Search Results (193)

Many environmental risks, such as global warming and depletion of natural resources, force governments to achieve economic growth and financial development without causing environmental degradation. The dependency of countries’ dependence on fossil fuels also causes energy supply security problems due to the associated risks at regional and global levels. These reasons lead countries to diversify and increase their renewable energy investments. In this context, this study focuses on the most attractive countries in terms of renewable energy investments and analyzes the relationships between renewable energy consumption (REC), carbon dioxide emissions (CO₂), economic growth (EGRO), financial development (FD), and energy dependence (EDP) using the panel regression method. This research uses data from 38 countries between 1991 and 2021 within the scope of the “Renewable Energy Attractiveness Index” (RECAI) created by Ernst & Young. As a result of the heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependency tests, the data were analyzed using the Westerlund cointegration test, the Augmented Mean Group (AMG) estimator, and the Emirmahmutoglu and Kose causality test. The findings from this study show that FD and EGRO have a positive and significant effect on REC, whereas they have a negative and significant relationship with CO₂ emissions. Findings from the causality test show that FD has an impact on both CO₂ and EGRO. In addition, within the scope of this study, a causality was determined between EDP and REC, and a mutual relationship between energy demand and CO₂ was revealed. In light of these findings, governments should increase their investments in renewable energy to ensure sustainable economic growth and energy supply security while minimizing environmental degradation. Full article

Background: Subjective socioeconomic status (SES) is a powerful determinant of health and well-being, capturing individuals’ perceptions of their material conditions and security. While higher perceived financial and basic needs security are generally linked to better health outcomes, little is known about how these associations differ across global contexts. Drawing on data from 23 countries, this study tests whether these relationships are systematically weaker in Global South countries. Methods: Cross-sectional data from Wave 1 of the Global Flourishing Study (n = 207,000) were used to examine associations between subjective SES indicators—financial security and security in basic needs (food, housing, safety)—and two outcomes: self-rated physical health and mental health. All variables were measured on 0–10 scales. Linear regression models were estimated separately by Global South and Global North country status, adjusting for age and sex. Global South classification was based on standard development and geopolitical frameworks. Results: In both global regions, individuals with higher perceived financial and basic needs security reported significantly better mental and physical health. However, the strength of these associations was consistently weaker in Global South countries. Interaction terms confirmed that Global South status moderated the association between subjective SES and health outcomes. Conclusions: These findings suggest global-scale “diminished returns” of subjective SES on health, echoing patterns previously observed within countries. Structural inequalities, weaker public systems, and contextual adversity may dilute the health benefits of perceived security in Global South settings. Global health equity efforts must therefore move beyond individual-level interventions to address the broader systems that constrain the translation of socioeconomic resources into health. Full article

Collegiate student-athletes are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity (FI). Prevalence rates range from 9.9% to 65%, although research is limited among this population. Background/Objectives: The challenge of balancing academic and degree progression requirements with training and competition demands can increase the risk for FI among student-athletes. Furthermore, insufficient funds for food has been reported for student-athletes living both on campus and off campus. Methods: This qualitative study employed a phenomenological design and constructivist theoretical framework to explore the experiences of athletic trainers, sports dietitians/nutritionists, and other professionals working with student-athletes in identifying and addressing FI among student-athletes via a series of online focus groups. Results: Participants (n = 27, 12 public colleges) had ≥7 years of collegiate athletics work experience, and most had been in their current position for <3 years. Five approaches to FI screening emerged; specifically, no screening, screening varies by team/sport, informal screening, dietitian screening, and formal screening. Emerging social determinants of FI included financial challenges, competing priorities, cultural/societal impacts, limited life skills, and the food environment. All these factors precipitated on a systems level, including individual, team/athletic department, and university/societal tiers. Conclusions: Athletic department and university policies and budgetary decisions emerged as potential antagonists of food security among student-athletes. FI mitigation strategies for student-athletes must go beyond simply addressing individual factors. Obtainment of food security among collegiate student-athletes requires system changes at the team/athletic department and university tiers. Full article

