Search Results (66)

Background: The intersection of aging and disability is an important social issue. The rehabilitation system of older adults with disabilities is a complex social system including various social units. This study aims to investigate the impact of the “inclusion of rehabilitation services in basic medical insurance” (IRSMI) policy on the utilization of rehabilitation services and annual household healthcare expenditure among older adults with disabilities. Methods: Using the data of China Disabled Persons’ Condition Monitoring Survey (2009–2012), this study employed the difference-in-differences method to analyze the impact of IRSMI on rehabilitation services utilization and household healthcare expenditure, and further examined the differential effects of the policy on service utilization across subpopulations with different demographic characteristics, including gender, age, and disability severity. The Heckman two-stage model corrects for sample selection bias caused by the share of households with zero health expenditures. Event-study specification was applied to assess the validity of the parallel trends assumption in the DID framework. Baron & Kenny’s three-step method was used to explore the potential mediating mechanism. Results: (1) IRSMI significantly increased the likelihood of utilizing rehabilitation services among older adults with disabilities (OR = 1.349), but this kind of promotive effect mainly focus on males (OR = 1.530), middle-aged and older disabled individuals (OR = 1.423), and those with mild disabilities (OR = 1.444). (2) The implementation of IRSMI contributed to an approximately 20.3% increase in annual healthcare expenditures for households with older adults with disabilities ($\beta$ = 0.185). (3) IRSMI significantly promoted the increase in household healthcare expenditures for high-income older adults with disabilities ($\beta$ = 0.181), but had limited impact on low- and middle-income groups. (4) Rehabilitation services utilization played a mediating role in the relationship between IRSMI and household healthcare expenditure, with about 19.0% of the increase in annual household healthcare expenditures attributable to the enhanced utilization of rehabilitation services. Conclusions: In the complex social system of rehabilitation for older adults with disabilities, the IRSMI policy significantly increases the likelihood of rehabilitation services utilization and substantially raises annual household healthcare expenditures. However, the heterogeneous effects across gender, age, disability severity, and income levels reflect structural inequities embedded in the rehabilitation system, underscoring the need for adaptive and equity-oriented interventions. Full article

This study investigates how Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance is shaped across 31 countries in the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from 1990 to 2020. To explore these relationships, we employed the Continuously Updated Generalized Method of Moments (CUE-GMM) and the Limited Information Maximum Likelihood (LIML), with additional robustness checks using Instrumental Variables Two-Stage Least Squares (IV-2SLS), Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE), and Driscoll-Kraay regressions. The results highlight democratic governance as a consistent driver of ESG advancement. Military expenditure can also support sustainability by reinforcing institutional stability, particularly in developing and upper-middle-income countries. Economic factors such as foreign direct investment, industrialization, and human capital show context-dependent effects, whereas globalization and natural resource rents generally enhance ESG performance, and inflation tends to constrain it. Overall, the findings underscore the importance of tailored, context-specific sustainability policies, showing that effective ESG progress depends on the interaction between institutions, economic structures, and global integration. Full article

Food insecurity remains a persistent global challenge, despite significant advancements in agricultural production and technology. The main objective of this study is to identify and quantitatively assess some of the structural determinants influencing country-level food insecurity and provide an empirical background for policy-making aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger (SDG 2). This study employs a beta regression model in order to study moderate or severe food insecurity across 153 countries, using a cross-sectional dataset that integrates economic, agricultural, political, and demographic independent variables. The analysis identifies low household per capita final consumption expenditure (β = −9 × 10⁻⁵, p < 0.001), high income inequality expressed as a high GINI coefficient (β = 0.047, p < 0.001), high long-term inflation (β = 0.0176, p = 0.003), and low economic globalization (β = −0.021, p = 0.001) as the most significant predictors of food insecurity. Agricultural variables such as land area (β = −1 × 10⁻⁵, p = 0.02) and productivity per hectare (β = −9 × 10⁻⁵, p = 0.09) showed limited but statistically significant inverse effects (lowering food insecurity), while factors like unemployment, political stability, and conflict were not significant in the model. The findings suggest that increased economic capacity, inequality reduction, inflation control, and global trade integration are critical pathways for reducing food insecurity. Future research could employ beta regression in time-series and panel analyses or spatial models like geographically weighted regression to capture geographic differences in food insecurity determinants. Full article

