The study examines the impact of COVID-19 on the economies of Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) member states. The event study methodology was used to analyze Cumulative Abnormal Return (CAR) of GCC member states’ stock indexes: Kuwait Stock Exchange Index (KSE), Dubai Financial Market Index (DFM), Saudi Arabia Tadawul Index (TASI), Qatar Exchange Index (QE), Bahrain All Share Index (BHB), Oman’s Muscat Stock Exchange Index (MSM), Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange Index (ADX) while the S&P GCC Composite Index was used as a reference. Data obtained from 28 July 2019 to 27 July 2020, and 1 March 2020, designated as the event day, abnormal returns (AR) and cumulative average abnormal returns (CAARs) were examined across various time intervals. The findings reveal significant market reactions to the pandemic, characterized by fluctuations in abnormal returns and CAARs. Statistically significant abnormal returns and CAARs during certain time periods underscore the dynamic nature of market responses to the COVID-19 event. These results provide valuable insights for policymakers and market participants seeking to understand and navigate the economic implications of the pandemic on GCC economies. The study recommends that other GCC states, particularly Oman, consider the policies undertaken by Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, to avoid a long economic crisis.

This study explored the competencies required for informal community leaders to effectively promote health within Thai communities, employing an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design. The qualitative phase, comprising in-depth interviews with thirteen community leaders, identified four critical domains of competency: basic health knowledge, communication skills, network building, and cultural awareness. These domains were subsequently validated through second-order confirmatory factor analysis, which confirmed their reliability and construct validity. The findings highlighted the pivotal role of these competencies in enabling community-led health promotion initiatives. This research provides a robust, evidence-based framework to inform the development of training programs, policy strategies, and targeted interventions aimed at enhancing health outcomes within Thai communities.

 Beach protection is vital to reduce the damage to shorelines and coastal areas; one of the artificial protections that can be utilized is the tetrapod. However, much damage occurred when using a traditional tetrapod due to the lack of stability coefficient (K_D). Therefore, this research aims to increase the stability coefficient by providing minor modifications to the cape of the tetrapod, such as round-caped or cube-caped. The modification seeks to hold the drag force from the wave and offer a good interlocking in between the tetrapod. This research applied physical model test research using a breakwater model made from the proposed innovative tetrapod with numerous variations in dimensions and layers simulated with several scenarios. The analysis was carried out by graphing the relationship between the parameters of the measurement results and the relationship between dimensionless parameters, such as wave steepness H/gT2, and other essential parameters, such as the K_D stability number and the level of damage in %. The result shows that the modified and innovative tetrapod has a more excellent K_D value than the conventional tetrapod. In addition, the innovative tetrapod with the cube-shaped has a recommended K_D value greater than the round shape. This means that for the modified tetrapod structure and the same level of security, the required weight of the tetrapod with the cube cap will be lighter than the tetrapod with the round cap. These findings have significant practical implications for coastal protection and engineering, potentially leading to more efficient and cost-effective solutions.

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of tourist spending and the growth of Oman’s tourism industry on the country’s GDP from 1996 to 2018. The study uses the error correction model and other tests for assessing the link among variables, such as the cointegration test and the Granger causality test, to accomplish its aims. Findings from the error correlation model and cointegration test show that there is a link between the variables in Oman over the long and short term. There is a positive and statistically significant relationship between tourist expenditures and economic growth, as well as a negative and statistically significant relationship between tourism expansion and economic growth. We now use ARDL regression estimators to assess the robustness of the empirical results. There is no evidence of a direct relationship between increased tourism and GDP growth, according to the study’s results. According to the research, sustainable tourism development is an achievable economic growth driver, and Oman should prioritize economic policies that support this trend.

Urbanization process affects global socio-economic development. Originally tied to modernization and industrialization, current urbanization policy is focused on productivity, economic activities, and environmental sustainability. This study examines impact of urbanization in various regions of Kazakhstan, focusing on environmental, social, labor, industrial, and economic indicators. The study aims to assess how different indicators influence urbanization trends in Kazakhstan, particularly regarding environmental emissions and pollution. It delves into regional development patterns and identifies key contributing factors. The research methodology is based on classical economic theories of urbanization and modern interpretations emphasizing sustainability and socio-economic impacts and includes two stages. Shannon entropy measures diversity and uncertainty in urbanization indicators, while cluster analysis identifies regional patterns. Data from 2010 to 2022 for 17 regions forms the basis of analysis. Regions are categorized into groups based on urbanization levels leaders, challenged, stable, and outliers. This classification reveals disparities in urban development and its impacts. Findings stress the importance of integrating environmental and social considerations into urban planning and policies. Targeted interventions based on regional characteristics and urbanization levels are recommended to enhance sustainability and socio-economic outcomes. Tailored urban policies accommodating specific regional needs are crucial. Effective management and policy-making demand a nuanced understanding of these impacts, emphasizing region-specific strategies over a uniform approach.

Central Sulawesi has been grappling with significant challenges in human development, as indicated by its Human Development Index (HDI). Despite recent improvements, the region still lags behind the national average. Key issues such as high poverty rates and malnutrition among children, particularly underweight prevalence, pose substantial barriers to enhancing the HDI. This study aims to analyze the impact of poverty, malnutrition, and household per capita income on the HDI in Central Sulawesi. By employing panel data regression analysis over the period from 2018 to 2022, the research seeks to identify significant determinants that influence HDI and provide evidence-based recommendations for policy interventions. Utilizing panel data regression analysis with a Fixed Effect Model (FEM), the study reveals that while poverty negatively influences with HDI, underweight prevalence is not statistically significant. In contrast, household per capita income significantly impacts HDI, with lower income levels leading to declines in HDI. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive policy interventions in nutrition, healthcare, and economic support to enhance human development in the region. These interventions are crucial for addressing the root causes of underweight prevalence and poverty, ultimately leading to improved HDI and overall well-being. The originality of this research lies in its focus on a specific region of Indonesia, providing localized insights and recommendations that are critical for targeted policy making.