Sustainable Business and Global Supply Chains in ASEAN: Escaping the Middle- Income Trap

This study explores the influence of sustainable business strategies and facilitative policy frameworks on ASEAN companies\u27 upgrading and integration into global supply chains (GSCs). The study employs a qualitative document analysis approach to critically examine 12 national and regional policy reports, 6 international institutional reports, and 12 firm-level sustainability and annual reports. Thematic coding and cross-case comparative analysis were conducted using ATLAS.ti software to determine main drivers of sustainable GSC involvement at firm and policy levels. There are suggested and argued conceptual frameworks: the Sustainable Value Chain Upgrading Framework and the Policy-Driven Sustainable Trade Framework. Evidence indicates that firms embracing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) values, circular economy approaches, and innovation investment possess higher market positioning and supply chain resilience. Meanwhile, green growth policies at the national level and international efforts promoting sustainable trade assist in guaranteeing main compliance reduction and corporate sustainability uptake incentives. Cross-country analysis reveals growing convergence towards ASEAN global ESG standards among ASEAN firms, with differences in social impact strategies localized. The article contributes to the existing literature by integrating firm- and policy-level perspectives and offers practical recommendations to policymakers and business managers interested in pursuing economic upgrading through sustainability in the region. The findings call for dynamic firm-policy interactions to attain resilient, inclusive, and sustainable engagement in global value chains

Roles of Artificial Intelligence in Promoting Education for Sustainable Development in Lower-Middle-Income ASEAN Economies

This study examines the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in promoting Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in lower-middle-income ASEAN economies, focusing on two critical areas: the challenges to AI adoption and strategies to optimize AI alignment with sustainable development goals. The research identifies key barriers to AI integration, including technological readiness, financial constraints, policy gaps, and socio-cultural factors, through document analysis and case studies. It highlights region-specific challenges, such as inadequate digital infrastructure and limited teacher training, that hinder AI adoption in education. Additionally, the study explores how AI can be optimized to support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9 (Innovation and Infrastructure), by enhancing educational access, promoting gender equality, and enabling personalized learning. Using the Grounded Theory model, the findings suggest that AI can reduce inequalities and empower underserved communities by improving educational outcomes. However, successful AI integration requires a balanced approach that prioritizes ethical considerations and inclusivity. The study advocates for collaborative efforts between governments, educational institutions, and technology providers to establish an ecosystem that supports responsible AI deployment. By addressing these challenges and leveraging AI’s potential, stakeholders can unlock new opportunities to foster sustainable development and improve educational outcomes in ASEAN lower-middle-income economies

Identification of PNG kinase substrates uncovers interactions with the translational repressor TRAL in the oocyte-to-embryo transition

The Drosophila Pan Gu (PNG) kinase complex regulates hundreds of maternal mRNAs that become translationally repressed or activated as the oocyte transitions to an embryo. In a previous paper (Hara et al., 2017), we demonstrated PNG activity is under tight developmental control and restricted to this transition. Here, examination of PNG specificity showed it to be a Thrkinase yet lacking a clear phosphorylation site consensus sequence. An unbiased biochemical screen for PNG substrates identified the conserved translational repressor Trailer Hitch (TRAL). Phosphomimetic mutation of the PNG phospho-sites in TRAL reduced its ability to inhibit translation in vitro. In vivo, mutation of tral dominantly suppressed png mutants and restored Cyclin B protein levels. The repressor Pumilio (PUM) has the same relationship with PNG, and we also show that PUM is a PNG substrate. Furthermore, PNG can phosphorylate BICC and ME31B, repressors that bind TRAL in cytoplasmic RNPs. Therefore, PNG likely promotes translation at the oocyte-to-embryo transition by phosphorylating and inactivating translational repressors.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant GM39341)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant GM118090

