Background/ObjectivesLife expectancy (LE) is one of the most commonly used measures to describe the health of a population, which is crucial for achieving progress in economic growth and development. Therefore, identifying the drivers of LE is critical for designing effective health policies.MethodsThis article investigates the interplay among indicators of health expenditures, the index of information and communication technologies (ICT), healthy life expectancy at birth (HALEB), and healthy life expectancy at age 60 (HALE60) in the Sub-Saharan African countries over the 2000–2021 period by means of robust causality and regression approaches.ResultsThe results of the causality analyses reveal a bidirectional causality among indicators of health expenditures, ICT, HALEB, and HALE60 at the panel level. However, the causal nexus among indicators of health expenditures, ICT, and healthy life expectancy differs among the Sub-Saharan African countries. Additionally, the consequences of the regression analysis unveil a positive effect of indicators of health expenditures and ICT development on HALEB and HALE60.ConclusionThe results suggest that both health expenditures and ICT development are significant factors influencing healthy life expectancy.
The rapid expansion of digital Islamic financial products, including fintech services and crypto-related instruments, has intensified regulatory reliance on fatwas while simultaneously raising concerns about their substantive alignment with the objectives of maqāṣid al-sharīʿah. Existing studies largely focus on legal permissibility and operational feasibility, leaving limited systematic evaluation of whether regulatory fatwas meaningfully realize ethical and governance-oriented Sharia objectives. This study aims to assess the extent of maqāṣid al-sharīʿah compliance of DSN–MUI fatwas governing digital Islamic financial products. Employing a normative–analytical design integrated with a maqāṣid-based simulation model, the study analyzes secondary and publicly available data, including selected DSN–MUI fatwas and supporting regulatory documents, and operationalizes maqāṣid principles into structured evaluative indicators. The simulation results indicate that the analyzed fatwas achieved moderate overall maqāṣid compliance, with relatively strong performance in wealth protection and permissibility dimensions, but weaker alignment in justice, harm prevention, and broader public interest objectives. Scenario-based analysis further shows that enhanced governance-oriented interpretation yielded only marginal improvements, suggesting structural rather than interpretative limitations in existing regulatory frameworks. These findings contribute theoretically by positioning maqāṣid al-sharīʿah as an evaluative governance framework rather than a purely justificatory doctrine and practically by offering a replicable model for assessing substantive Sharia compliance in digital finance regulation. The study underscores the importance of integrating explicit maqāṣid benchmarks into fatwa formulation to ensure that digital Islamic finance advances ethically, sustainably, and in line with the broader objectives of Islamic law.
Mohammad Mahdi Fotouhi Rashidi, Mohammad Nadiri, Ali Reza Saranj
et al.
1. Introduction and ObjectiveThe operations of the banking system are intrinsically linked to money creation and credit supply, processes that directly influence the distribution and redistribution of wealth in society. Without ethical and social considerations, these mechanisms often lead to economic imbalances and inequalities in access to financial resources. This makes the role of banks and monetary authorities, particularly their social responsibility and accountability toward the general public, a central issue for both researchers and policymakers. In the case of Iran, where banking activities are conducted under chronic inflation and negative real interest rates, the allocation of credit has increasingly generated rent-seeking behavior and widened distributive injustices. Against this background, the main objective of this study is to systematically review existing literature on distributive justice in conventional banking systems and to provide a comparative framework for applying these insights to Iran’s banking sector within the context of Islamic financial principles and national legal frameworks.2. Methods and MaterialsThis research adopts a systematic literature review and comparative analysis approach. A total of 44 peer-reviewed articles published between 1990 and 2023 were identified and analyzed. The study process involved three main stages:Collecting and screening relevant international research on distributive justice in conventional banking.Extracting and classifying key components, concepts, and policy recommendations.Comparing the extracted components with Islamic finance principles, higher-order legal frameworks in Iran, and the current status of the Iranian banking system. This multi-stage approach ensured both breadth and depth in evaluating global scholarship while tailoring findings to Iran’s socio-economic and legal context.3. Research FindingsThe review highlighted that distributive justice issues in conventional banking are strongly associated with credit allocation