This research article examines the relationship between the level of social welfare expenditure and economic growth rates, based on unbalanced panel data from 38 OECD countries covering the period from 1985 to 2022. Four hypotheses are formulated regarding the impact of social expenditure on economic growth rates. Through multiple iterations of regression model building, employing various combinations of dependent and independent variables, and conducting tests for stationarity and causality, compelling empirical evidence was obtained on the negative influence of social welfare spending on economic growth rates. The study takes into account both government and non-governmental expenditures on social welfare, a novelty in this field. This approach allows for a detailed examination of the effects of different components on economic growth and provides a more comprehensive understanding of the relationships. The findings indicate that countries with high levels of social welfare spending experience a slowdown in economic growth rates. This is associated with increasing demands on social security systems, their growing inclusivity, and the escalating required levels of financing, which are increasingly covered by debt sources. The research highlights the need to strike a balance between social expenditures and economic growth rates and proposes a set of measures to ensure economic growth outpaces the indexing of social expenditures. The abstract underscores the relevance of the study in light of the widespread recognition of the necessity to combat inequality, poverty, and destitution, and calls on OECD countries’ governments to pay increased attention to social policy in order to achieve sustainable and balanced economic growth.

Employee retention promotes positivity in an organization and improves employers’ brand value. As the human resource department operates with the objective of improving employees’ contribution towards the organization, meaningful work is an important topic in the core areas of human resource development (HRD), such as employee involvement, motivation, and personal development. Not only salary, benefits, working environment, and status but also the factors that determine whether you enjoy going to work every day are whether you believe that your work makes a meaningful contribution. In HRD, meaningful work comes to the forefront through a connection with a high level of commitment. Thus, this study aims to establish the relationship between meaningful and purposeful jobs affecting employee retention and the mediating factors of person organization fit (POF) and person job fit (PJF). A cross-sectional study involving a survey methodology was used to collect data from 150 white-collar employees working in the IT, banking, textile, and multinational companies in Bangladesh. The results indicate that job meaningfulness has a positive relationship with employee retention (p-value = 0.031) and both the mediating factors of PJF (p-value = 0.040) and POF (p-value = 0.028). The results also indicate that while POF positively influences employee retention (p-value = 0.019), PJF has no significant influence on employee retention (p-value = 0.164). Thus, promoting employee job meaningfulness and purpose in the workplace may represent an opportunity for organizations to improve employee engagement and retention.

This study assesses Vietnam’s state-level implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and analyses the government’s efforts to encourage AI implementation by focusing on the National Strategy on AI Development Program. This study emphasizes the possibility of implementing AI at the state level in Vietnam and the importance of conducting continuous reviews and enhancements to achieve sustainable and inclusive AI growth. Impact evaluations were conducted in public organizations alone, and implication evaluations were considered optional. AI impact assessments were constrained by societal norms that necessitated establishing relationships among findings. There is a lack of official information regarding the positive impact of Vietnam’s AI policy on the development of AI infrastructure, research, and talent pools. The study’s findings highlight the necessity of facilitating extensive AI legislation, and strengthening international cooperation. The study concludes with the following recommendations for improving Vietnam’s AI policy: implementing a strong AI governance structure and supporting AI education and awareness.

This paper highlights the opportunities as well as challenges posed for Bangladesh by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of China. BRI is being considered as the most expensive project ever initiated connecting more than half of the world population from Asia, Europe and Africa. For writing this paper, the authors utilized published sources such as journal articles, newspaper articles and web-based information published from 2013 to 2024. The article proposes that although the involvement of Bangladesh in the BRI is not absolutely free of challenges, it can serve the ultimate national interest through greater connectivity with other countries, increased volume of trade and economic activities and socio-cultural exchange. Although, as the originator and major contributor of the BRI, China will be the principal benefiter, other partner countries can also attain considerable benefits out of this historical mega scheme through the application of appropriate vision and strategic implementation. This paper has highlighted those benefits/opportunities and challenges for Bangladesh that can be beneficial for upcoming research projects particularity aimed at development studies, political economy and international relations. On the other hand, based on the arguments made on this paper, policymakers and businessmen can formulate their best policies as well as trading strategies with mutual benefits for all the stakeholders involved.

Contract workers are the direct victims of casualization but beyond that, the effects they suffer transcend to their families and the larger society. The study examined the effects of casualization on the contract workers of banks in Sokoto, Nigeria. The primary methods of gathering data for the study were in-depth and key informant interviews, with sixty individuals who were specifically chosen. Following content analysis, the gathered data were presented narratively with verbatim quotations. According to the study, there are a number of negative effects of casualization, such as low wages that contribute to a low standard of living and the inability of employees and their families to adequately meet their basic needs, the arbitrary termination of casual employees without cause, and the lack of a claim for work-related injuries or diseases in the event of an accident or death. The overall inference is that the temporary employees are working in appallingly subpar conditions. The study suggests that in order to raise the living standards of their temporary employees, banks should provide welfare packages. Additionally, because inflation is on the rise, contract employees’ compensation should be reviewed upward.

The Malaysian government’s heightened focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) reflects a strategic move towards economic and social development, particularly in addressing youth unemployment. Recognizing the potential of TVET to contribute to these goals, there is a specific emphasis on enhancing the marketability of women in the workforce from the current 62 percent to an ambitious 95 percent. However, a notable gender gap persists in entrepreneurial pursuits within the TVET sector in Malaysia, with female representation lagging. To bridge this gap, this study aims to construct a comprehensive framework that nurtures future-ready female TVETpreneur talent. This initiative aligns with the Malaysian Higher Education Blueprint, 2021–2025, i.e., fostering a diverse and innovative workforce. An extensive literature survey was conducted to identify the factors influencing female TVET students’ entrepreneurial intention. The literature revealed that social psychological and organizational approaches are commonly used to explore and analyze the relationship between the influence of female TVET students’ talents and behavior, their exposure to entrepreneurship, mentorship and support programs, role models in TVET, curriculum design, and access to resources. A comprehensive theoretical framework was developed based on these findings, which offers significant insights related to enhancing TVET opportunities for women and advancing Malaysia’s economic and social development goals in a sustainable way.