Sustainable finance and green economic growth: Evidence from the Indonesian banking sector

Green economic growth has emerged as a global priority in pursuing sustainable development. This study examines the role of resource allocation efficiency in supporting green economic growth, as influenced by green financing practices, sustainable finance policies, and green financial products. A quantitative research approach was employed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The study population consisted of 107 financial institutions. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 168 respondents from 84 banks, comprising senior managers, division heads, and executives responsible for implementing sustainable finance policies—averaging two respondents per institution. The results reveal that green financing practices, sustainable finance policies, and green financial products directly and significantly impact green economic growth. Moreover, resource allocation efficiency plays a mediating role in strengthening these relationships. These findings underscore the importance of the banking sector in driving innovation in green financial products, implementing sustainable finance policies, and enhancing resource utilization efficiency. In conclusion, the banking sector holds a strategic position in advancing green economic growth. Future research could extend this framework by examining the role of non-financial sectors or exploring how digital technology transformation facilitates green financing to support sustainable development goals further

The impact of institutional quality, market openness, and government size on corruption across income levels

Government openness in managing the economy can stimulate growth, but carries the risk of policy misuse. This study analyzes panel data from 139 countries between 2012 and 2023 to examine the relationship between economic openness and corruption, as measured by the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). The findings reveal that key factors such as government integrity and financial freedom significantly influence CPI scores across countries with varying income levels. Nations characterized by flexible business regulations, transparent governance, strong legal protection of property rights, and stable monetary policies tend to exhibit lower levels of public sector corruption. However, the analysis also shows that financial freedom in high-income countries and investment freedom in upper-middle-income countries are negatively associated with CPI scores. This suggests that excessive liberalization—particularly in investment—without adequate regulatory oversight can increase corruption risks, likely due to limited transparency in capital flows and foreign investment practices. In contrast, when properly managed, the recognition of property rights, government integrity, and investment freedom are instrumental in reducing corruption in many middle-income countries. The study highlights the importance of strengthening government integrity, particularly in delivering public services and regulating an open economy. By ensuring effective and efficient oversight, countries can enhance their CPI scores and reduce the potential for corruption

Fertility decline and economic growth challenges: Japan's struggle amid a demographic crisis

This study examines the impact of demographic factors, particularly declining fertility rates and an aging population, on Japan’s economic growth from 1960 to 2022. Additionally, it analyzes key macroeconomic variables, including healthcare expenditure, interest rates, and inflation, that influence the country’s economy. Using quantitative time-series data and the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), this research evaluates the short- and long-term effects of these variables on economic growth. The findings indicate that, in the long run, population aging and high interest rates significantly negatively affect economic growth. In contrast, healthcare expenditure and moderate inflation have a positive impact. Population aging slows economic expansion by increasing pension and healthcare costs, while high interest rates discourage investment and consumption. Conversely, healthcare expenditure, as an investment in human capital, enhances labor productivity, and moderate inflation stimulates economic activity by promoting consumption and investment. However, in the short term, none of these variables exhibit a significant impact on economic growth, suggesting that policy measures and demographic changes require time to influence the broader economy

From cultural heritage to sustainability: Evaluating green economy in the Gringsing weaving industry using the MULTIMOORA approach

The green economy, as a dimension of sustainable development, offers a comprehensive framework for achieving sustainability goals. The Gringsing textile industry in Bali presents a unique opportunity to integrate traditional crafts with principles of a green economy. This study examines the opportunities and challenges of sustainable Gringsing textile production in Tenganan through the lens of green economy principles. The MULTIMOORA (Multi-Objective Optimization by Ratio Analysis plus Full Multiplicative Form) method was employed to evaluate the environmental, economic, and social impacts of production alternatives. The findings reveal that Alternatives A1 and A3 achieved identical aggregate values of 0.84, with distinct strengths. A1 excels in economic viability and social contribution, making it a balanced option for stakeholders seeking comprehensive benefits. In contrast, A3 demonstrates superior environmental performance, making it the preferred choice for initiatives prioritizing ecological sustainability. Opportunities for sustainable Gringsing textile production include market expansion, innovation, and policy support, while challenges encompass high production costs, market competition, and resource constraints

An analysis of bank productivity in Indonesia: The impact of P2P lending and digital payments using the Malmquist Productivity Index

This study investigates the relationship between technological adoption and banking productivity, specifically focusing on Indonesian banks over five years. Using the Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI), the study measures changes in productivity and identifies the variables that influence increases or decreases in performance. The findings reveal that P2P lending and digital payment innovations have a significant positive effect on enhancing bank productivity. Additionally, other bank-specific and macroeconomic variables were found to impact productivity levels. The results highlight the importance of continuous technological development and strategic operational improvements to sustain productivity growth. Based on these findings, it is recommended that banks intensify investments in financial technology, diversify their digital service offerings, and adapt operational models to reach broader market segments. Furthermore, regulatory bodies are encouraged to foster a competitive environment that promotes innovation while ensuring financial stability. These efforts are crucial to maintaining long-term efficiency and competitiveness in the banking sector

