 (1.87 ± 0.07 km3), 233 ± 31 km2 (4.30 ± 0.48 km3), and 544 ± 126 km2 (11.79 ± 2.18 km3), respectively, (3) a reduction in the GERD reservoir’s area (24–49 %) observed at the end of the first two fillings is attributed to enhanced infiltration and evaporation rates at the GERD site, (4) no significant changes were observed in the Roseires and Merowe reservoir’s surface areas, although both Nasser and Toshka reservoirs saw a slight increase in surface area during the investigated period, (5) the observed increase in water storage over the five reservoirs is attributed mainly to increased rainfall rates (6–10 %) and heavy flooding during the GERD filling period, and (6) if the GERD filling continues at the similar rates for an additional four years during drought periods, Egypt's Nile water allocation might be reduced by 35.47 ± 2.29 % (16.57 ± 1.07 km3), which could translate into an agricultural land loss of 33.14 ± 1.81 % each year. This study emphasizes the critical need for Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt to work together to effectively and equitably manage the water resources of the NRB.

How Urban-Level Credit Expansion Affects the Quality of Green Innovation: Evidence from China

We take the economic stimulus package in China as a quasi-natural experiment to investigate the effect of urban credit expansion on the quality of green innovation at the city level. The analysis takes urban-level and firm-level data from 2004 to 2015 and adopts the PSM-DID approach. Our empirical results suggest that the implementation of credit expansion makes a significant contribution to the improvement of green patent quality. In addition, the mechanism suggests that urban credit expansion policies promote corporate green innovation through channels such as providing credit expansion and a lower cost of financing enterprise transformation and upgrading. This research also suggest that credit expansion promotes economic growth while also incentivising first-tier cities to engage in more green transformations and upgrade to improve the quality of green patents. Our findings also provide an important insight for the implementation of credit expansion policies and the achievement of sustainable development in countries around the world, particularly in developing countries. Finally, this paper argues that China’s credit expansion policy in 2009 has played a role in improving the quality of green innovation and improving green transformation.

Green Banking Revolution in India: A Strategies for Sustainable Development in The Indian Economy

The Green Banking Revolution in India tackles a critical shift in the way the country's economy views sustainable development. This innovative initiative aims to adapt the banking sector to environmental consciousness by integrating eco-friendly practices into financial plans. By emphasising trustworthy banking, the initiative aims to reduce the environmental impact of financial institutions and promote a peaceful coexistence of economic growth and environmental preservation. People have been living in extreme luxury during the globalisation and industrialization era, but there has also been a great deal of demand for environmental corruption. As a crucial segment of the populace, buyers have evolved into knowledgeable individuals when it comes to handling pressing environmental concerns. To safeguard typical resources and the environment, associations have begun seeking after environmental sensibility. Concerns in regards to their environmental sensibility are as of now developing because of the far and wide acknowledgment of the business' social obligation among delegates, clients, society, managerial experts, and others. Being a huge player in the financial business, banks have started to add to sustainable development and are credited with making "green banking." These financial institutions have been zeroing in on their twofold obligations to advance sustainable development. In their ability as critical arbiters, banks have started to focus on essential affiliations' regions to additional the reason for sustainable development. This article will look at banks' commitments to safeguard the climate by carrying out green banking rehearses.

Modeling patterns of human well-being in the context of sustainable development and digital transformation

The article is devoted to identifying new factors for the well-being and sustainable development of countries in the context of digital transformation, creating a data bank of well-being indicators using developed index and population data, assessing the impact of ESG factors on the level of well-being in different contexts using advanced econometric methods, as well as creating the author’s ESG tracker based on blockchain technology, aspects of the introduction of machine learning in the tracking process, which will ensure the transparency and integrity of the data system for the implementation of economic and social policies aimed at innovative alignment in each region. The study is based on the development of a theoretical and methodological apparatus for determining the essence and patterns of well-being and modeling the effects of ESG factors and digitalization on the applied aspects of increasing the quality of life. From the formulation to systems of adaptation of ESG factors to achieve well-being through the prism of digital transformation, taking into account country, regional, and corporate characteristics of achieving well-being. This article may be useful for developing a strategic welfare policy within the framework of sustainable development and digital transformation of the Russian economy based on advanced approaches to assessing and managing human well-being.

