The increase in energy consumption is closely linked to environmental pollution. Healthcare spending has increased significantly in recent years in all countries, especially after the pandemic. The link between healthcare spending, greenhouse gas emissions and gross domestic product has led many researchers to use modelling techniques to assess this relationship. For this purpose, this paper analyzes the relationship between per capita healthcare expenditure, per capita gross domestic product and per capita greenhouse gas emissions in the 27 EU countries for the period 2000 to 2020 using Error Correction Westerlund, and Westerlund and Edgerton Lagrange Multiplier (LM) bootstrap panel cointegration test. The estimation of model coefficients was carried out using the Augmented Mean Group (AMG) method adopted by Eberhardt and Teal, when there is heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence in cross-sectional units. In addition, Dumitrescu and Hurlin test has been used to detect causality. The findings of the study showed that in the long run, per capita emissions of greenhouse gases have a negative effect on per capita health expenditure, except from the case of Greece, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Latvia. On the other hand, long-term individual co-integration factors of GDP per capita have a positively strong impact on health expenditure per capita in all EU countries. Finally, Dumitrescu and Urlin’s causality results reveal a significant one-way causality relationship from GDP per capita and CO₂ emissions per capita to healthcare expenditure per capita for all EU countries.

This paper presents an assessment approach to fostering socioeconomic re-development and resilience in Iraqi regions emerging from the destruction and instability, in the aftermath of the war conflict in Iraq. Focusing on the intricate interplay of logistics infrastructure and economic recovery, the present study proposes a novel framework that integrates general resilience insights, data analytics, infrastructure systems, and decision support from Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). We draw inspiration also from historical cases on “creative destruction” or “Blessing in Disguise” (BiD) phenomena, like the post-WWII reconstruction of Rotterdam, so as to develop the notion of stepwise or cascadic prosilience, analyzing how innovative logistics systems may in various stages contribute to economic rejuvenation. Our approach recognizes the multifaceted nature of regional resilience capacity, encompassing both static (conserving resources, rerouting, etc.) and dynamic (accelerating recovery through innovative strategies) dimensions. The logistics aspect spans both the supply side (new infrastructure, ICT facilities) and the demand side (changing transportation flows and product demands), culminating in an integrated perspective for sustainable growth of Iraqi regions. In our study, we explore several forward-looking strategic future options (scenarios) for recovery and reconstruction policy factors in the context of regional development in Iraq, regarding them as crucial strategic elements for effective post-conflict rebuilding and regeneration. Given that such assets and infrastructures typically extend beyond a single city or area, their geographic scope is broader, calling for a multi-region approach. By leveraging the extended DEA approach by an incorporation of a super-efficiency (SE) DEA approach so as to better discriminate among efficient Decision-Making Units (DMUs)—in this case, regions in Iraq—our research aims to present actionable and effective insights for infrastructure investment strategies at regional-governorate scale in Iraq, that optimize efficiency, sustainability and resilience. This approach may ultimately foster prosperous and stable post-conflict regional economies that display—by means of a cascadic change—a new balanced prosilient future.

This article presents an analysis of Russia’s outward foreign direct investment based on the balance of payments. The country has been affected by the “Dutch disease,” characterized by a heavy reliance on the mining industry and revenues from oil and gas exports. The financial account reveals a consistent outflow of capital from Russia, surpassing inflows. A significant portion of domestic investment goes abroad, often to offshore destinations. This capital outflow has not been fully offset by foreign capital inflows. These findings underscore the challenges faced by Russia in managing its financial position, including the need to address capital outflows, diversify the economy, and reduce dependence on raw material exports. Furthermore, this article aims to identify the presence of Russian capital in OECD countries by comparing data from the Central Bank of Russia and the OECD. The analysis reveals significant discrepancies between the two datasets, primarily due to unavailable or confidential information in the OECD dataset. These variations can also be attributed to differences in methodology and the specific nature of Russian outward direct investments, particularly those involving offshore jurisdictions. As a result, accurately determining the extent of Russian capital in OECD countries based on the available data becomes a challenging task (including for the tourism industry as well).

To evaluate the efficiency of decision-making units, researchers continually develop models simulating the production process of organizations. This study formulates a network model integrating undesirable outputs to measure the efficiency of Vietnam’s banking industry. Employing methodologies from the data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach, the efficiency scores for these banks are subsequently computed and comparatively analyzed. The empirical results indicate that the incorporation of undesirable output variables in the efficiency evaluation model leads to significantly lower efficiency scores compared to the conventional DEA model. In practical terms, the study unveils a deterioration in the efficiency of banking operations in Vietnam during the post-Covid era, primarily attributed to deficiencies in credit risk management. These findings contribute to heightening awareness among bank managers regarding the pivotal importance of credit management activities.

This paper utilizes an advanced Network Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model to examine the impact of mobile payment on the efficiency of Taiwan banking industry. Inheriting the literature, we separate the banking operation process into two stages, namely profitability and marketability. Mobile payment is then considered as the core factor in the second stage. Our paper discovers network DEA model can effectively enhance the analysis of banking industry’s efficiency, and mobile payment has a notable impact on Taiwan banking industry. Regarding the profitability stage, there is only one efficient bank in 2019 and 2022, respectively. These banks also perform better in terms of “mobile payment production”. In the marketability stage, there is also only one bank in 2021 and one bank in 2022, that can reach to unique efficiency score. This indicates many banks attempt to increase earnings per share through investing in mobile payment services. However, the achievement still needs more wait. This leads to the fact that no bank can reach the ultimate overall efficiency. Within our sample, we also find that regarding promoting mobile payment services, Private Banks outperform Government Banks.

This research conducts a comparative urban analysis of two coastal cities with analogous tourism models situated in distinct geographical regions: Balneário Camboriú in Brazil and Benidorm in Spain. The study delves into two critical urban phenomena impacting the sustainability of tourist cities, utilising social network data to gather insights into economic and urban activities (Google Places) and spatio-temporal patterns of citizen presence (Twitter). The spatial analysis explores the municipal and, to a more detailed extent, the coastal strip extending 500 m inland from the coastline, spanning the entire length of each city to their municipal boundaries. The analysis uncovers both similarities and differences between the two destinations, offering insights that could inform future development strategies aimed at fostering sustainable urban environments in these well-established coastal tourist areas.