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Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to look at the 2008 financial crisis from the viewpoint of evolutionary economics. Design/methodology/approach - The paper links the shattering of economic expectations in 2007-2008 with the coming energy-environment conundrum. Findings - The paper shows that responding to the challenges of the energy-environment conundrum implies moving the entire global economy towards the evolution of a green economy away from the burning of fossil fuels with attending global warming effect. Research limitations/implications - The paper focuses upon the spontaneous coordination in the global market leading to the innovations that the handling of the energy-environment conundrum requires. Practical implications - The paper engages in essential critical market regulation like higher capital requirements of financial institutions (Basel 3) and stimulate the green economy by some form of carbon tax or emissions trading scheme. Originality/value - Interpreting the financial market bubble in 2008 against the coming of the energy-environment conundrum with its immense repercussions for the real economy in a long-term, i.e. evolutionary perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of the development of a "Creative Zone" in the area of Scharloo and Pietermaai, two integral parts of Willemstad, UNESCO World Heritage Site (Curaçao), to gain insight into the dynamics and possibilities of the zone. This paper also serves to develop the concept of a creative zone with different stakeholders – including government – by creating synergy and momentum, giving the project or process a life of its own. Design/methodology/approach – The project of creating a creative zone is based on a theoretical framework used to assess the factors that create a creative zone. Using the framework, an assessment of the Scharloo and Pietermaai zone is made to frame discussion of the further development of the zone. Findings – The area Scharloo and Pietermaai in Curaçao has all the ingredients to become a creative zone, especially in the context of further enhancing Curaçao's tourist product. This is the case for traditional tourists, but is also true for a large group of foreign students who serve their apprenticeship on the island. However, necessary efforts must be made – especially by the creative industries in the zone – to establish a forum, leadership and a network to develop the creative zone. The participation of the government has to be acknowledged, taking into consideration the role that government plays in creating the right conditions, for example by improving the infrastructure. Finally, there must be a mutual effort to assess and sustain the creative process on the part of all stakeholders. An important finding is that a part of the zone could be denominated by creative industry, because so many tour operators organize visits to the Scharloo area as a showcase for cultural heritage. The visitors can experience, taste and feel this creativity. Originality/value – The paper contributes to a framework for analyzing the creative economy of Caribbean Small Islands Developing States and how continuous improvement can be achieved to create more added value in the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to extend Handel's intrinsic and extrinsic framework for understanding job characteristics and job satisfaction to the worker experience in socialist and post-socialist Hungary. Designlmethodology/approach - Non-panel longitudinal data from the International Social Survey Program (work orientations I and II: 1989 and 1997 - survey questions on job characteristics and job quality) are used to examine the changing job quality and job satisfaction determinants in socialist and post-socialist Hungary. Findings - Descriptive statistics and regression analysis show that there are many significant changes in the intrinsic and extrinsic job characteristics and perceived job satisfaction of Hungarian workers from 1989 to 1997. Research limitations/implications - The main limitations of this research are that the key variables are subjective single-item indicators; the non-panel longitudinal nature of the data means the direction of causality among the variables examined cannot be tested specifically; and some variables of interest and other important control variables cannot be included in the analysis, as data were not available for both waves of the survey. Practical implications - Since worker job satisfaction impacts firm performance and various measures of worker well-being, firms (regardless of economic sector or private/public status) need to be cognizant of these differences and unique challenges facing Hungarian workers and work to tailor management philosophy and policy to create a unique work atmosphere that will benefit the interests of both the employer and the employee. Originality/value - The main contribution of this paper is the analysis of changes in intrinsic and extrinsic job characteristics in Hungary, in light of the sweeping political and economic changes that accompanied the transition from a socialist state to a post-socialist regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The economic growth performance of Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) over the past few decades has confounded economists. The paper examines the nature and causes of the region's marginalisation. Design/methodology/approach - Analyses areas of marginalisation including: technologically, economically, socially, politically, and even intellectually. The aim here is to document all these facets in a comparative manner and to examine prospects for their reversal. Findings - The poverty of SSA has many dimensions and causes, both internal and external. Certainly part of its underdevelopment is attributable to bad luck, initial conditions, and an unfavourable international economic environment. However, the region has to accept much of the responsibility for its plight because its present state is also largely an outcome of poor policy choice and bad