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: 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: The study aimed to investigate the high prevalence and associated costs of treating hypertension, focusing on its direct average cost and its catastrophic effect on sufferers in Nigeria. Utilizing a descriptive survey research design, data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to patients at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital and National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22,... [...] 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: The purpose of this study is to explore the key factors influencing the ability of households in Abu Dhabi to maintain a subsistence standard of living, particularly focusing on how various socio-demographic and well-being determinants impact this ability. The study utilizes data from 38,124 employed heads of households who participated in the Abu Dhabi Quality-of-Life (QoL) survey conducted in 2021. A hierarchical regression model was... [...] 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: The purpose of this study is to explore the intricate relationship between economic inequality and poverty dynamics, with a focus on understanding how disparities in wealth and income influence the movement of individuals and households into and out of poverty over time. The study employs a comprehensive literature review methodology, analyzing existing empirical and theoretical research to assess various approaches to measuring economic... [...] Read more

Abstract: The study examines the relationship between fiscal policy, the level of poverty, and the frontier technology readiness index (skill) in the Southern African Customs Union over the period of 2012 to 2022. The technique of pooled ordinary least squares was used to ascertain the empirical findings, while the LLC and IPS established the stationarity of the variables. The empirical findings show that government expenditure on education, indirect... [...] Read more

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between risk management practices and the sustainability of the microfinance industry in Sri Lanka. Given the rapid growth of the microfinance sector over the past two decades, understanding how effective risk management contributes to long-term sustainability is crucial. The study employed a quantitative research design, utilizing simple regression analysis to explore the... [...] 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: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of social skills training in enhancing the self-concept of teenage mothers in Kibera, a population often marginalized and vulnerable due to societal stigma, rejection, and isolation following teenage pregnancy. The study employed a mixed-method sequential explanatory design, anchored on Carl Rogers' person-centered theory and Bandura's social cognitive theory. The research... [...] Read more