(1) Background: Global grain production faces challenges such as increasing demands due to population growth, limited arable land resources, and climate change, with natural resource and environmental constraints becoming increasingly stringent. Traditional smallholder economies struggle to meet the increasing demand for grain, resulting in a tight balance between grain supply and demand. Therefore, to improve grain production efficiency (GPE), clarifying the specific effects of agricultural production services (APS), a new driving force on farmers’ GPE, is critical for ensuring grain security and achieving sustainable grain production. (2) Methods: Through the super-efficiency Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Tobit models, and utilizing microdata from 747 farmers from the China Rural Revitalization Survey (CRRS), we analyzed the differences in farmers’ operating scales and types of agricultural production services to determine the extent and specific implementation effects of agricultural production services on the farmers’ GPE. (3) Results: agricultural production services enhanced the farmers’ GPE. Specifically, labor-intensive services (LIS) markedly improved the GPE of smallholder farmers but not large-scale farmers; technology-intensive services (TIS) did not have a substantial influence on either the smallholder farmers or large-scale farmers. There were significant regional differences in the threshold effect of agricultural production services on the GPE of the farmers. (4) Conclusions: Providers of agricultural production services should enhance their service capabilities to meet farmers’ diverse service needs. Government departments should establish uniform service standards and regulate industry development. Village and community organizations should leverage their grassroots coordination functions to facilitate the efficient operation of services. In addition, tailored development models should be developed for farmers of different scales, and they should be provided with financial and technical support as well as institutional guarantees. Full article

The increasingly observable financial vulnerability of households in emerging market countries makes it imperative to investigate the factors influencing it. Considering that China stands as a representative of emerging market economies, analyzing the factors influencing household financial vulnerability in China presents great reference significance for the sustainable development of households in emerging market countries. Using data from the China Household Finance Survey (CHFS) household samples, this paper presents the regional distribution of households with financial vulnerability in China. Utilizing machine learning (ML), this research examines the factors that influence household financial vulnerability in China and determines the most significant ones. The results reveal that households with financial vulnerability in China takes up a proportion of more than 63%, and household financial vulnerability is lower in economically developed coastal regions than in medium and small-sized cities in the central and western parts of China. The analysis results of the SHAP method show that the debt leverage ratio of a household is the most significant feature variable in predicting financial vulnerability. The ALE plots demonstrate that, in a household, the debt leverage ratio, the age of household head, health condition, economic development and literacy level are significantly nonlinearly related to financial vulnerability. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that, except for household debt leverage and insurance participation, the key characteristic variables exerting the most pronounced effect on financial fragility differ between urban and rural households: household head age for urban families and physical health status for rural families. Furthermore, digital financial inclusion and social security exert distinct impacts on financial vulnerability, showing significantly stronger effects in high per capita GDP regions and low per capita GDP regions, respectively. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers in emerging economies to formulate targeted financial risk mitigation strategies—such as developing household debt relief and prevention mechanisms and strengthening rural health security systems—and optimize policies for household financial health. Full article

This paper offers a systematic literature review of age-related disparities in the adoption of digital payment systems, a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly relevant as financial transactions become predominantly digital. Using the SPAR-4-SLR protocol, 66 scholarly contributions published between 2014 and 2024 are examined and categorised into four thematic clusters: demographic determinants, behavioural drivers, structural barriers linked to the grey digital divide, and emerging insights from neurofinance. The review highlights a multifactorial set of barriers that limit older adults’ engagement with digital payments, including usability challenges, cognitive and physical limitations, digital skill gaps, and perceived security risks. These obstacles are further amplified by structural inequalities such as socio-economic status, geographic location, and infrastructural constraints. While digital payments are often presented as tools of inclusion, the findings underscore the risk of exclusion for ageing populations without tailored design and policy interventions. The review also identifies areas for further research, particularly at the intersection of ageing, cognitive function, and human–technology interaction, proposing a research agenda that supports more inclusive and age-responsive financial innovation. Full article

This paper introduces a novel three-dimensional financial risk system that exhibits complex dynamical behaviors, including chaos, multistability, and a butterfly attractor. The proposed system is an extension of the Zhang financial risk model (ZFRM), with modifications that enhance its applicability to real-world economic stability assessments. Through numerical simulations, we confirm the system’s chaotic nature using Lyapunov exponents (LE), with values calculated as $L_1=3.5547,$ $L_2=0,$ $L_3=-22.5642$, indicating a positive Maximal Lyapunov Exponent (MLE) that confirms chaos. The Kaplan–Yorke Dimension (KYD) is determined as D_k = 2.1575, reflecting the system’s fractal characteristics. Bifurcation analysis (BA) reveals parameter ranges where transitions between periodic, chaotic, and multistable states occur. Additionally, the system demonstrates coexisting attractors, where different initial conditions lead to distinct long-term behaviors, emphasizing its sensitivity to market fluctuations. Offset Boosting Control (OBC) is implemented to manipulate the chaotic attractor, shifting its amplitude without altering the underlying system dynamics. These findings provide deeper insights into financial risk modeling and economic stability, with potential applications in financial forecasting, risk assessment, and secure economic data transmission. Full article

