Search Results (47)

South American coffee producers face growing challenges due to external trade dependencies and climate-induced disruptions. This study investigates the role of export market diversification as a sustainability strategy for four major regional exporters of roasted non-decaffeinated coffee: Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador. A quantitative and comparative methodology was applied over a ten-year period using the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index (HHI) to evaluate export market concentration and the Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) Index—including its normalized variant—to assess international competitiveness by destination. The results reveal substantial disparities: Brazil and Colombia exhibit moderate to high diversification and relative competitiveness in select markets, while Peru and Ecuador remain dependent on a few strategic buyers, with limited or declining comparative advantages. The findings emphasize that sustained export performance in the coffee sector requires not only a broader destination portfolio but also improved positioning through trade agreements, infrastructure development, and climate-resilient innovation. This study concludes with a strategic proposal based on three pillars—commercial, logistical, and technological—to support structural transformation and enhance the long-term sustainability of the coffee trade in South America. Full article

This paper examines the spatial and temporal evolution of the global industrial robot trade network (GIRTN) from 2000 to 2023 using complex network analysis, and it systematically evaluates China’s position in the GIRTN and its evolutionary trend by combining node reciprocity, the industry concentration index, the Herfindahl–Hirschman index, and betweenness centrality. The study shows that the GIRTN is characterized by significant imbalance, a “small world”, and weak reciprocity. Traditional industrial countries such as Japan, Germany, and France have dominated the global market for a long time, accounting for more than 80% of the market share. However, market imbalances have been mitigated with the rise of emerging economies such as China, South Korea, and Singapore. Despite increasing global trade linkages, there are significant differences in trade intensity. China’s position and competitiveness in the GIRTN have significantly improved, as demonstrated by its continued rise in the ranking of total exports, the improvement in the attractiveness and quality of its products, the diversification of its trading partners, and the optimization of its export structure. These changes indicate that China has gained significant competitive advantages and has great potential for development. Full article

Sugarcane products come from agro-industrial biomass that is increasingly used in the Brazilian energy matrix, which is important for the sustainability and diversification of renewable energy sources. This article examines the concentration and structure of the supply of sugarcane bioelectricity in Brazil from 1975 to 2023. It uses information on the quantity and cumulative licensed potential of sugarcane-based thermoelectric plants in operation, available from the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) through its Generation Information System (SIGA). To measure regional concentration, the study considered geographical areas (large regions, states, intermediate regions and municipalities) using the following concentration indicators: the Concentration Ratio, Herfindahl–Hirschman Index, Theil Entropy, Comprehensive Concentration Index, and Hall–Tideman Index. The main results show a high concentration of sugarcane bioelectricity at regional and state levels, with a predominance in the Southeast-Central-West axis. During the period analyzed, the State of São Paulo remained the leader in terms of energy generated by sugarcane thermoelectric plants operating in Brazil. In the intermediate regions, the concentration was moderate, while at the municipal level, the concentration was low, indicating a highly competitive market. It can be concluded that the areas with the highest concentration are strategic for directing investments and guiding public policies for the sugarcane bioelectricity sector, which are priority locations for new opportunities. The identification of the most promising regions contributes to a more efficient development of the sector. Given that, a more equitable distribution of bioelectricity production across the country could enhance Brazil’s energy security, reduce regional vulnerabilities, and promote more resilient energy systems. Full article

Studying urban spatial structure (USS) is crucial for advancing sustainable urban development. This study examined the USS of 292 cities in China from 2007 to 2022 using nighttime lights and the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index. The determinants of USS were analyzed through a fixed-effects spatial Durbin model based on the theoretical framework of influencing factors. The findings revealed a nationwide trend toward a polycentric USS across various city types. Economic growth drove the transformation from a monocentric to a polycentric USS. Additionally, the development of postal infrastructure promoted a shift toward a polycentric USS. Transportation infrastructure, industrial structure, residential consumption level, and government intervention were pivotal in shaping a monocentric USS. Regarding spatial spillover effects, transportation infrastructure, industrial structure, and economic growth fostered a polycentric tendency in neighboring cities, whereas government intervention reinforced a monocentric tendency. Full article

