Search Results (143)

This paper investigates the incentive mechanism for dual-channel healthcare service supply chains, where doctors simultaneously undertake both offline and online medical tasks, based on the common agency theory. Considering the geographical distance between online patients and public hospitals, we construct common agency, game-theoretic models under two scenarios: without spillover effects and with spillover effects. Through analytical solutions, we derive the equilibrium outcomes for both scenarios and conduct comparative and numerical analyses. The findings reveal that as follows: (1) Compared to the scenario without spillover effects, the incentive intensity for offline healthcare increases when spillover effects are considered, and doctors exert higher effort levels in offline healthcare. (2) The incentive intensity for online healthcare may decrease, yet doctors’ effort levels in the online channel do not decline accordingly and may even increase; (3) Non-economic incentives (e.g., online reputation) exhibit a substitution effect on economic incentives; (4) Online reputation not only influences decision-making in the online healthcare channel but also affects decisions in the offline channel through spillover effects. These findings provide valuable insights for public hospitals and online healthcare platforms to optimize incentive structures and for doctors to allocate efforts effectively across dual-channel healthcare services. Full article

Under the “double security” goal of achieving both food security and ecological protection, this study explores the green and low-carbon utilization efficiency of cultivated land (GLCUECL) in the Huaihe River Ecological Economic Belt (HREEB). This study identifies the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and trends, promoting the green, low-carbon, and sustainable utilization of arable land resources in the HREEB, thus contributing to regional and national food and ecological security. Using a global super-efficiency EBM framework that accounts for undesirable outputs, as well as the GML index, the researchers measured and decomposed the GLCUECL in 25 prefecture-level cities of the HREEB from 2005 to 2021. The Theil index and kernel density estimation were applied to analyze regional disparities and changing developmental traits. Spatial convergence and divergence were assessed using the coefficient of variation and spatial convergence models. Key findings include the following: (1) Over time, the GLCUECL in the HREEB exhibited an overall upward trend and a non-equilibrium characteristic, namely the “East Sea-river-lake Linkage Area (ESLA) > Midwest Inland Rising Area (MIRA) > Huaihe River Ecological Economic Belt (HREEB) > North Huaihai Economic Zone (NHEZ)”. The increase in the GML index of the GLCUECL is mainly attributable to a technical progress change. (2) The overall difference in the GLCUECL tends to decline, which is mainly attributable to the intra-regional differences. (3) The overall kernel density curves for the HREEB and its three sub-regions exhibited a “rightward shift” trend. Except for the expansion and polarization of the absolute difference in the GLCUECL in the NHEZ, the absolute difference in GLCUECL in other regions, such as the HREEB, ESLA, and MIRA, exhibited a decreasing trend. (4) Spatial convergence analysis revealed that only the NHEZ lacks σ-convergence, whereas all regions exhibited β-convergence. Moreover, factors such as rural economic development level, cultivated land resource endowment, agricultural subsidy policy, crop planting structure, and technological input exerted a heterogeneous effect on the change in the GLCUECL. Based on these findings, this study offers recommendations for improving GLCUECL in the HREEB. Our recommendations include the implementation of the concept of green new development, optimization of the institution supply, establishing a regional cooperation mechanism for green and low-carbon utilization of cultivated land, and formulation of differentiated paths for improving the green and low-carbon utilization efficiency of cultivated land according to local conditions. Full article

