The objective of this research is to examine the effects of income inequality, governance quality, and their interaction on environmental quality in Asian countries. Time series data are obtained from 45 Asian countries for the period 1996–2020 for this empirical analysis. The research has performed various econometric tests to ensure the robustness and reliability of the results. We have addressed different econometric issues, such as autocorrelation, heteroskedasticity, and cross-sectional dependence, using the Driscoll-Kraay (DK) standard error estimation and endogeneity issues by the system generalized method of moments (S-GMM). The results of the study revealed that income inequality and governance quality have a positive impact on environmental degradation, while the interaction of governance quality with income inequality has a negative effect on it. In addition, economic growth, population growth, urbanization, and natural resource dependency are found to deteriorate the quality of the environment. The findings of the study offer insightful policies to reduce environmental degradation in Asian countries.

The study investigates the impact of corporate gender diversity on dividend payouts in Asia-Pacific countries. The study used the data of 610 listed firms in the Asian Pacific region over eleven years, from 2006 to 2016, with 6710 observations. The regression results revealed that the representation of women on board and at least 30% on board positively relates to dividend payout. Board size and board independence have a significant negative relationship with dividend payouts. Overall, results suggest that gender diversity on corporate boards has a greater propensity to pay dividends in the mix of ownership structure, strong and weak corporate governance compliance, and horizontal agency conflict.

This study analyzes the highly disruptive transportation business in Indonesia. The purpose of observation is to completely synthesize disruptive transportation that causes bad externalities in society. Data sources come from primary data of interviews and secondary data of related literature. The research method uses critical qualitative with a combination of in-depth interviews with several stakeholders. Key findings suggest that trust, consistency, capital ownership and proximity of new entrants to incumbents are important in disruptive innovation processes, empirical implications that transportation in Indonesia has undergone a definite economic shift. The results showed that although the government has publicly expressed its full support for any individual who will develop a business in the digital economy model, it is not effective enough to be consistent in the transportation business. Policy recommendations include adaptive training incentive programs for incumbent groups and accelerated funding assistance for new entrant groups, in addition to strengthening active collaboration between the government and the private sector is urgently needed.

It is increasingly obvious the huge improvement caused in loss of habitat and degradation in environment. Various nations are prone to natural disasters if this issue is not addressed. The development of finance has been hailed as significant in alleviating environmental concerns due to its part as a source of cash for the development of green technology. The primary goal of this research is to satisfy an acquaintance vacuum by investigating the relationship amongst economic growth and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) concert throughout Asia. This analysis made use of country-level data from 2010 to 2015. Economic growth is positively connected to ESG routine, due to examination upon the pooled normal least squares method, the immovable impact logistic method, these two-phase least squares technique, and the structure’s generalised approach of moments estimator. Additionally, additional tests including financial sector growth subcomponents (financial platforms and financial institutions) reveal that the conclusion is consistent and resilient under multiple model settings. Financial development, when combined, is an essential catalyst for promoting ESG performance in Asia.

This study critically examines the implications of international transport corridor projects for Central Asian countries, focusing on the Western-backed Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA), the Chinese initiative “One Belt—One Road”, and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) supported by the Russian Federation, India, and Iran. The analysis underscores the risks associated with Western projects, highlighting a need for a more explicit commitment to substantial infrastructure investments and persistent contradictions among key investors and beneficiaries. While the Chinese initiative presents significant benefits such as transit participation, infrastructure development, and economic investments, it also carries risks, notably an increased debt burden and potential monopolization by Chinese corporations. The study emphasizes that Central Asian countries, though indirect beneficiaries of INSTC, may not be directly involved due to geographical constraints. Study findings advocate for Central Asian nations to balance foreign investments, promote economic integration, and safeguard political and economic sovereignty. The study underscores the region’s wealth of natural and human resources, emphasizing the potential for increased demand for goods and services with improved living standards, strategically positioning these countries in the evolving global economic landscape.

This study analyzes the dynamic relationships between tourism, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, exports, imports, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in five South Asian countries. A VAR-based Granger causality test is performed with time series data from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. According to the results, both bidirectional and unidirectional relationships among tourism, economic growth, and carbon emissions are investigated. Specifically, tourism significantly impacts GDP per capita in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, yet it has no effect in Bangladesh or India. However, the GDP per capita shows a unidirectional relationship with tourism in Bangladesh and India. The unidirectional causal relationship from exports and imports to tourism in the context of India and a bidirectional relationship in the case of Nepal. In Pakistan, it is observed that exports have a one-way influence on tourism. The result of the panel Granger test shows a significant causal association between tourism, economic growth, and trade (import and export) in five South Asian economies. Particularly, there is a bidirectional causal relationship between GDP per capita and tourism, and a significant unidirectional causal relationship from CO₂ emissions, exports, and imports to tourism is explored. The findings of this study are helpful for tourism stakeholders and policymakers in the region to formulate more sustainable and effective tourism strategies.