Vol. 2 No. 2 (2024)

Open Access

Article

Genesis and evolution of parallel economies during the Syrian crisis: A political economy view

Igor Matveev

A highly internationalized domestic armed conflict in Syria, active since 2011, has caused deep territorial fragmentation, accompanied by the genesis of numerous parallel economies. Those include the economy of the self-proclaimed “Kurdish autonomy” encompassing the northeast, partially the north and the east of the country, as well as the historical transboundary criminal-terrorist economy of the “Islamic State of Syria and the Levant” (ISIL or ISIS) (this organization is banned in the Russian Federation), which existed during 2014–2019 in Iraq and Syria, the economy of “the Turkish occupation zone” in the north, and finally the economy of the part of the north-western Idlib province, remaining under control of the radical Syrian opposition. Unlike the previous materials on the Syrian conflict published in Russia and abroad, the author analyzes parallel economies from the angle of political economy, i.e., the “state-economy-individual” trichotomy, using current and retrospective lenses. In addition to a scope of Russian, English, and Arabic resources and literature, he uses the data obtained empirically during his previous stint as a senior diplomat at the Russian Embassy in Damascus. In certain cases the reviews are illustrated by the statistics. The article covers the genesis and evolution of parallel economies, including the phenomena of divided cities and siege economies, highlighting the restrictions on the access of the central authorities to the state borders and the dissolution of transport and communications. Besides, it analyses the external orientations of parallel economies, in many cases being tied more to the neighbor states (Türkiye, Iraq) than the rest of Syria. In conclusion, the author compares the levels of sustainability of the parallel economies in Syria in the light of perspectives for national economic reintegration. Which could be important not in scientific terms only but as a practical imperative for seeking the modalities of a peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis as well.

Open Access

Article

Challenges and impact of the gig economy

Amit Joshi, Saharsh Jain, Puneet Kumar Gupta

The dynamic landscape of global business, fueled by technological innovations, intense competition, and evolving consumer expectations, has prompted businesses to undergo significant restructuring. In response to these challenges, innovative business structures, particularly the gig economy, have emerged as a transformative force. The gig economy, facilitated by digital platforms, has redefined traditional work models, allowing individuals to engage in temporary and flexible jobs across various industries. While providing flexibility for workers and cost-effectiveness for businesses, the gig economy has uncertainty about jobs for workers, their rights, and the need for regulatory frameworks. This paper explores the evolution of the gig economy and its effect on the job environment, labour policies, and regulations. It highlights the advantages of gig work, such as flexibility and job expansion, while also addressing the challenges, including job insecurity and the potential for social and ethical dumping. The role of gig platforms in reshaping labour markets, particularly in empowering women in certain regions, is discussed. The paper emphasizes the necessity of adapting employment laws to accommodate the unique nature of gig work, considering factors like control exertion and triangular relationships. Moreover, the paper delves into issues of discrimination faced by gig workers based on gender or race, both domestically and internationally. It recognizes the potential benefits of outsourcing gig work in developing countries but underscores the ethical concerns of “ethics dumping” and the need for safeguards. The impact on workers’ well-being, social integration, and the lack of protection under employment laws are discussed as challenges arising from the detachment of gig workers from conventional work environments. In response to these challenges, the paper examines existing policy initiatives, such as the European Union’s efforts to regulate gig work, emphasizing the importance of building a skilled workforce and addressing concerns related to platform work. However, it identifies gaps in addressing ethical challenges, particularly in the realm of algorithmic systems, and the need for comprehensive measures to protect gig workers’ rights, thus focusing on their welfare. The paper advocates for a holistic approach to address the ethical challenges posed by the expanding gig economy. It calls for a balance between flexibility and ethical considerations, envisioning a gig economy that not only meets market demands but also prioritizes fairness, equity, and the well-being of its workforce.

Open Access

Article

Financial expenditure, financial friction, and coal consumption for energy efficient environment: Role of financial inclusion

Nadeem Iqbal, Zeeshan Akmal

This research investigates the crucial role that adaptability and ongoing evaluation have in implementing sustainable energy and economic development strategies in China. It emphasises the need for collaboration between enterprises, governmental organisations, and academic institutions in order to achieve these goals. The study also discusses how financial inclusion impacts economic growth and stability and how energy-intensive companies might use the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) approach to evaluate energy decomposition. The findings indicate that different provinces in China’s high energy-intensive (EI) economic sectors have different degrees of energy efficiency, with certain regions possibly having inefficiencies. The research underscores the need for targeted strategies to address these inefficiencies and disseminate efficacious approaches in new settings. The research also offers useful data that may be used to promote sustainable energy consumption and economic growth, with implications for policy-making and strategic initiatives. In summary, this paper presents specific policy recommendations and highlights the need for ongoing evaluation and collaboration to support China’s sustainable energy initiatives and economic growth.