The evolutionary patterns and influencing factors of the coupling coordination among multiple functions of cultivated land serve as an important basis for emphasizing the value of cultivated land utilization and promoting coordinated regional development. The entropy weight TOPSIS model, coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and Geodetector were employed in this study along with panel data from 125 cities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) for 2010, 2015, 2020, and 2022. Three key aspects in the region were investigated: the spatiotemporal evolution of cultivated land functions, characteristics of coupling coordination, and their underlying influencing factors. The results show the following: (1) The functions of cultivated land for food production, social support, and ecological maintenance are within the ranges of [0.023, 0.460], [0.071, 0.451], and [0.134, 0.836], respectively. The grain production function (GPF) shows a continuous increase, the social carrying function (SCF) first decreases and then increases, and the ecological maintenance function (EMF) first increases and then decreases. Spatially, these functions exhibit non-equilibrium characteristics: the grain production function is higher in the central and eastern regions and lower in the western region; the social support function is higher in the eastern and western regions and lower in the central region; and the ecological maintenance function is higher in the central and eastern regions and lower in the western region. (2) The coupling coordination degree of multiple functions of cultivated land is within the range of [0.158, 0.907], forming a spatial pattern where the eastern region takes the lead, the central region is rising, and the western region is catching up. (3) Moran’s I index increased from 0.376 in 2010 to 0.437 in 2022, indicating that the spatial agglomeration of the cultivated land multifunctionality coupling coordination degree has been continuously strengthening over time. (4) The spatial evolution of the coupling coordination of cultivated land multifunctionality is mainly influenced by the average elevation and average slope. However, the explanatory power of socioeconomic factors is continuously increasing. Interaction detection reveals characteristics of nonlinear enhancement or double-factor enhancement. The research results enrich the study of cultivated land multifunctionality and provide a decision-making basis for implementing the differentiated management of cultivated land resources and promoting mutual enhancement among different functions of cultivated land. Full article

China’s National Famous, Special, Excellent, and New Agricultural Products are key rural economic assets, yet their spatial patterns and sustainability drivers remain underexplored. Based on the geospatial data of 1932 National Famous, Special, Excellent and New Agricultural Products in China, this study systematically analyzes their spatial distribution pattern by using GIS spatial analysis techniques, including the standard deviation ellipse, kernel density estimation, geographic concentration index and Lorenz curve, and quantitatively explores the driving factors of sustainable development by using geographic detectors. The research results of this paper are as follows. (1) The spatial distribution shows a significant non-equilibrium characteristic of “high-density concentration in the central and eastern part of the country and low-density sparseness in the western part of the country” and the geographic concentration index (G = 22.95) and the standard deviation ellipse indicate that the center of gravity of the distribution is located in the North China Plain (115° E–35° N), and the main direction extends along the longitude of 110° E–120° E. (2) Driving factor analysis showed that railroad mileage (X10) (q = 0.5028, p = 0.0025 < 0.01), highway mileage (X11) (q = 0.4633, p = 0.0158 < 0.05), and population size (X3) (q = 0.4469, p = 0.0202 < 0.05) are the core drivers. (3) Three-dimensional kernel density mapping reveals that the eastern coast and central plains (kernel density > 0.08) form high-density clusters due to the advantages of the transportation network and market, while the western part shows a gradient decline due to the limitation of topography and transportation conditions. The study suggests that the sustainable development of National Famous, Special, Excellent, and New Agricultural Products should be promoted by strengthening transportation and digital logistics systems, enhancing cold-chain distribution for perishable goods, tailoring regional branding strategies, and improving synergy among local governments, thereby providing actionable guidance for policymakers and producers to increase market competitiveness and income stability. The study provides a quantitative, policy-oriented assessment of China’s branded agricultural resource allocation and its sustainability drivers, offering specific recommendations to guide infrastructure investment, e-commerce logistics enhancement, and targeted subsidy design for balanced regional development. The study highlights three key contributions: (1) an innovative integration of geospatial analytics and geographical detectors to reveal spatial patterns; (2) clear empirical evidence for policymakers to prioritize transport and digital logistics investments; and (3) practical guidance for producers and brand managers to enhance product market reach, optimize supply chains, and strengthen regional competitiveness in line with sustainable development goals. Full article

