The study, taking China as an example, employs a mixed-method approach of questionnaire surveys and in-depth interviews to explore the differing perspectives of disabled and non-disabled individuals on how to improve the social integration and quality of life of disabled people in developing countries. The study finds that the vicious cycle created by severe accessibility issues in developing countries is the root cause of the disabled’s difficulty in integrating into society. The impersonal barrier-free facilities suppress the desire of the disabled to travel, resulting in fewer disabled people on the streets and less visibility and attention, which leads to poorer accessibility facilities. Secondly, the study also finds that non-disabled people unconsciously show excessive sympathy and compassion when helping the disabled, which affects their self-esteem due to being patronized and helped. This creates two separate “social circles” between the disabled and the healthy. To address these issues, we have designed an application called “AbleMind” where the disabled can share experiences, make friends, seek help, and better integrate into society.

This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the aquaculture industry across 11 coastal regions in eastern China from 2017 to 2021 to assess their adaptability and resilience in the face of climate change. Cluster analysis was employed to examine regional variations in aquaculture adaptation by analyzing data on annual average temperatures, annual extreme high/low temperatures, annual average relative humidity, annual sunshine duration, and total yearly precipitation alongside various aquaculture practices. The findings reveal that southern regions, such as Fujian and Guangdong, demonstrate higher adaptability and resilience due to their stable subtropical climates and advanced aquaculture technologies. In contrast, northern regions like Liaoning and Shandong, characterized by more significant climatic fluctuations, exhibit varying degrees of cluster changes, indicating a continuous need to adjust aquaculture strategies to cope with climatic challenges. Additionally, the study explores the specific impacts of climate change on species selection, disease management, and water resource utilization in aquaculture, emphasizing the importance of developing region-specific strategies. Based on these insights, several strategic recommendations are proposed, including promoting species diversification, enhancing disease monitoring and control, improving water quality management techniques, and urging governmental support for policies and technical guidance to enhance the climate resilience and sustainability of the aquaculture sector. These strategies and recommendations aim to assist the aquaculture industry in addressing future climate challenges and fostering long-term sustainable development.

The rise of financial inclusion has notably increased household engagement in risky financial asset allocation, posing challenges to macro-financial stability. This study explored the crucial role of financial literacy in enabling households to effectively engage with complex financial markets and products. Specifically, it examined how different aspects of financial literacy—knowledge, attitudes, and skills—influence both the participation and depth of household investment in risky financial assets in China. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset from the 2019 China Household Finance Survey, which included 32,458 households, this study employed a robust indicator system and regression analysis via STATA 17.0 to assess these impacts. The results demonstrated that enhancements in financial literacy significantly foster increased engagement and deeper involvement in risky asset allocation, particularly through improved financial attitudes. Additionally, the analysis revealed that households led by women show a higher propensity towards risky asset investments than those led by men. These insights suggested the potential for targeted financial education to improve the financial health and economic resilience of Chinese households.

The Malaysian dilemma presents a complex challenge in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring a comprehensive statistical analysis for the formulation of a sustainable economic framework. This study delves into the multifaceted aspects of reconstructing Malaysia’s economy post-COVID-19, employing a data-driven approach to navigate the intricacies of the nation’s economic landscape. The research focuses on key statistical indicators, including GDP growth, unemployment rates, and inflation, to assess the immediate and long-term impacts of the pandemic. Additionally, it examines the effectiveness of government interventions and stimulus packages in mitigating economic downturns and fostering recovery. A comparative analysis with pre-pandemic data provides valuable insights into the extent of economic resilience and identifies sectors that require targeted support for sustained growth. Furthermore, the study explores the role of technology and digital transformation in building a resilient economy, considering the accelerated shift towards remote work and digital transactions during the pandemic. The analysis incorporates data on technological adoption rates, digital infrastructure development, and innovation ecosystems to gauge their contributions to economic sustainability. Addressing the Malaysian Dilemma also involves an examination of social and environmental dimensions. The study investigates the impact of economic policies on income distribution, social equity, and environmental sustainability, aiming to achieve sustainable economic growth. The study contributes a nuanced analysis to guide policymakers and stakeholders in constructing a sustainable post-COVID-19 economy in Malaysia.

Although the problems created by exceeding Earth’s carrying capacity are real, a too-small population also creates problems. The convergence of a nation’s population into small areas (i.e., cities) via processes such as urbanization can accelerate the evolution of a more advanced economy by promoting new divisions of labor and the evolution of new industries. The degree to which population density contributes to this evolution remains unclear. To provide insights into whether an optimal “threshold” population exists, we quantified the relationships between population density and economic development using threshold regression model based on the panel data for 295 Chinese cities from 2007 to 2019. We found that when the population density of the whole city (urban and rural areas combined) exceeded 866 km⁻², the impact of industrial upgrading on the economy decreased; however, when the population density exceeded 15,131 km⁻² in the urban part of the cities, the impact of industrial upgrading increased. Moreover, it appears that different regions in China may have different population density thresholds. Our results provide important insights into urban economic evolution, while also supporting the development of more effective population policies.

This article examines the overseas corporate social responsibility (CSR) patterns of Chinese international contractors (CICs). Adopting an institutional and political economy approach, a unique dataset is constructed with country-specific contents drawn from CSR-related reports and website information of 50 top CICs. This dataset provides a foundation for systematic content analysis of CICs’ overseas CSR practices, revealing that both political legitimacy-seeking and strategic competitiveness-seeking motivations drive CICs’ CSR activities abroad, characterized by the prioritization of customer and community engagement. The findings highlight the coexistence of the exogenous pressures for the national image-building purpose and the endogenous awareness of CSR strategic importance for corporate internationalization. The hybridization of political and economic rationales is presented as the defining feature of CICs’ current overseas CSR patterns, with the balance between them being determined by stakeholder type and internal business needs influenced by corporate internationalization experience.