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1 – 10 of over 25000Roshani Palliyaguru, Dilanthi Amaratunga and Richard Haigh
Disasters provide physical, social, economic, political and environmental development windows of opportunity particularly through housing and infrastructure reconstruction. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Disasters provide physical, social, economic, political and environmental development windows of opportunity particularly through housing and infrastructure reconstruction. The reconstruction process should not be neglected due to the opportunistic nature of facilitating innovation in development. In this respect, post‐disaster “infrastructure” reconstruction plays a critical role in development discourse and is often essential to sustain recovery after major disasters. However, reconstruction following a natural disaster is a complicated problem involving social, economic, cultural, environmental, psychological, and technological aspects. There are significant development benefits of well‐developed “Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Strategies” and, for many reasons, the concept of DRR can be more easily promoted following a disaster. In this respect, a research study was conducted to investigate the effects of integrating DRR strategies into infrastructure reconstruction on enhancing the socio‐economic development process from a qualitative stance. The purpose of this paper is to document part of this research study; it proposes an approach that can be used to assess the influence of the application of the DRR concept into infrastructure reconstruction on socio‐economic development.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology included a critical literature review.
Findings
This paper suggests that the best way to assess the influence of integrating DRR strategies practices into infrastructure reconstruction on socio‐economic development is to assess the level of impact that DRR strategies has on overcoming various factors that form vulnerabilities. Having assessed this, the next step is to assess the influence of overcoming the factors that form vulnerabilities on achieving performance targets of socio‐economic development.
Originality/value
This paper primarily presents a framework for the concept of socio‐economic development and a modelled classification of DRR practices.
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Abdullahi Abubakar Lamido and Mohamed Aslam Haneef
This paper critically reviews and analyzes the trends in waqf studies within the Islamic economics literature. It analyzes the recent developments and debates in waqf reform and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper critically reviews and analyzes the trends in waqf studies within the Islamic economics literature. It analyzes the recent developments and debates in waqf reform and advances the argument for prioritizing research on waqf economics; the waqf dimension that is concerned with modelling how to utilize it to enhance productivity, consumption, redistribution, investment and saving, and generally contribute sustainably towards poverty reduction, economic empowerment and development.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is conceptual in nature, focusing on a systematic historical analytical review of waqf studies in Islamic economics literature.
Findings
Despite the documented historic role of waqf in constructing the Muslim socio-economic architecture as the third economic sector and a mechanism for civilizational development and renewal, it received little attention in the early writings on modern Islamic economics. While the past one decade has witnessed a renewed interest in waqf research, most studies focus on its legal, juristic and administrative aspects in addition to the nostalgic reflections on its past glories. Little attention is comparatively given to the socio-economic aspect, which represents the actual raison d’être for its institutionalization.
Practical implications
An important task ahead of the current generation of Islamic economists is to formulate waqf-based development models that are rooted in proper diagnosis and deep understanding of the current socio-economic realities of the OIC member countries for the purpose of uplifting living standards and stimulating sustainable socio-economic development.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the debate on priorities in waqf studies and practice and can trigger further discourses and research on the future of research in waqf economics.
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Fahmi Medias, Asmak Ab Rahman, Akhmad Akbar Susamto and Zulfikar Bagus Pambuko
This paper aims to analyze the role of waqf in the socio-economic development of the organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries. Various projects currently use waqf…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyze the role of waqf in the socio-economic development of the organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries. Various projects currently use waqf as an instrument for socio-economic development, as reported in the scholarly literature. This study will investigate this literature to explore trends in waqf studies and the role of this Islamic form of endowment in the socio-economic development of OIC countries.
Design/methodology/approach
This systematic literature review focuses on peer-reviewed journals and data obtained from the Mendeley database using specific criteria to analyze the socio-economic developmental role of waqf in OIC countries from 2011‐2020.
Findings
The socio-economic developmental role of waqf in OIC countries has been widely studied. In total, 68 academic articles were found that are relevant to themes of poverty alleviation, social welfare, entrepreneurship, education, health services and religious facilities. They reveal that the role of waqf in social welfare was the most discussed topic in the research. In addition, the majority of studies used an interview method to study waqf institutions in nine OIC countries. Furthermore, the number of publications on the theme has increased significantly every year, although the largest proportion occurred in unindexed journals.
Practical implications
This study provides an overview of research trends in the socio-economic developmental role of waqf. Its results can provide practical input for waqf institutions as they encourage its practice in OIC countries, and for policymakers in formulating their management strategies to promote the role of waqf in the social and economic aspects of society.
Originality/value
This paper reviews the current development of the socio-economic role of waqf in OIC countries. It will help researchers improve their understanding of this role. It will also provide waqf managers in OIC countries with adequate information on waqf projects which they can implement to achieve socio-economic development in their countries.