governance. Thus, whilst we cannot account for every facet of the question of ‘why some nations are rich and others poor’ we are nonetheless left with some very real certainties. Practical implications - The most important implication is that the principal therapy for poverty in SSA comes from within by addressing the internal obstacles to growth. However, the international community has an important role to play in addressing the uneven global trading system which is hampering development prospects and this needs to happen in the current trading round. Originality/value - The paper provides a comprehensive account of the sources of Africa's underdevelopment in a comparative manner. It will be of interest to all social scientists and policymakers interested in development issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to present an integrative approach for examining key aspects, and their associations, of economic development. Design/methodology/approach – After a cross-country cluster analysis of profiles related to select indicators, discriminant analysis of the clusters identified variables that most differentiate them. This assessment acknowledges that their level of capital endowment, and the ability to exploit it, is crucial to economic performance. Intangible aspects are the elements necessary for creation and maintenance of distinct economic development. Findings – Economies with lower skills and knowledge activities lose governance and cohesiveness, explaining unemployment and inequalities and influencing the consumer-confidence index. Economies with higher confidence use new communication technologies. E-government and knowledge media play an important role since collective learning occurs through active social communication. As the learning environment matures, its elements gain new knowledge and entrepreneurship, valuing cohesiveness and governance. Originality/value – This study contributes an original integrative approach to indicators for cross-evaluation, applied to economies/regions or firms. The complements between cluster and discriminant analyses consolidate and sustain the approach, helping economists, policymakers, and researchers understand distinctive aspects of economic development and their associations for coping with future economic stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – China has become a most dominant player in the global economy with immense political repercussions, for instance in Africa. The extremely rapid Chinese economic transformation has been accomplished through strong globalisation with, for example, entrance into the WTO framework. Now it faces the challenges of accepting the other side of the globalisation coin, namely institutional transparency, ecological sustainability and foreign policy integration into the international community. The purpose of this paper is to explore this. Design/methodology/approach – Macro approach using country indicators on economic growth, institutional transparency, rule of law and ecology pressure. It relates these index scores to the overall social transformation of the country. Findings – China has performed well on economic globalisation but lags on political modernisation, i.e. institutional transparency as well as on ecological sustainability for a post-modern society.Research limitations/implications – China must address the challenges of the post-modern society with its call for transparency, sustainability and peaceful accommodation with neighbours. Social implications – Modernisation has two sides, not only economic growth. As China is set to become the world leader economically, it will embark upon the post-modern society, with its demands for peace, rule of law and environmental protection. Originality/value – The paper puts economic globalisation against political modernisation and ecological globalisation in a clear manner for China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Poverty is indeed a terrible monster confronting humanity today. It is alarming and, indeed, not without despair to note that 22,000 children under five die every day as a result of poverty. Thus, in a calendar year, more than eight million children do not progress past the age of five years. One of the world's worst atrocities, which has endured in the minds and hearts of humanity, was the Holocaust, in which six million people were murdered. It continues to be viewed with indignation and revulsion. Bizarrely, the deaths of eight million innocents pass without notice, without indignation and revulsion, and with very few tears being shed. Does this mean that in maybe 50 years from now, we will be condemned as mass murderers, and mentioned in the same context as Hitler's murderers? It is necessary to take note of this. It is necessary to consider our own personal position vis-à-vis this reality and take moral decisions. This paper aims to address this issue. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a meta-analysis, which relied on secondary sources of information. It is a qualitative study which is based on conceptual analysis, theory building, and the emic perspective (authors' viewpoint). Findings – Humanity is entrusted with the wellbeing and survival of our planet and its inhabitants, and we have definitive custodian responsibilities to exercise. In the final analysis, the hallmark of a successful life is the ability to say: I have left this earth a better place than when I arrived. If poverty is left unchecked, will we be able to make that statement with a clear and untroubled conscience? Social implications – There is indeed a solution to global poverty. In order to reach this desired state of affairs, there is just one requirement: international commitment and willingness to change the current status quo. This is not negotiable, but a necessary and sufficient ingredient for change. The rest is detail and can be achieved through a process of hard work, involvement, and essentially, empathy. Originality/value – This paper is valuable because it confronts one of the disgusting issues affecting humankind today – poverty. Poverty cannot be eradicated if we stand akimbo watching without addressing it. This piece of treatise is an effort by the authors to address it, and proffer possible ways to tackle the malady. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to postulate the possibility of a cooperative economic system within the current global crisisbecause it is only detennined government actionwhich is orchestrated by a strong sehse of true nationalism that can limit the worst effects of the current global economic meltdown. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is a meta-analysiswhich relied on secondary sources of information. It is a qualitative study that is based on conceptual analysis and theory building. It considers a global action from an "emic" perspective (author's viewpoint). Findings - Triumphant capitalismwhich heralded the dawn of globalisationmade neo-liberalists proclaim the death of socialismalong with its positive variants namelyfree educationminimum wageemployment creationhealth care and so on. Howeverthe perceived triumph of a single orthodoxy seems to have demoted grdwth of global prosperity. For examplemore than 1.1 billion people across the globe are poorwhile more than three billion of the global populace have drifted deeper into poverty and more than a billion people across the globe are starve regularly. The current state of affairs has increased the rate of global crimeswhich is reflected by the scale of congested jails. A casino economy of speculation has currently failed humankind. Indeedcurrent failure of capitalism to address wider problems of humankind such as unemploymentinequalityoppressionpovertyfood shortages and economic criseswill resurfect the question as to whether socialism is indeed dead as proclaimed by neo-liberals. Thussince a single (triumphant capitalism) orthodoxy has failed to address those mounting problems that have excluded a majority of humanity from participating in sharing global prosperitythe assertion that socialism is deadhas become redundant andthe possibility of a vibrant cooperative economy is imminent. Practical implications Socialism has failed and capitalism has failed woefully. Hencethe only hope that is leftis a renaissance of positive socialist variantsin order to resuscitate capitalism. Thereforea cooperative economic ideological order is urgently required within the current global crisis. It is only determined government actionwhich is orchestrated by a strong sense of true nationalism that can put a limit to the worst effects of the current global economic meltdown. Thereforethe state cannot continue to be a passive onlooker of economic mismanagement and industrial cacophonybecause humansin search of peace and progresshave surrendered their sovereign identity to the stdte. The state isindeeda fine product of human civilisationand should be an authoritative supreme power - the actual sovereignwhich has to formulate and execute the will of the peoplewhile stimulating private initiatives toward the realisation of a dynamic cooperative economy. Originality/value - The paper is original and will be valuable not only to policy makers but also to humankind in general within a turbulent global economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of the creative class of Curaçao, which is a small Caribbean island coping with globalisation. The paper will contribute to the development of a framework for the discussion of the Creative Economy. Design/methodology/approach - The paper contributes to the development of a framework for understanding the Creative Economy. This framework is then applied to the case of Curaçao. After analysis, conclusions are drawn. Findings - In Curaçao there are many conditions present which support the development and creation of the creative class or attract it from other locations. On the other hand, policies should be put in place to retain the creative class. The theories and methods relating to the creative class are not yet fully developed. Originality/value - The paper contributes to a framework for understanding the Creative Economy of small Caribbean islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on the connections between illegal drugs and the informal economy and consider this in the light of the increasing levels of global interconnectedness in recent decades. Design/methodology/approach – This is a review of the empirical drugs literature with a primary focus on British-based research and analysis of the impact of different aspects of globalization. Findings – Patterns of heroin and crack-cocaine use need to be understood in their social, economic and cultural context, particularly in relation to their location in the informal economy. Globalizing processes have profoundly shaped local drug problems over the last 30 years. Practical implications – The governance of the drug problem needs to be reframed to take account of its social economic nature and global character. New ways of thinking are required to advance future research and policy. Originality/value – The focus on the impact of globalizing processes is original and leads to some important new insights for future research and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose — The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of Curaçao as a small island coping with globalization and to contribute to the development of a framework to discuss globalization and corporate governance. Design/methodology/approach — The paper starts to integrate three scenarios: globalization, the paradigmatic approach of corporate governance, and the categorization of organizations. This framework is then applied to the case of Curaçao. Findings — Globalization of Curaçao involves the introduction of the Anglo-American model of governance into several actors. This is a major change that the society finds difficult adapting to. A significant part of the population is at risk of being excluded. Originality/value — The paper contributes to a multi-paradigm approach to corporate governance, and in analyzing the globalization of small islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the Australian construction industry from an international viewpoint, providing an overview of the international construction industry, its market shares, differences in procurement procedures and the main contributors to international trade in construction services. Projects, finance, market size and competition structure of the international industry; Structure and environment of the Australian industry; International trade and trade theory; Conclusions.