In this paper, we develop an HIV/AIDS epidemic model that incorporates a saturated incidence rate to reflect the limited transmission capacity and the impact of behavioral saturation in contact patterns. The model is formulated as a system of seven non-linear ordinary differential equations representing key population compartments. In addition to model formulation, we introduce an optimal control problem involving three control measures: educational campaigns, screening of unaware infected individuals, and antiretroviral treatment for aware infected individuals. We begin by establishing the positivity and boundedness of the model solutions under constant control inputs. The existence and local and global stability of both the disease-free and endemic equilibrium points are analyzed, depending on the effective reproduction number (${\mathcal{R}}_e$). Bifurcation analysis reveals that the model undergoes a forward bifurcation at ${\mathcal{R}}_e=1$. A local sensitivity analysis of ${\mathcal{R}}_e$ identifies the disease transmission rate as the most sensitive parameter. The optimal control problem is then formulated by incorporating the dynamics of infected subpopulations, control costs, and time-dependent controls. The existence of optimal control solutions is proven, and the necessary conditions for optimality are derived using Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle. Numerical simulations support the theoretical analysis and confirm the stability of the equilibrium points. The optimal control strategies, evaluated using the Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER), indicate that implementing both screening and treatment (Strategy D) is the most cost-effective intervention. These results provide important insights for designing effective and economically sustainable HIV/AIDS intervention policies. Full article

This study examines the symmetric and asymmetric impacts of international trade on consumption-based carbon emissions (CBEs) in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the United States of America (USA) from 1990 to 2018. The analysis uses autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and non-linear ARDL (NARDL) methodologies to capture short- and long-run trade emissions dynamics, with economic growth, oil prices, financial development and industry value addition as control variables. The findings reveal that exports reduce CBEs, while imports increase them, across both economies in the long and short run. The asymmetric analysis highlights that a fall in exports increases CBEs in the USA but reduces them in the PRC due to differences in supply chain flexibility. The PRC demonstrates larger coefficients for trade variables, reflecting its reliance on energy-intensive imports and rapid trade growth. The error correction term shows that the PRC takes 2.64 times longer than the USA to return to equilibrium after short-run shocks, reflecting systemic rigidity. These findings challenge the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, showing that economic growth intensifies CBEs. Robustness checks confirm the results, highlighting the need for tailored policies, including carbon border adjustments, renewable energy integration and CBE-based accounting frameworks. Full article

This study examines how a low-carbon manufacturer strategically adopts blockchain technology and selects sales modes with a dual-purpose e-commerce platform that focuses on both profit and consumer surplus. We develop six game-theoretic models by combining three sales modes (agency, reselling, and dual modes) with two blockchain scenarios (adoption vs. non-adoption). Using backward induction, we derive equilibrium strategies for supply chain members and analyze the impacts of key parameters. Building on these analyses, we further investigate the joint decision-making of blockchain adoption and sales mode selection, exploring how the platform’s consumer surplus concern influences manufacturer decisions, and evaluating the economic value created by blockchain under alternative sales modes, ultimately leading to three key findings: (1) The agency mode is generally preferred in most cases, especially when the platform has a moderate level of concern for consumer surplus. Blockchain adoption is only recommended when its unit operational cost is below certain thresholds, and it can significantly impact the choice between agency and dual modes based on the platform’s consumer surplus concern. (2) Platform’s degree of consumer surplus concern exerts a negligible effect on manufacturer’s sales mode selection without blockchain, but it becomes crucial and can trigger a shift to the dual mode when blockchain is adopted. (3) Blockchain generates the greatest economic value for the manufacturer under the dual mode, regardless of cost thresholds. For platforms, the optimal strategy depends on blockchain’s unit operational cost, with the reselling mode being optimal for low cost and the agency mode preferred for higher cost. Full article

This paper proposes a two-stage stochastic non-cooperative game model to solve relief supplies procurement and distribution optimization of multiple rescue organizations in crisis rescue. Rescue organizations with limited budgets minimize rescue costs through relief supply procurement, storage, and transportation in an uncertain environment. Under a mild assumption, we establish the existence and uniqueness of the equilibrium point and derive the optimality conditions by using the duality theory, characterizing the saddle point in the Lagrange framework. The problem is further reformulated as a constraint system governed by Lagrange multipliers, and its optimality is characterized by the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker condition. The economic interpretation of the multipliers as shadow prices is elucidated. Numerical experiments verify the effectiveness of the model in cost optimization in crisis rescue scenarios. Full article