This research aimed to examine firm performance and its determinants in the textile and textile product (TPT) industry of Indonesia before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis used data from the manufacturing survey conducted by Indonesia’s Bureau of Central Statistics (BPS) for the period 2018–2021. It further incorporated the fixed-effect model on the subsectors by applying least-square dummy variables. The results show that firm performance declined during the COVID-19 pandemic while the price–cost margin was affected by firm size, export orientation, foreign ownership, and the pandemic. However, the Herfindahl–Hirschman index did not have a significant influence on firm performance. This research addresses the gaps identified in previous publications, which had limitations regarding sample data. It further contributed to the literature by applying price–cost margin (PCM) as a proxy for firm performance and investigating the determining factors in the TPT industry before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in Indonesia. Full article

This study examines how institutional ownership concentration, quantified by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), influences the financial consequences of CSR initiatives within the U.S. restaurant industry. This study distinguishes between CSR activities that are integral to core operations (operation-related CSR) and those that are not (non-operation-related CSR), analyzing their impacts on both market-based (ROA) and accounting-based performance (Tobin’s q) measures. Employing panel regression analysis, findings reveal that higher institutional ownership concentration enhances the alignment of operation-related CSR with improved financial performance. Conversely, the institutional ownership concentration does not significantly moderate the impact of non-operation-related CSR on both performance measures. Given the restaurant industry’s high consumer visibility and operational reliance on social and environmental factors, this study fills gaps in CSR literature by offering insights for aligning CSR strategies with institutional owners’ expectations. The results provide actionable guidance for policymakers and industry practitioners to optimize organizational outcomes from CSR activities. Full article

Assessing market power in the presence of different production technologies such as renewable energies, including wind and solar power, is crucial for electric market analysis and operation. This paper investigates structural market power by incorporating wind farms and solar generation over a short-term period. The study examines the issue of market concentration boundaries to assess structural market power by calculating the minimum and maximum market concentration index values in the day-ahead market. It models the technical specifications of power plants, such as the maximum and minimum production limits, ramp-up and ramp-down rates, and minimum required up and down times. By extracting the spatiotemporal correlation of wind power generation from real data, the uncertainty of renewable power generation is represented through a set of scenarios. The analysis explores the correlation effects of wind farms, solar generation, and wind penetration levels under different ownership structures. Simulation results using a modified PJM five-bus system illustrate the effectiveness of the developed method. Our results indicate that integrating renewable energy can reduce the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index (HHI) by up to 30% as wind penetration levels rise from 0% to 40%, fostering a more competitive market structure. However, the correlation between wind farms also increases market volatility, with the standard deviation of the HHI rising by about 25% during peak load periods. These findings demonstrate the practical applicability of the developed methodology for assessing market dynamics in the presence of renewable energy sources. Full article

This research paper aims to investigate the impact of ownership concentration, insider ownership, and board size on employee productivity for 136 Jordanian public shareholding firms listed on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) from 2012 to 2021. Ownership concentration has been measured by Herfindahl–Hirschman Index (HHI), whereas insider ownership and board size have been represented as the proportion of shares held by insiders and by the number of board members, respectively. Lastly, employee productivity has been measured using a data envelopment analysis (DEA) tool. We employed ordinary least squares regression (OLS) including firm-year-fixed effects. Our empirical results indicate a non-linear relation between ownership concentration and employee productivity, whereby the productivity of employees increases in firms with a proportion of ownership concentration less than 60%. In addition, we found a non-linear relation between insider ownership and employee productivity, whereby the productivity of employees increases in firms with proportion of insider ownership less than 50%. Moreover, we found a non-linear relation between board size and employee productivity, whereby the productivity of employees increases in firms that have less than 11 board members. Our outcome contributed to the knowledge found in the previous literature, as it is the first to highlight the productivity of employees in emerging economies, such as the economy in Jordan. Furthermore, our findings could be useful for the Jordan Securities Commission (JSC) and the ASE on their continuous process to improve and develop corporate governance instructions. Full article