This paper highlights the importance of accounting for both the maturity structure of government debt and the composition of fiscal instruments when studying the macroeconomic effects of fiscal policy. Using a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model featuring a debt maturity structure and six exogenous fiscal shocks spanning both the expenditure and revenue sides, we show that long-maturity debt systematically weakens the expansionary effects of fiscal policy under dovish monetary policy, particularly in response to increases in government purchases, government investment, and capital income tax cuts, where long-term financing leads to the significant crowding-out of private activity. In contrast, short-term debt financing yields output multipliers that often exceed unity. The maturity structure also alters the relative efficacy of fiscal instruments: while labor income tax cuts produce the largest multipliers under short-term debt, government purchases become more potent under long-term debt financing. We also show that the stark difference between short- and long-term debt becomes muted under a hawkish monetary regime. Our results have important policy implications, suggesting that the maturity composition of public debt should be carefully considered in the design of fiscal policy, particularly in high-debt economies. Full article

Low-income households face severe energy affordability issues due to poor housing quality. To fight this problem, Spanish public administrations and NGOs have collaborated with the Naturgy Foundation’s Energy Rehabilitation Solidarity Fund to improve the energy efficiency of vulnerable households through quick and low-cost interventions. This paper evaluates the impact of shallow renovation and micro-efficiency measures implemented within this program on energy poverty across various Spanish provinces. The analysis includes data from 416 households in 10 provinces, examining sociodemographic factors, housing conditions, energy bills, and thermal comfort perceptions. The methodology involved collecting data through two questionnaires and energy bills provided by collaborating entities. The study found that shallow renovation measures reduced the energy poverty gap by 14.51%, from EUR 554/year to EUR 483/year. Despite these gains, many households remain in severe hidden energy poverty, spending less than a quarter of their theoretical energy expenditure. The findings highlight the diversity among different provinces and measures and the need for more extensive structural measures to reduce energy poverty significantly. Eventually, the study underscores the effectiveness of energy renovations carried out by non-profit organizations. Thus, scaling these efforts nationally might help meet the goals of the public energy poverty plans. Full article

Within the turbomachinery industry, components are currently assessed deploying standard second-order steady solvers. These are unable to capture complicated unsteady phenomena that have a critical impact on component performance. In this work, the high-order spectral h/p solver Nektar++ will be applied to a compressor blade to study the turbulent transition mechanisms and assess the effect of incoming disturbances with quasi-DNS resolution. The case will be modelled at an angle of incidence of $53.5°$ to match the original experimental loading at $52.8°$. At clean inflow conditions, Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities appear on both sides of the blade due to a double separation, with the pressure side one not being reported in the experiments. The separation is gradually removed by the incoming turbulent structures but at different rates on the two sides of the blade. It will be shown that there is an optimal amount of turbulence intensity that minimises momentum thickness, which is strongly related to losses. Moreover, a discussion on the spanwise extrusion will be included, this being a major player in the modelling costs. Finally, the wall-clock time and the exact expenditure to run this case will be outlined, providing quantitative evidence of the feasibility of considering a quasi-DNS resolution in an industrial setting. Full article

The choice of carbon inequality metrics can significantly influence demand-side mitigation policies and their equity outcomes. We propose integrated carbon inequality metrics, including juxtaposing carbon inequality with economic inequality, disparity ratios across income and age groups, and structural income–urbanization inequality patterns. We then apply these new metrics and use the household expenditure survey data from China Family Panel Studies as a case study to examine household consumption-based carbon emissions in China. We assess the extent to which household consumption patterns, household expenditure, age, and urbanization contribute to the gap in per-capita household carbon footprints (CF) across income groups. We find that in relative terms, the top 20% income group accounts for 38% of total emissions, whereas the bottom 20% emit about 8% in China. Per-capita CFs vary slightly widely in their inequality than expenditure. The CF disparity ratios of all eight consumption categories across provinces concentrate around 4.5. CF disparity ratios of households with elderly members range from 1 to 3 and decrease with increasing household size. Rural CF-Gini exhibit a slightly wider range (0.15 to 0.52) than urban CF-Gini (0.16 to 0.42). Per capita CF of urban inhabitants was substantially larger than that of the rural ones, with 8.83 tCO₂ per capita in urban regions vs. 2.68 tCO₂ in rural regions. This study provides a nuanced understanding of within-country disparities to inform equitable demand-side mitigation solutions. Full article