policies, wealth redistribution mechanisms, and the socio-economic impacts of money creation. Commonly identified adverse effects include the intensification of inequality, increased rent-seeking in credit markets, and the concentration of financial resources among specific social groups. However, the international literature also provided practical strategies to mitigate these issues, such as strengthening banking regulations, enhancing financial inclusion, and enforcing ethical standards in credit allocation. In the Iranian context, the analysis showed that chronic inflation, negative real interest rates, and limited oversight of credit markets have amplified distributive injustices. Furthermore, while Islamic financial principles offer a strong ethical foundation, gaps remain in their practical application within the current banking framework.4. Discussion and ConclusionThe findings of this study emphasize that Iran’s banking system faces significant challenges in achieving distributive justice due to structural economic conditions and weak policy enforcement. Nevertheless, global experiences in conventional banking provide valuable lessons. When adapted to Iran’s socio-legal framework, these strategies can contribute to mitigating inequalities, curbing rent-seeking behaviors, and promoting fairer wealth distribution. This research underscores the importance of aligning Iran’s banking reforms with both Islamic finance principles and international best practices. By integrating distributive justice as a central policy goal, the Iranian banking system could not only reduce social and economic disparities but also strengthen its legitimacy and resilience in the face of ongoing financial challenges.
Abstract Background Within the population aging and the trend of aging in place on the rise, it is crucial to explore how care needs are being met for this demographic within the community. Methods This study utilizes data from the 2019–2021 survey on 1,126 rural older adults aged 60 years and above across 11 provinces and 31 villages in China. This study aims to examine the influence of spouse, offspring, and community status on the extent to which the care needs of rural older adults are met. Furthermore, it seeks to clarify the underlying mechanism of influence, as well as the change that occurs throughout the life cycle, using a multiple linear regression analysis. Results This study demonstrates that the health status of spouses, the education level of offspring, the relationship with offspring, and the living with offspring significantly and positively influence the meeting of care needs among rural older adults. Notably, older adults with healthier spouses experience a 14.5% greater fulfillment of care needs compared to those without partners. Furthermore, those living with their offspring experience a 10.6% higher degree of care met. Additionally, the construction and operation of community senior care facilities, indicative of community quality, significantly enhance the meeting of care needs among rural older adults, with a 16.0% increase in met needs for those residing in communities equipped with such facilities compared to those without. From a life cycle perspective, the aforementioned significant effects are only observed among rural older adults aged 60–74 years or those in better health. Conclusion Our results indicate the meeting of the care needs among rural older adults is influenced by the quality of their spouse, offspring, and community, with these effects diminishing later in the life cycle.
Corina Duda-Seiman, Liliana Mititelu-Tartau, Simona Biriescu
et al.
Background: With growing interest in healthy lifestyles, protein bars have gained popularity. However, many commercial bars contain excessive calories, sugar, and artificial additives that undermine their health benefits. This study aimed to develop a protein bar using natural ingredients with a balanced macronutrient profile. Method: The protein bar formulation used soy protein extract, a plant-based protein source, known for its complete amino acid profile but limited in methionine, which was complemented by oats to nutritionally balance this deficiency. A database was created to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of commercially available protein bars based on consumer feedback. The experimental bar was tested for nutritional value, shelf life, and physiological impact, using only natural ingredients for texture, flavor, and stability. Results: The experimental protein bar had higher protein and fiber content than a selected commercial bar but a shorter shelf life (7 days vs. 90 days) due to the absence of preservatives. The database helped identify target consumer groups and ensure the product was affordable and nutritionally effective. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that using natural, complementary ingredients can create a protein bar with a more balanced nutrient profile while avoiding harmful additives. The final product supports muscle protein synthesis through its high-quality protein content and promotes glycemic control and satiety via its fiber-rich, low-sugar formulation and metabolic processes, offering a healthier alternative to commercial options, with a focus on consumer health and cost-effectiveness.
