The significance of infrastructure development as a determinant of economic growth has been widely studied by economists and policymakers. Though there is no much debate about the importance of infrastructure on growth, the extent to which infrastructure affects growth in the long run is often debated among researchers. This paper aims to examine the effect of infrastructure development on economic growth in ten sub-Saharan Africa. This study uses balanced panel data of ten African countries, particularly sub-Saharan Africa over the period of 2010–2020 by analyzing a set of independent variables with relation to the dependent, which is GDP per capita. The study has found that water supply & sanitation index and electricity index have positive and significant relationship with economic growth, while transport index and Information & Communications (ICT) have negative relationship with economic growth in these countries.

This scientific study aims to thoroughly assess the current status and evaluate key indicators influencing healthcare and the workforce in selected European Union (EU) member states. Building upon this ambitious research agenda, we focused on a comprehensive descriptive analysis of selected indicators within the healthcare sector, including healthcare financing schemes, overall employment in healthcare and social care, the number of graduates in healthcare (including physicians and general practitioners), as well as migration patterns within the healthcare sector. The data forming the basis of this analysis were systematically gathered from Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Eurostat databases. Subsequently, we conducted a robust correlation analysis to explore the intricate relationships among these indicators. Our research endeavour aimed to identify and quantify the impact of these indicators on each other, with a focus on their implications for overall healthcare and the workforce in the respective countries. Based on the findings obtained, we derived several significant conclusions and recommendations. For instance, we identified that increasing employment in the healthcare sector may be associated with the overall quality of healthcare provision in a given country. These findings have important implications for policymaking and decision-making at the EU level. Therefore, we recommend that policymakers in these countries consider implementing measures to further develop the healthcare sector while also helping to retain and attract qualified professionals in the healthcare industry. Such recommendations could include improving healthcare infrastructure, incentivizing professional education and further training in the healthcare sector, and implementing policies to support healthcare provision more broadly.

To achieve the electrification of private vehicles, it is urgent to develop public charging infrastructure. However, choosing the most beneficial type of public charging infrastructure for the development of a country or region remains challenging. The municipal decision’s implementation requires considering various perspectives. An important aspect of energy development involves effectively integrating and evaluating public charging infrastructure. While car charging facilities have been thoroughly studied, motorcycle charging facilities have been neglected despite motorcycles being a vital mode of transportation in many countries. The study created a hybrid decision-making model to evaluate electric motorcycle charging infrastructure. Firstly, a framework for evaluating electric motorcycle charging infrastructure was effectively constructed through a literature survey and expert experience. Secondly, decision-makers’ opinions were gathered and integrated using Bayesian BWM to reach a group consensus. Thirdly, the performance of the alternative solutions was evaluated by exploring the gaps between them and the aspiration level through modified VIKOR. An empirical analysis was conducted using examples of regions/countries with very high rates of motorcycle ownership worldwide. Finally, comparative and sensitivity analyses were conducted to demonstrate the practicality of the proposed model. The study’s findings will aid in addressing municipal issues and achieving low-carbon development objectives in the area.

Focusing on Shanghai Port, this in-depth study explores how government support can make port organizations more competitive. This study shall implement qualitative analysis based on in-depth interviews with key industry and government leaders to break down the complicated actions taken by the government and how they have changed the operational and strategic skills of the port industry. Seven factors were found in our study to be the most crucial support factors: Financial, regulatory, infrastructure growth, talent, market, policy, and organizational support. In their ways, each of these groups undermines the ability of port businesses to compete. For instance, finance can make ports more competitive in aspects such as tax cuts, lower interest rates, innovation and R&D funds, financing programs, venture capital funds, and putting up R&D sites. Supporting regulations makes sure that there is fair competition and smooth operations. This is done by protecting intellectual property, keeping the market going smoothly, improving the business environment, and monitoring market regulations. Building new infrastructure, such as innovation and updated buildings, enables the smooth running of the port businesses and minimizes wastage of time; thus, more time is spent on production. Supporting talent, the market, and policy all work together to make the human capital, international cooperation, and strategic regulatory framework that a company needs to stay ahead in the long run. It is clear from organizational support how important collaborative networks are for making ports more competitive. These networks, for instance, can be of assistance in helping schools and businesses work together, create new technologies, and find ways for companies and colleges to study together. This study examines these support systems to determine where the government should step in and how the systems can be made better to make ports more competitive. In terms of practical contribution, this in-depth study helps policymakers and port workers plan for the future. This study shows a fair way for the government to support the port business, which changes with its needs and stays competitive in the world of trade.

This study investigates the link between debt and political alignment in international relations between the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and African nations. Using recorded roll-call votes on United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions, we explore whether PRC investment in sovereign debt influences the voting behaviour of loan recipient countries. We compile voting data for African countries from 2000 to 2020 to calculate an annual voting affinity score as a proxy for political alignment. Concurrently, data on Chinese public and publicly guaranteed (PPG) loans to African governments are collected. A Two-Stage Least-Squares analysis is employed, using the ratio of Chinese PPG debt to GDP as an instrument to address endogeneity. Results reveal a negative impact of Chinese lending on African political support, while trade, foreign direct investment (FDI), and Chinese GDP positively influence political alignment. In high debt-risk African countries, interest rates have a negative impact, whereas loan maturity shows a positive effect. These findings suggest that Chinese loans, particularly under commercial terms, may have strained bilateral relations due to debt sustainability concerns. Nevertheless, the positive impacts of trade and FDI may enhance international relations, highlighting the limitations of China’s loan diplomacy in fostering long-term strategic alignment in Africa.

This study constructs and empirically validates a Creative Activity Chain (CCA) structure model tailored for innovation in sustainable infrastructure development. In today’s competitive environment, fostering innovation is crucial for maintaining the relevance and effectiveness of infrastructure projects. The research underscores that a significant portion of a project’s long-term value is established during its initial concept and planning stages, highlighting the critical role of creativity in infrastructure development. The CCA model is developed through theoretical frameworks and empirical data, encompassing three key dimensions: creative subject chain, creative action chain, and creative operation chain. The model’s validity is tested with data from five large infrastructure development firms in China, involving 768 R&D staff as respondents. Rigorous statistical methods, including exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), structural equation modeling (SEM), and regression analysis, confirm the model’s robustness. The findings reveal significant positive correlations between the creative activity chain’s dimensions and the successful development of sustainable infrastructure projects. Additionally, the study examines the mediating effect of link strength within the creative activity chain, demonstrating its substantial impact on project outcomes. Implications for management include promoting diverse creative teams, systematic process management, and leveraging varied operational tools to enhance creativity in infrastructure development. This research contributes to the literature by introducing an integrated model for managing creative activities in sustainable infrastructure development, offering practical insights for improving innovation processes.