As urbanisation increases, questions arise about the desirability of further urban growth, as it was not accompanied by corresponding economic growth, and social and environmental problems began to grow in the largest cities in the world. The objective of the article is to substantiate the limits of urbanization growth in Kazakhstan based on the study of theoretical views on this process, analysis of the dependence of social and economic parameters of 134 countries on the urbanisation level and calculation of the urbanisation level that contributes most to economic growth and social well-being. To achieve the goal, the following tasks have been set and solved: theoretical views on the process of urbanization have been generalized; a hypothesis has been put forward about the emergence of an “urbanization trap” in which the growth of large cities is not accompanied by economic growth and improvement of social well-being; an analysis of the dependence of socio-economic indicators on the level of urbanization has been carried out on the example of 134 countries of the world; the level of urbanization that maximizes economic growth and social well-being is calculated; the necessity of the development of small towns in Kazakhstan is substantiated. To solve the problems, the methods of logical analysis, analogies and generalizations, economic statistics, index, graphical, Pearson correlation analysis, Spearman and Kendall rank regression based on models in SPSS were used. As a result, the following conclusions are made: the hypothesis of a possible deterioration of socio-economic indicators in large cities is confirmed; the best positive result is demonstrated by the level of urbanization of 50%–59%. The recommendations are justified: in Kazakhstan, it is necessary to adhere to the level of urbanization no higher than 59%; the growth of urbanization should be ensured through the development of small towns; it is necessary to improve the methods of managing the process of urbanization and develop individual city plans.

The transportation sector in India, which is a vital engine for economic growth, is progressively facing challenges related to climate change. Increased temperature, extreme weather conditions, and rising seas threaten physical infrastructure, service delivery, and the economy. This research examines efforts towards improving the climate resilience of India’s transport sector through policy interventions. Strategies encompass broadening the focus to cover the integration of sustainability, innovative technology deployment, and adaptive infrastructure planning. Multi-sectoral measures are proposed to guarantee longevity, equity and environmental protection. National transport infrastructure will be secured, people will be enabled to move sustainably, and India will take its position in the world economy as a climate-resilient country. Long-term resource management and promoting inclusive governance are critical to agri-transportation systems that can withstand the changing climate.

This study explores the impact of digital economy engagement and digital adoption on the entrepreneurship performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia, with a specific focus on the PG Mall platform. Through an analysis of SMEs' involvement in digital activities such as e-commerce, digital marketing, and data analytics, the research identifies key factors that enhance business performance. The main objective of this paper is to examines the mediating role of government policies in supporting digital adoption and fostering a conducive environment for digital entrepreneurship. This paper employed a quantitative method to examine the impact of digital economy engagement and digital adoption on the entrepreneurship performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia, with a focus on the PG Mall platform. Through data analysis, this research assessed several hypotheses related to the relationship between digital engagement, adoption, and business performance. The findings revealed that the majority of the hypotheses were supported, confirming the positive influence of digital economy engagement and digital adoption on various aspects of entrepreneurship performance. Based on these findings, this paper also proposes a conceptual framework that highlights the elements of digital economy engagement and digital adoption that contribute to SME performance. This framework serves as a valuable guideline for government policymakers, practitioners, and scholars in shaping strategies to foster digital entrepreneurship. It underscores the importance of supportive government policies, such as financial incentives and training, in facilitating the digital transformation of SMEs. By providing a structured approach to understanding the role of digital tools in enhancing business outcomes, the framework offers a foundation for future research and policy development aimed at promoting digital entrepreneurship in an evolving economic landscape.

The government’s increased cigarette tariff aims to lower smoking rates and avoid adverse impacts. This study’s goal was to offer process innovation for lowering Asian’ smoking behavior. The participants were chosen by stratified random selection from a total of 738 people residing in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. The instrument was a questionnaire. A software programmer was used to examine descriptive and inferential statistics using EFA and one-way ANOVA techniques. A strategic framework guideline using a SWOT analysis and TOWS matrix to encourage smoking reduction was proposed. The findings revealed two components: smoking behavior change and continues smoking that were based on SWOT analysis and TOWs matrix. There were nine strategies for the excise department to consider for the adjustment of the next policy in terms of reducing the number of smokers. The practical and policy suggestions could help reduce the negative impact of the cigarette industry on public health and increase government revenue while addressing weaknesses and threats in the industry.

The R3A Route represents a collaborative initiative involving the governments of Thailand, Laos, and China aimed at bolstering connectivity along the North-South Economic Corridor, as a vital component of the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Program (GMS). Since its inception in 2008, this endeavor has substantially enhanced the logistical framework between Thailand, Laos, and China. However, it has also revealed an imbalance in the benefit distribution of value chains within the tourism industry. One of the fact that, local stakeholders in each country often leverage their home country’s advantages, leading to the exploitation of counterparts with lower capacity in other nations. This unfair utilization goes against the initial intentions of fostering collaboration among these countries. Given China and its development as a starting point for tourism and its popularity among tourists traveling this route, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of China’s policy and insights of its influences on R3A tourism development in Laos and Thailand. The study constructs a content analysis with an umbrella of stakeholder analysis based on reliable data and is cross-verified through data triangulation. The findings lead to recommendations aimed at making Thai-Lao-Chinese tourism cooperation more sustainable and effective.

Online transportation is a new type of service equipped with an internet network, and its presence in Indonesia is considered a service that disrupts the transportation sector. The government is faced with a complex policy problem to regulate online transportation. This article aims to reveal the role of policy actors in the media regarding policy issues and online transportation policy solutions. This article used qualitative analysis and the NPF policy narrative framework approach. This study found that licensing issues and Permenhub were problems that the DIY and Riau governments shared. More specific problems in Riau Province are related to violence issues, and that in DIY are related to congestion problems. The policy solution recommended by policy actors to the media is to make regional level regulations that technically regulate online transportation according to the area conditions.