КАДРОВЫЕ РЕЗЕРВЫ В СИСТЕМЕ ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОГО УПРАВЛЕНИЯ: ОПЫТ И НОВЫЕ СМЫСЛЫ

A scientific article is devoted to the formation of personnel reserves in the system of public power, understanding the conceptual foundations, parameters, and criteria that determine the effectiveness of their formation and use. Based on the analysis of managerial practices at both the federal and regional levels, key problem areas, factors and conditions that affect the processes of the institutionalization of personnel reserves are identified. The article presents the results of sociological research, an analysis of the practice of forming personnel reserves in the context of sociocultural dynamics, and transformation processes in the public administration system, and defines the features of reservist motivation, the level of readiness for self-development, personal and professional mobility, and career expectations. The authors disclose the issues of conceptual, methodological and technological support for personnel reserve management through the prism of the maturity of personnel technologies, and justify that the management of personnel reserves in the public sphere goes beyond the exclusively organizational context and integrates into a macro-social context. Based on the analysis, the authors propose a vision of new conceptual approaches and principles for developing personnel reserves in the public sphere in the framework of implementing national priorities and strategic goals of the country's sustainable development.

Potencijal održivog investiranja u Srbiji - SDG investiciona mapa

The Serbia SDG Investor map is created using an established SDG Investor Map Methodology 2.0 - a comprehensive step-by-step UNDP methodology that combines secondary data research with desk analysis, interviews, and discussions with public and private sector stakeholders to verify findings and contribute new insights. The data are analyzed to distill Investment Opportunity Areas (IOAs) and data-backed business models. The findings on the SDG Investor Maps are uploaded to the SDG Investor Platform, allowing the investors to use extensive functionality to search for market intelligence on Serbia's SDG-aligned investment opportunities by filtering on several criteria of particular interest, including sectors, regions, SDGs as well as return profiles, market size and timeframes of investments. Serbia's proposed SDG investment portfolio consists of thirteen Investment Opportunity Areas, which came out as a result of the process of prioritization of the country's sustainable development needs, the existence of supporting country and sectoral policies, and the identification of appropriate business models for investment development. The total IOA pipeline is estimated at more than $8.3 billion in the next five years.

The Impact of Green Entrepreneurship on the Sustainable Development of African Nations

This study adopted a quantitative technique to examine the impact of green entrepreneurship on the sustainable development of African nations. It reviewed thematically proof from 45 previous works that examined the effect of green product or service offering on social progress index.in Africa. It also found that adopting a single theory is insufficient to explain the rationale of the relationships between green entrepreneurship and sustainable development. While most studies adopted secondary data, future studies may focus on using primary data and other methods instead of regression or multiple regression analysis. From the findings, product or service offering positively correlates the green innovation and green product. In conclusion, the priory expectations were found to be positive outcomes because of the correlations among the moderating variable, explanatory variable and response variables. Hence, the regression model revealed that the alternate hypotheses were accepted, unlike the null hypotheses. Based on the findings and conclusion, this study contributes to the knowledge that green entrepreneurship is perceived to foster sustainable development in countries through the SMEs activities. It therefore could be recommended that green entrepreneurs should develop and design an analytical framework to synchronized green product or service offering with social progress index. Entrepreneurs should always facilitate continuous improvement on devising green innovation towards the sustainability, survival and success.

A systematic review of the evidence on the effectiveness of sexuality education interventions on young people's sexual and reproductive health outcomes in Nigeria

Poor sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes among Nigeria's youth necessitate urgent interventions to meet the country's sustainable development goal (SDG) SRH target by 2030. This review evaluates Nigeria's SRH educational interventions, focusing on their effectiveness in improving young people's (YP) SRH outcomes. It highlights the global implications of these outcomes on achieving the SDG by 2030. The review, following PRISMA standards, analyzed peer-reviewed journals and gray literature (from January 2017-June 2023), using narrative synthesis and Joanna Briggs institute (JBI) quality appraisal checklists for quasi-experimental and cross-sectional studies. The search found 1021 studies, with 6 meeting inclusion criteria (4 quasi-experimental and 2 cross-sectional studies). All reported significant improvements in YPSRH outcomes, including knowledge and attitudes towards SRH themes, uptake of SRH and HIV/STI services, parental and societal support, and reduction in risky sexual behaviors. Quality assessment revealed several methodological flaws such as inadequate blinding and contamination measures. The review offers insights for YP interventions, but methodological flaws limit effectiveness. Further studies with rigorous designs and longer follow-up are needed. The absence of economic evaluation data is a knowledge gap with important implications for decision-makers.

