This study investigates the impact of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) on wage dynamics in Slovakia and Slovenia, with a particular emphasis on gender-specific effects in post-Communist emerging markets. By analyzing wage outcomes for male and female workers separately, the research reveals potential disparities in FDIs-driven wage growth. Employing econometric techniques and longitudinal data, the study explores the nuanced relationship between FDIs, wage policies, and economic development over time. A temporal lag in FDIs analysis suggests that Slovakia and Slovenia have experienced differing impacts from past foreign capital flows. In Slovakia, significant correlations indicate persistent FDIs influence and a pronounced effect on gender wage disparities. In Slovenia, more moderate correlations and FDIs volatility suggest a less stable relationship between external investment and wage dynamics. The originality of this research lies in its comparative approach, examining two distinct post-Communist nations and identifying unique country-specific patterns and trends. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of FDI’s role in labor market management and its implications for gender equality in two European emerging economies.

This study examines the impact of education quality and innovative activities on economic growth in Shanghai through international trade and fixed asset formation. The study examines how higher education quality and innovation activities drive regional economic growth, with a focus on the mediating effects of international trade and fixed asset formation in Shanghai. The study adopts a quantitative approach utilizing panel data from 31 provinces in China covering the period from 1999 to 2022. The study incorporates variables such as education quality, innovation capacity, and GDP per capita, as well as control variables like labor, capital, and infrastructure. The methodology involves multiple regression models and robustness tests to verify the relationships between and effects of education quality and innovation with regard to economic growth. This study analyzes the direct and indirect effects of university R&D expenditure and innovation on economic growth using a regression model, based on data from 2014 to 2022 in relation to Shanghai. The model introduces variables such as international trade, capital formation, and urbanization to analyze the relationship between higher education quality and economic growth.

The optimized methodology and results of the new characterization in terms of dose and image quality of the X-ray system used in the main pediatric hemodynamics service in Chile are presented. In addition, scattered dose rate values at the operator’s eye level are reported for all acquisition modes available in different thicknesses of absorbent media and angiography. The characterization was performed according to the European DIMOND and SENTINEL protocols adapted to pediatric procedures. The air kerma at the entrance surface (ESAK) was measured and the image quality parameters signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and a figure of merit (FOM) were calculated. The scattered dose rate was measured in personal dose equivalent units. The ESAK for fluoroscopic modes ranged from 0.2 to 35.6 μGy/image when passing from 4 to 20 cm of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). For the cine mode, these values ranged from 2.8 to 160.1 μGy/image. The values of the image quality parameters showed a correct system configuration, although abnormal values were observed in the medium fluoroscopic mode. As for the scattered dose rate at the level of the cardiologist’s eyes, the highest value is PMMA with a thickness of 20 cm, where the cine mode reached 9.41 mSv·h-1. The differences found from previous evaluations can be explained by the deterioration of the system and the change of one of the X-ray tubes.

The relationship between new-quality productivity and educational equity is characterized by close mutual influence and co-evolution. Driven by technological innovation, new-quality productivity is profoundly transforming the economic and social landscape. Educational equity, a crucial component of social justice, is vital for ensuring equal development opportunities for all individuals. The robust growth of new-quality productivity not only optimizes the distribution of educational resources and enhances educational quality but also poses new challenges and demands for equity in education. In turn, the continuous advancement of educational equity provides a solid talent foundation and a conducive environment for innovation to new-quality productivity. These two aspects intertwine and progress together in various domains, including policy systems, cultural values, and educational practices. This interplay highlights the central role of new-quality productivity and educational equity in societal development, while also demonstrating their dynamic and complementary relationship.

Human settlement patterns in the South are clearly inequitable and dysfunctional, with tenure insecurity remaining a significant issue. Consequently, there has been a dramatic increase in housing demand driven by rising household sizes and accelerated urbanization. Local governments have a clear mandate to ensure socio-economic development and promote democracy, which necessitates ongoing consultations and renegotiations with citizens. This paper critically examines the de-densification of informal settlements as a pivotal strategy to enhance the quality of life for citizens, all while maintaining essential social networks. Governments must take decisive action against pandemics by transforming spaces into liveable settlements that improve livelihoods. A qualitative method was employed, analyzing data drawn from interviews to gain insights into individual views, attitudes, and behaviors regarding the improvement of livelihoods in informal settlements. The study utilized a simple random sampling technique, ensuring that every individual in the population selected had an equal opportunity for inclusion. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty community members in Cornubia, alongside discussions with three officials from eThekwini Municipality and KwaZulu Natal (KZN) Provincial Department of Human Settlements. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis, and the findings hold substantial benefits for the most disadvantaged citizens. Therefore, municipalities have an obligation to transform urban areas by reducing inequality, bolstered by national government policy, to achieve a resilient, safe, and accessible urban future. The evidence presented in this paper underscores that local governments, through municipalities, must prioritize de-densifying informal settlements in response to pandemics or hazards. It is vital to leverage community-driven initiatives and reinforce networks within these communities. The paper calls for the establishment of a socially centered government through the District Development Model (DDM), emphasizing socio-economic transformation as a pathway to enhance community quality of life.

In order to create the possibility of economic breakthrough development, remove economic institutional bottlenecks, release resources, and develop the economy quickly and sustainably in Vietnam in the coming time, it is impossible not to mention solutions to improve the quality, create breakthroughs in training and fostering talents. This is one of the important solutions in the context that the Party and State require the application and development of science and technology more and more extensively in all fields and all sectors in Vietnam. The article focuses on researching the the political basis, legal basis, and practical basis for training, fostering, attracting and employing talents in Vietnam. Meanwhile, statistics on undergraduate and postgraduate training in the period of 2016–2022, the training level of the workforce and the Global Talent Competitiveness Index show that Vietnam has not achieved many positive changes in training, fostering, attracting and employing talents as expected. The article is approached from many different aspects, including the perspective of leaders and managers at the head of state agencies, the perspective of businesses and the perspective of the university teaching staff and scientific research workers themselves. On that basis, the article points out the key contents that need addressing so as to build solutions to improve quality, create breakthroughs in training, fostering, attracting and employing talents in Vietnam in the context of international integration and science and technology development. The main contributions of the article focus on the identification of the concept of “talent”, the criteria for determining “talent” and the renewal of awareness of policies and laws on training, fostering, attracting, employing, introducing and recommending talents.