Long-term trends of sulfur deposition in East Asia during 1981–2005

We used a chemical transport model to investigate the long-term trends of sulfur deposition in East Asia during 1981–2005. The model reproduced the observed spatial distributions in East Asia of the rate of wet deposition of non-seasalt sulfate (nss-SO42−), volume-weighted mean concentrations of nss-SO42− in precipitation, precipitation, and concentrations in air of gaseous sulfur dioxide and particulate nss-SO42−. The model also reproduced well observed seasonal variations and long-term trends of wet deposition of nss-SO42− in Japan from 1988 to 2005. The increasing rate of wet deposition of nss-SO42− in Japan during 1991–2005 was demonstrated with 99.9% significance for both observed and modeled data. The annual rate of total (wet + dry) sulfur deposition in Japan increased from 15.6 Gmol S y−1 in 1981–1985 to 23.9 Gmol S y−1 in 2001–2005 in response to both increasing contributions from Chinese emissions and the eruption of Miyakejima volcano in 2000. During that 25-year period, approximately 2.1% of the sulfur from Chinese emissions was deposited in Japan. Over the same period, the rate of deposition of sulfur in East Asia increased gradually from 14.2 mmol S m−2 y−1 to 24.0 mmol S m−2 y−1, and the contribution of emissions from China to total sulfur deposition in East Asia increased from 65% to 77%. The contribution of Miyakejima volcano was 3% during 2001–2005. The increase in the sulfur deposition rate was remarkably high on the North China Plain, around Guangzhou, and south of Chongqing. The rate of increase in East Asia was greatest in winter, although the rate of sulfur deposition was highest in summer. Sulfur flux from China to Japan increased by a factor of 2.5 at altitudes of 0–3000 m from 1981 to 2005

Enhancing Market Reach and Profitability in the Indian Aquaculture Industry

The Indian aquaculture industry, a global leader, faces persistent challenges in marketing, pricing, and supply chain management that limit profitability and market expansion. This study investigates how marketing channels, pricing strategies, and supply chain practices influence commercial success, focusing on West Godavari (Andhra Pradesh), Hooghly (West Bengal), and Kollam (Kerala). Semi-structured interviews with 45 stakeholders, including farmers, marketers, and supply chain managers—reveal that using online platforms and targeting export markets significantly enhances reach and profitability. Value-based pricing improves margins by aligning prices with product quality and customer perception. Efficient supply chain management, particularly through blockchain and automation, is vital for maintaining product integrity and meeting market demands. However, high implementation costs, lack of technical expertise, and resistance to change hinder adoption, especially among smaller operators. The study concludes that sustainable growth requires integrating diversified marketing strategies, value-driven pricing, and tech-enabled logistics. Key recommendations include investing in digital tools, embracing innovation, and fostering stakeholder collaboration to address operational barriers and strengthen the industry’s economic impact

Transforming Export Competitiveness: Technological Upgradation and Digitalization in the Indian Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Industry

This study investigates the impact of technological upgradation and digitalization on the export competitiveness of India’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry. Drawing on a 23-year panel dataset from 51 low-and-lower-middle-income countries, the research employs econometric analysis using high-tech exports and broadband subscriptions as proxies. The findings reveal that technological upgradation—measured through medium and high-tech exports—has a statistically significant positive impact on export competitiveness. In contrast, digitalization, proxied by broadband subscriptions, shows no significant effect, suggesting that mere infrastructure is insufficient without deeper operational integration. The Indian HVAC sector, though poised for growth amid global demand and sustainability mandates, faces challenges such as limited R&D investment, inadequate digital adoption, and scale inefficiencies. The study proposes a theoretical framework linking technological advancement and digital readiness with competitive export performance, offering insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders. It underscores the need for strategic investments in innovation, sector-specific digital tools, and workforce development. By aligning macroeconomic data with sectoral realities, the research contributes to a nuanced understanding of how emerging economies like India can leverage technological transformation to boost global trade competitiveness

International NGOs’ Educational Budgets on Human Development Index in Conflicting Low-and-Lower-Middle-Income Countries

This study critically examines the impact of International Non-Government Organizations’ (INGOs) educational funding on human development outcomes in conflict-affected and developing regions, focusing on Syria, Bangladesh, DRC, Sudan, and Ukraine. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research analyses the relationship between INGO budget allocations for education and the Human Development Index (HDI), utilizing panel data regression models and qualitative thematic analysis. Quantitative findings indicate a positive association between INGO educational expenditures and HDI; however, econometric issues such as autocorrelation, heteroskedasticity, and cross-sectional dependence limit the robustness of results. Qualitative insights reveal that most INGOs operate with limited budgets, prioritize needs assessments, and consider macroeconomic factors like GDP and HDI in planning. Despite resource constraints, a majority intend to increase educational investments, often through partnerships with local governments. The study underscores the importance of context-sensitive strategies and comprehensive analysis for effective development interventions. While findings support the hypothesis that increased INGO funding correlates with improved human development, methodological limitations necessitate cautious interpretation. The research contributes to understanding operational dynamics, strategic planning, and the nuanced role of INGOs in fostering sustainable development in fragile contexts, offering valuable insights for policy and future research directions

