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.

The present study attempted to assess the impact of fundamental ratios on the share prices of selected telecommunication companies in India. India has dramatically expanded over the past ten years to become the second-biggest telecoms market worldwide, with 1.17 billion users. The Indian telecom industry has proliferated thanks in part to the government of India’s liberal and reformist policies and strong customer demand. It has become a lucrative investment sector for investors due to its recent and prospective growth. Data on 13 telecom firms indexed in the S&P BSE telecommunication index from 2013 to 2022 were taken from companies’ annual reports, the BSE website (Bombay Stock Exchange), and other secondary sources. Six firm-specific fundamental factors viz. Debt to Equity ratio (D/E), Current ratio (CR), Total Assets Turnover ratio (ATR), Earnings per share (EPS), Price to earnings ratio (P/E), Return on equity (ROE), and three country-specific fundamental factors viz. Gross Domestic Product, Inflation rate, and S&P BSE Sensex return were considered. Fixed effect panel regression through Generalized Least Square (GLS) model was performed to find inferences. Debt Equity ratio and Inflation rate were found to impact share price negatively. Conversely, the Total Assets Turnover ratio (ATR), Earnings per share (EPS), Price to Earnings ratio (P/E), and Return on Equity (ROE) positively impacted selected companies’ share prices. The study results will benefit individual & institutional investors in formulating their investment and portfolio diversification strategies for gaining a high effective rate of return on their investments.

Lake Batur is one of the national priorities, as it has economic value, and fish resources are used for food security and improving the local people’s welfare. The study examined the applicability of fisheries management status based on the ecosystem approach in lakes. The study was carried out from February to July 2023 using ecosystem approach methods in seven villages around Batur Lake, Bali, Indonesia, Data was collected through observations and interviews with 189 respondents. The success of fisheries management might be shown as a flag model after the composite domain and the total aggregate value of all dominants were rated. The results showed that the managed fish resources and stakeholders were unsatisfactory categories. Generally, social and fishing technology domains were classified as good categories. For that, ecosystem approach applications for sustainable fisheries in Batur Lake needed action under the five common scenario goals (a) reducing non-target fish (red devil) in the lakes by intensive capture and processing into other products of economic value; (b) regulations related to the reserve area as a place for fish to spawn and breed; (c) increasing the synergy of fisheries management policies; (d) increasing the stakeholder capacity; and (e) government support and related stakeholders regarding one regulation for fisheries management.

This study aims to: (1) analyze the need for digital marketing capabilities in Thai MSME; (2) develop an online digital marketing course; and (3) enhance Thai MSME’s digital marketing capabilities, particularly in Thailand’s manufacturing sectors. The survey was conducted using questionnaires distributed to a sample group of 400 digital marketing staff, executives, or business owners, complemented by in-depth interviews with marketing experts, business managers, and owners, totaling 10 participants. The research findings reveal a significant demand for digital marketing skills among MSME entrepreneurs in the manufacturing sector. The top three skills identified as most crucial for enhancement are: (1) communication and marketing information presentation skills; (2) brand building and public relations; and (3) video marketing execution. The study further revealed that the design of the digital marketing course, along with the developed online learning platform, attracted and successfully enrolled 104 MSMEs who participated in the online program. The pre- and post-training assessment results demonstrated a statistically significant difference in test scores, with a mean post-training score of 16.10 ( Mean = 16.10, S.D. = 1.396), representing a notable increase from the pre-training mean score of 6.47 ( Mean = 6.47, S.D. = 3.634) at the 0.05 significance level. Furthermore, the results of the follow-up evaluation on the application of acquired knowledge revealed that the overall level of knowledge and skills application is at its highest, with an average score of 4.64. This indicates that the developed course and online learning platform effectively enhance learners’ knowledge.

The development of critical thinking (CT) enhances academic and professional opportunities. A review of literature reveals the use of fragmented analysis techniques, such as descriptive and correlational methods, among others, which hinder a deeper understanding of CT levels. This research aims to develop a methodology for analyzing Critical Thinking test scores, integrating five phases: exploratory, item analysis, scoring, gap analysis, and correlational. Using a quantitative approach, CT skills were analyzed with the Halpern Critical Thinking Assessment, which includes both open- and closed-ended questions to measure five skills: Verbal Reasoning (VR), Argument Analysis (AA), Hypothesis Testing (HT), Probability Use (PU), and Problem Solving (PS). The sample consisted of 214 students aged 18 and older. The item analysis phase categorized the items into quadrants: satisfactory, for review, or for elimination, based on difficulty and discrimination indices. The gap analysis revealed that Verbal Reasoning and open-ended formats were less satisfactory. The correlational phase, using heat maps, showed a stronger association between Verbal Reasoning and Probability Use. The methodological contributions include a variety of strategies that provide recommended procedures for analyzing tests or questionnaires in general. In today’s digital age, the development of critical thinking is not only a desirable skill but an essential necessity for the higher education system.