Purpose: This study examines whether the gains from export sophistication is conditional on the level of globalisation. Previous studies have shown that the impact of export sophistication on growth varies depending on the level of a country's economic development. The authors argue that globalisation plays an important role in influencing the gains from export sophistication, mainly through the competition and scale effects. The competition effect disincentivises domestic firms to engage in export markets, while the scale effect incentivises knowledge accumulation and innovation. Design/methodology/approach: The authors employ data from 163 economies from 1995 to 2018. The authors re-estimate values for export sophistication using ordinary goods from 1995 to 2018 and estimate a growth model using the generalised method of moments (GMM) to control for endogeneity and simultaneity issues. Findings: The results show that the gains from export sophistication and globalisation is greater for economies with higher levels of economic development compared to economies with low levels of economic development. Moreover, the authors find that the gains from export sophistication are conditional on the level of globalisation. The authors' results show that the marginal impact of export sophistication diminishes as developing economies become more globalised, while advanced economies gain more from export sophistication when globalisation precedes at a higher level. Originality/value: Previous studies have generally examined the conditional growth effects of export sophistication on trade, economic development and other structural factors. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to examine the impact of globalisation, and the authors exploit the multidimensional concept of globalisation to test the hypothesis. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-01-2023-0001. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the ratification of the United Nations’ (UN’s) Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and women’s and girls’ health outcomes using a unique longitudinal data set of 192 UN-member countries that encompasses the years from 1980 to 2011. Design/methodology/approach – The authors focus on the impact of CEDAW ratification, number of reports submitted after ratification, years passed since ratification, and the dynamic impact of CEDAW ratification by utilizing ordinary least squares (OLS) and panel fixed effects methods. The study investigates the following women’s and girls’ health outcomes: total fertility rate, adolescent fertility rate, infant mortality rate, maternal mortality ratio, neonatal mortality rate, female life expectancy at birth (FLEB), and female to male life expectancy at birth. Findings – The OLS and panel country and year fixed effects models provide evidence that the impact of CEDAW ratification on women’s and girls’ health outcomes varies by global regions. While the authors find no significant gains in health outcomes in European and North-American countries, the countries in the Northern Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Africa, Caribbean and Central America, South America, Middle-East, Eastern Asia, and Oceania regions experienced the biggest gains from CEDAW ratification, exhibiting reductions in total fertility, adolescent fertility, infant mortality, maternal mortality, and neonatal mortality while also showing improvements in FLEB. The results provide evidence that both early commitment to CEDAW as measured by the total number of years of engagement after the UN’s 1980 ratification and the timely submission of mandatory CEDAW reports have positive impacts on women’ and girls’ health outcomes. Several sensitivity tests confirm the robustness of main findings. Originality/value – This study is the first comprehensive attempt to explore the multifaceted relationships between CEDAW ratification and female health outcomes. The study significantly expands on the methods of earlier research and presents novel methods and findings on the relationship between CEDAW ratification and women’s health outcomes. The findings suggest that the impact of CEDAW ratification significantly depends on the country’s region. Furthermore, stronger engagement with CEDAW (as indicated by the total number of years following country ratification) and the submission of the required CEDAW reports (as outlined in the Convention’s guidelines) have positive impacts on women’s and girls’ health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to focus on "brain drain," or emigration of educated and skilled individuals to the USA from one Southwest Asian nation, Iran, which has experienced fundamental social changes since the early 1970s. The author examines the profile of the educated Iranian emigrants particularly in the last two decades, internal and external socio-economic and political forces and processes that have facilitated emigration, and costs and benefits for both sending and receiving countries. Design/methodology/approach – Building on earlier world-system and dependency theories the author traces the roots of center-periphery relations that have triggered emigration, and applies David Harvey's analysis of the new phase of globalization (post-Fordist flexible production) to distinguish the emigration dynamics of Iran's educated individuals during the 1950-1980 period from those of the last three decades (since the 1979 Iranian revolution). Findings – The findings indicate that while in the former period (1950-1980) educated Iranians emigrated to further their education and sharpen their skills as sojourners, with the expectation that