Assessing the unemployment rate as a mediator between SMEs and economic growth

Economic growth and unemployment reduction in developing countries can be strengthened by improving the business quality of SMEs. As SMEs dominate Indonesia’s industrial structure, this study examines their relationship with economic growth, with unemployment rates as a moderating variable, in West Java, Central Java, and East Java from 2015 to 2022. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) on 96 observations, the findings reveal that the number of SME business units has a significant negative impact on the unemployment rate, whereas total assets have a positive impact. A higher asset value enhances the capacity for modernization and digitalization, which, in turn, reduces labor absorption and potentially increases unemployment. Additionally, a decline in the unemployment rate positively influences economic growth, which is consistent with Okun’s Law, though with a relatively low magnitude. These findings highlight the need for government policies to facilitate SME business development by improving production standards, expanding access to business capital, and enhancing market reach. This approach aligns with the UMKM Naik Kelas (SME Scale-Up) program, which aims to promote sustainable SME growth and economic resilience

Empowering housewives through green marketing: Fostering eco-friendly household products for sustainable consumption

The escalating concern over the green gap phenomenon, which underscores a discord between consumers' environmental concerns and purchasing behaviours, has accentuated the importance of exploring eco-friendly consumption patterns. This study delves into the multifaceted factors influencing the purchasing behaviour of eco-friendly household products, focusing on the dynamic interplay among consumer knowledge, values, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control. Specifically, it aims to elucidate how these variables collectively inform housewives' attitudes towards eco-friendly products and purchasing behaviours. The research gathered data from 300 respondents across Jambi City and Sungai Penuh City within Jambi Province, employing principal component analysis and structural equation modelling to scrutinize the hypothesized relationships between the constructs. The findings underscore consumer values, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control significantly and positively influence consumer attitudes towards eco-friendly household products. Moreover, a pronounced positive correlation between consumer attitudes and eco-friendly purchasing behaviour was identified, whereas the impact of consumer knowledge on consumer attitudes emerged as negligible. This research enriches the theoretical discourse on eco-friendly purchasing behaviour, particularly concerning household products. It offers critical insights for marketers, policymakers, and environmental advocates aiming to foster sustainable consumption practices by pinpointing the pivotal factors that shape consumer attitudes and behaviours. Additionally, the study lays a robust groundwork for subsequent research endeavours to bridge the green gap and advance environmental sustainability through enlightened consumer decisions

Infrastructure and economic growth in ECOWAS member states: The Westerlund co-integration approach

This research explores the impact of infrastructure on member states' economic growth in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Utilizing panel secondary data sourced from the World Bank Development Indicators (WDI) and the African Infrastructure Development Index (AIDI) across all fifteen ECOWAS Member States over eighteen years, the study employs the panel Non-linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) model and the Westerlund co-integration test for analysis. The findings reveal that investments in infrastructure, improvements in the African Development Index, and enhancements in the Electricity Composite Index significantly contribute to the economic growth of ECOWAS countries. Specifically, infrastructure investment is associated with a 0.01 per cent increase in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the ECOWAS countries studied. In comparison, the African Development Index and the Electricity Composite Index are linked to increases in GDP by 0.292 per cent and 0.987 per cent, respectively, in the long term. Based on these outcomes, the study recommends that ECOWAS country authorities enhance policies to optimize government spending on infrastructure quality. Furthermore, adopting quality-enhancing and efficiency-driven financing policies in infrastructure is advocated to complement ECOWAS's ongoing infrastructural development efforts. The realization of these recommendations hinges on the availability of accurate data for informing decisions and guiding policymakers. Hence, the study underscores the need for the ECOWAS Commission to bolster its capacity for collecting reliable data on infrastructure variables and other indicators. It also proposes that future research should focus on promoting sub-regional peer-review mechanisms for infrastructure indicators among member states and establishing structures to fortify infrastructure in West Africa

The impact of inflation and interest rates on global stock markets: The moderating role of consumer confidence across five continents

This study examines the impact of inflation and interest rates on global stock market index performance, with the moderating role of the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) across five countries representing different continents: the United States, the United Kingdom, China, South Africa, and Australia. These countries were selected for their distinct economic policies and significant contributions to the global economy. Using the Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA) method and 2,400 monthly data observations spanning 2014 to 2023, sourced from official institutions such as central banks and financial agencies, this research provides key insights. The findings reveal that inflation positively influences index performance in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, while it negatively impacts performance in China. Interest rates predominantly have a negative effect on index performance, except in the United Kingdom and China, where the effect is statistically insignificant. The moderation effect of the CCI varies by country, highlighting the role of unique economic contexts in shaping the relationship between inflation, interest rates, and stock market indices. This study offers valuable implications for policymakers in managing inflation and bolstering consumer confidence and provides strategic insights for investors navigating global economic dynamics

The influence of financial development on total fertility rate in Indonesia

This study investigated the impact of financial development on the total fertility rate in Indonesia, hypothesizing that financial development significantly influences fertility rates. The objective was to ascertain the effects of financial development on Indonesia's total fertility rate, utilizing annual time series data from 1980 to 2021 obtained from the official websites of Bank Indonesia, the Central Bureau of Statistics, and the World Bank. The analysis employed the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method to examine the influence of the money supply in circulation (M2), Gross Domestic Product, and household consumption on the total fertility rate, with these variables serving as proxies for financial development. The study utilized a comprehensive data analysis approach, including stationary tests, cointegration bound tests, ARDL Model analysis for long-term and short-term effects, and classical assumption tests. The findings revealed that the money supply (M2) has a negative and significant impact on the total fertility rate, the Gross Domestic Product also negatively and significantly affects the total fertility rate, while household consumption positively and significantly influences the total fertility rate. These results underscore the multifaceted relationship between financial development and fertility trends in Indonesia