The Impact of Different Financing Methods on Enterprise Performance: Evidence from Chinese High-tech Companies

In the era of the new knowledge economy, high-tech industries are increasingly becoming an effective way and important means to promote a country's economic growth and sustainable social development. However, due to the high investment and high-risk operating characteristics of high-tech companies, they will face significant difficulties in the financing process, which can easily lead to the rupture of the capital chain and affect the normal operation of the enterprise. Financing structure has always been a key aspect of modern enterprise management. A reasonable financing structure can reduce financing costs, improve corporate governance structure, and promote the improvement of corporate performance. This article collects data from 2773 Chinese high-tech listed companies from 2017 to 2021 to study the impact of different financing methods on enterprise performance. The research results indicate that endogenous financing can promote the improvement of enterprise performance, while debt financing and equity financing have a negative impact on enterprise performance. Therefore, high-tech companies should improve their endogenous financing ability by improving their profit retention rate through scientific management. At the same time, the government should strengthen macroeconomic regulation, allocate market funds reasonably, and strengthen supervision of high-tech companies.

Assessing students’ attitudes and perceptions towards statistical literacy in a university system in a developing African country

Statistical literacy is important in the curriculum of every higher education institution and sustainable development of countries. Nonetheless, low performances and student enrolment recorded in statistical education warrants investigation into plausible factors. This case study used the Students’ Attitude towards Statistics (SATS) 36 item instrument to investigate attitudes and perceptions of 185 students, enrolled in different disciplines, towards statistics education at Chinhoyi University of Technology in Zimbabwe. Descriptive, factor reduction and multiple regression techniques were used to summarise and extract critical covariates, and relate variables in each construct in order to explain the attitudes of students towards statistics. Thematic analysis was done for in depth qualitative explanation of the drivers and barriers to teaching and learning of statistics education. The main factors which induce fear, stress, anxiety and antipathy towards statistics include: perceived difficulty and numerical complexity of statistics, natural low statistics self-efficacy and self-perception and extremely varying statistics cognitive capabilities of students. Inadequate supporting and facilitating conditions such as modern Information Communication Technology infrastructure, and conducive teaching and learning environment leads to low performances. Regardless, students still perceive statistics as imperative for future professions and are willing to exert enough effort provided they are motivated in statistics education. It entails for a diametric paradigm repositioning of teaching and learning of statistics emphasising on collaborative learning, intense use of electronic learning and assessment of statistics and smaller sized classes giving individualised attention to benefit weaker students. Future research need to explore statistics curriculum development which is lagging and may be silently responsible for the low development rate in poor African countries.

Methodical approach to the development and adoption of national documents of ukraine for determining the acceptability of innovative construction products

In a dynamic market environment, the integration of innovative products is key to the sustainable development of construction enterprises and the improvement of infrastructure. The article describes the methodical approach applied in Ukraine in the formation and adoption of national documents aimed at determining the acceptability of innovative construction products. The structured methodology emphasizes the importance of developing a new EU-oriented regulatory framework to facilitate the seamless integration of advanced technologies and materials into the construction sector. The methodology is based on the functions of the National Organization of Technical Acceptance Bodies, which has multifaceted responsibilities, including ensuring cooperation with organizations with recognized technical expertise in a particular field. Based on the experience of international organizations such as CEN and CENELEC, a funding framework is proposed that outlines six categories of cooperation. These include partnerships at different levels, interconnected organizations promoting specific technical areas, associated bodies offering comprehensive cooperation, European special interest advisers, European institutional stakeholders and other organizations with individual agreements. Cooperation takes place at two different levels, involving corporate bodies and their working or advisory groups, as well as technical committees and other standardization bodies. The focus on inclusiveness ensures that actors with specific technical knowledge, industry organizations and interest groups, including SMEs and the public, actively contribute to the standardization process. Mechanisms of financial participation are defined, distinguishing between partner organizations, affiliated organizations, associated bodies, European advisors, European institutional stakeholders and other organizations. The commissions are structured to cover administrative costs, with annual reviews to ensure compliance and fairness, and a transparent contribution structure aims to promote active participation, recognizing the different roles and contributions of different organizations to the standardization process. A methodical approach to the development and adoption of national documents in Ukraine will promote cooperation, inclusiveness and a transparent financial structure, the methodology ensures that the construction industry is well equipped to adopt and integrate innovative products, thereby contributing to the country's technological progress, economic growth and sustainable development.