Open Access

Article

Artificial intelligence for SDG 4 of the 2030 agenda: Transforming education to achieve quality, equality, and inclusion

Eucidio Pimenta Arruda, Durcelina Pimenta Arruda

The objective of this article is to discuss the possibility of using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance teaching practices and pedagogical support to improve the quality of education provided to young people in elementary and secondary schooling. This issue is linked to the global perspective of a shortage of teachers, which directly affects Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), concerning the enhancement of education quality as a target for global sustainable development. From this viewpoint, the potential use of AI may also relate to the improvement of educational quality and the reduction of social inequalities, yielding indirect effects on other sustainable development goals. As a method, we intend to conduct an extensive theoretical discussion addressing the challenges for teacher education and work worldwide, utilizing existing data from databases such as UNESCO, the UN, and the OECD, among others. In addition to data on teachers, we plan to analyze the potential for creating artificial intelligence based on existing ones but trained for the specific contexts of each country’s educational system. The goal is to examine the potential for formatting artificial intelligence to provide pedagogical support for teachers, such as: grading of objective and discursive assessments; individualized intelligent tutoring; analysis of students’ individual pedagogical development; preparation of individual student diagnoses; suggestions of specific pedagogical actions based on curricula and materials used; and all other pedagogical actions that support teachers in their educational journey. This work was funded by CAPES, CNPq, and FAPEMIG.

Open Access

Article

Regional integration in Southern Africa: Evidence from the Southern African Development Community (SADC)

Bhavna Mahadew

This article provides an informative review of regional integration in Southern Africa by drawing lessons and evidence from the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It provides for a review of literature on the SADC from a regional integration perspective. SADC has expanded into a more expansive regional organisation in response to the challenges faced in the 1990s, and it currently includes South Africa, the region’s superpower. Furthermore, trade integration is receiving more attention, despite not being a main debate point at the Southern African Development Co-Ordinating Conference (SADCC). The SADC Trade Protocol has been decisive in trade integration. The purpose of the Protocol is to ensure that companies operating in each of the nations in the region may fairly compete to service the 150 million customers that comprise the market as a whole. It is anticipated that regional free trade will increase the likelihood of economic growth, increase intra-SADC commercial activity, create jobs, and elevate the standard of living for SADC residents.

Open Access

Article

A study of the impact of regional O2O teaching quality on the digital transformation of listed companies

Xuanming Zhang, Lingjie Tian, Zijun Liu, Yuhan Huang, Zifan Gong, Bangjun Wang

With the acceleration of global digital transformation, listed companies urgently need to adapt to this trend in order to enhance competitiveness and achieve sustainable development. Focusing on the data of listed companies in China over the period from 2010 to 2022, this study examines the role of regional O2O teaching quality in the process of corporate digital transformation and its influence mechanisms. It is found that regional O2O teaching quality has a significant facilitating effect on the digital transformation of listed companies, and this effect is more pronounced in companies with larger financing constraints, larger firm sizes, and less institutional attention. In addition, regional O2O teaching quality further accelerates the digitalization process of enterprises by enhancing the management’s foresight and innovation awareness. High-quality O2O teaching not only enhances employee skills and innovation but also facilitates management's ability to make longer-term planning and decisions in the face of a rapidly changing market environment, laying a solid foundation of talent and technology for an enterprise’s digital transformation. These findings provide new perspectives on how listed companies can utilize regional educational resources to promote digital transformation and provide practical guidance for the development of related digital strategies.