The aim of the research was to determine the relationship between the perception of organic food characteristics and the demographic and social profile of consumers on the Polish market. The research focused on the general characteristics and features of plant and animal products offered on the organic food market compared to conventional food. The study was conducted on a sample of 1020 respondents from different regions of Poland using structural equation modelling, which allowed for the assessment of regression and covariance relationships between variables. The models allowed an in-depth assessment of the relationships between several variables and the identification of latent factors. The results of the study showed that demographic (gender and age) and economic (income and expenditure on organic food) characteristics of Polish consumers significantly influence consumer perceptions and preferences towards organic food. Women were more likely to emphasise the importance of sensory attributes (e.g., freshness and taste), while consumers with higher incomes appreciated the organic benefits of products, especially animal products (e.g., no preservatives or hormones). Surprisingly, education was not found to be a significant differentiator in the perception of organic products. The study also provided important insights for the producers and marketers of organic food, highlighting the need to differentiate marketing strategies according to the demographic and social profile of consumers. Full article

This paper presents a novel approach to prognosing European economic crises through the development of an economic–financial risk sensitivity model. The model integrates key macroeconomic indicators such as government deficit (NETGDP), GINI coefficient, social protection expenditure (ExSocP), unemployment rate (UNE), research and development spending (RDGDP), and tax structures (TXSwoSC), assessing their role in predicting economic vulnerability across European countries. By applying the Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric test on data from 324 observations across multiple countries, significant differences were identified in the distribution of these variables. The results show that government policies related to social protection, R&D, and taxation play an important role in a country’s resilience to economic shocks. On the other hand, indicators such as income inequality and unemployment exhibit less variation, reflecting global economic conditions. The model provides a comprehensive risk assessment framework, allowing for the early detection of potential economic crises and guiding policy adjustments to mitigate risks. This methodology offers valuable insights into the sensitivity of European economies to financial disruptions, emphasizing the importance of fiscal policies and social expenditure in maintaining economic stability. Full article

The study explored the relationship between motivations and attitudes for purchasing certified organic food and the socio-economic characteristics of consumers. The research involved 1020 Polish respondents, using in-depth interviews with a structured electronic questionnaire. Participants were selected through non-random, purposive sampling, selecting only consumers of organic food. The findings revealed that altruistic-egoistic motives are prevalent among consumers with higher food expenditure, particularly on organic products. Three main categories of organic food consumers’ attitudes were identified: pro-environmental, driven by concerns for sustainability and environmental protection; pro-health, centered on personal and family health and food safety; and pro-wellbeing, focusing on personal satisfaction, emotional wellbeing, and ethical considerations. Women were more likely to prioritize pro-health attitudes, reflecting a focus on personal and family health. Additionally, higher household income was linked to stronger pro-environmental and pro-health purchasing attitudes. This study contributes to consumer behavior theory and practical applications by offering a framework that integrates altruistic-egoistic and hedonic motives, as well as pro-environmental, pro-health, and hedonic attitudes, illustrating their roles in shaping organic food purchasing decisions and highlighting the interplay between these motivations and socio-economic characteristics. Full article

Around three million pensioners receive the Indonesian civil service pension benefit. This benefit is the main source of income for the majority of civil service pensioners. This paper examines the adequacy of this pension benefit from the perspective of pensioners in Kapuas Regency. Through qualitative research, fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted to investigate the role of pension benefits in maintaining the interviewees’ lifestyles and standards of living. All the interviewees perceived that the pension benefit could cover their basic needs, but for most of them, it only covered 25% of their total expenditures. Despite this, the replacement rate of the take-home pay from the pension benefit is still acceptable based on the ILO standard. While some can adjust to life with basic needs, others choose to find another source of income after retirement. Therefore, although the amount is still higher than the poverty line and the minimum wage, the findings suggest the retirement rate is considered meager. Full article

