Estimating the Return of Higher Education in Algeria: Evidence From Adrar University

This study aims to measure the individual rate of return for investment in higher education at Adrar University by using both basic and extended Mincerian Earnings Function. In addition to this, the comparison had been established between the results obtained and those of other researches in the same domain.We adopted in the research the model of Mincer in evaluating the rate of the economic returns according to previous classifications and the effective experience got by the individual in the work (measured by years). The result of the model application states that the economic return of university education in Algeria has been improved by 8.49% based on the benchmark of Psacharopoulos International Return measured by 9.8%.We conclude that there is no general trend by which we can interpret the results but this lack of interpretation refers to the typical situation of the Algerian economy and its impact on the human capital (education specifically) as it is known that the relationship between the economic development and the human development is positive

The Relationship between Electricity Consumption, Price of Oils, and Gross Domestic Product in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

The research aimed to evaluate the impact of electricity consumption and oil prices on the GDP of GCC countries. The oil industry is the backbone of economies in these countries, accounting for a significant portion of GDP. The variations and volatility in petroleum prices significantly affect GCC countries’ GDP. Moreover, these countries have also increased the usage of electricity. A substantial increase in the demand for electricity impacts the economic development of GCC countries. The study has considered a quantitative method using secondary data to address the research objective. The data for electricity consumption, energy use, and oil prices were obtained from the World Development Indicators website from 2010 to 2021. The countries include Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. The data obtained were empirically analyzed using the system-GMM approach as it was identified to be a more robust estimation model controlling for issues such as autocorrelation and endogeneity. The results obtained from the system-GMM indicated that electricity consumption and oil prices positively impact the GDP of GCC countries. At the same time, energy use hurts the GDP. Therefore, the research findings imply that electricity consumption and oil prices significantly contribute to the growth of the GCC countries

Bridging Higher Education Outcomes and Labour Market Needs: A Study of Jouf University Graduates in the Context of Vision 2030

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between various factors that contribute to employability outcomes among graduates of Jouf University, in line with the vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to bridge the gap between higher education outcomes and labour market needs by the year 2030. This study employed a questionnaire as the research tool, which was distributed to a sample of 220 graduates of Jouf University. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyze the data obtained from the questionnaire. The results of this study showed that career services and counselling, skills and competencies, and curriculum design were positively related to employability outcomes, whereas industry partnerships and work-integrated learning were found to have no significant relationship with employability outcomes. This study’s findings suggest that enhancing career services, counselling, skills, competencies, and curriculum design can improve graduates’ employability. These results could help bridge the gap between higher education outcomes and the labour market needs, by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Future research can build on this study to identify specific strategies that can be implemented to enhance these factors, and improve the employability outcomes of graduates

Using the PLS-SEM Model to Measure the Impact of the Knowledge Economy on Sustainable Development in the Al-Jouf Region of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has been increasingly using the knowledge economy, which employs digital technologies, to boost the country’s prosperity and growth. To measure the impact of the knowledge economy on sustainable development in the Al-Jouf region, in this research, a survey was utilized as the principal tool for gathering data from employees who occupy administrative positions in both public and private organizations in the region. The collected data were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) methodology. The results indicate that information and communication technology (ICT) is the most important dimension in both public and private institutions, while the dimension of innovation, research, and development ranks last. Although ICT is significantly applied, there are shortcomings in other aspects of the knowledge economy in both public and private institutions. This study recommends developing the investment environment through economic incentives and institutional systems to make it more attractive to establish entrepreneurial activities. Additionally, it suggests the need to fund applied research and development and leverage the outcomes to develop innovative and entrepreneurial activities. Overall, the knowledge economy has a positive impact on sustainable development in the Al-Jouf region

The Moderating Role of Research and Development (R&D) Support in the Relationship between Entrepreneurship and per Capita Output—A Study on the GCC Countries

The current study examines the moderating role of R&D expenditures by the government on the relationship between entrepreneurship and per capita output in GCC countries. Using secondary quantitative data, panel data analysis was conducted for six GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and UAE) based on their scores on the Global Entrepreneurship Index, Ease of Doing Business, and R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were conducted using Eviews 12. The study found that a supportive business environment and entrepreneurship ecosystem can lead to higher per capita output and that laboratory force and capital are significant positive contributors to per capita output. However, both Ease of Doing Business and the Global Entrepreneurship Index have a significant negative impact on per capita output. The study did not find significant moderation of the relationship between entrepreneurship and per capita output by R&D expenditures. These findings have important implications for policy-makers and academia, emphasizing the significant labour force and capital for per capita output. Future research should explore the relationship between entrepreneurship and growth further and investigate the role of R&D. Policy recommendations include reducing regulatory burdens and providing tax incentives to create a supportive environment for entrepreneurship and increasing R&D funding to promote per capita output. Overall, this study contributes to the state of the art through examining the moderating role of R&D expenditures on the relationship between entrepreneurship and per capita output in the context of GCC countries