Open Access

Article

Striking a balance: Resolving conflicts of interest in Hong Kong’s insurance market

Zion Lee

Hong Kong’s insurance sector plays a vital role in the city’s robust financial landscape, contributing significantly to the economy and serving essential individual protection needs. However, ongoing governance is required to address issues that could undermine consumer confidence and market integrity. The article examines key conflicts of interest in Hong Kong’s insurance industry, including misaligned sales incentives, misleading information from agents, and a lack of commission transparency. It proposes regulatory reforms such as standardized commission disclosure and the development of a “Policy Comparator” tool to empower customers and promote ethical practices. By implementing these evidence-based solutions, the insurance industry can enhance transparency, reduce information asymmetries, and incentivize suitable recommendations. Cooperation among regulators, insurers, and consumer advocates remains critical to maintaining responsiveness to emerging risks and upholding customer-centric standards. Leveraging technology-enabled reforms, Hong Kong’s insurance sector is well-positioned to thrive while safeguarding vulnerable policyholders and public confidence in this crucial financial pillar.

Open Access

Article

Tuna: Investigations of value addition and potential EU investments in tuna fisheries in Africa

Pierre Failler, Grégoire Touron-Gardic, Juliana Arias Hansen, Alexandre Rodriguez, Sonia Doblado, Øystein Hermansen, Jónas R. Viðarsson, Andy Forse, Benjamin Drakeford

This research studies investment opportunities within the tuna fish pole and line fishery along the coast of the African Atlantic Façade (mainly SW-Senegal) and the associated value chains. Also, a section is dedicated to investigating the specific case of the investment of French capital in tuna fisheries in the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. The investigation was conducted under the FarFish project, whose overarching objective is to provide knowledge, tools, and methods to support responsible, sustainable, and profitable EU fisheries outside European waters, both within the jurisdiction (EEZ) of non-EU coastal states as well as in international waters and high seas. In order to achieve this, the aim of this research is to identify, study, and potentially recommend investment opportunities for EU operators within some of the project’s case study countries. The investigations into tuna fisheries were based on interviews with relevant stakeholders, including shipowners and key personnel from public bodies and institutions both in West Africa and Europe (see Appendix A for the list of stakeholders consulted). In addition, most of the data presented in this section was acquired from DG-Mare in a non-public dataset compiling every fishing lot from EU vessels operating within SFPAs in Senegal. A second case study in tuna fisheries, in this case in the Indian Ocean, investigates the investment from the French company SAPMER to improve the land infrastructure in the Port of Victoria (Seychelles), as this would be the only notable investment by European interests in recent years for tuna fishing in Africa. These sections conclude that the fishing area where EU pole-and-line vessels are active is becoming less productive, decreasing the profitability of European-flagged vessels as well as of Senegalese-flagged vessels that maintain close partnerships with Europe. As a response, they have attempted to extend their fishing grounds. Additional fishing opportunities are opening in The Gambia (whose EEZ is restricted), and other countries are expected to follow. Contrastingly, the EU sustainable partnership fisheries agreement with Senegal or Mauritania could include fewer fishing opportunities in terms of tonnage as well as increasingly restrictive conditions for access and landings. European operators have reacted so far by considering the switch to a private regime instead of operating under SFPA as a preferred strategy.

Open Access

Article

Forecasting corporate social investment in Asian based organizational features of corporate social responsibility

Asifa Younas

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, which target social and environmental challenges, are prompted by pressures from stakeholders. As a result, businesses use Corporate Social Investment (CSI) channels to finance CSR initiatives in the areas in which they conduct business. There is still a dearth of empirical studies in developing regions, especially in Asian countries, despite the large number of CSR studies carried out in wealthy nations. In order to determine the degree to which Firm Size and Organizational Sector predict Corporate Social Investment (CSI) in Asia, this quantitative study used frameworks for CSR and stakeholder engagement. To find out if these two organizational traits, used separately or together, have a substantial impact on CSI, three study questions were presented. Data from 54 Asian-based companies that submitted reports to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) between 2018 and 2022 were examined in this study. Multiple regression analysis (MRA) using archival data from GRI reports showed that Organizational Sector emerged as a significant predictor ( b = 0.275, p = 0.005), indicating that manufacturing and fertilizing companies contributed more to CSI than other companies, while Firm Size did not significantly predict CSI spending ( b = −0.089, p = 0.259). This emphasizes how critical it is to take the Organizational Sector into consideration as an important predictor of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and how important it is to take this into account when figuring out how firms might support social development in Asian communities.

Open Access

Article

Will artificial intelligence threaten humanity?

