This study examines how economic freedom and competition affect bank stability. We use data from 70 ASEAN-4 banks from 2007 to 2019 using the system generalized technique of moments. Results corroborate competition-fragility hypothesis. Market strength (or less competition) can boost bank stability. However, in the ASEAN-4 area, competition and bank stability have a non-linear relationship, suggesting that bank stability may decline after market strength exceeds a threshold. Financial and economic freedom also boosts bank stability. This implies banks in free financial and economic contexts are more stable. Banks with more market dominance in nations with more economic or financial autonomy may also be more unstable. The findings suggest that authorities should allow some competition and economic flexibility to keep banks stable. The study examined ASEAN-4 economic freedom’s effects empirically for the first time. It illuminates competitiveness and bank stability.

Purpose: The paper aims to study the methodology and functional of Internal Audit (IA) during the transition to remote working methods necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis period. Design/methodology/approach: Data are collected over a sample of 352 internal audit departments in retail SMEs distributed in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The six variables are measured using a reflective model. An exploratory factor analysis is applied to gauge the measurement model’s validity and reliability. Findings: The research findings revealed that internal auditing within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the Qatari retail sector is not sufficiently advanced. The focus of internal auditing primarily revolves around compliance audits rather than performance audits, thereby limiting their degree of agility and strategy which negatively affects the IA methodology. Conversely, for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) retail companies the research hypotheses were validated showing an IA functions evolution, an IA reassurance and IA agility that are conducted throughout a remote working and a strategic design that affect positively IA working methodology. Originality: The originality impregnates by the fact that reviews of traditional audit working methods were updated and shaped according to the deficiencies that couldn’t be identified during a pre COVID-19 period. A traditional audit plan may not work in this situation. The originality of the study consists of estimating IA methodological review through an agile approach that provides internal reassurance and risk attenuation.

During his 22-year rule, Turkey’s populist leader Erdoğan not only ensured his control of mainstream media ownership, but he also aligned the language and style of these media with his own populist politics. This investigation presents a unique perspective by highlighting the AKP’s establishment of a network of loyal media outlets and business individuals through crony capitalism while also demonstrating that the party garnered loyalty from religious foundations, and the urban poor due to the aid and financial support provided by AKP municipalities. The primary objective of this research is to offer a distinct scholarly contribution by analyzing the influence of crony capitalism and welfare policies within the context of populist politics. This study employed a methodology centered around network graphs designed to reveal connections between the AKP, various media outlets, and associations and foundations, thereby highlighting the AKP’s association with key actors involved in the establishment of a neoliberal-conservative hegemony.

The problem of the current study is to study the moderating role of Blockchain technology on the impact of the use of financial technology (FinTech) on the competitive advantage of Jordanian banks. Quantitative analysis is appropriate. The study population consists of (600) employees in three banks at Jordan (Arab Bank, Islamic Bank, Ahli Bank) with its branches in various governorates. A questionnaire was developed to collect study data and distributed electronically. The number of participants was (240) respondents. The study confirms that there is an impact of the mediating role of Blockchain technology in the impact of the use of financial technology (FinTech) on competitive advantage. The study recommends increasing spending on financial technology applications to improve banking services provided to customers, especially through electronic applications and technologies. The study also recommends rebuilding current banking systems using Blockchain technology, which will remove the central database structure and replace it with a decentralized data environment via the blockchain, thus reducing the risk of database hacking. Since transactions via blockchain technology are verified by every node of the chain, it will make transactions more secure which will make the world’s banking systems faster and more secure.

In the process of forest recreation value development, there are some characteristics, such as large amount of investment capital, long financing recovery cycle and high potential risks, which lead to limited capital source and prominent financing risks. To achieve sustainable development, forest recreational value development enterprises must solve the financing dilemma, therefore, it is very urgent to identify the financing risk factors. The research constructed financing risk evaluation index system through WSR (Wuli-Shili-Renli) methodology (from affair law, matter principle and human art dimensions), taking S National Forest Park at Fujian Province as a case study, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method were used for empirical analysis. The results showed that for the first level indicators, operational risk should be paid close attention to, followed by political risk and environmental risk. Among the secondary level indicators, policy changes, financing availability and market demand need attention, which are consistent with the result of field survey. Based on that, countermeasures were put forward such as the multiple collaborative linkage and effective internal control; reduction on operating costs and broaden financing channels; encouragement diversification of investment entities and improvement of financial and credit support; strengthening government credit supervision, optimizing financing risk evaluation, and building a smart tourism financing information platform, to reduce and control financing risks, then promote the development of forest recreation value projects.

This paper delves into the intricate dynamics of suburban transportation transformation within the Jakarta Metropolitan Area, with a specific focus on the evolution of the Commuter Line and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems. Utilizing spatial analysis, qualitative descriptions, and stakeholder insights, the paper unveils self-organizing dynamics. It critically examines the role of transportation infrastructure in shaping the broader landscape of urban development. Unlike a traditional approach, the paper seeks to unravel the self-organization processes embedded in transportation planning, unveiling adaptive strategies crafted to tackle the distinct challenges of suburban transportation. By using autonomy, flexibility, adaptability, and collaboration frameworks, the paper contributes to a nuanced understanding of suburban transportation dynamics, with implications for policymakers, planners, and researchers grappling with similar challenges in diverse metropolitan regions.