The protection of government assets is often a public policy feature that can easily be overlooked. Proper bonding of public officials with asset responsibilities provides an assurance of resource protection and public trust. This study examines the level of impact that internal and external county characteristics have on the incremental bonding practices of appointed and elected government officials in North Carolina. Preliminary findings indicate more standardized bonding practices for appointed officials while bonding for elected officials is more discretionary to a point. Traditional finance office staff and audit findings influenced bond amount increases for both appointed and elected officials with specific importance placed on the accounts payable position. Implications of the study include the importance of well-trained finance personnel that can limit unnecessary risks and additional bonding increases.
Political institutions and public administration (General)
GU Lei, FENG Yingbin, LI Jingjing, HU Mei, FENG Dedong
[Objective] The purpose of the study was to explore the evolution process, development stages, and driving factors of farmland marginalization in typical villages in mountainous areas, to examine the characteristics and mechanisms of farmland marginalization and provide theoretical references and case studies for the sustainable development of agriculture and rural revitalization of a wide range of mountainous villages. [Methods] Based on the data of two typical villages in Liupanshui City of Guizhou Province from 2000 to 2020 and 641 survey questionnaires of farmers, this study constructed an evaluation index system for farmland marginalization from explicit and implicit perspectives, introduced the concepts of farmland marginalization intensity and marginalization contribution rate, to identify the process and stage characteristics of farmland marginalization. [Results] The results show that: (1) Farmland marginalization includes the transfer of land use at the explicit level and factor input changes at the implicit level, the complete development process is composed of the initial period, development period, gradual change period, and stabilization period, and the development rate and stage characteristics are affected by a combination of macro and micro factors. (2) Farmland marginalization in Shepeng Village and Houchang Village showed a trend of gradually increasing index values but gradually decreasing intensity, and the overall farmland marginalization index value of the former was lower than that of the latter during the study period, with implicit marginalization constituting the main part. (3) In terms of influencing factors, farmland transfer behavior and labor force characteristics played a dominant role in farmland marginalization in urban-rural integration-type villages, and farmland utilization conditions and resource endowment played an important role in farmland marginalization in traditional agricultural villages. [Conclusion] Farmland marginalization in mountainous areas experienced the inevitable impact of natural factors and socioeconomic changes, and the process of farmland marginalization in different types of villages had different characteristics. Urban-rural integration villages should establish a moderate balance between food and ecological securities through continuous innovation of agricultural land use systems and integration of village development factors; and traditional agricultural villages should respond reasonably to the trend of farmland marginalization by strengthening policy support and guidance, and optimizing the structure of agricultural production.
The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in improving sustainable livelihoods. MSMEs are economic growth drivers, particularly in rural and peri-urban regions, through the impetus of social entrepreneurship. South Africa faces several socioeconomic difficulties, which affect most of its population, including unemployment, crime, poverty, and inequality. The formation of small businesses in rural and peri-urban regions has been suggested as a remedy for this condition, to guarantee that people can retain their livelihoods, whether in terms of income or food security. The majority of MSMEs fail to realize their full potential due to problems such as a lack of finance, resources, and knowledge dissemination. The methodology adopted in this paper is qualitative and data was collected using secondary sources and materials. According to the findings of the study, MSMEs have made significant contributions to job creation, poverty alleviation, and GDP growth. It is demonstrated that MSMEs have the potential to ensure that people at the grassroots level do not rely solely on government or incentives. Instead, it can create sustainable lives while contributing to the larger economy, and expanding opportunities for future generations. It is recommended that raising awareness about financial initiatives, business development, and MSMEs support structures is crucial for both the government and private institutions. Moreover, creating more job opportunities requires the public sector to formulate policies and legislation, which support businesses and enable them to compete in the global market.
Keywords: MSME, Sustainable Livelihoods, Social Entrepreneurship, Rural and Peri-urban Entrepreneurship, Job Creation.
