29 research outputs found
The role of solar energy and eco‐innovation in reducing environmental degradation in China: Evidence from QARDL approach
No full textIn the past decade, researchers have shifted their interests to explore different ways to mitigate environmental degradation. In that context, the present study explores the role of solar energy and eco-innovation in reducing environmental degradation in China. The study utilized data for the period 1990–2018 and applied the latest available econometric technique, a quantile autoregressive distributed lag model, to determine the impacts of solar energy and eco-innovation on improving China's environmental quality. According to the empirical results, in the long term, solar energy is negatively and significantly associated with CO2 emissions at higher quantiles. Eco-innovation has proven to be the most important channel to mitigate CO2 emissions in China. Eco-innovation is exerting a negative and significant influence on CO2 emissions at all quantiles in the long term. In addition, the population size is causing CO2 emissions to surge significantly at lower quantiles. The empirical analysis reveals that per capita income (PI) is positively associated with CO2 emissions at all quantiles, but it is significant only at higher quantiles in China. We found evidence of unidirectional causality for eco-innovation to CO2 emissions and solar energy to CO2 emissions. However, for population and CO2 emissions, per capita income, and CO2 emissions, we found bidirectional causality. As indicated by our empirical results, solar energy and eco-innovation are the two most effective channels to control CO2 emissions in China. Therefore, policies based on the promotion of eco-innovation and the initiation of new solar energy projects can control emissions and improve environmental quality in China
Can occupational skills explain the gender wage gap in a developing economy? Evidence from an unconditional quantile regression approach
No full textAim: This study investigated the gender wage gap across occupational groups in Pakistan differentiated by their skill level. The author intended to explore how wage disparities between men and women vary across low, average, high, and very high-skilled occupations and examines the presence of structural barriers such as the glass ceiling.
Methodology: The study utilised nationally representative microdata from the Pakistan Labour Force Survey (2020-2021) and applied Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition techniques along with unconditional quantile regression models.
Results: The empirical findings indicate that women earn significantly lower wages in low and average-skilled occupations compared to their male counterparts. Conversely, women attain wage parity or enjoy a relative advantage in high and very high-skilled occupations. Nonetheless, evidence of glass ceiling effects persists in low, average, and very high-skilled groups, suggesting that human capital differences alone do not fully explain gender-based wage disparities.
Implications and recommendations: A multi-pronged approach is necessary to reduce the gender wage gap. Policymakers should strengthen labour market regulations, raise minimum wages, enforce equal pay legislation, and promote gender-inclusive work environments. Encouraging women’s participation in high-skilled occupations through targeted training, mentorship, and flexible work arrangements is essential for sustained wage equality.
Originality/Value: This study makes a novel contribution by examining gender wage disparities across occupational skill levels in a developing country using recent data. It also offers disaggregated insights beyond aggregate wage gap estimates, providing actionable evidence for policymakers addressing gender inequality in labour markets across the Global South
The Impacts of Tourism and Governance on CO2 Emissions in Selected South Asian Countries.
No full textDue to the increase in international connectivity and technological advancement, tourism has gained immense momentum in the recent past. Despite its favorable impacts, tourism has proved to be one of the significant contributors to increasing CO2 emissions. This study attempts to understand better the relationship between tourism, governance, and the CO2 emissions nexus in selected South Asian countries. The study obtained data from WDI and applied FMOLS, DOLS, and FEOLS methods from 1995-2019. It is observed that tourism has a significant and positive impact on CO2 emissions in the case of selected South Asian countries. Concerning the impact of governance on CO2 emissions, it is observed that governance effectiveness is negatively associated with CO2 emissions. It is evident from the empirical analysis that CO2 emissions can be mitigated with effective government policies. Furthermore, it is also suggested that the government aim at effective environmental policies, and attention should be given to sustainable tourism in the case of South Asian economies
Breaking Barriers or Reinforcing Gaps? Gender Wage Disparities Across Skill Levels in a Developing Economy
No full textMany factors are behind the persistent gender wage gap in a developing economy, such as occupational segregation, social norms, and gender attitudes. To narrow the gender wage gap, it is mandatory to create gender-inclusive work environments, increase minimum wages and implement labour market regulations. The present study investigates the gender wage gap for four occupational groups based on skill levels as per ISCO-8 guidelines in the case of a developing economy, Pakistan. This research has utilised the latest available Labour Force Survey (2020-21) data and applied the Oaxaca-Blinder decompositions and unconditional quantile regressions. The empirical outcome described that women earn lower wages in low and average-skilled occupations; however, in high and very-high-skilled occupations, women are in advantageous positions. In addition, the empirical estimation elaborates on the presence of glass ceiling effects in low, average, and very high-skilled occupations in Pakistan. To tackle the issue of the gender wage gap, governments, employers, and society must undertake a collective effort to achieve equal pay for equal work and provide adequate career opportunities in high-skilled occupations for women in developing economies.This Version: April 202
Breaking the Scroll (BTS): A Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing Social Media Use and Youth Mental Health in the Context of a Developing Economy
No full textThis study examines the causal impact of addictive patterns of social media use on mental health outcomes through a randomized controlled trial conducted among young individuals (18 to 24 years) in Pakistan. Participants in the treatment group received an intervention designed to limit their social media use, while the control group maintained their usual usage patterns. The findings indicate that limiting social media use leads to significant improvements in mental health, including reductions in depression and anxiety, alongside notable increases in self-esteem and overall well-being among young adults. The intervention improves sleep quality and reduces perceived stress, demonstrating that excessive use of social media apps significantly affects psychological and behavioural health. The findings highlight the potential for policy interventions, including behavioural nudges, youth-targeted awareness campaigns, and regulatory actions, to decrease the negative externalities associated with unregulated social media use. Future research should evaluate the long-term effects of addictive patterns of social media use and the differential impacts across diverse socio-demographic groups, considering the increasing integration of digital platforms into everyday life