Poland is a country rich in mineral resources with a diversified resource base. Energy resources play a key role, as they are strategic resources ensuring the country’s energy security. Strategic resources, the recovery of which is highly risky and the possibilities of substitution are small, are critical resources for the Polish economy. These are the resources included in the list of critical resources for the European Union. The conducted review of mineral resources in Poland showed a large difference between the levels of actual resources and the resources of deposits. Therefore, supporting the mineral resources market is one of the key strategic areas of the Polish economy. This study aims to identify barriers that have a significant impact on the activities of entities in the raw materials sector. The tool used was the PESTEL analysis of companies operating in the raw materials sector. The aim of this study based on the assessment of experts familiar with the raw materials market and dealing with its challenges was to determine the main factors driving the raw materials market. These include the EU’s decarbonization policy, a complex system and relatively high level of taxes, a lack of qualified specialists, a market delay in terms of technological development, an environmental policy focused on a circular economy and renewables, and the problem of raw material depletion. The earlier identification of the market gap in the mineral resources industry in Poland in terms of business development opportunities indicated that IT and ICT would be possible directions of development. Therefore, an analysis of the industry was carried out in terms of business development opportunities. An assessment of the impact of individual factors on the activities of IT entities in the raw materials sector in Poland was carried out. The factors that most determine running a business in the diagnosed IT gap in the RM include a lack of government support for IT investments, new trends resulting from the growing importance of ICT in everyday life, the pandemic situation and the subsequent crisis of many companies on the market, the unstable financial condition of the main customer groups, and the lack of qualified personnel, equipment, and appropriate technology. The presented results may have practical implications, among others, for new economic players who want to establish their companies and conquer the raw materials market. On the one hand, they indicate opportunities, and on the other, they point to threats that may appear in their business life. Full article

This research focuses on an interdisciplinary approach to the financial energy of farms, allowing it to be linked to the overall financial health of the entity, which is influenced by various factors, including the use of equity and debt capital, and the treatment of money as a source of energy. The data source for the analysis consisted of statistics from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). This study encompassed the average agricultural holdings in the European Union, as well as average farms classified by individual regions and economic size classes. This research covered both the European Union as a whole and individual regions within EU member states. The objective of this study is to assess the factors that determine the financial security of EU farms using factor analysis. The results of this research indicate that financial energy may be one of the main factors shaping the financial security of farms. This is particularly true for small farms, which, in line with the goals of sustainable development, should increase their income (financial energy). Full article

Purpose—The reconstruction of worn-out urban fabrics poses a significant challenge in sustainable urban development, as such places, due to their decay and infrastructural inefficiencies, diminish residents’ quality of life and generate many environmental, social, and economic issues. Meanwhile, green building techniques have emerged as a novel option because they focus on environmental sustainability and resource efficiency. Nonetheless, effectively executing these strategies in worn-out urban fabrics necessitates a thorough feasibility evaluation to identify the associated obstacles and implementation prerequisites. The current study aimed to identify critical indicators for the feasibility of employing contemporary green building techniques in the repair of worn-out urban fabrics in Iran. The revitalization of worn-out urban fabrics is essential to enhancing the quality of life of urban inhabitants. Regarding this matter, the concept of green buildings, which emphasizes environmental sustainability, deserves significant attention. Meanwhile, feasibility assessments can help to successfully implement these changes in worn-out urban fabrics. Accordingly, the current study seeks to determine the essential indicators for the feasibility assessment of using initiative green building methods in the revitalization of worn-out urban fabric. Design/methodology/approach—In this vein, two rounds of the Delphi survey technique were carried out to identify and consolidate the indicators for the feasibility assessment of using initiative green building methods in the revitalization of the worn-out urban fabric in Iran. A research questionnaire was developed after reviewing the literature. It consists of four main dimensions (i.e., environmental, cultural–social, management–legal, and technical–technological) containing a total of 26 distinct indicators. The questionnaire was distributed among 123 experienced specialists. Eventually, the collected data were analyzed using the SPSS and Smart PLS programs. Findings—The results revealed that identified dimensions and indicators can be considered significant and essential indices in evaluating the use of initiative green building methods in the revitalization of worn-out urban fabric. Furthermore, the sequence of importance of the dimensions was environmental, followed by technical and technological, cultural and social, and managerial and legal. The environment, with an average rating of 3.33, ranked first; technical–technology, with an average rating of 2.45, ranked second; cultural–social, with an average rating of 2.15, ranked third; and management–legal, with an average rating of 2.07, ranked fourth. Furthermore, among the ranked indicators, the utilization of natural plants as a source of inspiration for living design in communal areas, aimed at toxin absorption and gas mitigation while achieving thermal equilibrium, received the highest average rating of 18.22, securing the first position. Conversely, the indicator assessing residents’ financial capacity, and the establishment of executive assurances and governmental support for the revitalization of the neighborhoods’ fabric garnered the lowest average rating of 10.98, placing it 26th and final. Originality/value—This research’s findings can significantly influence public policy and urban planning initiatives, aiding in the sustainable repair of worn-out urban fabrics in Iran by offering a systematic framework for evaluating the viability of innovative green building techniques. Full article