Agricultural firms are characterized by significant investments, both in fixed capital and in working capital. To finance investments, in addition to equity capital, access to credit becomes essential. Concerning this topic, various researches have shown that agricultural firms have difficulty accessing credit, due to reduced average size of farms, often poor financial culture and difficulty in communicating with lenders.
To facilitate relations between agricultural firms and lenders in Italy, various regulatory provisions, over time, have changed the regulatory framework of agricultural credit. The offer of credit lines is today wide, even if granting of credit favors larger and more structured firms, and credit is concentrated in a few Italian regions. Public intervention through guarantees, and the introduction of a non-possessory revolving pledge, have favored access to credit for agricultural firms in recent years.
The business cases analyzed have highlighted how investments of firms in fixed capital for the purchase of plants, and working capital, for aging of productions, amplify financial needs of firms and make it necessary to evaluate financial sustainability of operations. Recent increase in loans for ESG investments, and consequent regulatory framework, can facilitate financing of agricultural firms, enhancing their social role also in favor of smaller firms, cooperatives and firms in disadvantaged areas.
هدفت الدراسة إلى اختبار تأثير اليقظة الاستراتيجية بوصفها متغيرًا مستقلا ً متعدد الأبعاد على السمعة التنظيمية واختبار الدور الوسيط للأداء المؤسسي لدى مستشفيات جامعة المنصورة. وأجري البحث على عينة قوامها 246 مفردة ، وتم جمع البيانات الأولية باستخدام قائمة استقصاء تم توزيعها على مفردات العينة، وبلغ عدد قوائم الاستقصاء الصحيحة 205 قائمة بمعدل استجابة83% وتم استخدام تحليل الانحدار المتعدد ، وأسلوب تحليل المسار ، وتوصل البحث إلى أنه ليست کل أبعاد اليقظة الاستراتيجية ذات تأثير معنوي على أبعاد السمعة التنظيمية ، ولا يوجد تأثير لبعد اليقظة التنافسية على أي بعد من أبعاد السمعة التنظيمية.کذلک توصل البحث إلى أنه ليست کل أبعاد اليقظة الاستراتيجية ذات تأثير معنوي على أبعاد الأداء المؤسسي ؛ حيث لا يوجد تأثير معنوي لبعد اليقظة التنافسية على أي بعد من أبعاد الأداء المؤسسي، کما تم التوصل إلى أنه ليست کل أبعاد الأداء المؤسسي ذات تأثير معنوي على أبعاد السمعة التنظيمية ، کذلک تم التوصل أن الأداء المؤسسي يتوسط العلاقة بين اليقظة الاستراتيجية والسمعة التنظيمية ،عدا العلاقة بين اليقظة التنافسية والسمعة التنظيمية .
A study by McKinsey stated that funding sector managers in Asia would finance 26-30% more for firms that have better Corporate Governance. In the Corporate Governance Scores Ranking in Asia Period 2016 and 2018, Indonesia still stands as the last rank, the 12th rank. However, Indonesia could contribute to two firms from the finance sector only at the Top 50 ASEAN CG Conference & Awards 2015. It shows that Indonesia is still lagging compared to other countries in ASEAN and Asia in Corporate Governance, and the finance sector is the leading sector in Indonesia. Data analysis technique using MLR Analysis. The Firm Sample of this research was taken from 27 Finance Firms that are registered within ISE Year 2016-2018. This Research has purposes for establishing the Impact of CG through BOC Independent, BOD, Audit Committee, and Implementation of Public Firm Governance Guidelines against Profitability through ROA and ROE in Finance Firms.
