Vol. 2 No. 4 (2024)

Open Access

Article

Impact of climate change on Chinese college students’ consumption behavior: A case study of Jilin University

Xiangrong Feng, Xiaolong Zou

Sustainable Economies, Vol.2, No.4, 2(4), 209 , 2024, DOI: 10.62617/se.v2i4.209

Abstract：

This study investigates the impact of climate change on the consumption behavior of Chinese college students, especially their daily expenses. Using a survey method, data were collected and analyzed to understand the correlation between climate change awareness and consumption choices among students at Jilin University. The findings indicate that over 70% of respondents believe climate change significantly affects their daily lives and consumption habits. Particularly, changes in transportation choices were most prominent, with 68% of students opting for greener travel options. However, less willingness was observed in reducing online shopping or paying carbon taxes. These insights highlight the need for tailored educational interventions to enhance climate change awareness and promote sustainable consumption practices among college students.

Open Access

Article

An analysis of the social, psychological, and legal aspects of Hamster Kombat coin

Ghazal Ghasemi, Milad Shahvaroughi Farahani

Sustainable Economies, Vol.2, No.4, 2(4), 234 , 2024, DOI: 10.62617/se.v2i4.234

Abstract：

The paper aims to examine and analyze the social, psychological, and legal implications of a fictional currency known as the Hamster Kombat coin. It explores topics such as the impact of virtual currency on society, the potential for fraud or misuse, and the legal framework surrounding the use and regulation of virtual currencies. Additionally, the paper discusses the ethical considerations associated with using digital currency in a virtual world. In this paper, a qualitative research method has been employed. Qualitative methods involve the use of research techniques that focus on understanding the underlying reasons, motivations, and perceptions of individuals regarding the Hamster Kombat coin. This approach includes gathering information through interviews, surveys, observations, and other qualitative data collection methods to gain insights into how people perceive and interact with the coin within both social and legal contexts. By utilizing this approach, researchers can explore the intricacies and nuances of the subject matter, thereby providing a deeper understanding of the social and legal implications associated with the Hamster Kombat coin. The results are categorized into three sections: social, psychological, and legal. The social findings indicate that the Hamster Kombat coin may foster community among individuals interested in hamsters or cryptocurrency. This could lead to the formation of online forums, social media groups, and other avenues for interaction. Additionally, the Hamster Kombat coin may serve as an educational tool, helping newcomers understand hamsters, cryptocurrency, and investment strategies. The psychological findings reveal that various factors, both negative and positive, can significantly impact human experiences, such as heightened feelings of excitement and anticipation, as well as financial stress. The legal findings suggest that specific regulations governing cryptocurrency investments, trading, and offerings may vary by country or region. Investors must be aware of these regulations to ensure compliance. Furthermore, as with any investment opportunity, there is a risk of fraud or scams associated with the Hamster Kombat coin. Therefore, investors should exercise caution and conduct thorough research before committing to cryptocurrency investments. Finally, profits generated from investing in Hamster Kombat coins may be subject to taxation in certain jurisdictions. Investors are advised to consult with a tax professional to fully understand the tax implications of their investments. The contribution of this paper lies in its examination of the social and legal implications of a specific cryptocurrency known as the Hamster Kombat coin. The paper likely explores how this coin fits into the broader cryptocurrency landscape and its impact on users, as well as the legal framework surrounding cryptocurrencies. Additionally, it may investigate the potential societal implications of utilizing such a coin in the market. Overall, this paper illuminates an important aspect of the cryptocurrency world and offers valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and cryptocurrency enthusiasts.