Place and Role of Environmental Communication in Modern Environmental Policy

The issue of climate change and its impact on the sustainable development of countries and entire continents has become a key "agenda" in recent years. At the site of the United Nations (UN), international documents have been adopted, which are supported by the majority of states. They rely on them in the preparation and implementation of the national environmental policy, paying considerable attention to communication with the key subjects of the relationship. The purpose of this study is to analyze the place and role of environmental communications in the formation and implementation of environmental policies of states. To do this, the author uses the method of comparative analysis of the environmental policies of countries included in the implementation of the modern climate agenda (USA, EU, China, Russia). Results: in the practical part of the study, the author studies government strategies and laws on climate change issues, considering environmental policy from the point of view of the communication process. The key message, the main subjects of communication, mechanisms for achieving goals, tools and management structures are explored. Conclusions: Consideration of government strategies shows that climate change is at the forefront of environmental policy. And its model is formed as a reaction to the pressure of various social groups and is a consequence of eco-competitive struggle. Environmental policy is the object of environmental communication. The latter, in turn, contains two key components: regulatory and strategic, which are reflected in official documents. Achieving the strategic goals of environmental policy is possible if there are three components: economic resources, social organization and political power. The result of communication goals is to legitimize environmental policy through its approval by society. A high capacity for public participation is essential for the acceptance, credibility and sustainability of environmental programs.

Assessing levels of urban public electric vehicle charging service in different-level cities: A case study of the 35 cities of the Chengdu–Chongqing Urban Agglomeration, China

Urban Public Electric Vehicle Charger (PEVC) services are crucial for sustainable development in countries with low rates of single-family home ownership, promoting vehicle electrification and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PEVC provision differs across Chinese regions and cities, especially among various city levels. However, this disparity has not been adequately addressed, impeding strategic PEVC development planning. To clarify these disparities, this study combines an analysis of the supply-demand and usage costs of PEVCs, which are the main factors affecting vehicle electrification, and evaluates the disparities in PEVC service among 35 cities of varying levels in Chengdu–Chongqing Urban Agglomeration. The results indicate that mega-cities demonstrate the highest service levels, attributed to their robust supply capacity and well-developed pricing mechanisms, but they also face higher actual demand pressures. Medium-sized and small cities show intermediate PEVC service, while large cities unexpectedly demonstrate the lowest supply-demand level and highest usage costs due to the mismatch between PEVC supply and demand size. Additionally, the study highlights the priority of PEVC station scale in enhancing the supply. These findings inform policymakers in shaping targeted strategies and policies, adapting to the varying PEVC service levels across different cities.

Synergy of the Triad “Education - Employer - Labor Market” as a Strategy for Advanced Forecasting of Social Order

Key words: market environment, reform, education system, social partnership, social order, corporate nature, labor market demands The article is devoted to new strategies for the interaction of the corporate triad “education - employer - labor market”. Nowadays, the orientation of education towards fundamental knowledge has eventuated to be out of demand in the labor market, since the real economy demands specialists with experience and skills in the application of this knowledge. Education faces a new challenge: strengthening the social partnership between universities and the labor market in order to obtain synergistic results. In this triad, the employer acquires a special role, since it is the one who is the final consumer of educational services. In fact, education and the labor market should integrate their efforts in the interest of a common goal: the sustainable development of countries and social welfare. Education and science play a key role in this integration, as they are generators of innovative development, new knowledge, and technologies for the application of that knowledge. The article describes international experiences of strategic partnership between universities and business communities, so it suggests potential algorithms for effective cooperation.

Renewable Energies, Transition and Prospects: The Case of Algeria

The primary objective of this paper is to study and shed light on how the transition to renewable energy is taking place in the world and to highlight the link between this transition and the sustainable development of countries. The guidelines are to increase the use of renewable energy in order to detect its effects on economic growth. The inclusion of environmental variables is a de facto part of this study in order to know its impact on the potential of these energies. Thus, we will detect the achievements in this field and know the different techniques used to overcome the gaps related to technology and financing. Technological developments, cost reduction of renewable energies, innovations and digitalization offer opportunities for the benefit of these energies. Finally, we will take Algeria as a case study in this paper.