Abstract: The purpose of this study was to construct a unique industry cycle indicator (ICI) for Bangladeshi aggregate firms within the industrial sector, aiming to provide early signals of industrial vulnerability, identify turning points, and evaluate predictive performance. The methodology involved constructing the ICI following the approach of the Conference Board (2000) and testing its robustness with a macro-stress test using lagged independent... [...] Read more

Abstract: Fathers are traditionally seen as the patriarchal heads of households. However, in many societies, mothers exert substantial influence over the extent of paternal involvement post-divorce. Non-resident fathers often face significant barriers, particularly maternal gatekeeping, which limits access to their children and undermines their parental role. These dynamics contribute to persistent societal narratives that depict such fathers as... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study aims to explore the primary factors and prerequisites that have contributed to the intensive economic development of the Netherlands. By examining the roles of tourism, logistics, industry, and agriculture, the research seeks to understand how these sectors have driven what is often referred to as the Dutch economic miracle. The study employs historical methods, the theory of relative advantages, and general scientific research... [...] Read more

Abstract: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has evolved globally from philanthropic acts to strategic initiatives with social, environmental, and economic implications. In Kenya, CSR is often applied philanthropically, with limited integration into long-term development strategies, especially in rural areas. This study investigates the social impacts of Rabai Power Company’s (RPL) CSR initiatives on sustainable rural development and corporate... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study aims to examine the impact of globalization on Nigeria's economic competitiveness, focusing on how Nigeria's participation in the global economy has influenced its ability to compete with developed nations. The study employs the Least Squares method to analyze data collected from 2006 to 2017 from various sources, including the Nigeria Statistical Bulletin, World Economic Forum reports, and the United Nations Industrial Development... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study examines the dynamic relationship between tourism development and the host community, highlighting the dual potential of tourism to generate socio-economic opportunities while posing cultural and social challenges. Emphasizing the principles of sustainable tourism, the research underscores the importance of community participation, acceptance, and equitable benefit-sharing in ensuring tourism initiatives are both effective and... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study investigates the macroeconomic and socio-economic determinants influencing the demand for Takaful (Islamic insurance) across selected Muslim countries between 2004 and 2016. Despite the growing global interest in Islamic finance, Takaful remains underdeveloped compared to other sectors such as Islamic banking and Sukuk. This research aims to identify the key factors affecting Takaful uptake by examining the effects of real interest... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study aims to assess the resilience of the Bangladeshi financial market by analyzing episodes of economic crises and identifying potential turning points that may lead to market distress. The research seeks to provide a detailed understanding of the vulnerable aspects of financial instability in Bangladesh and propose actionable recovery strategies. The study employs Hamilton's Markov Switching Model (1989), a standard methodology from... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study investigates the imperatives of gender equality in expanding the economic base of Nigeria, a country that has long remained a mono-product economy dependent on oil revenue. The purpose of this study is to explore how gender inequality affects economic diversification and to suggest policy recommendations to enhance gender equality and economic growth. The methodology employed includes the Engel-Granger and Error Correction Model... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study aims to explore the role of instrumental freedoms in enhancing human capabilities and the process of human development. Specifically, it examines the effects of political freedoms, economic facilities, transparency guarantees, social opportunities, and protective security on health, education, housing, employment, and communication and mobility capabilities. The study employs a hierarchical structural model using the partial least... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study examines the conditional effect of trade liberalization on economic growth in West Africa, with a particular focus on the moderating influence of institutional quality. A panel dataset covering 16 West African countries over the period 2017–2022 is employed to estimate a dynamic growth model using the System Generalized Method of Moments (System-GMM), which effectively addresses endogeneity and growth persistence. Robustness checks... [...] Read more

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the implications of free trade areas on poverty, household welfare, and economic development in Nigeria. Using a fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) regression technique, the study analyzes key macroeconomic indicators, specifically income per capita to measure welfare and unemployment to assess poverty. Historical data covering 27 years were sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s... [...] Read more