Abstract Background Price regulation is a common constraint in Chinese hospitals. Based on a policy experiment conducted in China on the price deregulation of private nonprofit hospitals, this study empirically examines the impact of medical service price regulation on the pricing of medical services by hospitals. Methods Using the claim data of insured inpatients residing in a major Chinese city for the period 2010–2015, this study constructs a DID (difference-in-differences) model to compare the impact of price deregulation on medical expenditure and expenditure structure between public and private nonprofit hospitals. Results The empirical results based on micro data reveal that, price deregulated significantly increased the total expenditure per inpatient visit by 10.5%. In the itemized expenditure, the diagnostic test and drug expenditure per inpatient visit of private nonprofit hospitals decreased significantly, whereas the physician service expenditure per inpatient visit increased significantly. For expenditure structure, the proportions of drug expenditure and diagnostic test expenditure per inpatient visit significantly decreased by 5.7 and 3.1%, respectively. Furthermore, this paper also found that hospitals had larger price changes for dominant diseases than for non-dominant diseases. Conclusions Under price regulation, medical service prices generally become lower than their costs. Therefore, after price deregulation, private nonprofit hospitals increase medical service prices above their cost and achieve the service premium increasing physician medical services. Further, although price deregulation causes patient expenditure to increase to a certain level, it optimizes the expenditure structure, as well.
Countries that have the ability to diversify their product portfolios and gather the set of capabilities required to produce and export complex products grow fast and achieve economic development. This study examines the structural change in Turkey’s export composition within the 1995-2015 period by focusing on the complexity and diversification of its exports. The findings show that Turkey has failed to diversify its exports into complex products to generate a structural transformation in its
exports. Turkey’s abandonment of selective sectoral incentives after 1995 play a major role in this failure.
This study aims to know the financial management of the Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (Partai Demokrasi Indonesia-Perjuangan) in the District of Jepara Regency and its connection to public trust. The financial management in the party determines its existence and electability in the political field. To increase the party‘s electability and to maintain the confidence of its members and public trust, financial transparency should be improved. Financial transparency of the political party is still beyond the expectations. Ideally, as a public institution, Indonesian political parties have a very large role in maintaining democracy and good governance. This research investigates the Branch (Dewan Pimpinan Cabang) of the Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (PDI-P) in the district of Jepara, Central Java. This party won the 2014 General Election in the district. Although, its financial management is not transparent. This research applies quantitative methods to portray the phenomenon. This research chose 100 people as samples from the total population of the Jepara District who has the right to vote. The sample has been taken by probability sampling techniques. The results show that DPC-PDIP in Jepara District manages its finance with discipline and following law. PDIP is considered to know about good financial reporting. This increases public trust and the party‘s confidence.
The study evaluates foreign patients' experience and satisfaction in relation to the health care received in Latvia. By applying the gap model of service evaluation, the study reveals the difference between expected and received service outcome in Latvia, and draws conclusions about the importance of individual and patient experience factors related to the overall patient satisfaction. The study concludes that in all groups of factors matrix proposed in the study: (1) general travel or destination factors; (2) communication factors; (3) factors related to the choice of service and (4) factors related to the choice of health care institution, patients evaluated the perceived health care outcome higher than the expected outcome. The results of the study lead to the conclusion that there is a significant gap in foreign patients' knowledge regarding the possibilities of receiving a high-level health care service in Latvia. The results also reveal the most important determinants of patient experience and related satisfaction.
Covid-19 Pandemic which occurred in early 2020 has resulted in economic decline in Indonesia and the government also urges the public for a health protocol. The after effect is that MSMEs go bankrupt and there is a work termination so that more and more household economies experience life difficulties. There have been some assistances provided by the Government, but they have not been maximally increased the household economy until the new normal era. However, this condition must still be carried out in a management of all household resources which one of them is household finance and also the improvement of new skills.
Keywords : Household Economic, Health Protocol, Covid-19
Oczekiwania klientów ulegają transformacji, sposoby współpracy z nimi, ale także wewnętrzne procesy banku. Bankowość staje się coraz bardziej zależna od Internetu oraz systemów informatycznych – obecnie większość usług oferowana jest poprzez sieć. W związku z tym faktem zmieniają się Także struktury organizacyjne banków oraz wymagane kompetencje pracowników. Opracowanie przedstawia jak zmieniają się te struktury oraz jak te zmiany widzą klienci bankowości.