SLIIT Business School Scopus2
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Publication Open Access Dynamic linkages between chicken meat production, consumption, income and trade: Evidence from Wavelet coherence and Granger causality in Asia(Elsevier Inc., 2026) Silva, Y; Susan, H; Perera, N; Mendis, K; Jayathilaka, R; Dabare, UThe poultry industry has become one of the fastest-growing agricultural sectors in Asia, driven by rising incomes, and shifting food preferences. Therefore, this study aims to examine the relationship between chicken meat production and key determinants, including chicken meat consumption, gross domestic product, and trade openness, over 30 years (1993-2022) across 28 Asian countries. This study's foundation was based on the theories of consumer demand and international trade. Wavelet coherence and Granger causality analysis were utilised to identify the direction of causality of the variables. The Wavelet results reveal that chicken consumption and GDP become most significant with the production in the Asian continent, while Granger results reveal that most Asian countries showed unidirectional causal flows from trade openness to chicken meat production and from chicken meat production to gross domestic product and consumption. Furthermore, this study provides novel insights that inform policy considerations for policymakers, international and domestic organisations, and governments, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations.Publication Embargo Economic and Environmental Drivers of Carbon Emissions in Asia: Granger Causality Insights From Foreign Investment, Inflation, and Ecological Footprint(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2026) Nizar, S; Natkunarasa, A; Divyanjali, H; Jayathilaka, RRising carbon emissions cause critical challenges to sustainable development, particularly in Asia which accounts for a substan-tial share of global emissions. The study investigates the short-run causal relationships between foreign direct investment, infla-tion, ecological footprint, and carbon emissions across 27 Asian countries (final analytical sample) over the period 2000–2023.Utilizing country-specific VAR-based Granger causality analysis, the study captures heterogeneous sustainability economic in-teractions without imposing uniform panel assumptions. The results reveal diverse unidirectional and bidirectional causalitypatterns, highlighting how macroeconomic pressures and environmental constraints jointly shape emission outcomes. Thesefindings underscore the importance of sustainable investment, energy price management, and institutional capacity in sup-porting sustainable communities and enhancing knowledge-driven sustainability transitions. From a managerial and policyperspective, the results provide actionable insights aligning with investment decisions, macroeconomic management, and envi-ronmental governance with the sustainable development goals, particularly SDG 13 (climate action), while recognizing country-specific development pathways.Publication Open Access Beyond compensation: effect of employee benefits on job motivation, performance, and turnover intention(Cogent OA, 2026) Peemanee, J; Weerarathna, R; Issarapaibool, A; Boonlua, S; Rathnayake, NThis study investigates the influence of employee benefits on motivation, performance, and turnover intention within contemporary workplaces that increasingly emphasize employee well-being. Addressing a key gap in the literature, it employs Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and analyzes data from 387 Generation Y and Generation Z employees in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand. The analysis examines how diverse benefit types influence employees’ motivation, performance, and decisions to remain with their organizations. The findings reveal a direct and positive link between employee benefits, enhanced motivation, and improved performance, which together significantly reduce turnover intention. Specifically, attraction and retention strategies, organizational support mechanisms, and a growth-oriented, well-being-focused environment emerged as critical factors in motivating employees and elevating their performance. Overall, the study demonstrates that strategically designed employee benefit packages—aligned with employee needs and workplace realities—foster engagement, productivity, and loyalty. This study contributes valuable insights for organizational leaders seeking to refine benefit systems and extends the academic understanding of the strategic importance of non-monetary benefits in promoting employee satisfaction and retention.Publication Embargo Review of Existing Literature on the Impact of Green Supply Chain Management Practices on Organisational Performance(University of Nigeria Department of Mass Communication, 2026-01) de Zoysa, A.T; Ranathunga Arachchi, D.T; Gunasekara, D.C; Bandara, H.N; Refaie, C.S.R.B; Lokeshwara, A.ABackground: Green supply chain management (GSCM) has gained prominence as more organisations seek to strike a balance between the objectives of sustainable operations and financial performance. The importance of understanding the implications of GSCM practices for organisational outcomes is increasing, given mounting environmental pressures and the need to compete globally. Objective: This research