Maiyra Ahmed

This analysis aims to illuminate the interconnectedness of markets such as oil, gold, silver, palladium, and platinum during the COVID‐19 pandemic, employing the quantile vector autoregressive (QVAR) and time‐varying parameter vector autoregression (TVP‐VAR) analysis. These methods are particularly suitable for understanding the evolving dynamics of markets during the pandemic, as they account for varying levels of connectedness and spillover effects among different market segments. Moreover, this study explores spillover effects and conditional volatility among precious metal and oil markets across three distinct regimes: peak, recovery, and the full duration of the pandemic. Results indicate prominent connectedness among markets in all three samples, validating markets' sensitivity toward economic catastrophe like pandemic. Crude oil and gold are dominant shock‐transmitters; conversely, silver, palladium, and platinum are prominently considered as shock‐receivers across the majority of the quantiles. Furthermore, the results will assist relevant stakeholders to include markets that are less vulnerable to unforeseen shocks or unanticipated events.

Energy poverty limits access to environmentally friendly and reliable energy sources, which presently remains a significant issue, specifically in developing nations. To address this issue financial inclusion has turned out to be lifesaver as it enables households to afford clean alternatives of energy, which aids in economic development. Hence, issues like low purchasing power hamper the conversion to renewable energy resources. These resources offer a sustainable way out, providing economical and ozone-friendly sources. However, issues like insufficient infrastructure and exorbitant costs hamper adoption on a massive scale. Furthermore, energy poverty is influenced by globalization, which encourages the use of advanced technology yet worsens resources vulnerabilities. Considering the critical nexus among globalization, financial inclusion and energy poverty helps one to understand the significance of attaining the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). Research is required to examine the interplay between these elements in order to plan effective strategies for sustainable future.

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between governance structure and tourism growth in China. This study examines the worldwide governance indicators’ correlation with tourism development (TD) through the time and frequency approach. The sample used in this study covers the duration from 2002Q1–2019Q4; the connection among the variables under consideration, named corruption control, political stability and absence of violence/terrorism, the rule of law, voice and accountability and regulatory quality, is examined individually with respect to TD. The outcome of the study highlights the considerable importance of governance structure indicators in developing the tourism sector. Moreover, the results verify causal connections among the time‐series of the variables under consideration, pointing towards the dynamic nature of their influence. Based on the results, this study stresses the imperative role of government and authorities in improving the quality of governance. Moreover, governance indicators are crucial for economies as they portray the reputation and image of a country, therefore interesting international tourists and strengthening the tourism sector. Additionally, the results not just emphasize the significance of a strong governance structure but also call for a strategic plan which fosters TD in the upcoming years.

The article is informative and well-documented but few minor suggestions are stated: Highlight whether the proposed econometric approach is best one matching with the economic question addressed in this paper. Also, try to put out this issue in abstr...

The contribution of this research is to provide empirical evidence that investing in green technology innovation (GTI) can reduce the ecological footprint in Turkey, which can lead to sustainable economic growth and environmental quality. The research also highlights the importance of controlling energy consumption, GDP, trade openness, and urbanization, as these variables have a positive or negative effect on ecological footprint. The findings of this research can be useful for the Turkish government, policymakers, and environmentalists to promote the implementation of GTI and eco-friendly resources, which can reduce the impact of climate change and contribute to economic prosperity. Overall, this research provides important information for decision-makers to adopt policies that prioritize green innovation and environmental protection in Turkey.

Global warming is a life-threatening risk to mankind and its survival; to combat this risk, the considerable contribution of renewable energy cannot be overlooked for sustainable growth globally. The aim of this paper is to scrutinize the threshold level and asymmetric connection among renewable energy consumption, foreign direct investment, financial inclusion, and agricultural productivity in dissimilar regimes of the different income levels of 123 countries from 1995 to 2019 by applying an advance technique PSTR (panel smooth transition regression) model. The PSTR model results imply that the connection between renewable energy consumption and agricultural productivity at all the estimates is non-linear. Moreover, in all countries, there is a positive and significant connection among renewable energy consumption, foreign direct investment, financial inclusion, and agricultural productivity in both low and high regimes, except the carbon emission, which has a negative and significant impact on agricultural productivity. Based on the results of this study, the recommendations are as follows: (i) to increase renewable energy consumption, efficient-energy resources should be used by farmers for the agricultural process; (ii) the dependence on non-renewable energy resources should be minimized and shifted towards natural and renewable resources.

This study examines long-term connection and short-term dynamics concerning ecological footprint and six independent variables, named fossil fuel consumption, energy consumption, financial depth, trade, GDP, and ICT for Pakistan’s duration from 1960 to 2019. The “QARDL-quantile autoregressive distributed lag” technique is used for time series and panel estimation. The QARDL model exhibits the connection between variables over the quantiles range, reflecting varying stages of Pakistan’s ecological footprint. The results exhibit noticeable quantile-varying co-integration connection among ecological footprint and six independent variables. The results accentuate the significant influence of energy consumption, strong financial position, economic growth, and ICT technologies on ecological well-being, which assists in understanding short and long-term impact on the environment in Pakistan.