Empowering Women Digitally: A Randomised Controlled Trial on Digital Financial Literacy and Women's Economic Empowerment in Rural Pakistan
No full textThis study examines the effectiveness of a digital financial literacy intervention aimed at improving financial knowledge, confidence, and behaviour among rural women in Pakistan. Using a randomized controlled trial conducted in two selected villages in the Rawalpindi district, women were assigned to receive digital financial literacy training either individually or jointly with a male household member. The intervention, delivered in person and via mobile phones, focused on core topics including budgeting, saving, and secure digital transactions. The training substantially improved women's financial knowledge, digital confidence, and self-efficacy. The intervention also increased the use of mobile wallets, greater engagement with formal savings mechanisms, and encouraged more consistent budgeting practices. When male household members participated alongside women, the intervention further enhanced women's financial autonomy and promoted more active joint decision-making over household finances. These findings demonstrate the potential of contextually grounded digital interventions to expand women's financial inclusion and highlight the value of household engagement in reinforcing women's economic agency
Residents perceptions towards the economic, socio-cultural, and environment of tourism
No full textThe tourism industry poses both favorable and unfavorable consequences to the local communities of tourist destinations. This study aims to analyze the economic, social, and environmental impacts of tourism on the host community in Nathiagali, district Abbottabad, Pakistan. In this study, we have collected data through structured questionnaires from 200 residents of the selected tourist destination. The study applied factor analysis and probit regression approach for empirical results. It is found that the local community perceives positive and significant economic and social impacts from tourism in the form of job or business opportunities, raising the standard of living and infrastructural development in the area. On the other hand, tourism brings environmental threats including health hazards from air and noise pollution, environmental degradation, and traffic congestion issues for the local community. Based on results, it is recommended that appropriate policies are needed at the government and local level to get maximum benefits from tourism in Nathiagali, Pakistan
The Role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Environmental Quality: An Empirical Analysis for South Asian Economies
No full textPresent study is an attempt to provide an in-depth understanding of the relationship between ICT, financial development, governance effectiveness, and COE nexus in selected South Asian countries. The data were acquired from WDI and applied FMOLS, DOLS, FEOLS methods of estimation for the period 1995-2019. It is observed that ICT has negative while financial development has a positive impact on COE in the case of four South Asian economies. Concerning the impact of governance on COE, it is observed that governance effectiveness is negatively associated with COE. It is evident from the empirical analysis that COE can be mitigated with effective governance policies
Women and Vulnerable Employment in the Developing World: Evidence from Pakistan
No full textThere are a dearth of studies that directly focus on women engaged in vulnerable employment in developing countries. Our study empirically investigates the factors that determine the large share of contributing family workers in the total employment of women in Pakistan in order to underscore the severity of vulnerable employment among women. The study utilizes the logit model for the primary empirical analysis and employs the recent and previously unexplored Pakistan Labor Force Surveys of 2014-15 and 2018-19 to conduct the econometric analysis. To explore the factors associated with women’s vulnerable employment in Pakistan, our study segregates the employment statuses into vulnerable and non-vulnerable employment. The unpaid/contributing family workers are used as a proxy for vulnerable employment, whereas women working as paid employees are used as a proxy for non-vulnerable employment. The empirical findings reveal that predominantly girls aged 10 to 14 are engaged as unpaid or contributing family workers. Additionally, large household size is found to increase the likelihood of women working as contributing family workers, whereas a woman’s migration status reduces this likelihood. Women’s education is found to be a significant factor in helping to secure decent employment. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first attempt to empirically highlight this issue at the policy level for Pakistan, using the latest survey data. To gain policy insights, our findings can be generalized to any developing country where a large percentage of women are engaged as contributing family workers. To steer the women who are contributing family workers away from vulnerable employment, our study proposes that it is essential to invest in women’s education, as well as to initiate skill development programs to reap community-wide benefits from women’s employment
Beyond the Filter: Social Media Use and Youth Mental Health in a Developing Economy
No full textObjective:This study investigates the impact of social media use on youth mental health in Pakistan, focusing on the relationship between excessive engagement with visually driven platforms and adverse psychological outcomes, including depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and sleep disturbances.
Research Gap: While prior studies have examined the link between social media use and mental health, most are concentrated in high-income countries. There is a lack of context-specific evidence from developing economies like Pakistan, where sociocultural factors may uniquely shape digital behaviors and mental health outcomes.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Using primary survey data from 400 respondents in Pakistan, the study employs binary logit and OLS regression models to analyze the relationship between social media use and mental health indicators.
The Main Findings: The results show that excessive use of visually driven platforms such as TikTok and Instagram is significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms, lower self-esteem, and shorter sleep duration.
Theoretical / Practical Implications of the Findings:The findings underscore the need for policy-driven interventions, such as digital literacy programs, regulated screen time, and digital mental health support, to promote healthier and more mindful social media engagement among youth in Pakistan.
Originality/Value:This study contributes novel, context-specific insights from a developing country perspective, highlighting how sociocultural dynamics influence the psychological effects of social media. It adds to the limited empirical literature on digital well-being in South Asia and offers practical recommendations for intervention