The study examines how Peru could maintain the sustainability of its blueberry exports through market diversification and competitiveness. Using a quantitative approach, the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index (HHI) and the Balassa Index were calculated. The results showed impressive growth in key markets such as the United States, where exports grew by an average of 115.03% annually, and robust growth in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Despite these increases, the study identified a high concentration in specific markets, particularly in the United States, where the HHI ranged from 2896 to 3828 throughout the evaluated period, indicating significant dependence. Regarding the RCA, the values showed that Peru has maintained a solid comparative advantage, especially towards the United States, where the values fluctuated between 0.09 and 0.55 throughout the study, indicating specialization and efficiency in the export of blueberries to this market. The conclusions highlight that, although Peru has achieved remarkable growth in its blueberry exports and has demonstrated competitive capabilities, it faces the challenge of effectively diversifying its export markets. Recommendations include expanding the exploration of new markets and improving logistic infrastructure and agricultural practices to foster environmental sustainability, as well as adapting marketing strategies to meet the demands of emerging markets and international regulations. Full article

The period from January 2020 to December 2022 was marked by a confluence of major events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia–Ukraine war, the energy crisis, surging inflation, Federal Reserve policy shifts, and banking turmoil, which collectively fueled heightened market volatility, risk management needs, and speculative trading opportunities, leading to volatile swings in trading volume concentration across financial markets, with periods of significant increases followed by rapid declines. This paper examines the variation in the concentration of trading volume across the full spectrum of S&P 500 companies, with a focus on explaining the reasons behind the stochastic changes in trading volume concentration. We analyze different concentration measurement methods, including the power law exponent, the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index, and the Gini-based Trading Concentration Index (TCI). The research employs a novel experimental design, comparing a concentration-driven portfolio, rebalanced daily based on the top 30 stocks by trading volume, against the S&P 500 benchmark. Our findings reveal that the Gini-based TCI fluctuated between 55.98% and 77.35% during the study period, with significant variations coinciding with major market events. The concentration-driven portfolio outperformed the S&P 500, achieving an annualized return of 10.66% compared to 5.89% for the index, with a superior Sharpe ratio of 0.325 versus 0.19. This performance suggests that following trading volume concentration can yield above-average results. However, this study also highlights the importance of understanding and managing the risks associated with concentrated portfolios. This study contributes to the literature on market dynamics and offers practical insights for investors and fund managers on optimizing portfolio strategies in response to evolving concentration patterns in financial markets. Full article

Global trade and globalization have driven growth and diversification in the horticultural industry. Fresh grapes, a key product, face challenges of market volatility, trade barriers, and logistics. Market diversification is essential for stability and competitiveness in international trade. This research focused on analyzing market diversification in Peru’s fresh grape exports during the 2013–2022 period, exploring its implications for international trade. A quantitative methodology was used, along with the analysis of publicly recorded data on the website of the National Superintendence of Customs and Tax Administration, specifically exports from companies shipping under the national subheading for Grapes (0806.10.00.00). Diversification was analyzed using the Herfindahl–Hirschman concentration index (HHI), and competitiveness through the Balassa index. The main findings were that between 2013 and 2022, Peruvian grape exports grew in value (CAGR of 12.02%) and volume (CAGR of 12.13%). The sector expanded with an average of 151.2 companies and 59.1 destination markets. Diversification varied: the USA (12.4%), the Netherlands (1.6%), Hong Kong (4.2%), and Mexico (63.2%). The Herfindahl–Hirschman index showed concentration in the USA (4533 in 2020, 4519 in 2022) and stability in companies (2318 in 2014, 2450 in 2022). Finally, it is recommended to strengthen the Peruvian viticultural sector by maintaining geographic diversification through policies seeking new markets, monitoring global trends, constantly analyzing market concentration, and promoting fair competition among participating companies, allowing new ones to enter this sector. Full article

While universities are expected to exemplify sustainable practices, they often encounter high energy demands. This dichotomy highlights the necessity for research into their energy consumption. Through a Systematic Literature Review, we examined international research trends in this field and explored factors influencing energy consumption. The importance of this article stems from its novel approach to energy consumption in universities, addressed from a global and comprehensive perspective, offering generalizable insights. Additionally, it pioneers in the use of a market concentration indicator (Herfindahl–Hirschman index) to measure the level of diversity in various bibliometric aspects. The extended perspective of our approach helps to close knowledge gaps about scientific trends and common energy consumption factors. Our results show that this topic has been investigated with limited involvement of social sciences. Building function, research intensity, and disciplinary orientation are distinctive factors in energy consumption in this field. Most influential authors, countries, and journals in this area were identified. This analysis contributes academically, by mapping research trends and providing guidance for future studies; practically, by offering insights for educational administrators on common factors affecting energy consumption; and in terms of policy, by advocating for the promotion of social sciences-based investigations on the topic. Full article