Open Access

Article

Attitudes of consumers towards ethical buying and fair trade in Slovakia

Miriam Olšiaková, Erika Loučanová

Sustainable Economies, Vol.2, No.4, 2(4), 213 , 2024, DOI: 10.62617/se.v2i4.213

Abstract：

Nowadays, more and more consumers have an increased interest in the field of ethics and social responsibility, which they present in connection with the companies they buy from. The attitude towards ethical shopping becomes particularly important in the context of sustainable development and environmental protection. Slovakia, as a member of the European Union, is not left out of this trend. In the contribution, we focus on the attitude of consumers in Slovakia towards ethical shopping through an applied questionnaire inquiry. Ethical shopping is the way consumers think when choosing products, considering the conditions under which products are produced, distributed, and disposed. When choosing products, consumers consider not only the impact of these products on the environment but also whether adequate working conditions were observed during their production. We obtained data on the attitudes of consumers in Slovakia through a survey, using the questionnaire method. The survey focused on selected areas of ethical shopping, with a special focus on fair trade and its knowledge among consumers in Slovakia. Based on the results of the survey, we suggest ways to educate as well as motivate consumers in Slovakia to realize ethical buying to a greater extent.

Open Access

Article

Enterprise digital transformation, accounting information comparability and corporate innovation

Tian Tian

Sustainable Economies, Vol.2, No.4, 2(4), 249 , 2024, DOI: 10.62617/se.v2i4.249

Abstract：

In the evolving digital landscape, the digital shift within corporations is pivotal for fostering innovation and elevating competitiveness. This study investigates the impact of digital transformation on enterprise innovation, utilizing a dataset of A-share listed firms from 2010 to 2020. To address sample self-selection, the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method is employed, dividing enterprises into experimental and control groups based on their level of digital transformation. Additionally, to mitigate endogeneity concerns, all explanatory variables are lagged by one period. The study employs benchmark regression analysis, considering control variables and fixed effects for year and industry, to examine the relationship between digital transformation and innovation. The study constructs models to evaluate the mediating role of accounting information comparability in the relationship between digital transformation and innovation. Notably, a strong positive link is observed between a company’s digital evolution and its innovation capacities, suggesting that this evolution substantially augments innovation. Moreover, the consistency of accounting data further amplifies this effect. Such insights offer strategic guidance for companies aiming to bolster innovation amid their digital journey and underscore the necessity for consistent accounting data.

Open Access

Article

Solvency analysis of vanke real estate

Aicong Liu, Li Liu, Siqi Jiang, Shi Yin

Sustainable Economies, Vol.2, No.4, 2(4), 288 , 2024, DOI: 10.62617/se.v2i4.288

Abstract：

The real estate industry has an important impact on the national economy and financial system. The implementation of various new policies, market competition, and economic development have drawn much attention to the solvency of the real estate industry, which is of great significance to the development trend and risk prevention of the entire real estate industry. Therefore, this paper analyzes the solvency of Vanke Real Estate and puts forward corresponding countermeasures, hoping to improve the solvency of Vanke Real Estate and provide certain reference value for the future development of the real estate industry. This paper first analyzes the solvency of Vanke real estate through short-term solvency and long-term solvency, and then analyzes the ranking of Vanke real estate’s solvency in the real estate industry through factor analysis. In the process of analysis, typical problems existing in Vanke Real Estate are also found. After in-depth analysis of the reasons, it is found that Vanke Real Estate has inventory overhang, unreasonable capital structure, and insufficient industry competitiveness in terms of solvency and puts forward countermeasures such as strengthening inventory management, optimizing capital structure, and adjusting sales strategy.

Open Access

Article

Detecting financial statements fraud: Evidence from listed companies in China

Yanmei Duan, Guangshun Qiao

Sustainable Economies, Vol.2, No.4, 2(4), 301 , 2024, DOI: 10.62617/se.v2i4.301

Abstract：

Financial statement fraud is the deliberate misrepresentation of a company’s financial statements. Financial statement fraud has been a global concern since it not only harms the investors and creditors but also undermine the public confidence of the capital market. Based on the fact that a common incentive for companies to manipulate financial statement is a decline in the company’s financial prospects, this paper applies the mixture hazard early warning model to identify the key impacting financial characteristics in detecting the financial statement fraud for listed companies in China. We find that in the construction industry the warning sign of suspcious business practices is a falling return on assets, while in the real estate industry the financial red flag is an increase in the inventory level. The estimation results indicate that the financial characteristics may have different implications in different industries in detecting financial statement fraud. This research has shed light on setting specific financial characteristics for fraud monitoring and detecting by the regulators.