In the Mediterranean region, countries grapple with a mix of environmental pressures, such as air pollution and climate vulnerability, alongside economic disparities and migration issues. In this context, we aim to highlight the interaction between migration (NMIG), economic growth (GDP), foreign direct investments (FDI), fossil fuel (FF) usage, consumption from renewables (RENC), CO₂ emissions, and life expectancy (LE). This is important for gaining insights into how policies in areas like energy, environment, migration, and FDI influence long-term health outcomes. Our research examines the determinants of LE in two groups of Mediterranean countries (EU-Med8 and Non-EU-Med4) using a panel ARDL approach. The long-run results for Med8 indicate that RENC positively influences LE, while FF has a significant negative effect. Economic growth and migration also play important roles, with GDP positively affecting LE. The error correction term (ECT) confirms convergence toward long-run equilibrium. For Med4, FF consumption and CO₂ negatively affect LE, while migration and FDI exhibit mixed results. These findings suggest that while renewable energy transitions benefit LE in EU Mediterranean countries, challenges persist in non-EU countries, where energy infrastructure and investment patterns may not yet support positive health outcomes. Full article

In this study, we introduce two new classes of contractions, namely enriched $(\mathfrak{I},\rho ,\chi )$-contractions and generalized enriched $(\mathfrak{I},\rho ,\chi )$-contractions, within the context of normed spaces. These classes generalize several well-known contraction types, including $\chi$-contractions, Banach contractions, enriched contractions, Kannan contractions, Bianchini contractions, Zamfirescu contractions, non-expansive mappings, and $(\rho ,\chi )$-enriched contractions. We establish related fixed point results for the novel contractions in normed spaces endowed with the binary relations preserving key symmetric properties, ensuring consistency and applicability. The Krasnoselskij iteration method is refined to incorporate symmetric constraints, facilitating fixed point identification within these spaces. By appropriately selecting constants in the definition of enriched $(\mathfrak{I},\rho ,\chi )$-contractions, employing a suitable binary relation, or control function $\chi \in \Theta$, our framework generalizes and extends classical fixed point theorems. Illustrative examples highlight the significance of our findings in reinforcing fixed point conditions and demonstrating their broader applicability. Additionally, this paper explores how these ideas guarantee the stability of the production–consumption markets equilibrium and the economic growth model. Full article

In a competitive market, due to differences in the nature of various power generation entities, there is a decline in resource utilization and difficulties in ensuring a return on investment for generating units within the system. A bi-level non-cooperative game model based on the Unit Resource Return (URR) is proposed to safeguard the interests and demands of each power generation unit while improving the overall resource utilization rate of the system. Firstly, we construct a comprehensive energy-trading framework for the overall system and analyze the relationship between the Independent System Operator (ISO) and the generation units. Secondly, we propose the Unit Resource Return (URR), inspired by the concept of input-output efficiency in economics. URR evaluates the return on unit resource input by taking the maximum generation potential of each unit as the benchmark. Finally, a bi-level non-cooperative game model is established. In the lower-level non-cooperative game, the generating units safeguard their own interests, while in the upper-level, the ISO adjusts the output allocation and engages in a master–slave game between generating units to ensure the overall operational efficiency of the system. URR is adopted as the ISO’s price-clearing equilibrium criterion, enabling the optimization of both resource profitability and allocation. Ultimately, both the upper and lower-level decision variables reach a Nash equilibrium. The experimental results show that the bi-level non-cooperative game model based on the Unit Resource Return improves the overall resource utilization of the system and enhances the long-term operational motivation of the generating units. Full article