Milad Shahvaroughi Farahani, Ghazal Ghasemi

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked intense debate regarding its potential threat to humanity. This abstract delves into the multifaceted discussion surrounding the implications of AI for the future of humanity. It explores various perspectives, ranging from optimistic views that highlight the transformative benefits of AI to pessimistic concerns about its existential threat. Drawing on insights from experts and researchers, the abstract examines key areas of contention, including the possibility of a technological singularity, the ethical dilemmas posed by autonomous weapons, and the socio-economic impacts of AI-driven automation. So, the main purpose of the paper is to study the impacts of AI from different points of view, including social, economic, political, etc. Therefore, different. Furthermore, it discusses strategies for mitigating the risks associated with AI, emphasizing the importance of ethical guidelines, regulatory frameworks, and international cooperation. Overall, this abstract provides a comprehensive overview of the complex considerations surrounding the impact of AI on humanity and underscores the need for thoughtful deliberation and proactive measures to ensure a beneficial and responsible integration of AI into society.

Open Access

Article

Climate change challenges: Case of the Thai agriculture business sector

Nattavud Pimpa

Climate change and its effects are accelerating, with climate-related disasters piling up season after season. This study explores the impact of climate change on Thailand’s agricultural business by examining the views and experiences of stakeholders in the sector. Through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, the study reveals the multifaceted challenges faced by the agricultural community. Participants highlight the disruptive effects of irregular rainfall patterns and rising temperatures on crop productivity and economic stability, exacerbating food shortages and livelihood insecurity. Additionally, the study underscores the critical issue of food security and the need for resilient agricultural practices. Furthermore, the inadequate integration of climate change education in the Thai education system and its implications for farmer adaptation are discussed. The study emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive support measures and a holistic approach to address climate change impacts on Thailand’s agricultural sector, ensuring its sustainability and the well-being of farmers.

Open Access

Article

Political connections and corporate ESG performance

Ying Hu, Hui Cheng, Heng Li

With the popularization of the concept of sustainable development, corporate ESG performance has attracted more and more attention from all walks of life. However, there is still a lack of in-depth discussion on what factors affect corporate ESG performance, especially in a political and economic system like China. This article takes A-share listed companies as a sample to empirically analyze the impact of political connections on corporate ESG performance. The study found that political connections can promote corporate ESG performance by increasing media attention and reducing financing constraints. Further research found that this promotion performance is more significant in non-state-owned enterprises. This article combines the national conditions with Chinese characteristics, enriches the research on the factors that promote corporate ESG performance from the government perspective, and deepens the research on the role and consequences of political connections.

Open Access

Article

Impacts of quality management principles in supporting sustainable development in the Mauritian hospitality sector

Laëticia M. A. Panchoo Ramsamy, Devkumar S. Callychurn

The notion of sustainability has greatly evolved since the 1960s. As the global population is increasing along with the consumption rate, it is becoming urgent to alleviate the negative impacts of this growth while, in parallel, allowing for continuous enhancements in environmental quality and overall living standards. This is where the need for sustainability becomes apparent. This research focuses on the hospitality industry, one of the top pillars of the Mauritian economy, which has expanded drastically during the last two decades. The study aims at assessing sustainability practices through an investigation of the different sustainable practices adopted by the hospitality industry. A survey was conducted with the main stakeholders in the hotel industry. The outcome of the survey, including an overview of the gaps faced by the hotels during their sustainability system implementation or maintenance, contributed to designing a framework linking quality and sustainability. The survey revealed that most hotels possess sustainability certifications. It was noted that more than 80% of the respondents calculate or estimate their CO 2 emissions, and that around the same percentage of interviewees use the LCA technique. Further, this study depicts that hotels in Mauritius have started their sustainability journey, which is a positive sign. To help the industry overcome barriers to Sustainable Development (SD), it is recommended to use and include quality management as a tool to support and enhance overall efficiency.

Open Access

Article

Long-term effects of food safety incident: Example of Sanlu milk powder incident

Qing Yang, Li Zhou, Lei Lei

The purpose of this study is to examine the long-term consumer response to food safety incidents. The Sanlu incident that broke out in 2008 offers us an example to discuss the long-term impact of the impact of the incident on consumption behavior. In 2018, a survey was distributed to consumers in selected regions. Probit and Tobit techniques are used to analyze the long-term effect of food safety incidents on consumers’ trust in various subjects through memory and cognition and how trust further influences their consumption behaviors. Results indicate that consumers showed the highest level of trust in the central government and the lowest in domestic salespeople and producers. The effects caused by trust in foreign producers were more significant than those caused by trust in authorities and the central government. Additionally, the middle-income group preferred to buy domestic milk powder the most. Little research has explored the long-term consumer response to food safety incidents. This study enriches the previous literature by exploring whether consumer choices can be influenced by trust and how.