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Boris Ischboldin and John A. Sharp
The New Economic Society was formed in 1973 to promote the aims of the School of Economic Synthesis. Economic synthesis, since its early formation in the 1930s, has sought to…
Abstract
The New Economic Society was formed in 1973 to promote the aims of the School of Economic Synthesis. Economic synthesis, since its early formation in the 1930s, has sought to integrate historical economics with social and neo‐classical economics. As the academic movement toward economic synthesis broadened, a more formal organisation became necessary. The New Economic Society (International School of Economic Synthesis) is an interdisciplinary association open to economists and others who are interested in developing a more social and humanistic economics, and a more realistic and scientific understanding of modern developed and less developed societies. The membership includes persons from numerous academic disciplines in many countries; formal chapters of the Society exist in the United Kingdom, Germany, India and Israel. At present, the membership is developing on an informal basis and no dues are requested. Membership information may be obtained from the following persons.
Andrea Gatto, Rosa Mosca, Gianluigi Elia and Paolo Piscopo
The purpose of microcredit is to offer small loans to people who are not covered by traditional financial channels. It can facilitate entrepreneurship, boosting local…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of microcredit is to offer small loans to people who are not covered by traditional financial channels. It can facilitate entrepreneurship, boosting local socio-economic development and improving environmental and political factors.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper aims to analyse microcredit in Italy, focusing on a project based in Rione Sanità, Naples. Rione Sanità is one of the poorest areas of Southern Italy, displaying high rates of criminality and unemployment, especially among youth, women, migrants and the vulnerable. The district is renowned for its fine and ancient handicrafts, food, trade and historical heritage – potential drivers for boosting tourism in the area. Qualitative methodologies were used to collect primary data through field visits and interviews with project bankers, local businesses, artisans, associations and religious representatives, project volunteers, as well as participation at local meetings. These data were corroborated by budget analysis based on the project's accounting.
Findings
The study shows encouraging results for the project and policy prospects. Despite the tiny starting numbers, there emerges a significant potential for microcredit to spread in the district, as in Southern Italy, providing an effective strategy to combat unemployment, usury and criminality, yielding community development and favoring broad societal challenges.
Originality/value
With this evidence, the paper attempts to shed some light and verify the potential of microfinance projects as a driver of sustainable development and ethical finance in poor areas of developed countries.
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Elena Popkova, Zhanna Gornostaeva and Natalia Tregulova
The purpose of this paper is to determine the role of innovations in provision of competitiveness and innovational development of economy and overcoming of “underdevelopment…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to determine the role of innovations in provision of competitiveness and innovational development of economy and overcoming of “underdevelopment whirlpools” in Russia and countries of Eastern Europe with the help of a special proprietary methodology.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors substantiate the concept and methodology of calculation of “underdevelopment whirlpools”, perform the analysis of development of “underdevelopment whirlpools” in Russia and countries of Eastern Europe and evaluate the influence of “underdevelopment whirlpools” on competitiveness of these countries’ economy.
Findings
The authors determine the perspectives of overcoming the “underdevelopment whirlpools” in Russia and countries of Eastern Europe and increasing their competitiveness with the help of innovation and develops practical recommendations for creation of innovational economy for the purpose of provision of high competitiveness and overcoming of “underdevelopment whirlpools” in Russia and countries of Eastern Europe and overcoming of strong and growing differentiation of the level of socio-economic development of their sub-systems.
Practical implications
Creation of innovational economy in Russia and countries of Eastern Europe is hindered by multiple obstacles (socio-economic and institutional), the success of overcoming of which determines the realization of a certain scenario of development of events.
Originality/value
The main conclusion is that creation of innovational economy can and should become a new vector of economic growth in Russia and countries of Eastern Europe and overcoming of strong and growing differentiation of the level of socio-economic development of their sub-systems.
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In this contribution to the increasing literature on the international division of labour and the New International Economic Order (NIEO) we wish to concentrate on some of the…
Abstract
In this contribution to the increasing literature on the international division of labour and the New International Economic Order (NIEO) we wish to concentrate on some of the labour aspects of socio‐economic growth. This will be approached in the first section by considering socio‐economic growth as one aspect of the socio‐economic system outlined previously but here slightly expanded conceptually: in section two we briefly examine the ideas of the NIEO; and in the final section we consider some of the labour aspects of the NIEO.
Matvey S. Oborin, Irina Kozhushkina, Tatyana Gvarliani and Nikolay Ivanov
This paper aims to analyze the modern problems and the main trends of development of the health-improving tourism sector in the southern part of Russia and to identify significant…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyze the modern problems and the main trends of development of the health-improving tourism sector in the southern part of Russia and to identify significant factors in overcoming the complex challenges related to specific socio-economic conditions in the study area.