China-ASEAN Economic Ties: Balancing Growth amid Middle-Income Challenges and Opportunities

The introduction of a free trade area between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China (ACFTA) in 2012 brought China to a leading economic position in Southeast Asia (this was manifested in a significant, almost 2.2-fold, increase in the volume of trade) and turned it into a driving force of ASEAN's economic prosperity. However, this increased economic interdependence creates challenges for both China and ASEAN: on the one hand, China seeks to make the transition from a high-income country to sustainable economic development in the ASEAN region, and on the other hand, ASEAN has concerns about excessive economic dependence on China. This situation requires a balance to be struck to avoid repeating the historical patterns seen in Japan in the 1960s and 1980s. This article examines the investment, trade and geopolitical relations between China and ASEAN in a historical retrospective of 2010-2022, assesses their economic dependence and the mechanisms of political-economic relations, identifies the factors that caused China's rapid economic breakthrough, and outlines directions for overcoming the most modern challenges that have place in the context of this relationship through formulation of suggested frameworks. The article considers 2 research questions, for the solution of which the G/T (Grounded Theory) approach was used and a qualitative analysis of the 12 most relevant sources was carried out (limitation of their number - according to the concept of theoretical saturation), selected primarily through online databases, websites, international organizations' data, analytical reviews, and scientific papers. RQ1: Identify the root causes of the problems faced by ASEAN middle-income countries in their engagement with China. The article identifies the following 3 main reasons through the empirical review analysis: 1) dependence of middle-income ASEAN countries on financial assistance, especially from China; 2) a noticeable decrease in unity in the ASEAN region; 3) China's lack of recommendations on the advisory policy of economic development in the ASEAN countries. RQ2: development of recommendations for middle-income ASEAN countries to increase their ability to pave independent paths to sustainable economic development and reduce their economic dependence on China, taking into account the review of the balance of power in political relations with the United States and China. Using the qualitative analysis tool ATLAS.ti (version 24) for the G/T approach, it was concluded that to overcome the syndromes of lower-middle-income trap (LMIT) and higher-middle-income trap (HMIT), ASEAN economies should implement the following spontaneous strategies: infrastructure development, improvement of basic education and promotion of science and technology. In addition, it is important to raise awareness of political tensions between China and the US, apply the techniques of thoughtful diplomacy, fine-tuned policy formulation, and shared vision to establish a diplomatic balance between China, the US, and Japan in the context of geopolitical risk management

Educational Factors Predicting Middle-Income Trap and International Competitiveness Index in Southeast Asia

The middle-income trap (MIT) refers to the state that middle-income economies have found it challenging to upgrade to reach the high-income stage over an extended period. Overcoming the MIT has long been discussed as an important social issue, notably in Southeast Asia. One major problem in addressing the MIT is directly linked to fewer job opportunities and an unstable income. Promoting industrialization has been the most efficient way to solve the problem. However, little previous research has been conducted on the influence of the enrollment rate in secondary education on the MIT and the international competitive index (ICI) in connection with the barrier issue of industrialization. Tran’s economic development stage model and the industrial development model were used to examine the predictive relationships between the economic development stage and education levels. Using secondary data compiled between 1999 and 2018 primarily from the World Development Indicators and the UN Comtrade Database, and multiple linear regression modeling, the strength of secondary education predicting the percentage change in R2 variance in the MIT and ICI was evaluated in nine Asian economies. Using log transformed data, secondary education alone was not found to be a superior predictor (F [1, 168] = .124, p = .725) for the MIT and (F [1, 175] = .147, p = .702) for the ICI respectively. Tertiary education was found to be a significant predictor in both models (F [1, 168] = 43.09, p = .000) and (F [1, 175] = 7.12, p = .008) respectively and is thus a major factor in escaping the MIT and upgrading the ICI. Positive social change emanates through continued policy support of advancing education as a means to escape the MIT and to promote advancements of the ICI