This study analyzes the causal connection between financial inclusion and carbon emission in selected South Asian countries through a quantile technique–based linear Granger and non-parametric causality test. The analysis of the study covers quarterly data from 1980 Q1 to 2019 Q4. However, the linear Granger causality assessment outcome does not indicate any causal relationship between financial inclusion and carbon emission. In contrast, results from non-parametric assessment reveal a non-linear connection between the variables. The non-parametric test results of the South Asian countries exhibit that financial inclusion leads to carbon emission, which instigates the deterioration of the environment, except for Bhutan. Subsequently, creating awareness by promoting renewable energy resources is essential while investing in fuel-efficient technology to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. The results of this study provide significant information to the governments and policymakers in emerging countries to improve financial literacy among people to reduce the risk of global warming by encouraging investment in energy-efficient resources.

Purpose: The blackboard learning system is an online platform designed for e-learning employed by higher education institutes like universities that facilities students to continue learning and educational activities. This study explores the determinants that affect students' acceptance and use of Blackboard learning system (BLS) in Pakistan utilizing the modified UTAUT framework with social isolation as an additional variable.Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire survey was conducted, and the study gathered 494 university students' responses in Pakistan as participants. The collected data were interpreted applying PLS-SEM version 3.2.3 software.Findings: The study's findings exhibited that PE, EE, FC and SI are the prime determinants influencing the intention and use of BLS in Pakistani universities. Hedonic motivation and social isolation interact differently between UTAUT variables and use intention. The results verify the suitability of the applied theory in the background of the study.Research limitations/implications: However, the findings highlight the present understanding of BLS use from the learners' aspect, but the study's limitation cannot be evaded. The study respondents belonged to a specific region of Pakistan (Karachi) that might influence the usefulness of the outcomes. Other factors categorized as the environmental, system and organizational elements were not part of the study that may also differentiate the BLS acceptance. The model was extended by including the social isolation, but the effect is insignificant yet positive; therefore, it is required to evaluate the model differently, such as the organizational aspect, for future research. Moreover, the ethnic factors that vary in emerging and developed economies may provide different explanations; therefore, they can be incorporated in future studies. Likewise, the variables such as hedonic motivation need to be emphasized more by examining and evaluating its effect on students' education performance in the future.Practical implications: The outcome of the study suggests some implications. At first, being the modified framework UTAUT2 application makes the collaboration appropriate according to the current phenomena of the COVID-19 pandemic and its contribution to the higher education region to analyze the acceptance of e-learning systems. Educational institutions within Pakistan would emphasize enhancing students' accomplishment by improving the interface and the blackboard learning system workability. Hence, learners' effectiveness in learning would be escalated; they would be encouraged to accomplish study objectives using BLS, particularly when they consider it easy to use and a useful platform for e-learning during the pandemic. Furthermore, enhancing the e-learning system in the context of the effort demands to be required to utilize BLS should be the foremost objective as learners would be motivated to accept the technology if they consider it simple, convenient, and user-friendly to adopt. Thus, the benefits of using BLS during this situation when universities are not operational will make students adaptable to change in the prospect. Learners will accept the model of online education, even if the universities become operational. However, it can increase the rate of earnings and revenue for universities as they can enroll in online and regular classes. Therefore, it is suggested that higher education management should create a resilient online platform by which facilitators can communicate with learners without any obstacles.Social implications: Hence, it is recommended to introduce the online short course, qualification, certified courses and integrated coursework with international ventures and ongoing classes. Numerous learners continue their studies along with the job. Therefore, it is suggested to introduce online programs for those learners. Another benefit would be that it offers an integrated platform for sharing knowledge. BLS offers to maintain the complete information in one place, and learners can see them as per their convenience based on their availability. This reduces the burden on administration related to keeping the educational material and resource in various files. Thus, it also reduces the expense of universities. It is suggested to emphasize encouraging the use of BLS through an effective plan that can assist in execution and help learners identify the technology features rather than to face difficultly to accept the change. Moreover, the acceptance of BLS for educational purposes verifies that other learning events can occur on the online platform. Thus, it is recommended to promote the origin of the online atmosphere and the initiation of other events. Globally, dynamics are changing frequently and continuously and are moving towards artificial intelligence systems; the circumstances are suitable for promoting online educational platforms' acceptance by incorporating it with the current educational arrangement.Originality/value: The study provides recommendations for the research to be conducted to explore the modified framework in different regions and boundaries to evaluate the effect of other factors on adopting e-learning platforms.