Search Results (329)

Economic systems face critical challenges, including widening income inequality, unemployment driven by automation, mounting public debt, and environmental degradation. This study introduces Economocracy as a transformative framework aimed at addressing these systemic issues by integrating democratic principles into economic decision-making to achieve social equity, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability. The research focuses on two core mechanisms: Economic Productive Resets (EPRs) and Economic Periodic Injections (EPIs). EPRs facilitate proportional redistribution of resources to reduce income disparities, while EPIs target investments to stimulate job creation, mitigate automion-related job displacement, and support sustainable development. The study employs a theoretical and analytical methodology, developing mathematical models to quantify the impact of EPRs and EPIs on key economic indicators, including the Gini coefficient for inequality, unemployment rates, average wages, and job displacement due to automation. Hypothetical scenarios simulate baseline conditions, EPR implementation, and the combined application of EPRs and EPIs. The methodology is threefold: (1) a mathematical–theoretical validation of the Cycle of Money framework, establishing internal consistency; (2) an econometric analysis using global historical data (2000–2023) to evaluate the correlation between GNI per capita, Gini coefficient, and average wages; and (3) scenario simulations and Difference-in-Differences (DiD) estimates to test the systemic impact of implementing EPR/EPI policies on inequality and labor outcomes. The models are further strengthened through tools such as OLS regression, and Impulse results to assess causality and dynamic interactions. Empirical results confirm that EPR/EPI can substantially reduce income inequality and unemployment, while increasing wage levels, findings supported by both the theoretical architecture and data-driven outcomes. Results demonstrate that Economocracy can significantly lower income inequality, reduce unemployment, increase wages, and mitigate automation’s effects on the labor market. These findings highlight Economocracy’s potential as a viable alternative to traditional economic systems, offering a sustainable pathway that harmonizes growth, social justice, and environmental stewardship in the global economy. Economocracy demonstrates potential to reduce debt per capita by increasing the efficiency of public resource allocation and enhancing average income levels. As EPIs stimulate employment and productivity while EPRs moderate inequality, the resulting economic growth expands the tax base and alleviates fiscal pressures. These dynamics lead to lower per capita debt burdens over time. The analysis is situated within the broader discourse of institutional economics to demonstrate that Economocracy is not merely a policy correction but a new economic system akin to democracy in political life. Full article

Unemployment and weak economic productivity are significant global issues, particularly in West Africa. Recently, through diverse mechanisms, remittances and foreign direct investment (FDI) have been sources of foreign capital flow that have positively influenced many less developed economies, including ECOWAS (ECOWAS stands for Economic Community of West African States). Nevertheless, these financial flows have exhibited significant inconsistencies, primarily resulting from economic downturns in migrants’ destination countries, with remarkable implications for beneficiary economies. This study, therefore, examines the effect of remittances and FDI on employment in ECOWAS. Specifically, the study assesses the effects of the inflow of remittances and FDI on employment using panel dynamic ordinary least squares (PDOLS) and also investigates the shock effects of remittances and FDI by employing Panel Vector Error Correction (PVECM), which involves variance decomposition. The results show that foreign direct investment (FDI) positively and significantly affects employment. Other variables that show a significant relationship with employment are wage rate, education expenditure, and interest rate. The variance decomposition result revealed that external shocks on remittances and FDI have short- and long-term effects on employment. The above findings imply that foreign direct investment has a far-reaching positive impact on the economy-wide management of the West African sub-region and thus calls for relevant policy options. Full article