Effective coordination between fiscal and monetary policy is crucial for macroeconomic stability, yet achieving it presents significant challenges due to differing objectives and institutional setups. This study evaluates the strategic interaction between fiscal and monetary authorities in Hungary from 2013 to 2023, employing the Nash equilibrium framework under the assumption of non-cooperative behavior. By modeling the authorities as independent players optimizing distinct payoff functions based on key economic indicators (interest rates, government spending, inflation, output gap, fiscal deficit, and public debt), the analysis estimates the best response strategies and computes the resulting Nash equilibrium. The key findings reveal persistent deviations between actual policies and the computed equilibrium strategies. Specifically, actual fiscal policy was consistently more expansionary (average actual deficit −2.6% to 7.6% GDP vs. equilibrium recommendations ranging from 8.5% surplus to −3.0% deficit) than the Nash equilibrium indicated, particularly during periods of economic growth. Monetary policy often lagged in equilibrium recommendations, maintaining low interest rates (e.g., 0.9% actual vs. 11.5% equilibrium in 2019) before implementing sharp increases (13% actual vs. approx. 3.5–3.8% equilibrium in 2022–2023) that significantly overshot the equilibrium. These misalignments underscore potential suboptimal outcomes arising from independent policymaking, contributing to increased public debt and heightened inflationary pressures in the Hungarian context. This study highlights the potential benefits of aligning policies closer to mutually consistent strategies, suggesting that improved coordination frameworks could enhance macroeconomic stability, offering insights relevant to Hungary and similar economies. Full article

The empirical findings of this study suggest a significant long-term relationship between the probability of mortality due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among individuals aged 30–70 in Azerbaijan and key economic and social indicators, including Gross Domestic Product per Capita, Waged Employment, Human Development Index, and out-of-pocket health expenditures. The Error Correction Model coefficient (−0.724701) implies that the system adjusts back to equilibrium at a rate of 72.47% per period, highlighting a strong corrective mechanism. Additionally, in the short run, GDP, HDI, wage employment, and out-of-pocket health expenditures significantly influence mortality rates. The model’s statistical diagnostics confirm its robustness, and the results align with economic theory, reinforcing their validity and policy relevance. According to the conclusion of this research, we suggest the enhancement of the HDI and Employment, control out-of-pocket expenditures, and increase Government Healthcare Spending to significantly reduce mortality rates. This study emphasizes that enhancing social determinants like the HDI, Waged Employment, and accessible healthcare services is crucial for reducing mortality rates of NCDs. While Azerbaijan’s economic growth has improved living standards, further efforts are necessary to improve healthcare investments and reduce inequalities in health outcomes. Full article

The engagement of emerging market participants in electricity markets exerts dual influences on price formation mechanisms and operational dynamics. To quantify the impacts on locational marginal prices and stakeholders’ economic interests when EV aggregators (EVAs), cloud energy storage operators (CESSOs), and load aggregators (LAs) collectively participate in market competition, this study develops a bi-level game-theoretic framework for market equilibrium analysis. The proposed architecture comprises two interdependent layers: The upper-layer Stackelberg game coordinates strategic interactions among EVA, LA, and CESSO to mitigate bidding uncertainties through cooperative mechanisms. The lower-layer non-cooperative Nash game models competition patterns to determine market equilibria under multi-agent participation. A hybrid solution methodology integrating nonlinear complementarity formulations with genetic algorithm-based optimization was developed. Extensive numerical case studies validate the methodological efficacy, demonstrating improvements in solution optimality and computational efficiency compared to conventional approaches. Full article

The capitalist economy has experienced several economic long waves after the industrial revolution. The previous explanations for their causes have primarily focused on a single factor such as technology or institution, which has limitations and flaws. In this paper, the cause of economic long waves is explained by employing the nonlinear interaction and nonequilibrium evolution mechanisms in complex economics. Moreover, the relationships between endogenous technological innovation, institutional regulation, and economic long waves are examined. The research results show that technological innovation is driven by the economic long wave movement. In particular, the phases of depression, recovery, and prosperity within these waves may serve as catalysts for further innovation. The free market can exhibit endogenous instability. The dual regulation of productive and distributive institutions can ensure stable and efficient economic development and achieve broad social benefits. However, in a context of individual decentralized decision making, the institutional structures often deviate from the optimal outcome. This deviation, to a certain extent, leads to structural economic crises. The integration and interaction between technological innovation and institutional regulation jointly drive the long wave movement and the accumulation cycle of the economy. This paper proposes a feasible method for studying economic long waves, offering insights that could promote sustainable and robust economic development. Full article