The study examines the impact of COVID-19 on the economies of Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) member states. The event study methodology was used to analyze Cumulative Abnormal Return (CAR) of GCC member states’ stock indexes: Kuwait Stock Exchange Index (KSE), Dubai Financial Market Index (DFM), Saudi Arabia Tadawul Index (TASI), Qatar Exchange Index (QE), Bahrain All Share Index (BHB), Oman’s Muscat Stock Exchange Index (MSM), Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange Index (ADX) while the S&P GCC Composite Index was used as a reference. Data obtained from 28 July 2019 to 27 July 2020, and 1 March 2020, designated as the event day, abnormal returns (AR) and cumulative average abnormal returns (CAARs) were examined across various time intervals. The findings reveal significant market reactions to the pandemic, characterized by fluctuations in abnormal returns and CAARs. Statistically significant abnormal returns and CAARs during certain time periods underscore the dynamic nature of market responses to the COVID-19 event. These results provide valuable insights for policymakers and market participants seeking to understand and navigate the economic implications of the pandemic on GCC economies. The study recommends that other GCC states, particularly Oman, consider the policies undertaken by Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, to avoid a long economic crisis.

Climate change is one of the most critical global challenges, driven primarily by the rapid increase in greenhouse gas concentrations. Carbon sequestration, the process by which ecosystems capture and store carbon, plays a key role in mitigating climate change. This study investigates the factors influencing carbon sequestration in subtropical planted forest ecosystems. Field data were collected from 100 randomly sampled plots of varying sizes (20 m² × 20 m² for trees, 5 m² × 5 m² for shrubs, and 1 m² × 1 m² for herbs) between February and April 2022. A total of 3,440 plants representing 36 species were recorded, with Prosopis juliflora and Prosopis cineraria as the dominant tree species and Desmostachya bipinnata as the dominant herb. Regression analysis, Pearson correlation, and structural equation modeling were performed using R software to explore relationships between carbon sequestration and various biotic and abiotic factors. Biotic factors such as diameter at breast height (DBH; R=0.94), tree height (R=0.83), and crown area (R=0.98) showed strong positive correlations with carbon sequestration. Abiotic factors like litter (R=0.37), humus depth (R=0.43), and electrical conductivity (E.C; R=0.11) also positively influenced carbon storage. Conversely, pH (R=-0.058), total dissolved solids (TDS; R=-0.067), organic matter (R=-0.1), and nitrogen (R=-0.096) negatively impacted carbon sequestration. The findings highlight that both biotic and abiotic factors significantly influence carbon sequestration in planted forests. To enhance carbon storage and mitigate climate change, efforts such as afforestation, reforestation, and conservation of subtropical forest ecosystems are essential.

Taking the west slope of Cangshan Mountain in Yangbi County, Dali as the research site, on the basis of investigating the local natural geographical conditions, topography and biodiversity status of Cangshan Mountain, the CAP protection action planning method was adopted, and the priority protection objects were determined to be native forest vegetation, rare and endangered flora and fauna, alpine vertical ecosystems, hard-leaf evergreen broad-leaved forests and cold-tempered coniferous forests; The main threat factors were commercial collection, tourism development and overgrazing. Biodiversity conservation on the western slope of Cangshan Mountain should take species as “point”, regional boundary as “line”, ecosystem and landscape system as “plane”, so as to realize the overall planning structure system combining “point—line—plane”, which can be divided into conservation core area, buffer zone and experimental area. The results can provide a reference for biodiversity conservation on the western slope of Cangshan Mountain.

This paper revisits the analysis on the effect of cross-cultural awareness and self-efficacy, which are both significant constructs in today’s globalized world. People are expected to have both a high level of self-efficacy and a strong sense of cross-cultural awareness due to the growing frequency of cross-cultural interactions. For fields like education, psychology, and cross-cultural communication, it can be very crucial to comprehend how cross-cultural awareness affects self-efficacy. 60 relevant articles were found after a thorough assessment of the literature on the subject using thematic analysis of the CNKI and Google Scholar databases. Ten major themes were found in the review: 1) the cultivation of cross-cultural awareness, 2) the current situation of students’ cross-cultural awareness, 3) the importance of cross-cultural awareness, 4) the relationship between self-efficacy and academic achievement, 5) the relationship between learning self-efficacy and influencing factors, 6) the relationship between cross-cultural awareness and self-efficacy, 7) the relationship between self-efficacy and cross-cultural adaptation, 8) cultural factors affecting learning self-efficacy, 9) the effect of social environment on individual self-efficacy, and 10) the relationship between cultural expectations and self-efficacy. The findings of this review demonstrate how crucial cross-cultural understanding is to the growth of self-efficacy. The design of educational and training programs aiming at boosting cross-cultural knowledge and self-efficacy will also be significantly impacted by this review.

In response to the increasing global emphasis on sustainability and the specific challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China, this study explores the integration of green reverse logistics within these enterprises to enhance their sustainability and competitiveness. The aim of this study is to understand the relationship between reverse logistics, green logistics, and sustainable development. Data analysis was conducted utilizing a combination of descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. A survey of 311 participants examined SMEs’ performance in reverse logistics practices and their initiatives in green logistics and sustainable development. The empirical findings reveal significant progress in reverse logistics practices among SMEs, reducing environmental impact and improving resource efficiency. Moreover, a notable positive correlation was identified between reverse logistics promotion and advancements in green logistics and sustainable development. SMEs’ investment in reverse logistics is closely linked to their efforts in environmentally conscious and sustainable supply chain management. These insights benefit SMEs and supply chain practitioners and offer a valuable reference for future research and practical applications in this field.