This article investigates the macroeconomic and labor market conditions that shape the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies among large firms in Europe. Based on panel data econometrics and supervised machine learning techniques, we estimate how public health spending, access to credit, export activity, gross capital formation, inflation, openness to trade, and labor market structure influence the share of firms that adopt at least one AI technology. The research covers all 28 EU members between 2018 and 2023. We employ a set of robustness checks using a combination of fixed-effects, random-effects, and dynamic panel data specifications supported by Clustering and supervised learning techniques. We find that AI adoption is linked to higher GDP per capita, healthcare spending, inflation, and openness to trade but lower levels of credit, exports, and capital formation. Labor markets with higher proportions of salaried work, service occupations, and self-employment are linked to AI diffusion, while unemployment and vulnerable work are detractors. Cluster analysis identifies groups of EU members with similar adoption patterns that are usually underpinned by stronger economic and institutional fundamentals. The results collectively suggest that AI diffusion is shaped not only by technological preparedness and capabilities to invest but by inclusive macroeconomic conditions and equitable labor institutions. Targeted policy measures can accelerate the equitable adoption of AI technologies within the European industrial economy. Full article

The pattern of labour underutilisation is complex and multifaceted, but research has been focused on unemployment. To explore socio-economic demographics of other forms of labour underutilisation, this study investigates the concept of ‘hidden workers’ using the latest data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) study. Hidden workers are composed of three categories, namely those who are unemployed but actively seeking employment; working part-time but willing and able to work full-time; and not working but are willing and able to work under the right conditions. Analysis of HILDA data from 2022 reveals (i) a significant discrepancy in the incidence of unemployed and hidden workers across various socio-economic factors, and (ii) a pronounced age and gender differences among hidden workers, which is not easily discernible from standard unemployment descriptive statistics. Effective labour market policy depends on accurately identifying the different types of hidden workers and their social determinants. This study offers valuable insights to support more inclusive policies for hidden workers, who are often overlooked. Full article

Youth unemployment remains a pressing issue in many emerging economies, where educational disparities and demographic pressures interact in complex ways. This study investigates the links between higher-education enrolment, demographic structure and youth unemployment in eight developing countries from 2009 to 2023. Panel cointegration techniques—Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS)—are applied to estimate the long-run effects of gross tertiary-school enrolment on youth unemployment while controlling for GDP growth and youth-cohort size. Robustness is confirmed through complementary estimations with pooled-mean-group ARDL and system-GMM panels, which deliver consistent coefficient signs and significance levels. Results show a significant negative elasticity between enrolment and youth unemployment, indicating that wider access to higher education helps lower joblessness among young people. Youth-population growth exerts an opposite, positive effect, while GDP growth reduces unemployment but less uniformly across regions. The evidence points to an integrated policy mix—expanding tertiary (especially vocational and technical) education, managing demographic pressure and maintaining macro-economic stability—to improve youth-employment outcomes in emerging economies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystemic chronic autoimmune disease, which leads to disability and possibly early retirement. The objective of our study was to explore the associations between employment status (ES) and demographic, clinical and functional features in a single-center EUSTAR cohort. Methods: Consecutive patients with SSc examined between November 2011 and June 2023, who were under the age of retirement in our country (62 years for women, 65 for men at the time), were included. All patients underwent a comprehensive clinical assessment and filled in a work assessment questionnaire as well as two validated health-related questionnaires: the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (SHAQ) and the Duruoz Hand Index (DHI). Associations between ES and potential predictors (education level, disease characteristics, work conditions, SHAQ and DHI) were tested using logistic regression adjusted for age and gender. Results: Ninety-one patients (mean ± SD age 53.7 ± 11.8 years, twenty-two with diffuse skin involvement, fifty-six with a history of digital of digital ulcers (DUs)), were included. Only 22 patients were still employed, while 69 were retired, of which 38 retired because of SSc. Among the employed, nine performed manual labor, nine spent many hours standing and three had to work in a cold environment. When potential predictors were tested separately, adjusted for age and sex, patients with higher education (OR (95% CI) 11.36 (2.03–63.36), p = 0.006) and no history of digital ulcers had higher odds of being employed. The presence of joint contractures and weightlifting as a work demand were associated with unemployment. In a multivariable model, higher education (OR 5.91, 95% CI 0.97–36.09, p = 0.054 and younger age (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.85–0.96, p = 0.001) were independently associated with continued employment. High school education did not show a significant effect (OR 0.089, 95% CI 0.015–0.530, p = 0.008). Patients with a history of digital ulcers had the lowest employment rates compared to those with no digital ulcer history. No significant associations were found between employment status and SHAQ or DHI scores. Conclusions: SSc is associated with significant work disability and early retirement. Higher education, the lack of Dus and younger age were highly associated with staying employed. Given the rarity of SSc, we consider that our good sample size (n = 91) reflects disease prevalence, but results should be tested in other studies and the single center should be considered when interpreting generalizability. Full article