Despite the potential of digital transformation to enhance resource efficiency and waste reduction, numerous barriers hinder its adoption. This study examines the critical barriers to digital technology adoption for circular economy implementation in the construction industry in developing countries, using Ghana as a case study. A structured quantitative approach was employed, integrating mean score ranking, exploratory factor analysis, and fuzzy synthetic evaluation to assess the severity of identified barriers. Data were collected from construction professionals through structured surveys, and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, Excel, and RStudio to determine the criticality of the barriers. The fuzzy synthetic evaluation revealed that financial and adoption constraints emerged as the most critical barrier group, followed closely by institutional and knowledge barriers, while technological and market limitations and regulatory and organizational challenges also exhibited significant impediments. In response, this study develops a strategic framework comprising targeted solutions such as financial incentives, capacity building, regulatory reforms, and technological infrastructure development. This framework addresses not only the barriers but also the associated risks, including financial uncertainty, data security threats, and regulatory gaps. This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of digital technology adoption in CE practices and offers practical recommendations for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and academics seeking to foster sustainable construction practices in the construction industry. Full article

Microfinance aims to promote financial inclusion among underprivileged individuals, particularly through progressive microcredit, which enables borrowers to access increasing loan amounts over time. This study examines the conditions under which progressive microcredit positively impacts both small business performance and household well-being, considering borrower characteristics and business activity conditions. Using a dataset of 278 households across 110 administrative sectors in Tunisia from 2012 to 2020, this study employs two-stage least squares (2SLS) and three-stage least squares (3SLS) econometric techniques to estimate simultaneous equation models. The findings reveal that the cumulative amount of progressive microcredit received is mainly determined by project capital, suggesting that businesses with higher capital requirements tend to secure larger loans over successive cycles. Household well-being is significantly influenced by progressive microcredit, household income, net business benefit, rate of development index, and homeownership. Meanwhile, business profitability is driven by project capital and total fixed assets, highlighting the long-term impact of microcredit. The results highlight the critical role of microfinance in enabling small-scale entrepreneurs to expand their businesses while simultaneously improving household financial security. By promoting sustainable income generation, progressive microcredit serves as a key instrument in poverty alleviation and economic stability. This study underscores the necessity for microfinance institutions (MFIs) to tailor their lending strategies, ensuring optimal loan progression that balances business expansion with financial sustainability. Additionally, policymakers should refine microcredit frameworks to enhance accessibility and long-term economic benefits for low-income borrowers. Overall, these insights contribute to the broader discourse on financial inclusion and sustainable development, emphasizing that progressive microcredit not only facilitates entrepreneurship, but also serves as a driver of socioeconomic mobility. Full article