Open Access

Article

Conceptualizing a nexus between agility, unobserved differences of dynamic capability, and sustainable performance of microfirms

Maulid Bwabo, Zhiqiang Ma, Mingxing Li

Sustainable Economies, Vol.2, No.4, 2(4), 263 , 2024, DOI: 10.62617/se263

Abstract：

Recent studies have highlighted commonalities in the relationship between dynamic capabilities and firms’ sustainable performance. However, the impact of unobserved differences within the dimensions of dynamic capabilities on firm-level sustainable performance remains unclear. Specifically, in this study, we investigate how unobserved variations in dynamic capabilities influence the sustainable performance of dairy microfirms. Additionally, the study examines the unobserved mediating effects of agility in the relationships between knowledge-sharing sensing capability, managerial cognitive capability, and sustainable performance. Grounded in the Knowledge-Based View (KBV) theory, our study rigorously tests these hypotheses using a unique quantile composite-based path modeling approach. The findings reveal both significant strong and weak unobserved differences in the relationships between knowledge sharing, sensing capability, managerial cognitive capabilities, agility, and the sustainable performance of microfirms. Notably, the results demonstrate that agility significantly mediates the unobserved dimensions of dynamic capabilities in supporting sustainable performance, with the study confirming both full and complementary partial mediation effects. Our findings offer a valuable framework for managers and employees to strategically invest in dynamic capabilities while also discussing the heterogeneous distribution of these capabilities among managers and employees across dairy microfirms.

Open Access

Article

Brown vs green energy sources and resource productivity: The role of human capital and technology transfer in developing economies

Samson Adeniyi Aladejare, Salihu Bobbo

Sustainable Economies, Vol.2, No.4, 2(4), 416 , 2024, DOI: 10.62617/se416

Abstract：

This study determined the impacts of non-renewable and renewable energy consumption on natural resource productivity alongside human capital and technology transfer roles for 40 selected developing economies. The study relied on a dataset sourced between 1991 and 2021. The study applied the method of moments quantile regression (MMQREG) procedure for the analyses while ensuring inferential robustness through the fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS), dynamic OLS (DOLS), and Driscoll-Kraay (D-K) methods. Empirically, the study revealed that an increase in brown energy consumption exhausted resource productivity from the lower to the upper quantiles. In contrast, green energy utilisation enhanced resource productivity from the lower to the higher quantiles. Also, while human capital adversely affected resource productivity for both energy means, technology transfer positively impacted it from the lower to the upper quantiles. Likewise, inferences from the DOLS, FMOLS, and D-K techniques revealed similar findings. However, despite non-renewable energy being the dominant means of energy in these developing economies, the size of its adverse impact on resource productivity falls short of the increasing effect of renewable energy across all quantiles. Also, the magnitude of the negative impact of human capital on resource productivity is marginally more substantial with non-renewable energy. In contrast, the robustness of the enhancing impact of technology transfer is slightly more with renewable energy.

Open Access

Article

Evaluating green supply chain management performance in the Indonesian mechanical assembly industry

Alrido Martha Devano, Yulinda Tarigan, Sarah Ayu Wandira, Syiffa Rahmania

Sustainable Economies, Vol.2, No.4, 2(4), 285 , 2024, DOI: 10.62617/se285

Abstract：

This study aims to evaluate the efficiency and performance of implementing green supply chain management in a specialized mechanical assembly company. The research focuses on a company that produces plastic-molded components and mechanical assemblies for medical, industrial, automotive, and transport sector clients, representing a significant segment of the Indonesian mechanical assembly industry. Utilizing the Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), the study assesses green supply chain performance across five domains: planning, sourcing, production, delivery, and returns. The results indicate a green supply chain performance score of 80.1, categorized as good, suggesting effective implementation of environmentally friendly practices. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the company continue to refine its green supply chain strategies, particularly in areas that scored lower, to further enhance overall performance. Future studies could expand this research by including a larger sample of companies within the Indonesian mechanical assembly industry, enabling broader generalizations and identification of industry-wide trends in green supply chain management implementation.