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) in Japan, and globally, face disparities in mental health and well-being, driven by stigma, exclusion, and minority stress. While social capital is known to enhance well-being, no previous research has examined the distinct roles of gay versus heterosexual social capital in relation to subjective happiness. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of 1564 MSM in Greater Tokyo, using geosocial networking applications. Social capital was measured using an adapted Resource Generator to assess access to resources from MSM and heterosexual network members. Subjective happiness was assessed using the Japanese version of the Subjective Happiness Scale. Multivariable linear regression identified correlates of happiness. Results: Gay social capital was the strongest predictor of subjective happiness, exceeding the effects of self-rated health, education, employment, and age. High levels of heterosexual social capital were also associated with greater happiness but to a lesser extent. Unemployment, poor health, and attendance at gay cruising venues were negatively associated with happiness. Conclusions: These findings provide the first global evidence of the differential associations between gay and heterosexual social capital on subjective happiness. Community-based interventions that affirm identity and build peer connection may substantially improve well-being among MSM in Japan. Full article

Participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields is crucial, as these fields present an opportunity for individuals to overcome socio-economic adversities such as unemployment and poverty. In South Africa, access to STEM education has improved in recent years, partly due to the availability of study grants for learners interested in these fields. However, evidence shows that women remain underrepresented in STEM fields. Gender stereotypes, bullying, and pay disparities are cited as some of the contributing factors. Despite these overwhelming challenges, female learners are increasingly pursuing STEM education. Guided by the resilience theory, we explored the factors motivating female learners to enroll in STEM fields at a public secondary school level in South Africa. The research adopted the snowball sampling technique to recruit learners attending a public secondary school in South Africa. Due to COVID-19-related restrictions in 2022, the research data was collected through telephonic one-on-one interviews. The findings revealed that access to competitive employment opportunities, impactful careers, personal growth, and financial independence were some factors sparking the female learners’ interest in STEM. However, the learners experienced gender stereotypes and discrimination, which made them doubt their abilities to thrive in STEM education/fields. To cope with the complexities of STEM, the learners relied on their caregivers for emotional support, and they attended extra lessons and tutorials offered by the education system. The findings highlight the need for the government to prioritize support programs for female learners who must continuously fight rejection in STEM fields. Full article

Macroeconomic indicators are essential measures that reflect the overall economic wellbeing of a region or country and have a significant impact on investment decisions. The data on macroeconomic indicators for Turkish development regions facilitate a comparison of macroeconomic performance between these regions. This kind of analysis can help enhance the development levels of the regions while ensuring resources are used efficiently. This study compares the macroeconomic performance of Turkish development regions between 2019 and 2022 using a hybrid multi-criteria analysis method. A total of 26 regions were evaluated based on seven criteria: GDP, GDP per capita, employment rate, number of enterprises, export, unemployment rate, and import. The criteria were weighted using the Step-Wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) method and ranked using the Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) method. This study addresses a gap in the literature by analyzing the macroeconomic performance of Turkish regions, aiming to reduce economic disparities. The results showed that the Istanbul region had the best performance over the 4-year period, while Eastern Anatolia experienced a consistently declining performance, ranking last. Some regions had fluctuating performances, while others maintained steady outcomes. This study advances research by offering a more reliable and comprehensive analysis, thereby contributing to the improvement of future studies on regional economic development. Full article

