Farm households in developing countries are often involved in a variety of livelihood income-generating activities to achieve basic needs and enhance food security. However, little attention has been given to investigating the effect of livelihood diversification strategies on the adoption of agricultural land management practices. This study explored the nexus between livelihood diversification and Agricultural Land Management (ALM) practices in the Southern Ethiopian Highlands. Data for this study were gathered through a structured questionnaire, interviews, and focus group discussions. A total of 423 sample respondents were selected by using multistage random sampling techniques. The data were analyzed using the Inverse Herfindahl Hirschman Diversity Index (IHHDI), the multinomial logit model (MNL), and the probit regression model. The findings of the study revealed that on-farm income activities are the most dominant livelihood income strategies (69.1%), followed by non-farm (21%) and off-farm (9.64%). The multinomial logit model analysis demonstrated that variables such as sex, education, family size, distance to market, land size, extension contact, membership in cooperatives, and household income were the major drivers of farmers income diversification activities (p<0.05). The results of the probit analysis indicated that income from crop production, daily labor work, rents from farmland, and farm assets have a positive and significant effect on households' decisions to implement ALM practices. In contrast, incomes from remittance and migrant sources have a negative but statistically significant impact on the adoption of ALM measures. The farm household sources of income-generating strategies substantially affected the adoption intensity of ALM measures. Income generated from the on-farm sector alone cannot be considered a core income-generating activity for households or a means of achieving food security. Therefore, land management policies and program implementations should consider farmers’ livelihood diversification and income-generating strategies. In addition, such interventions need to promote sustainable farming practices, enhance innovation, and related measures for the adoption of ALM measures to ensure land sustainability.

The aim of this study is to determine how bank diversification affects bank stability. To this end, it examines data of 136 commercial banks operating in 14 MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries observed from 2005 to 2021, using the System Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) panel data regression analysis. The selected countries are Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Lebanon, Algeria, Tunisia, Iran, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates. The main results point to the enhancing effect of income diversification on bank stability. Our results underline the “Bright Side” of banking income diversification in the MENA region. However, this stabilizing income diversification effect is not always maintainable. The results also point to a non-linear relationship between interest/non-interest income and financial stability, suggesting that higher diversification reduces risk. We use a dynamic panel threshold model to determine income diversification thresholds that stabilize banks in the MENA region.

This study examines the financial integration between Jordan and the BRIC economies (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) to determine whether long-term equilibrium relationships exist and to assess implications for portfolio diversification and policy. Drawing on daily stock index data from 01 January 2014, to 31 August 2024, the study employs econometric techniques, including Granger Causality tests, Johansen Cointegration, and Vector Autoregression (VAR). The stationarity of stock indices at the first difference level is confirmed through unit root testing. Results indicate minimal long-term cointegration between Jordan and BRIC markets, pointing to low integration and potential diversification benefits for institutional investors. However, short-term causal links—particularly between Jordan and the Russian and Indian markets—highlight these countries’ influence on Jordan’s stock fluctuations. The findings suggest that, in the absence of long-term cointegration, investors may mitigate risk by investing in less correlated markets, such as Jordan, while leveraging short-term partnerships with Russia and India. Additionally, the study provides valuable insights for business leaders considering strategic alliances with BRIC counterparts in sectors like technology, agriculture, and energy, and calls for future research into factors like regulatory frameworks and geopolitical stability that may limit long-term financial integration. These results have significant implications for institutional investors, business executives, and policymakers, suggesting targeted strategies for financial stability, risk mitigation, and economic collaboration.

“Global South” is undoubtedly a broad term that typically refers to developing countries with varying degrees of economic, cultural and political influence. The rise of the Global South signifies the importance of reassessing the existing international order. In terms of international relations theory, this should be an innovative, progressive and reflective field of study. However, this research is predominantly led by the Western mainstream international relations theories. This often neglects the internal and external factors in the development processes of other countries, the formation of relationship frameworks, foreign policy formulation, and the need of foreign relations. Despite the ongoing and intense debate over the innovation of international relations theory, it is difficult to see it keeping pace with contemporary developments. Various schools and thoughts frequently innovate only within their foundational frameworks. Therefore, for Global South countries, there is the need for international relations theories that can reflect their specific needs and actual conditions. This does not only require breaking away from the westcentric theoretical framework, but ensuring that the innovation process is aligned with practical realities that recognize mutual interests and encompass both local and global perspectives. This approach should involve a comprehensive reflection on international relations, allowing innovation of international relations theories to genuinely “enter” the Global South countries.

The livelihood of ethnic minority households in Vietnam is mainly in the fields of agriculture and forestry. The percentage of ethnic minorities who have jobs in industry, construction, and services is still limited. Moreover, due to harsh climate conditions, limited resources, poor market access, low education level, lack of investment capital for production, and inadequate policies, job opportunities in the off-farm and non-farm activities are very limited among ethnic minority areas. This paper assessed the contribution of livelihood diversification activities to poverty reduction of ethnic minority households in Son La Province of Vietnam. The analysis was based on the data using three stages sampling procedure of 240 ethnic minority households in Son La Province. The finding showed that the livelihood diversification activities had positively significant contribution to poverty reduction of ethnic minority households in Son La Province. In addition, the factors positively affecting the livelihood choices of ethnic minority households in Son La Province of Vietnam are education level, labor size, access to credit, membership of associations, support policies, vocational training, and district. Thus, improving ethnic minority householder’s knowledge through formal educational and training, expanding availability of accessible infrastructure, and enhancing participation of social/political associations were recommended as possible policy interventions to diversify livelihood activities so as to mitigate the level of poverty in the study area.

This paper highlights the complex relationship between entrepreneurship, sustainable development, and economic growth in 41 European countries, using a reliable K-Means cluster analysis. The research thoroughly evaluates three key factors: the SDG Index for sustainable development, GDP per capita for economic well-being, and the New Business Density Rate for entrepreneurial activity. Our methodology reveals three distinct narratives that embody varying degrees of economic vitality and sustainability. Cluster 1 comprises the financially stable and sustainability-oriented countries of Western and Northern Europe. Cluster 2 showcases the variegated economic and sustainability initiatives in Central and Southern Europe. Cluster 3 envelopes the economic titans with noteworthy business expansion but with the potential for better sustainable practices. The analysis reveals a favourable association between economic prosperity and sustainable development within clusters, although with nonlinear intricacies. The research concludes with a series of strategic imperatives specifically crafted for each cluster, promoting economic variation, increased sustainability, invention, and worldwide collaboration. The resulting findings highlight the crucial need for policy-making that considers the specific context and the potential for combined European resilience and sustainability.