The sustainability of local public finances is of general interest in the context of the socio-economic transformations of recent decades. In former communist countries such as Romania, where there has been no real reform of local government, this interest is heightened by the strong disparities between administrative units that have adapted to the new context and those that, for various reasons, have become dependent on government subsidies to be able to function. Using information derived from the budget execution for 2019–2023 at the level of the administrative units in rural areas, this study analyzes the structure of income and expenditure budgets. The territorial disparities are demonstrated by typological analyses showing strong regionalization, with a well-defined income or expenditure structure profile. In the same sense, multivariate analysis which uses a series of illustrative demographic and socio-economic profiles as explanatory variables shows significant correlations with the structure of local budgets. It is thus possible to distinguish certain regional patterns, depending on the level of development, geographical position, or quality of infrastructure. The study results demonstrate the need for genuine administrative reform to reduce the dependence of local budgets on subsidies and increase their self-sustainability, especially in rural areas. Full article

This study explores the factors influencing the migration intentions of the new generation of migrant workers from the perspective of employment quality. Utilizing differential analysis, correlation analysis, and the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) model, this study analyzes data on hukou transfer intention obtained through an exploratory questionnaire survey. The results indicate significant differences in migration intentions among new-generation migrant workers differentiated by job industry, job position, gender, household registration type, and housing type. Additionally, age, the number of local family members, and housing satisfaction are strongly correlated with migration intentions. Path analysis reveals that employment stability, income–expenditure match, and social integration significantly positively affect migration intentions. This research provides a unique perspective on employment quality and offers theoretical foundations for policies related to migrant workers’ hukou transfer intention. Full article

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to pose a threat to public health. Although their impact on the workforce is widely recognized, there needs to be more understanding of how NCDs affect peace and security, particularly in low-middle-income countries. To address this, we conducted a scoping review and presented a narrative to explore how NCDs in the workforce threaten peace and security. Out of 570 papers screened, 34 articles, comprising 26 peer review and 8 grey literature, met the study criteria. Our findings reveal that while no study has drawn a direct relationship between NCDs in the workforce in LMICs and peace and security, several studies have demonstrated a relationship between NCDs and economic growth on one hand and economic growth and peace and security on the other. Therefore, using economic growth as a proximal factor, our findings show three pathways that link NCDs in the workforce to peace and security: (i) NCDs lead to low productivity and poor economic growth, which can threaten public peace and security; (ii) NCDs in the workforce can result in long-term care needs, which then puts pressure on public resources and have implications for public expenditure on peace and security; and (iii) household expenditures on caring for a family member with an NCD can destabilize families and create an unfavourable condition that threatens peace and security. This research highlights the dual threat of NCDs to health and security, as they impact human resources and community structures crucial for peace and security. The results underscore the importance of considering the workplace as a strategic setting for NCD prevention, which will have long-term implications for economic growth and peace and security. Full article

Maximising financial performance while maintaining adequate liquidity is a crucial and ongoing challenge for bank management, particularly in emerging markets. This study focuses on the relationship between capital structure and financial performance in Jordanian banks, with the mediating role of liquidity risk. Using panel data from 13 central Jordanian banks over the 2015–2022 period, we employ structural equation modelling (SEM) to analyse how capital structure ratios (equity-to-asset, debt-to-loan, and deposit-to-asset) influence financial performance metrics (return on assets and net income-to-expenditure ratio). Our findings reveal a significant positive association between capital structure and financial performance. However, liquidity risk fully mediates this effect. Capital structure primarily impacts performance by influencing a bank’s liquidity risk profile. Furthermore, the strength of this mediating effect is noteworthy—capital structure exhibits a statistically more robust association with liquidity risk than its direct impact on performance. This highlights the crucial role of managing liquidity risk within the complex dynamics of bank operations. This research makes a significant contribution to the existing literature by demonstrating the positive impact of capital structure on performance using the underlying mechanism through which this effect occurs. The insights of this research provide several implications for practice in the context of banking industries. Full article