This study analyzed the evolution of the poverty rate between 2004 and 2023 in 29 European countries, using two categories of variables: institutional variables (Corruption Control Index and Rule of Law Index) and economic variables (unemployment rate, shadow economy, government expenditures on social protection and the Gini index). The methodology adopted included dynamic panel econometric models, applying a technique which involves the elimination of individual effects by a primary differencing of the variables and the use of the generalized method of moments (GMM) to evaluate the estimators. This methodology eliminates endogeneity caused by including the dependent variable with lag among the explanatory variables in the model. The results showed a strong negative correlation between the poverty rate and institutional variables, suggesting that improvements in governance and access to education and health resources are essential for poverty reduction. The shadow economy has also been identified as a poverty buffer, providing support in the absence of formal employment opportunities. The short-term impact of government expenditures on social protection was not significant, indicating the need for further analysis to better understand these dynamics. This research can make a significant contribution to the design of more effective public policies aimed at reducing shocks, reducing inequality and promoting sustainable economic growth. Full article

A robust body of research examines the association between socioeconomic status (SES), particularly its economic dimension, income poverty, and child maltreatment rates. However, several key questions regarding this relationship remain underexplored. Utilizing a critical literature review, this article finds that some forms of child maltreatment (i.e., sexual abuse) do not correlate with income poverty. Moreover, evidence about the effects of other dimensions of SES, including employment and education is not monolithic. The complexity of this relationship is further influenced by the data source and unit of analysis. Studies using administrative data and analyzing SES at the family or household level frequently report a strong correlation between SES and child maltreatment. However, this relationship weakens (or in some cases disappears) when examined at the neighborhood or regional level using self-report data. Our findings also suggest that the overrepresentation of minority groups in child maltreatment statistics can be, at least in part, attributed to economic disadvantages. Furthermore, social cohesion appears to buffer the effects of income poverty and material hardship, highlighting the role of inequality in weakening social networks and exacerbating socioeconomic stressors. A developing body of literature demonstrates the link between income inequality and child maltreatment rates and indicates that policies aimed at addressing the impact of SES on child maltreatment should not only focus on alleviating poverty-related factors, such as material hardship, unemployment, and housing instability, but also target broader class disparities as the common root of many social problems. Full article

Background: Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic condition characterized by persistent bladder-related pain and urinary symptoms, often refractory to conventional treatments. Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for managing refractory IC/BPS. Methods: This retrospective study included 24 patients with IC/BPS treated with SNM between 2017 and 2022. Baseline and follow-up data were collected on pain, opioid use, urinary symptoms, and quality of life. Patients underwent a trial of tonic stimulation before permanent implantation. Continuous variables were reported as median (IQR) and categorical data as counts and percentages. Pre- and post-SNM differences were analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Kaplan–Meier analysis evaluated lead survival, and a Sankey diagram illustrated employment status transitions. Results: Patients had a median age of 54.5 years (IQR: 47–61), with 92% female. Subtypes included Type 1 IC/BPS (8.3%), Type 2 (45.8%), Type 3 (37.6%), and unknown type (8.3%). Median pain duration was 4.5 years (IQR: 3–7.3). SNM resulted in significant improvements in pain (NRS: baseline 8 [IQR: 8–9], last follow-up 3 [IQR: 2–4], p < 0.0001), opioid use (MME: baseline 20 [IQR: 10–40], last follow-up 0 [IQR: 0–10], p < 0.0001), urinary function (24-h voids: baseline 19 [IQR: 14.5–25.8], last follow-up 8 [IQR: 6–12], p < 0.0001), and quality of life (QOL) (EQ-5D-5L: baseline 0.50 [IQR: 0.36–0.56], last follow-up 0.83 [IQR: 0.76–0.89], p < 0.0001). Employment rates increased from 43.5% to 50%, and unemployment decreased from 8.7% to 4.2%. The median follow-up was 35 months (IQR: 28–53). Conclusions: SNM significantly improved pain, urinary symptoms, quality of life, and employment outcomes in patients with refractory IC/BPS. These findings highlight its efficacy as a minimally invasive and reversible option for managing this challenging condition. Full article

