Browsing by Author "Kankanam Pathiranage, H.S"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Open Access
Impact of technological heterogeneity on economic efficiency and total factor productivity change in developed and developing G20 economies
(Elsevier B.V., 2025-10-24) Hassan Shah, W. U; Hao, G; Yasmeen, R; Yan, H; Kankanam Pathiranage, H.S; Yang, Q
Introduction The G20 economies, comprising both developed and developing nations, exhibit significant economic efficiency and technological advancement disparities. Understanding these differences is critical for fostering sustainable growth, particularly optimizing resource utilization and narrowing technological gaps. Objectives This study evaluates economic efficiency, technological heterogeneity, and total factor productivity change (TFPC) among G20 economies from 1997 to 2022. It distinguishes between developed and developing nations to identify key challenges and opportunities for productivity enhancement. Methods We assess economic efficiency using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with the Super-SBM model. Meta-Frontier Analysis measures technological disparities, while the Malmquist-Luenberger Productivity Index (MLI) decomposes TFPC into efficiency change (EC) and technological change (TC). Results The mean Meta-frontier efficiency score for G20 countries is 0.9556, indicating a 4.44% improvement potential. Developed economies (e.g., the U.S., Australia) exhibit optimal efficiency, whereas developing nations (e.g., Russia, China, India) lag due to slower technological integration. The Meta-Technology Ratio (MTR) reveals pronounced disparities, with developed economies scoring near 1, while emerging economies range between 0.8 and 0.9. Efficiency change (EC) drives productivity growth more substantially than technological change (TC). Conclusion Narrowing technological gaps, improving resource efficiency, and fostering innovation are vital for sustained economic development, particularly in emerging G20 economies. Policy recommendations include prioritizing R&D investments, technological advancement, and international collaboration to promote equitable and sustainable growth.
Embargo
Socio-economic and health drivers of suicide: A global analysis across income groups
(Routledge, 2026-03-27) Kankanam Pathiranage, H.S; Kothalawala, C; Jayathilaka, R
Suicide is a critical global public health challenge, with its socio-economic and health determinants varying significantly across contexts. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of income-group-specific drivers of suicide, leveraging data from 129 countries over two decades. Using panel regression models to capture cross-country variations and temporal trends, the study identifies mental health disorders as the most significant global contributor, while unemployment universally elevates suicide risk. Alcohol consumption exhibits income-specific patterns, with wine increasing suicide rates in high-income nations and spirits in upper-middle-income settings. In low-income countries, HIV/AIDS prevalence significantly heightens vulnerability. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions, including expanding access to mental health care as part of universal health coverage, strengthening economic safety nets to mitigate the psychological impacts of unemployment, and implementing tailored alcohol regulation policies. By addressing these global and income-group-specific vulnerabilities, this study offers actionable insights to guide transformative policies and accelerate progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).