Human Capital and Economic Growth in India: The ARDL Approach

We used time series data on variables, real GDP, physical capital stock and human capital index of India to examine the relationship between these three variables oyer the period 1972-2019. The auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) model and the bound test of co-integration reveal that physical capital stock, human capital index and GDP are co-integrated only when GDP is used as the dependent variable. Moreover, the negative and statistically significant value of the coefficient of adjustment in the error correction model further reinforces that there is a long-run relationship between these variables. This long-run relationship also reveals that both physical capital stock and the human capital index positively impact GDP growth in India. Growth in the human capital index is not found to be dependent on either GDP or physical capital stock. Since the human capital index is constructed based on years of schooling and returns to education, we infer from it that education stimulates economic growth in India. Hence, India has reaped the benefits in the form of economic growth by adopting the policy of free and compulsory education for its populace

Consumer Demographics and Self-Medication: A Cross-Sectional Study of Karachi City in Pakistan

The purpose of this study is to find the statistical relationship between self-medication and demographic characteristics. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the local settings of Karachi. A total of 210 individuals participated in the study. The data was collected through self-administered questionnaire. SPSS.20 was used for data analysis. This software help in data management from above mentioned sources, and statistical analysis of the data. Chi-square and Phi and Cramer’s V test was used to measure attitude of consumer towards self medications. The study shows that 82% of the surveyed people practice self-medication, mostly for minor illnesses. The common reasons for self-medication as stated by the respondents are prior experience, convenience, and recommendation. The majority of the respondent regarded self-medication as an acceptable practice and a short-term cure to the illness. Finally, there is no statistical relationship between self-medication and demographic characteristics of the population. The sample size that has been taken is small. Thus it is possible that the results do not give the exact image of the population. Moreover, responses of the participants could be inaccurate, as participants may not have been able to correctly recall past events. Key    Words: Self-medication,        Over     the    Counter     medicines      (OTC),      Minor            illness, Prior  experience, Convenience. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-14-04 Publication date:May 31st 201

Janus Graphene Oxide Sponges for High-Purity Fast Separation of Both Water-in-Oil and Oil-in-Water Emulsions

Membrane separation of oil and water with high purity and high permeability is of great interest in environmental and industrial processes. However, membranes with fixed wettability can separate only one type of surfactant-stabilized emulsion (water-in-oil or oil-in-water). Here, we report on Janus graphene oxide (J-GO) sponges for high purity and high permeability separation of both water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions. Millimeter-scale reduced GO sponges with a controlled pore size (11.2 or 94.1 mu m) are synthesized by freeze drying, and the wettability is further controlled by fluorine (hydrophobic/oleophilic in air) or oxygen (hydrophilic/oleophilic in air) functionalization. J-GO sponges are prepared by the fluorine functionalization on one side and oxygen functionalization on the other side. Interestingly, the oil wettability of oxygen-functionalized surface turns into an oleophobic surface when immersed in water, which is explained by Young's theory. This effect is further used in the separation of both water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions by changing the flow direction. The purity of the separated oil and water is very high (>= 99.2%), and the permeability is more than an order of magnitude greater than those of the other Janus membranes reported. J-GO sponges can be reused with an excellent repeatability, demonstrating feasibility in practical applications. © 2017 American Chemical Society131

Green Banking: A Conceptual Study on its Definition, Complexities, and Opportunities in Pakistan

Banks directly generating environmental pollution during their banking operations and banks are the main source for funding of such businesses and projects that can pollute the environment. The purpose of this study is to analyze the bankers’ perceptions on different aspects of Green Banking in Pakistan, it includes the concept of Green Banking, its benefits, complexities, relationship with the Islamic banking, strategies, problems facing in Green Banking Guidelines issued by SBP in 2017, opportunities and suggestions for implementation. The main objective of the banks is to maximize the profit of the banks but the role and approach of GB are different. This study used interpretive research philosophy, inductive research approach, and exploratory research strategy, qualitative research choice, and cross-sectional as time horizon. Primary data have been collected and used for analysis. All bank managers in the Peshawar division taken as population and 14interviews of respondents of the executive level bankers were taken as sample size. Face to face interviews through open-ended questions was conducted. Data analysis was carried out by designing and showing responses to the MS excel table. For each question, data is coded and descriptive analysis techniques i.e. percentage is used for the processing of collected data. The outcomes of the study revealed that bankers perceived that Green Banking is environment-friendly banking which can help in the protection of the environment even with high adoption costs and other related complexities. Green Banking will reduce resource wastages to raise profit and can easily access. The major complexity of Green Banking is the lack of awareness and education. Key Words: Green Banking, Opportunities and Challenges, Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA

Role of Education, Training, and E-Learning in Sustainable Employment Generation and Social Empowerment in Saudi Arabia

This study analyzes the role of education, training, and e-learning (ETL) in empowering Saudi society, leading to sustainable employment generation in Saudi Arabia. It applies the theory of constructivism, scoping to human aspects of teaching and learning in sustainable employment generation and social empowerment. The study primarily collects the existing variable pools from the available literature on education (EDU), training (TRA), e-learning (ELRN), government policies (GPOL), national culture (NCUL), sustainable employment generation (SUEG), and social empowerment (SEMP). The study performs second-order partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with moderation analysis. The study aims to obtain the combined effect of ETL on SUEG and SEMP in the presence of GPOL and NCUL in Saudi Arabia. Primarily, the results of the path diagram show that ETL has a significant direct impact on SEMP and SUEG. Secondly, the moderation analysis results show that GPOL has been a significant moderator between ETL and SUEG and ETL and SEMP. In contrast, the analysis results show that the NCUL is not a significant moderator between ETL and SUEG, or between ETL and SEMP. Additionally, the moderation analysis results show that NCUL directly impacts SEMP. In contrast, it does not show a significant direct relationship with SUEG. In the article, the theory of constructivism emphasizes the learners’ active role in constructing knowledge, which is significant for both individuals and society, and the validity of constructed knowledge and its realistic representation in the real world. The practical implementation of the education and e-learning approach of constructivism will help to bridge the gap between the skilled workforce in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world. Moreover, the students, as learners, will be able to assert their experiences by connecting with the outside world, constructing a sustainable society, leading to sustainable employment generation and social empowerment in Saudi Arabia. The study also has a broad scope for higher educational institutions, training centers, and organizations in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world

Impact of Sustainable Development Goals on Economic Growth in Saudi Arabia: Role of Education and Training

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) are intended to be attained as a balanced whole. However, significant interactions (the synergies and trade-offs) between the SDGs have caused the need, especially in developing economies, to identify and pursue them in line with their particular developmental needs. The research intends to empirically investigate the relationship between selected UN SDGs and GDP growth rate as a proxy for economic well-being in Saudi Arabia. We also investigate the role of education and training in achieving SDGs in accordance with the Saudi Vision 2030, which places emphasis on the knowledge economy. This research employs multiple regression analysis to explore the relationship between the SDG variables and the GDP. The results show that education and training, gender equity/women’s empowerment, greenhouse gas emissions, and decent employment are positively and significantly related to the GDP growth, whereas poverty, hunger, and health appear to be negatively related. The research indicates that education and training can promote economic, socioeconomic, and health goals without compromising environmental goals. Consequently, the Saudi government should invest more in education and training to maximize synergies and minimize tradeoffs between the SDGs. This will help to promote sustainable employment generation, build human capital, improve socioeconomic empowerment through technology, and boost economic growth

Impact of Sustainable Development Goals on Economic Growth in Saudi Arabia: Role of Education and Training

Sustainable development goals (SDGs) are intended to be attained as a balanced whole. However, significant interactions (the synergies and trade-offs) between the SDGs have caused the need, especially in developing economies, to identify and pursue them in line with their particular developmental needs. The research intends to empirically investigate the relationship between selected UN SDGs and GDP growth rate as a proxy for economic well-being in Saudi Arabia. We also investigate the role of education and training in achieving SDGs in accordance with the Saudi Vision 2030, which places emphasis on the knowledge economy. This research employs multiple regression analysis to explore the relationship between the SDG variables and the GDP. The results show that education and training, gender equity/women’s empowerment, greenhouse gas emissions, and decent employment are positively and significantly related to the GDP growth, whereas poverty, hunger, and health appear to be negatively related. The research indicates that education and training can promote economic, socioeconomic, and health goals without compromising environmental goals. Consequently, the Saudi government should invest more in education and training to maximize synergies and minimize tradeoffs between the SDGs. This will help to promote sustainable employment generation, build human capital, improve socioeconomic empowerment through technology, and boost economic growth