Renewable energy is a global priority, as it addresses the goals of carbon neutrality and plays an important role in reshaping energy mixes. The shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources (solar, photovoltaic, geothermal, hydropower, wind, and biomass) must be performed without negatively affecting economic growth or our quality of life. Renewable energy-generating technologies (patents) and their implementation (commercialization and usage) play essential roles, as they are the main steps in the process of the transition from conventional to emerging technologies. The decreased usage of fossil fuels, the objectives of the European Green Deal, and other constraints have pushed countries to seek innovative solutions. Depending on the available resources, these solutions involve a wide variety of approaches and may involve the emergence of specific patterns. This study addresses the identification of the cross-country features of specialization patterns in developing renewable energy generation technologies. The methods used are the analysis of the evolution of patent numbers with country fractional value, the application of the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index to renewable energy generation, and the use of the multivariate clustering spatial statistics tool combined with spatial representation. The findings show the differences between countries at the global level and, more specifically, at the EU level, by clustering the countries based on their specialization pattern of renewable energy generation technologies. EU countries belong to the same cluster at the international level, and the deep clustering model shows four patterns. Moreover, the findings highlighted the country profile to be used as a competitive advantage and the group of countries with the same or similar pattern that could be used as partners in implementing new technologies or as models for future actions. The geographical distribution of the specialization offers a picture of potential market development for patents and renewable energy technologies. The countries specialization is a hotspot for decision makers for further developments and policy design support. Full article

The main object of this research is to find out the nexus of banks’ competition, ownership structure, and economic growth on credit risk and financial stability. In addition, it examines the level of financial stability, economic growth, and ownership structure in the Middle East and North African (MENA) economies. The generalized method of moments (GMM) method was used to examine this study. The study used an unbalanced panel dataset from 2011 to 2021 in MENA countries. This research demonstrates a negative relationship between economic growth, credit risk, and financial stability in MENA economies; nevertheless, it proves an insignificant effect among them. It also shows that the lower the level of bank competition, the lower the level of bank risk taking, and the better the level of financial stability. It further found that market competition and bank ownership structure had a homogenous effect on financial stability when looking at the impact of competition and bank ownership structure. In the long-term sense, the square term of competition is highly favorable with financial stability models ((Lerner square × Islamic banks), (Lerner square × commercial banks), (Lerner square × specialized government institutions)). However, financial stability improves with time, as seen by the competition square term bank ownership structure (a square measure of competition) with the Lerner index (LI) and the Herfindahl–Hirschman index total assets (HHIA). This finding of the square measure of competition is supported by competition stability theory. However, this study also proved that Islamic and commercial banks are less vulnerable to credit risk than specialized government institutions (SGI). This study scrutinized how MENA economies can remain stable through banking competition. This study builds a new brand of literature review. As a result, this research gives MENA policymakers better ideas for making policies that help the banking environment. Full article

Owing to a long-term, extensive development model and inadequate industrial development planning, cases of atmospheric environment pollution frequently occur in Hebei province. By using such approaches as the Spatial Gini Coefficient, the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index and location entropy, this paper analyzes the spatial-distribution characteristics of atmospheric pollution-intensive industries such as the thermal power industry in Hebei province. As shown, atmospheric pollution-intensive industries, such as the thermal power industry in Hebei province, excessively cluster. As industrial agglomeration continuously intensifies, the spatial imbalance becomes increasingly prominent. Taking the number of days with excellent air quality as a benchmark, this paper divides prefecture-level cities of Hebei province into four types of industrial management and designs targeted strategies for the optimization of atmospheric pollution-intensive industries, such as the thermal power industry. In terms of policies, Type I and Type II cities are advised to strengthen the transfer of atmospheric pollution-intensive industries such as the thermal power industry, and Type III and Type IV cities are advised to improve capacities in atmospheric self-purification and green-technology innovation in a bid to help government departments to scientifically manage atmospheric pollution-intensive industries such as the thermal power industry. Full article