This article using thematic and content analysis investigated the contribution of innovation in achieving sustainable economic development. The objective of the bibliometric research was to assess the literature on this subject it identified research trends, ideas, and authors who contributed to this area so that future research and policy directions could be suggested. The data was derived from the Scopus database and was extracted between January 2020 and February 2024 by applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Scopus database search yielded 66 articles, published between 2020 and February 2024. Scopus analytics and Microsoft Excel were used for descriptive analysis and VOS Viewer software was used for network visualization of keywords. The descriptive analysis showed the trajectory of research, the prolific authors, their publication outlets, authors affiliation, and county of origin of the documents. The prolific visualization showed five clusters: red, green, blue, purple, and yellow. The main clusters are economic development, alternative energy, sustainable development, and innovation. This research showed where consideration should be given to drive sustainability and sustainable economic development. This research outcome will assist government agencies, corporations, and non-profit organizations in planning appropriate action and policies to support innovative and renewable energy initiatives so that participation in those fields could enhance the opportunity to achieve sustainable economic development.

South Korea has experienced rapid economic development since the 1960s. However, pronounced regional disparities have concurrently emerged. Amid the escalating regional inequalities and persistent demographic challenges characterized by low fertility rates, regional decline has become a pressing issue. Therefore, the feasibility of expanding transportation networks as a countermeasure to regional decline has been proposed. This study utilizes the synthetic control method and spatial difference-in-differences methodologies to assess the impact of the 2017 opening of Seoul–Yangyang Expressway on economic development and population inflow within Hongcheon-gun, Inje-gun, and Yangyang-gun. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of highway development as a policy instrument to mitigate regional decline. Findings from the synthetic control method analysis suggest a positive impact of the opening of the expressway on Hongcheon-gun’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) in 2018, as well as Yangyang-gun’s net migration rates from 2017 to 2019. Conversely, the spatial difference-in-differences analysis, designed to identify spillover effects, reveals negative impacts of the highway on the GRDP and net migration rates of adjacent regions. Consequently, although targeted transportation infrastructure development in key non Seoul Metropolitan cities may contribute to ameliorating regional imbalances, results indicate that such measures alone are unlikely to suffice in attracting population to small- and medium-sized cities outside the Seoul Metropolitan Area.

This study explores the role of arts management in regional economic development within major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Cultural organizations—such as museums, theaters, and galleries—contribute significantly to local economies through tourism, job creation, and the enhancement of cultural branding. Using a qualitative approach, 18 semi-structured interviews with arts managers and policymakers selected based on their influential roles in cultural organizations across these cities. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis, which identified key themes including the economic impact of cultural organizations, the influence of government policies, challenges in arts management, and the role of cultural tourism in fostering regional growth. The findings reveal that while government policies play a pivotal role in supporting cultural organizations, providing crucial funding, tax incentives, and infrastructure development, concerns remain about the long-term sustainability of funding due to shifting political and economic priorities. Additionally, arts managers face challenges related to balancing artistic goals with financial viability, particularly as the sector becomes increasingly competitive and technology-dependent. Key challenges identified include securing stable funding sources, adapting to digital technologies, talent retention, and maintaining artistic integrity amid commercial pressures. The study highlights the need for diversified funding models such as public-private partnerships and alternative revenue streams and suggests further exploration into the role of smaller cultural organizations in rural regions to promote inclusive regional development. Practical recommendations include developing strategies to enhance financial sustainability, investing in digital capabilities, and formulating policies that provide long-term support for the cultural sector. Overall, the research contributes to a better understanding of how effective arts management can drive regional economic development and offers practical recommendations for strengthening the sustainability of China’s cultural sector.

How are telecommunications infrastructure, institutions and poverty related in a war-torn economy such as Afghanistan? Afghanistan has been plagued by poor governance, low usage of telecommunications, and extreme poverty levels which can be termed triple-challenges. High levels of political instability affected telecommunications investment and adversely affected the adoption and diffusion of modern technology. This study examines the asymmetric effect of telecommunications and governance (institutions) on poverty reduction over the period 1989–2019 using a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag (NARDL) model. In the short run, we establish that information and communication technology, private domestic credit, governance, and educational access for males and females are essential tools that can be used for poverty reduction. In the long run, we also establish that Afghanistan can reduce poverty levels through the use of information and communication technology, governance, and educational access for both males and females. The following policy recommendations were suggested: research and development, robust policy formulation on governance and ICT, development of the ICT sector, and improved governance. These are critical in reducing the high poverty levels as well as solving the institutional challenges faced by Afghanistan.

This paper aims to advance the knowledge in the domain of youth entrepreneurship and empowerment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The rationale is to address the gap in knowledge on entrepreneurship and youth empowerment in the UAE by analyzing strategies and initiatives that support empowering millennials to achieve sustainable development, with the aim of promoting youth entrepreneurship and supporting sustainable economic development. The primary research question guiding this study is: “What strategies and initiatives in the UAE foster the empowerment of the millennial generation for sustainable development?” This study relies on a mixed methodology that combines a descriptive approach, content analysis, and data meta-analysis, with the aim of exploring the relationship between youth entrepreneurship and sustainable development in the United Arab Emirates. with a focus on the future sustainability leaders (FSL) program. While the FSL program demonstrates its significance in promoting youth entrepreneurship and empowerment, it also reveals certain limitations in its design and implementation that may hinder sustainable economic development. To address these challenges and support youth entrepreneurship, the paper proposes three essential action-oriented approaches: promoting participatory diversity and engagement, managing entrepreneurship drivers, and ensuring access to essential support mechanisms. These recommendations are intended to guide multilateral agencies, voluntary sectors, and private entities in the UAE in designing, evaluating, and implementing effective youth entrepreneurship programs. This paper underscores the importance of continued discourse and critical input to refine existing theories and establish a normative framework for youth entrepreneurship and empowerment. Such efforts are crucial for poverty reduction, sustainable development, and the promotion of intergenerational equity.

High-quality development in China requires higher vocational education, scientific and technological innovation, and sustainable economic development. The spatial distribution patterns of these factors show higher levels in the east and coastal areas compared to the west and inland regions, emphasizing the need for coupling coordination with the social economy. This study examines the impact of sustainable economic development on the coupling coordination degree using the spatial Durbin model. The results show a positive promotion and spillover effect, with regional variations. The main factors affecting the difference in coupling coordination are the amount of technology market contracts, fiscal expenditure on science and technology, patent application authorizations, tertiary industry output value, and the number of R&D institutions. According to the grey prediction model, the coupling coordination degree is expected to increase from 2022 to 2025, but achieving primary coordination may still be challenging in some areas. Therefore, strategies that utilize regional characteristics for coordinated development should be developed to improve the level of coupling coordination and create a mutually beneficial environment.