Design/methodology/approach
The material that served as the basis of the study comprises statistical data from the Southern Federal District and its subjects, as well as data about the development of tourism infrastructure on the official websites of governments, Ministry of Tourism and the population of the Southern Federal District. This information was systematized from a number of perspectives, including identification of the chronology of health-improving tourism infrastructure development in the chosen territory, as well as the advantages and disadvantages in this area. Based on the results of the study, the authors also developed some recommendations to overcome existing inactive trends in the field of health tourism.
Findings
This paper sheds light on the understanding of the challenges and changes that took place in the resort agglomerations of the south of Russia in terms of current issues and those that must be addressed in the coming years. It was concluded that health tourism in the south of Russia has old traditions based on the natural resource potential of territories that are included in the composition of the Southern Federal District. At the same time, the authors came to the conclusion that, unfortunately, not resort agglomerations are fully utilized. Furthermore, some historic resorts were not well maintained by local authorities and have suffered more recently because of lack of investment. At present, the financial results of health resorts and others related to health-improving tourism are precarious as most operations are unprofitable, and so complex decisions are needed to address the underlying problem of resource optimization because of the important social and economic role of the cities in this region. They have special natural and resource potential and preserve traditions related to health-improving tourism.
Research limitations/implications
The paper provides a conceptual analysis based on limited empirical data combined with some directions for further research.
Originality/value
The paper attempts to reveal the impact of social, economic and geopolitical factors, both negative and positive, on the development of the health-improving tourism segment, restructuring of the Russian tourism market and the emergence of promising opportunities and new directions for development. The findings also provide insights for practitioners and researchers, and the tourism industry can draw on this analysis to guide the development of strategy, increase investment attractiveness, make more effective use of the natural resource potential and maintain pressure on government partners to provide support to tourism.
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The aim of the study is to determine the key development stages of small entrepreneurship in Belarus depending on the impact of reformative activity of authorities on…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of the study is to determine the key development stages of small entrepreneurship in Belarus depending on the impact of reformative activity of authorities on socio-innovative activity of entrepreneurs. Also we seek to determine the projective behavioral strategies of entrepreneurs in the context of contradictory socio-economic processes in Belarus.
Design/methodology/approach
Historico-sociological approach to the development of small entrepreneurship in Belarus is based on the analysis of books, articles, official documents and official statistics available mostly in the Russian and Belarusian languages. Expert survey is used as the most effective method of survey to predict further development of small entrepreneurship. Within the framework of the activity-structure concept, (T. Zaslavskaya) combination of both approaches allows presenting quantitative and qualitative changes in business structures in order to coordinate socio-economic progress.
Findings
In Belarusian transition economy the reformative activity of the authorities is absolutely dependent on politico-administrative influence. That is why the behavioral strategies of entrepreneurs are formed as reaction-adaptive behavior under mounting pressure of state policy.
Research limitations/implications
The results are primarily applicable for post-Soviet republics and countries with transition economy.
Practical implications
This paper implies that in post-Soviet economies like Belarus socio-economic integration of entrepreneurs is overly dependent on politico-administrative activity of the authorities.
Originality/value
This study includes two approaches: historico-sociological and expert survey as a forecasting method. This sociological approach gives the opportunity to characterise the continuity in behavioral strategies of entrepreneurs.
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Ergün Eraslan and Yusuf Tansel İç
The major aim of this research is to determine the socio‐economic level of geographical investment regions through fuzzy multi‐criteria decision‐making (MCDM) method. The results…
Abstract
Purpose
The major aim of this research is to determine the socio‐economic level of geographical investment regions through fuzzy multi‐criteria decision‐making (MCDM) method. The results obtained from this method are analyzed and compared with the current system and the differences are interpreted.
Design/methodology/approach
A user friendly MCDM method, the fuzzy TOPSIS, was selected and ten independent criteria out of 53 were used, that have been evaluated by reduction according to the correlations among them. Therefore, the rankings of the 26 geographical investment regions of Turkey were calculated based on their criteria.
Findings
The examinations of the rankings have shown that only four regions had similar rankings but the rankings of the remaining 22 regions differed according to the authority rankings. Furthermore, significant differences have been observed for eight regions.
Social implications
In globalization process, certain issues are of particular importance in shaping the resource allocation policies of countries, through which they adjust their resources for manufacturing and service sectors to the changing competitive conditions and govern the effect of global economics on the human resources of their countries. The allowances taken from social and economic criteria have indicated the inter‐regional differences in terms of development.
Originality/value
From a policy perspective, this study highlighted that a large number of social and economic criteria failed in identifying homogenous groups of provinces and hence failed in producing realistic policies. However, the proposed method significantly contributed to obtaining more accurate rankings by using fuzzy decision‐making under multi‐criteria.
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