assesses the impact of GSCM practices on the organisation's economic, environmental, social, and operational performance, and identifies key themes, theoretical considerations, and gaps in the literature. Methodology: The systematic literature review method was employed. Overall, 60 peer-reviewed articles published in the last 12 years (2013-2025) were retrieved from major academic databases, including Emerald Insight, ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore, and Wiley. Strict cleaning and screening were based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The thematic synthesis was used as one of the data analysis techniques, with the emphasis on sampling characteristics and conceptual frameworks, methodological designs and reported outcomes. Consistency of the reviewed research, as well as the validity and reliability of the studies, were taken into consideration to ensure the trustworthiness of the findings. Results: As indicated in the review, GSCM practices are effective in enhancing operational efficiency, environmental performance, social responsibility, and economic performance. Firm size, organisational capabilities, institutional pressures, and supply chain integration are among the factors that moderate the effectiveness of GSCM practices. Conclusion: GSCM has continued to be a strategic force towards sustainable and organisational performance. Results attest to their important role in improving financial performance and environmental regulation. Unique Contribution: The research integrates emerging knowledge to provide a universal model of the complex nature of GSCM effects. It offers theoretical clarity, reveals emerging themes and creates gaps that will be filled by future research. Key Recommendation: Future research should involve cross-industry comparative experiences, sophisticated modelling, and an examination of the impact of digital technologies on the efficacy of GSCM.Publication Open Access The Green Pulse of Hospitality: Assessing Green Supply Chain Practices on Organisational Performance in the Sri Lankan Hotel Industry(Elsevier B.V., 2026-01-03) Bandara R.M.H.N; Ranathunga Arachchi R.A.D.T; Gunasekara L.D.C; De Zoysa N.A.T; Lokeshwara, Anuja A.; Refaie, Chapa S.R.B.In the modern competitive business environment, sustainability has become the key theme in organisational performance (OP), compelling organisations to adopt environmentally friendly operations in the business world. The hotel industry is a significant contributor to national economies, and it is steadily incorporating green practices to improve operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Though green supply chain management (GSCM) has been a subject of significant interest in manufacturing and logistic settings, GSCM in the hospitality industry, particularly in developing nations such as Sri Lanka, is still a largely unexplored area. To bridge this gap, the current study investigates the relationship between GSCM practices and OP with a particular focus on the moderating effects of hotel star classification. A cross-sectional, deductive research design was used, and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was the method of analysis. A web-based survey of 167 star-class hotels in Sri Lanka gained a high response rate of 88.44%. GSCM practices were represented as a second-order construct with five dimensions: eco design, green purchasing, internal environment management, investment recovery, and reverse logistics. The findings reveal that GSCM practices have a significant positive impact on OP. However, the star ratings of the hotels had no significant effect on this relationship, meaning the positive impact of GSCM practices are consistent across the industry. This finding indicates the need to investigate additional moderating variables such as ownership patterns and environmental certifications. Future comparative studies in various Asian nations with different cultural, legislative, and market settings may advance our understanding of GSCM practices in hospitality industry.Publication Embargo From Learners to Earners: The Role of Education in Shaping Online Freelancers within the Gig Economy(University of Nigeria Department of Mass Communication, 2026-01-05) Dasanayaka, L.N; Madanayake, T.B; Jayasekara, K.G; Ileperuma, T.D; Chandrasiri, R; Bandara, GIn developing nations, education systems prioritise employability over broader academic goals, often overlooking the preparation needed for freelance platforms. Yet, the digital economy presents a rapidly expanding avenue for youth employment and economic empowerment. This systemic oversight leaves many undergraduates unprepared to capitalise on the increasing global demand for digital and professional freelance services. Objective: This study aims to identify the attitudes, behaviours, and skills that undergraduates need to succeed in online freelancing, addressing the knowledge gap between the popularity of digital self-employment and the factors driving undergraduate success in this field. Methodology: This study employed an inductive approach, focusing on undergraduate freelancers in Sri Lanka. Snowball sampling was utilised to select 21 participants, and in-depth interviews were conducted to collect data. The data were subsequently analysed using NVivo thematic analysis, with analysis