they will return to Iran and serve their nation, emigrants in the latter period (1980-present) are guided by a new culture of the post-Fordist globalization phase that thrives on the mobility of a highly skilled and educated global labour force that can be promptly and efficiently utilized wherever there is a demand. Similar to some other nationalities, the post-Fordist educated Iranian emigrants are no longer constrained by the nationalist sentiments of the previous period. Rather, they have developed an "internationalist national identity" that allows them to respond to the demands of a global market while still maintaining their Iranian cultural identity. Originality/value – This is an original research based on documentation and personal interviews of a non-random sample of Iranian students at the University of Iowa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper contends that there is a positive relationship between current globalisation, unemployment, inequality and poverty, which paves a vista for further academic discourse. Design/methodology/approach - As a meta-analytical study, the paper relied on secondary data. It is a qualitative study, which is based on conceptual analysis, theory building and "emic" perspective (authors' viewpoint). Findings - A relationship between current globalisation, unemployment, inequality and poverty should be investigated further. Unemployment increases levels of inequality and poverty within society. Although bequeathed with various names and definitions, the logics of current globalisation seem to have exacerbated the problem of global unemployment, the corollary of which is endemic inequality and poverty. Practical implications - Increases in income inequality and poverty over the past decades, can be attributed to globalisation. Therefore, within the domain of unemployment, inequality and poverty in the era of globalisation, renewed problems of global competition, job termination, wage reductions, labour immobility and technological displacement of workers, have accelerated the rate of global unemployment, the corollary of which is endemic inequality and poverty. Originality/value - The originality of this paper is that it examines the phenomenon of globalisation, unemployment, inequality and poverty, from a different perspective, which creates an opportunity for further constructive debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to address the root causes of rising imbalances in the US economy. There is the view that the dominance of the liberal economic philosophy among the American decision makers and business elite resulted in marginalization of the role of the economic government. As a result, the US economy is facing problems in many sectors and might be poorly prepared to face the challenge of globalization in the knowledge-based industries. Design/methodology/approach - The paper provides review and critique of the contemporary literature of "declininists" proclaiming the end of the American Empire. Findings - In order to restore the strength of the US economy and utilize its potential, Americans must consider a new generation of politicians and legislators capable of reforming the tax system, stepping up the supervision of the financial sector, eliminating inequality in education and reforming the electoral system. Research limitations/implications - America is at a turning point. The problems of the American economy are home-made, but their implications are international. In the last two decades the USA pursued a dysfunctional dual dependence on imports of manufactured goods and capital. Allowing the dollar devaluation has been a short-sighted policy which will have dire consequences on import-dependent economy and the USA's position in the world economy. Liberal prescriptions of self-regulating markets cannot replace long-term government economic strategy which America badly needs today. Practical implications - Since the liberal wishful-thinking failed, economists, politicians and legislators should stop evoking conservative liberal mantras and start working on responsible economic policy solutions before the US economy plunges into a deep recession and years of damaging pessimism. Originality/value - Rather than repeating arguments of the authors proclaiming the end of American Empire, the paper looks for chances and opportunities for the US economy's rejuvenation in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The paper aims to point out that the seemingly new and novel has ancient historical precedents. Design/methodology/approach - This is an interpretive essay. It begins with an historical examination of the role of entrepreneurship in the economy and points out that its function has been largely reactive rather than one that is a fundamentally causative prime mover. Findings - The role is described with noteworthy illustrations that are recurrent and extend over centuries, if not millennia, in time. Their conspicuous quality is a moral repugnance. The role continues into the present. Practical implications - The underlying causal factors have changed, but the indifference to general public welfare is a continuing feature. Originality/value - Provides a critical examination of the role of entrepreneurship in the economy in a historical perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - This paper aims to discuss aspects of successful and unsuccessful development experiences in southeast and southwest corners of Asia. Design/methodology/approach - It provides historical background to practices, strategies and policies adopted by policymakers in both of these regions. It identifies factors that a successful development cannot do without. Findings - The paper concludes that geopolitics can inspire and exploit religion and ethnicity to impede LDCs' development Originality/value - Examines the process of development from a practical standpoint in two different areas in Asia: first, Malaysia, Taiwan and South Korea, and, second, Iraq, to identify factors that development cannot be successful without. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]