Citizens Advice on Prescription (CAP), a Liverpool (UK)-based service, provides welfare advice and link worker social prescription support to people experiencing and at risk of experiencing financial or social hardship. CAP, which receives referrals from healthcare and third-sector services, aims to improve service users’ financial security, health, and wellbeing. A mixed-methods social return on-investment (SROI) analysis was used to evaluate this service. Between May 2022 and November 2023, a subset of service users (n = 538) completed the Short Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Survey (SWEMWBS) at baseline and a 2-month follow-up. Supporting quantitative and qualitative economic data were also collected (February 2023–February 2024) through semi-structured interviews (n = 16). Changes in social value were determined by comparing pre- and post-SWEMWBS scores. These scores were then mapped to monetary values using the Mental Health Social Value Bank (MHSVB). SROI ratios were then calculated by dividing the change in social value by the associated service provision costs. The mean social value change per person ranged from GBP 505.70 to GBP 697.52, and the mean service provision cost was GBP 148.66 per person. The overall study reported a positive SROI return range of GBP 1: GBP 3.40–GBP 4.69. The results indicate that non-clinical support services, like CAP, may be an effective intervention for addressing the wider determinants of health and wellbeing. Full article

Forestry enterprises play a pivotal role in economic development, ecological civilization construction, and sustainable development. This study employs GIS-based spatial analysis to examine the distribution patterns and interrelationships of forestry enterprises, investigating their key determinants and spatial heterogeneity. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers aiming to optimize industrial structures and enhance national ecological security. This research develops a comprehensive evaluation index system to assess the factors influencing forestry industry development in China. Nine factors are considered: human resources, economic development, industrial structure, technological support, trade development, financial environment, natural conditions, urbanization, and transportation. Using panel data from 367 cities in 2020, the Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) method quantifies the influence of these factors and their spatial variations. The results show the following. (1) Forestry enterprises in China exhibit persistent spatial clustering. The eastern regions have a notably higher concentration than the western regions, and new enterprises are increasingly concentrated in a few hotspot cities in the east. (2) The spatial center of forestry enterprises has steadily moved southeast. Initially, the distribution was balanced in the eastern regions, but it has become highly concentrated in the southeastern coastal areas. (3) Regarding spatial autocorrelation, regions within the northwest cold spot cluster have been disappearing entirely. The northeast and southwest hotspot clusters have shrunk significantly, while the southeast hotspot cluster has remained large. (4) Permanent population size and green land area are the most strongly positively correlated with forestry enterprise distribution. Patent authorizations, orchard area, and forest land area also show positive effects. In contrast, road density and total import/export volume are negatively correlated with the number of forestry enterprises. This aligns with the structure of China’s forestry industry, which relies more on natural resources and market demand than on economic development level or financial environment. (5) The factors influencing forestry enterprise distribution show significant spatial variation, driven by regional factors such as resources, economy, and population. These factors ultimately determine the spatiotemporal distribution of forestry enterprises. This study provides data-driven insights to optimize the distribution of forestry industries and formulate more effective ecological protection policies. Full article

Irrigation plays a crucial role in enhancing food production, increasing land productivity, and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Solar pumps and water harvesting ponds have emerged as promising technologies for sustainable agriculture for smallholders in SSA and beyond. The socio-economic impacts of these systems are less studied in the existing literature. This study examined the agricultural productivity of solar pump and water harvesting irrigation technologies and their impacts on income and food security among smallholder farmers in the Central Rift Valley, Lake Hawassa, and Upper Awash sub-basin areas in Ethiopia. Data were collected from 161 farming households that were selected randomly from woredas where solar pump and water harvesting pond irrigation systems had been implemented. The sample size was determined using the power calculation method. Bio-physical observation and measurements were also conducted at field levels. The benefit–cost ratio (BCR) and net water value (NWV) from the use of solar pump and water harvesting pond irrigations were analyzed to assess the viability of these systems. The household food consumption score (HFCS) and household dietary diversity score (HDDS) were calculated to measure food security, while the revenue from crop production was used to measure crop income. An endogenous switching regression model was applied to address the endogeneity nature of the adoption of the irrigation technologies. The counterfactual analysis, specifically the Average Treatment Effect on the Treated (ATT), was used to evaluate the impacts of the irrigation technologies on income and food security. Results indicate that the ATT of crop income, HFCS, and HDDS are positive and statistically significant, illustrating the role of these irrigation systems in enhancing smallholder farmers’ welfare. Moreover, smallholder farmers’ solar pump irrigation systems were found to be economically viable for few crops, with a BCR greater than 1.0 and an NWV ranging from 0.21 to 1.53 USD/m³. It was also found that bundling agricultural technologies with solar pump irrigation systems leads to enhanced agricultural outputs and welfare. The sustainable adoption and scale-up of these irrigation systems demand addressing technical and financial constraints, as well as input and output market challenges. Full article