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has profoundly affected public health and socio-economic structures globally. This research conducted a post-COVID-19 analysis of the role of fiscal support interventions on COVID-19 health regulations such as mandatory non-pharmaceutical interventions like face masks, social distancing, periodic lockdowns which include restrictions on movement, and socio-economic dimensions. This quantitative research obtained 302 responses from different households in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal, and Limpopo Provinces in South Africa. The results reveal that the relief fund (R350 unemployment grant, unemployment insurance fund claim, and food parcel distribution, among others) mediated the relationship between COVID-19 health regulations and poverty levels and the relationship between COVID-19 health regulations and health and well-being. The relief fund also mediated the relationship between COVID-19 health regulations and employment levels. Support packages from the R500 billion government support, which included loan guarantees, job support, tax and payment deferrals and holidays, social grants, wage guarantees, health interventions, and municipalities support, moderate the relationship between COVID-19 health regulations and the family and social support. These results validate the impact of the fiscal support intervention by the government in mitigating its emergency intervention with COVID-19 health regulations. This strengthens the theory of intervention, highlighting that multiple dynamics make interventions complex as shown by mediation and moderation results. Furthermore, this study highlights intervention being central to the management of the crisis. The study highlights the importance of comprehensive intervention for future preparedness, thus advancing the crisis–intervention perspective. Advances in these areas are critical to mitigate the impact of the next pandemic or similar major events in society. This can be achieved through improved pandemic timely response with effective economic stimulus, social relief, strong legal framework, and anti-corruption policies. Full article

Graduate employability remains a crucial challenge for higher education institutions, especially in developing economies. This study investigates the key academic and vocational factors influencing early employment outcomes among recent graduates at a public university in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta region. By leveraging predictive analytics, the research explores how data-driven approaches can enhance career readiness strategies. The analysis employed AI-driven models, particularly classification and regression trees (CARTs), using a dataset of 610 recent graduates from a public university in the Mekong Delta to predict early employability. The input factors included gender, field of study, university entrance scores, and grade point average (GPA) scores for four university years. The output factor was recent graduates’ (un)employment within six months after graduation. Among all input factors, third-year GPA, university entrance scores, and final-year academic performance are the most significant predictors of early employment. Among the tested models, CARTs achieved the highest accuracy (93.6%), offering interpretable decision rules that can inform curriculum design and career support services. This study contributes to the intersection of artificial intelligence and vocational education by providing actionable insights for universities, policymakers, and employers, supporting the alignment of education with labor market demands and improving graduate employability outcomes. Full article

Millions of young Africans earn a variety of qualifications annually, yet the majority return without prospects for employment. This challenge has become a catalyst for inequality, poverty, crime involvement, and international migration. Empirical discourse points to education—such as a pedagogy that is chiefly theory-oriented rather than aligned with a knowledge economy, mismatched skills, and irrelevant qualifications—as constraints that contribute to the unemployment of the continent’s vibrant young graduates. Amidst this surging issue, the call for transformation in higher learning has never been clearer. Focusing on rural landscapes, this case study analysed the contextual employability potential of graduates pursuing an entrepreneurial university trajectory in Africa, illustrating why the paradigm should be implemented. The findings, based on qualitative data collected using a semi-structured questionnaire through one-on-one and remote approaches from stakeholders in universities across five African countries, highlight three dimensions central to this pathway. These include (1) curriculum alignment to advance cutting-edge qualifications and skill development that resonate with industrial demand and local economic priorities; (2) stakeholder embeddings in which universities strive to partner with local organisations and established alumni to provide mentorship, job leads, and referrals; and (3) innovation hubs that offer a variety of entrepreneurial support, real-world experience, and Indigenous entrepreneurship practices, leading to unique new ventures and employment opportunities. Implementing this strategy will enable rural-based universities in Africa to innovate in promoting graduate employability, socioeconomic advancements, and sustainable development, ultimately shaping a brighter future for the continent. Further studies could test the assumptions for broader application using statistical analysis. Full article