continuing until saturation was reached. Results: The results of this study revealed six key themes that significantly impact making an online freelance career for undergraduates in Sri Lanka: (I) Growth Mindset, (II) Work-life balance, (III) Flexibility, (IV) Effective Communication, (V) Proactive engagement and (VI) Developing Core Competencies Conclusion: Although the rising popularity of freelancing online among undergraduates is a significant trend, success is primarily attributed to various factors that enable freelancers to reach their full potential. Addressing these factors will be the solution to helping undergraduates navigate the online freelancing field. Unique Contribution: This study makes a significant contribution by empirically identifying and systematically categorising the key competencies required for undergraduate success in transitioning to online freelancing. It provides a novel, evidence-based framework for educators and policymakers seeking to prepare students for sustainable career opportunities and economic empowerment in the digital economy (SDG 8). © 2025, University of Nigeria Department of Mass Communication. All rights reserved.Publication Open Access Impact of climate change on agricultural production efficiency in leading agriculture-producing economies: A DEA Malmquist Productivity Index(Elsevier B.V., 2026-01-06) Ahmad, J; Wang, Y; Zhang, L; Shah, W.U.H; Yasmeen, R; Pathiranage, H.S.KClimate change significantly impacts global agricultural productivity, making it essential to examine its precise influence on production efficiency. This study evaluates the impact of climate change on agricultural production efficiency among the global leading agriculture-producing economies from 1990 to 2021. Using a DEA–Malmquist Productivity Index, the study estimates total factor productivity change (TFPC) and decomposes it into efficiency change (EC) and technological change (TC), both without and with explicit climate variables (temperature, precipitation). Average TFPC without climate factors is 1.0428, indicating 4.28 % productivity growth over the period, primarily driven by technological change. When climate variables are incorporated, the average TFPC is 1.0409; the mean difference of −0.0019 (≈ −0.18 %) shows a small but non-negligible climate impact on productivity growth. Regional variations are heterogeneous: South America and Africa exhibit diverse climate impacts, while Oceania shows the least climate effect. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests confirm significant differences in TFPC (and components) between climate and non-climate specifications and across regions. The findings underscore technology's key role in sustaining productivity under climate stress and highlight the need for region-specific adaptation policies to complement technological diffusion.Publication Open Access Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Life Expectancy: A Global Perspective Across Income Levels(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2026-01-12) Kaluarachchi, S; Jayathilaka, RSocioeconomic factors influencing life expectancy are still underexplored across different income groups in global research. This study investigates the socioeconomic determinants of longevity across global income levels, drawing on World Bank data to analyze how various economic and social factors influence lifespan worldwide. A stepwise panel data regression analysis was conducted to examine the determinants. The findings indicate that increase per capita gross domestic product and health expenditure substantially enhance lifespan, whereas increase population size, death rate, and infant mortality rate adversely impact life expectancy globally. In low-income countries, increase per capita gross domestic product, population size, and death rate significantly shorten life expectancy. In lower-middle-income countries, growing population size and death rate progressively lower life expectancy. In upper-middle-income countries, higher per capita gross domestic product significantly boosts longevity, while increase carbon dioxide emissions, population size, death rate, and infant mortality rate substantially reduce life expectancy. In high-income countries, increase male education significantly raises lifespan, while increase population size and death rate reduce life expectancy. These findings can help policymakers, governments, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations, and the World Bank address key issues affecting life expectancy, promoting global health and sustainable economic growth.Publication Embargo Exploring Disparities in Happiness Index; among Countries with Varied Income Levels(Springer Nature, 2026-01-13) Gevindhi W.J; Dasanayaka D.R.P.U; Dewappriya N.P.R.D; Parinda A.A.K; Candauda Arachchige, SThis study examines the comparative influence of socioeconomic and governance factors on the happiness index, focusing on their relative contributions to disparities among country groups categorized by income levels: high, upper-middle, lowermiddle, and low. Using multiple regression analysis, data from the World Bank and the World Happiness Report (2010–2019) are analyzed with Fixed and Random effects models to assess the impact of these factors. The findings indicate that GDP per capita and control of corruption