Open Access

Article

Fostering a greener workplace: Assessing the impact of green human resource and low carbon behavior

Agyemang Kwasi Sampene, John Wiredu

Sustainable Economies, Vol.2, No.4, 2(4), 298 , 2024, DOI: 10.62617/se298

Abstract：

Businesses in China are embarking on a transformative agenda, as reflected in their environmental performance, which signals a strategic shift towards fostering sustainability initiatives in the workplace. Accordingly, the research explores how green human resource management, organizational commitment, and green innovation climate drive low-carbon behavior and environmental performance. The research gathered 580 responses from senior staff among Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises. The partial least square structural model was employed to assess the study hypothesis. Key study findings are enumerated: First, green human resource management boosts green organizational commitment, green innovation climate, and low-carbon behavior. Second, the data showed that a green innovation climate and organizational commitment enhance low-carbon behavior. Third, according to the study, low-carbon promotes environmental performance. Fourth, the paper analysis showed that low-carbon mediated the connection between green human resources and low-carbon behavior. Fifth, this research outcome highlighted that environmental knowledge moderates the linkage between low-carbon behavior and environmental performance. This finding enriches the debate on green human resource management and how to promote low-carbon behavior and environmental performance.

Open Access

Article

International rural new energy industry innovation development and benefit-linkage practices

Shi Yin

Sustainable Economies, Vol.2, No.4, 2(4), 280 , 2024, DOI: 10.62617/se280

Abstract：

The rural new energy industry is a crucial area for promoting green transformation and achieving sustainable development, significantly contributing to improvements in energy structure and environmental protection. While China’s rural new energy industry has made substantial progress due to policy support and technological advancements, it still faces numerous challenges in practical development. This paper aims to compare and analyze the experiences and practices of various countries and regions—including the United States, the European Union, Brazil, and China—to identify their primary benefit-linkage mechanisms, policy support systems, and overall performance. Based on this analysis, the paper will provide policy recommendations and improvement measures for the innovative development of China’s rural new energy industry. The research findings indicate that (1) different countries and regions employ various benefit-linkage mechanisms in the rural new energy sector, including cooperative models, public-private partnerships, and community participation models. Each mechanism has its unique advantages and disadvantages in facilitating project development and benefit linkage. (2) Although all countries have established comprehensive policy support systems, there are notable differences in the introduction and implementation of market mechanisms. The European Union and the United States possess relatively mature market mechanisms for carbon emission trading and green certificate trading, whereas the market mechanisms in China and Brazil are either new or not sufficiently developed. (3) The United States and the European Union demonstrate strong performance in technological advancement and market operations, yielding significant economic and environmental benefits. In contrast, China and Brazil have made progress in policy support and technology adoption but need to enhance their market mechanisms and international cooperation. (4) Social participation and community support yield important social benefits in new energy projects across various countries and regions, particularly the community participation model, which positively impacts community cohesion and project development.

Open Access

Commentary

Climate change and economic growth: Some critical reflections

Alfred Greiner

Sustainable Economies, Vol.2, No.4, 2(4), 304 , 2024, DOI: 10.62617/se.v2i4.304

Abstract：

Global warming may affect the economic development and, thus, the welfare of people around the world. Therefore, the economic effects of a changing climate should be known in order to be able to design appropriate policy responses. In the economics literature, one research field empirically analyzes the growth effects of global warming. But often those studies do not account for economic variables that have turned out to be significant in explaining economic growth. In addition, they frequently fail to check for the robustness of their outcomes. This can give rise to biased results regarding the growth process and, therefore, does not necessarily reflect the true data-generating process. Hence, the question comes up: how valid and reliable the results are. Therefore, economic analyses should be undertaken that study the robustness of the results as regards the integration of fundamental economic variables. When policy recommendations are made on how to deal with global warming, we argue that they should be based on robust results only. If that does not hold, economic policy risks being inadequate, giving rise to substantial welfare losses.