Open Access

Review

Evaluating the social welfare model of Vietnam: An introductory overview

Bhavna Mahadew

The focus of this article is on the social welfare model of Vietnam in an evaluative manner, with the aim of introducing this system to researchers and academics. It is argued that the right to social welfare is a fundamental human right as prescribed by the United Nations and Article 34 of the Constitution of Vietnam. Against this backdrop, this article first provides an overview of the current social welfare model in Vietnam, with a particular focus on domestic legislation. Fundamentally, it is noted that this system is based on four pillars: employment, income, and poverty reduction; social insurance; social assistance for individuals in exceptionally difficult situations; and guaranteeing a minimum level of access to certain basic social services. Secondly, the article evaluates the ways in which the government plans to improve this system based on their outlook for 2021–2030. This is fashioned on five pillars, namely: 1) the labor market, employment and income, supply and demand, infrastructure and projections for the labor market, labor market data, and employment services; 2) social insurance, encompassing mandatory, supplemental, and elective plans; 3) social assistance, encompassing emergency and ongoing help as well as social care; 4) a social welfare floor with a “basket” of necessities; and 5) expert social work for social welfare. Finally, the article underlines the way forward for Vietnam to materialise the aim of ameliorating their social welfare system through human rights and sustainable development.

Open Access

Review

Strategic management in an uncertain environment: A review

José Moleiro Martins

This article focuses on strategic management as a guiding line of action, aiming to maintain alignment with the market in order to develop capabilities that allow the organization to provide unparalleled value to customers through new positioning. A qualitative analysis of the literature based on reference authors was conducted. The results reveal that the specificity of the sector of activity, due to its international competition, makes the competitive context more uncertain. This influences the way in which the strategy to be adopted by organizations is formulated. Thus, we conclude that organizations competing in hypercompetitive markets should adopt an adaptive strategy to respond quickly to market dynamics.

Open Access

Review

A review of technoeconomic benefits of torrefaction pretreatment technology and application in torrefying sawdust

R. S. Bello, A. O. Olorunnisola, T. E. Omoniyi, M. A. Onilude

Economic analysis of the torrefaction process centers on the assessment of the economic feasibility of the production and utilization of torrefied biomass using developed models such as costs of biomass, electricity, labour, investment, transportation, etc. to evaluate the cost of biomass torrefaction. The increase in energy usage over the past century has raised concern over the energy insecurity and environmental unsustainability of current fossil fuel utilization; therefore, there is a need for energy diversification. An attractive alternative is biomass. However, the poor performance of raw biomass in energy generation further necessitates the development of refined technologies to enhance its performance, particularly at low temperatures between 200–300 ℃. This study therefore reviews the technoeconomic benefits of torrefaction technology and reactors and their application in the pretreatment of sawdust. An overview of torrefaction technology, torrefied product characteristics, economic analysis of torrefaction reactors, and torrefaction cost/ton were reviewed. From the review, torrefaction significantly improved the physical, combustion, and performance characteristics of torrefied products, with comparable durability and storability to raw biomass. Compared with other thermal pretreatment methods, torrefaction is an economical way of improving biomass properties.

Open Access

Review

Examination of the interplay between corporate governance theories and sustainable practices in companies: A review study

Muhammad Aiman Awalluddin, Anisa Safiah Maznorbalia

The objective of this review study is to comprehensively investigate and integrate existing corporate governance theory and its influence on sustainability performance. In light of the growing importance placed on sustainable development goals and ethical business practices, scholars and practitioners must comprehend the impact of corporate governance systems on sustainability results. This study aims to analyze academic publications in order to find patterns and trends in the literature. By doing so, it aims to get insights into how corporate governance theory may promote sustainability actions. This review aims to provide a detailed understanding of the intricate relationship between corporate governance structures and sustainable business practices by analyzing different aspects of corporate governance theories, such as agency theory, stakeholder theory, institutional theory, and legitimacy theory. The results of this study can provide helpful advice to governments, business executives, and investors that aim to improve sustainable performance through the implementation of efficient governance structures. Moreover, this review offers valuable knowledge for scholars and researchers regarding the specific corporate governance theories that are strongly linked to sustainable practices.