positively influence happiness in high-income countries, with fiscal contributions also playing a significant role. Conversely, healthcare expenditure shows a negative correlation with happiness across all income levels, suggesting inefficiencies in healthcare systems. For lower-income countries, infrastructure, governance quality, and regulatory frameworks are crucial determinants of happiness. The research underscores the varying impact of economic, social, and legal factors on happiness across different income levels, with governance improvements and healthcare system reforms identified as key areas for enhancing well-being. The study highlights the importance of context-specific strategies, where low-income countries should focus on infrastructure, corruption control, and healthcare efficiency, while high-income nations may benefit from improving governance and economic stability. This is the first study to analyze the relative impact of these factors across four groups of countries classified by income.Publication Embargo Bridging tradition and innovation: exploring vegetable harvest loss reduction strategies in Sri Lanka(Emerald Publishing, 2026-01-15) Jayasuriya, N; Yapa, C.G; Rathnayake, T.A; Dilhara, A; Rathnayake, I.D; Mathangadeera, RPurpose – This study aims to address a significant gap in the literature regarding vegetable harvest loss reduction methods, exploring both traditional and modern perspectives in Sri Lanka, which is largely driven by an agricultural economy. This study explores the diverse strategies employed and how they are going to be integrated by Sri Lankan vegetable farmers, highlighting both traditional and modern pre- and post-harvest practices aimed at improving productivity, sustainability and resilience in agricultural systems. Design/methodology/approach – The study was conducted across key agricultural districts in Sri Lanka, with data collected through semi-structured interviews with vegetable farmers using the snowball sampling method. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns and themes in the data. Findings – The findings emphasize the importance of traditional methods, including cultural practices such as cultivating at auspicious times, established pest control and irrigation techniques. These are complemented by advanced agricultural innovations, modern harvest protection methods and improved packing and transportation techniques. This integrated approach showcases farmers' adaptability in reducing vegetable losses despite the challenges they face. Originality/value – Post- and pre-harvest loss reduction in Asian countries can be considered an understudied area. Furthermore, the focus on traditional methods is rare in the field. Therefore, this study provides a clear understanding of traditional and modern methods that are suitable for farmers in developing countries.Publication Open Access Achieving zero hunger: A global policy lens on food security drivers and income group disparities(Elsevier B.V., 2026-01-19) Pulle, N; Sampath, P; Perera, S; Wijayaweera, D; Jayathilaka, RMany countries struggle to meet their daily dietary requirements despite numerous attempts to address the existing demand. Consequently, this study collectively analyses the impact of urbanisation, renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions, population growth, gross domestic product per capita and agricultural land on food production relying on Sen’s Entitlement Theory, thus providing insights to resolve the long-standing issue of food insecurity, and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The study utilises a stepwise panel ordered Probit model on 146 countries, for the years 1993 to 2023. It further categorises the food production index into three categories of food security as; low, moderate and high, thereby enabling discussion of the likelihood of a country falling into one of the aforementioned food security categories over the years. Urbanisation, agricultural land, and the dummy variables introduced to represent the income groups have been identified to have a significant and favourable relationship with the food production index. In contrast, the greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy variables have a significantly inverse impact on the food production index. This makes a unique contribution to the existing body of literature, especially by comparing odds over the years, across different food secure categories, countries, and their specific income levels. This study enables policymakers to gain a comprehensive historical perspective on each case. This study further promotes the Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting areas where these goals have been negatively impacted. Additionally, the study discusses optimised investment allocations, agricultural research and development, agricultural technology, climate resilient farming, and sustainable urbanisation planning as solutions for extreme casesPublication Open Access Factors influencing migration intention of undergraduates in Sri Lanka: ‘About more than employment(Elsevier Ltd, 2026-01-26) Marawila, R; Weerarathna, R; Rathnayake, N; Guruge, R; Wehella, B; Udugahapattuwa, T; Weligodapola, MThe objective of this study is to examine the factors influencing Sri Lankan undergraduates' intention to migrate. Persistent economic, social, and political challenges have driven many youngsters and professionals to leave their Country of Origin (COO). The economic collapse triggered by COVID-19 further intensified this trend, leading to a sharp increase in outward migration. Recently, a growing number of Sri Lankan undergraduates and skilled professionals have expressed a strong desire to relocate abroad, often immediately after completing secondary education. For this study, a sample of 385 undergraduates from state and non-state universities across Sri Lanka was analysed. Given the national concerns of brain drain and shortages of trained and skilled workers, the study specifically focused on understanding undergraduates' aspirations to migrate. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied to identify and test the variables influencing migration intentions within the Sri Lankan context. The findings provide a holistic picture of the drivers of undergraduate migration. These carry important implications not only for students but also for policymakers and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), by informing policies and strategies that could encourage young people to realise their potential within Sri Lanka rather than abroad.Publication Open Access Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Life Expectancy: A Global Perspective Across Income Levels(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2026-01-26) Kaluarachchi, S; Jayathilaka, RSocioeconomic factors influencing life expectancy are still underexplored across different income groups in global research.This study investigates the socioeconomic determinants of longevity across global income levels, drawing on World Bank datato analyze how various economic and social factors influence lifespan worldwide. A stepwise panel data regression analysiswas conducted to examine the determinants. The findings indicate that increase per capita gross domestic product and healthexpenditure substantially enhance lifespan, whereas increase population size, death rate, and infant mortality rate adverselyimpact life expectancy globally. In low-income countries, increase per capita gross domestic product, population size, and deathrate significantly shorten life expectancy. In lower-middle-income countries, growing population size and death rate progres-sively lower life expectancy. In upper-middle-income countries, higher per capita gross domestic product significantly boostslongevity, while increase carbon dioxide emissions, population size, death rate, and infant mortality rate substantially reducelife expectancy. In high-income countries, increase male education significantly raises lifespan, while increase population sizeand death rate reduce life expectancy. These findings can help policymakers, governments, the World Health Organisation, theUnited Nations, and the World Bank address key issues affecting life expectancy, promoting global health and sustainable eco-nomic growthPublication Embargo Impact of Economic Globalisation on Agricultural Value-Added: The African Region Experience(Springer, 2026-01-27) Jayathilaka, R; Wisenthige, KGlobalisation has been a critical driver of economic growth in many nations. However, the agricultural sector has yet to realise its full potential in terms of agricultural value-added and the distribution of benefits to primary producers within value chains. Notably, the African region possesses a high potential for agricultural value-addition compared to other regions. This research examines the impact of economic globalisation on agricultural value-added within the African context. Using advanced statistical techniques, including panel data regression and multiple linear regression, the study assesses the influence of globalisation on agricultural value-added across 26 African countries from 2000 to 2021. The findings indicate that, while certain countries have benefitted significantly from economic globalisation, enhancing their agricultural value, the majority still require a greater focus on optimising agricultural value addition. Senegal exhibited the most pronounced impact on agricultural value addition, whereas Burkina Faso, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia, and Uganda showed negligible impacts. Policies aimed at optimising fertiliser inputs, advancing technology, developing the technical knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the agricultural labour force, facilitating foreign market access for raw materials, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices could help enhance value addition and support the overall economic development of the African region. This research contributes to the knowledge-based economy by providing empirical insights into the factors driving agricultural value-added, underscoring the role of knowledge creation, diffusion, and application in boosting agricultural productivity and economic growth in the African region.Publication Open Access The impact of video game addiction on aggressive behaviour among tertiary students in Sri Lanka(Discover, 2026-01-30) Fonseka, W.Y.S; Hathurusinghe, B.M; Weerarathna, R.S; Rathnayake, R.M.N.M; Samindika, H.R.T; Ramasingha, L.T.D; Jayasuriya, N.U; Kumarapperuma, C; Dayapathirana, NThis research examines the impact of video game addiction on aggressive behaviour of tertiary