Abstract: Despite significant research on oil price shocks and exchange rate dynamics, most studies examine these factors independently and focus on average effects, while conventional policy structures often treat these risks as weakly correlated, ignoring the compounding double-hit effect of synchronized shocks. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the joint, asymmetric, and state-dependent impacts of oil supply shocks and exchange rate... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study examines the role of social workers in promoting girls’ education and empowerment across African regions, where cultural, economic, and political barriers continue to restrict educational access and gender equality. Using a desktop-based research methodology, the study analyses secondary data from scholarly literature, government reports, NGO documents, and international organisation publications. Additionally, a PRISMA-based flow... [...] Read more

Abstract: The study aimed to address the critical research gap in understanding the effectiveness of Group Dynamics (GD) within Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the Ethiopian context. Specifically, it sought to examine the extent to which socioeconomic and sociopsychological variables predicted group dynamics and how well these dynamics predicted attitudes among SHG members. A correlational design was employed to investigate the relationships between... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the impact of financial inclusion and household decision-making on child health outcomes in Nigeria. Specifically, it explores how financial inclusion—measured through mobile phone usage for financial transactions, bank account ownership, and mobile digital payment methods—interacts with women's decision-making power regarding earnings and household purchases to influence child health. Using data from the 2018... [...] Read more

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to assess the vulnerability of Bangladesh's coastal areas to natural disasters driven by climate change and to evaluate the effectiveness of current coping mechanisms. The research involved surveying farmers across eight coastal unions, focusing on their socio-economic characteristics, family size, income levels, and the impact of climate change on their livelihoods. The study employed a mixed-methods approach,... [...] Read more

Abstract: Gender equality is the subject of Sustainable Development Goal 5, one of the UN's 17 objectives. Assuring women's full and effective involvement and equitable opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life is the emphasis of SDG target 5.5. In Bangladesh, there is still a significant gender gap in sports participation, which limits women's access to physical activity, personal growth, and... [...] Read more

Abstract: The article examines stock index price responses in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico to those in the US, Spain, and four European countries during three sub-periods surrounding the neoliberal reforms of the 1990s: 1988 to 1994, 1995 to 1998, and 1999 to 2004. The methodology is empirical and uses time series analysis, in particular impulse response functions (IRFs) derived using vector autoregression (VAR) models. It finds that equity markets became... [...] Read more

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the underlying causes of seaport congestion at Chittagong seaport, a critical gateway for international trade and a vital contributor to Bangladesh's economic growth. Seaport congestion is a pervasive issue that not only disrupts the flow of goods but also hampers the economic progress of nations reliant on efficient trade operations. To achieve the study's objectives, a survey-based research design... [...] Read more

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of microfinance provisions on poverty reduction across various developing and a few developed countries, examining how regional differences and time influence the performance of the microfinance industry. The study employs a panel data model and pooled Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) to analyze the effect of key microfinance indicators—namely, the number of microfinance institutions, gross loan... [...] Read more

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of operational risk management (ORM) on the performance of cooperative microfinance institutions, with a particular focus on the moderating role of specialization in this relationship. Using a quantitative research approach, survey questionnaires were distributed to 455 senior officers from savings and credit cooperative microfinance service providers (MSPs) in Thailand. Data analysis was... [...] Read more

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the public acceptance of potential loot box regulation in digital games, focusing on the similarities between loot boxes and gambling, and the need for increased transparency. An online survey was conducted in July 2019, targeting participants from Germany, Hungary, South Africa, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The survey collected data on consumer preferences regarding the... [...] Read more

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of government health expenditures on the performance of the health sector in Nigeria over the period from 1979 to 2019. The study employs an ex-post facto research design and utilizes annual time series data obtained from the World Development Indicators (WDI) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin. To analyze the data, the dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS)... [...] Read more

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to identify key reasons for the persistence of extreme poverty in Nigeria and to provide potential solutions. This exploratory research employs a secondary research method, utilizing data from textbooks, online newspapers, journal articles, and organizational reports. The study reviews various poverty alleviation programs implemented by the Nigerian government and other organizations. The findings reveal that the... [...] Read more