students in Sri Lanka. Video game addiction, with its potential adverse impacts has raised concerns among the public, especially regarding its link to aggressive behaviour. Data was gathered from a sample of 382 undergraduates of local non-state universities selected employing cluster sampling technique to examine the correlation between video game addiction and aggression. The survey was conducted to collect data on video game addiction and aggression. Research findings reveal how gaming addiction leads to aggressive behaviour in addicted gamers indicating a strong positive relationship between video game addiction and aggressive behaviour. Therefore, researchers recommend balanced time management practices between game usage and other daily essential activities and promoting awareness about negative behavioural implication of game addiction. It is expected that this study provides insights to stakeholders including teachers, parents, and administrators to better understand the effects of video game addiction, and mitigation strategies to minimise the negative impact on students’ behaviour.Publication Embargo From Tourism Growth to Sustainable Development: A Causality Analysis of Tourism, Exchange Rates, and Economic Growth in Asia(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2026-02-04) Wickramaarachchi, C; Jayathilaka, RTourism is widely recognised as a catalyst for sustainable development, particularly in regions where it supports employment, foreign exchange earnings and local entrepreneurship. However, the extent to which tourism contributes to sustainable development depends on macroeconomic stability and policy environments that enable long-term investment rather than short-term revenue maximisation. This study examines the causal relationships between tourism receipts, per capita GDP (PGDP), and exchange rates across 46 Asian countries from 2000 to 2020, while controlling for trade openness to account for broader external sector exposure. Employing a panel data framework that accounts for cross-sectional dependence, heterogeneity, and mixed integration properties, the analysis combines second-generation unit root and cointegration tests with country-specific Granger causality techniques. The findings reveal substantial heterogeneity in causal dynamics across countries. In some economies, tourism-led growth emerges, where expanding tourism receipts stimulate economic growth. In others, economy-driven tourism dominates, indicating that rising income levels facilitate tourism development through improved infrastructure and destination competitiveness. Exchange rate stability plays an important conditioning role, shaping the extent to which tourism revenues translate into sustained development gains. Countries characterised by stable exchange rate environments are better positioned to channel tourism income toward long-term, sustainability-oriented investments. The study offers actionable policy insights by demonstrating that macroeconomic stability is a prerequisite for sustainable tourism development. Strengthening exchange rate governance, promoting eco-friendly tourism investment, and enhancing regional cooperation can support a transition from growth-oriented tourism strategies toward sustainable development pathways.Publication Open Access Sustainability indicators in a globalised poultry sector: production, consumption, trade openness, and GDP across 126 countries(Elsevier B.V., 2026-02-12) Silva, Y; Perera, N; Mendis, K; Susan, H; Jayathilaka, RThe sustainability of the meat industry relies on consistent demand and the desire for meat. In recent years, chicken was produced around 104.2 million metric tons and expected to increase by 2% in the upcoming years with a record of 109.6 million tons worldwide. Also, global chicken meat export will increase by 3% with a record of around 14.7 million tons. Therefore, this research focuses on investigating the causal relationships that have a significant impact on chicken production, considering independent variables as chicken consumption, trade openness, and GDP. This study is conducted across several income groups, encompassing 126 countries, for a 30-year period from 1993 to 2022. To strengthen the study, the demand theory and international trade theory were utilised. This study employs multiple methodologies, including panel Granger analysis, cross-country Granger causality analysis to identify the direction of causality, and thereafter the Wavelet coherence analysis to determine the time variance and the nature of the coherence between the variables. According to the study, the results have revealed unidirectional relationships between production and trade openness, chicken meat consumption, and GDP. Accordingly, policy suggestions are provided for farmers, policymakers, relevant organisations, and legislators to make an impact on the chicken meat industry by enhancing production, optimising operations, and maintaining high quality to improve nutritional value. All the implementation suggestions are given to support the Sustainable Development Goals, established by the United Nations.Publication Embargo Focus on Middle East and Central Asia: rationale of IMF assistance seeking(Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, 2026-03) Wisenthige, K; Pathiranage, H. S.K; Jayathilaka, RThis study delves into the rationale behind the tendency of nations in the Middle East and Central Asia (MECA) to seek aid from the IMF. The IMF supports global financial stability, aiming to foster economic growth and prosperity across its member countries by promoting policies that encourage monetary cooperation and financial resilience. The study employs a conditional fixed-effects logit model, the analysis spans 22 years of data from twenty-five MECA countries to identify the factors driving these nations to seek IMF assistance. It focuses on six determinants: Current Account Balance (CAB), Inflation (INF), Corruption (CORR), General Government Net Lending and Borrowing (GGNLB), General Government Gross Debt (GGGD), and Gross Domestic Product Growth (GDPG). The fixed-effects logit shows that slower GDP growth raises the odds of an IMF programme, while short-run changes in corruption control and public debt ratios are not significant once country and year effects are absorbed. Inflation is weakly positive; the current account balance is still insignificant. A post-GFC and an income-group robustness check confirm the pattern. Furthermore, the study identifies Lebanon, a lower-middle-income country, as a leading example of seeking IMF assistance during the study period. Overall, this research highlights the importance of policymakers understanding the dynamics and rankings within the MECA region to effectively address economic challenges, provide financial support, and foster a more sustainable economic structure.Publication Open Access Achieving zero hunger: A global policy lens on food security drivers and income group disparities(Elsevier B.V., 2026-03) Pulle, N; Sampath, P; Perera, S; Wijayaweera, D; Jayathilaka, RMany countries struggle to meet their daily dietary requirements despite numerous attempts to address the existing demand. Consequently, this study collectively analyses the impact of urbanisation, renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions, population growth, gross domestic product per capita and agricultural land on food production relying on Sen's Entitlement Theory, thus providing insights to resolve the long-standing issue of food insecurity, and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The study utilises a stepwise panel ordered Probit model on 146 countries, for the years 1993 to 2023. It further categorises the food production index into three categories of food security as; low, moderate and high, thereby enabling discussion of the likelihood of a country falling into one of the aforementioned food security categories over the years. Urbanisation, agricultural land, and the dummy variables introduced to represent the income groups have been identified to have a significant and favourable relationship with the food production index. In contrast, the greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy variables have a significantly inverse impact on the food production index. This makes a unique contribution to the existing body of literature, especially by comparing odds over the years, across different food secure categories, countries, and their specific income levels. This study enables policymakers to gain a comprehensive historical perspective on each case. This study further promotes the Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting areas where these goals have been negatively impacted. Additionally, the study discusses optimised investment allocations, agricultural research and development, agricultural technology, climate resilient farming, and sustainable urbanisation planning as solutions for extreme cases.Publication Embargo Expanding STEM education in low- and middle-income countries: Evidence from policy reforms in Sri Lanka(Elsevier Ltd, 2026-03-01) Priyadarshana, IGovernments in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are increasingly investing in STEM education to enhance youth employability and economic growth. Yet, the success of such initiatives depends on students’ responses, which are shaped by their perceptions, motivations, and institutional context. This study examines the effectiveness of two parallel government interventions in Sri Lanka aimed at increasing high school enrollment in STEM subjects: (1) introducing a new Technology stream and (2) upgrading selected schools to offer the Science stream. Using nationwide school census data from 2008 to 2021 and a Difference-in-Differences approach, the study compares the impacts of these interventions on student enrollment patterns across STEM and non-STEM majors. The results show that the introduction of the Technology stream had a significantly larger impact on increasing STEM enrollment and reducing non-STEM enrollments—especially among male students and those in provincial schools—compared to the Science stream intervention. The study draws on education economics and psychological theories to explain these differences, highlighting the roles of perceived returns, self-efficacy, and student interest orientation. The findings underscore the need for STEM policies to align with both student characteristics and broader systemic structures. Insights from Sri Lanka may be relevant to other LMICs where educational reforms must navigate stratified school systems, constrained resources, and persistent gender disparities in STEM participation.