Research Papers - Dept of Information of Management
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://rda.sliit.lk/handle/123456789/607
Browse
16 results
Search Results
Publication Open Access Life expectancy economic growth and resilience in resource constrained economies in the context of COVID-19 and the sustainable development goals(Springer Nature, 2025-11-12) Samadhini, D; Lakshan, P; Nirmani, P; Dulmin, L; Jayathilaka, RThis study contributes to the sustainable development discourse by examining the interplay between health (life expectancy) and economic growth (EG), which is central to Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). By investigating the dynamic relationship between Life Expectancy (LE) and EG, measured by LE rates and Per Capita Gross Domestic Product (PGDP), in 51 low and lower-middle-income countries from 1990 to 2023, with a particular focus on the disruptive impact of COVID-19. Employing Wavelet Coherence analysis, Granger Causality, and Johansen Cointegration tests, this study reveals critical relationships and identifies both short and long-term equilibrium linkages within health and economic systems. By explicitly situating the findings within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the study highlights how improvements in population health (SDG 3) and economic resilience (SDG 8) can be mutually reinforcing. It further provides evidence to guide policy interventions and sustainable development strategies. Further results indicate that, while the pandemic weakened short-term causalities, long-term cointegration remains intact, underscoring the need for integrated strategies that simultaneously strengthen health systems and promote inclusive EG. These insights provide critical guidelines for policymakers in resource-constrained contexts seeking to progress toward the SDGs and enhance resilience against future economic shocks. The findings provide insight into how health-system strengthening, and sustainable economic policies can jointly advance progress toward the SDGs.Publication Open Access Breaking the cycle: long-term socio economic determinants of child labour in SAARC countries(BioMed Central Ltd, 2025-11-19) Magammana, T; Muthugala, H; Bandara, A; Perera, A; Jayathilaka, RBackground: Child labour remains a critical issue in SAARC countries, driven by various socio-economic factors. While previous studies have explored individual determinants, limited research has been conducted on their collective long-term impact. Understanding how structural and economic conditions shape child labour trends is essential for designing effective policy interventions. Methods: This study engages panel cointegration techniques to examine the long-term relationship between child labour and key socio-economic drivers in SAARC countries. It assesses the impact of education, access to healthcare, economic conditions, labour market dynamics, foreign investment, and urbanisation on the prevalence of child labour. Results: The findings confirm a stable, long-term relationship between child labour and these determinants in each SAARC country. Improvements in education and health significantly reduce child labour. However, economic growth and urbanisation have complex, country-specific effects. Higher unemployment and increased FDI may also influence child labour, emphasising the need for targeted policy responses. Conclusions: The study highlights the significance of ongoing investments in education and healthcare. Labour market reforms are crucial to mitigate the impact of unemployment, while inclusive economic policies ensure that growth benefits vulnerable populations. Targeted strategies for FDI and urbanisation are necessary to prevent unintended consequences on child labour. Combating child labour in SAARC countries requires a multi-sectoral approach. Regional collaboration is crucial for sharing best practices, developing unified strategies, and enhancing cross-border initiatives. Holistic policies integrating education, health, and economic planning are key to reducing child labour.Publication Open Access Five decades of globalisation and growth: a cross-country causal analysis of low-income economies(Elsevier Ltd, 2026-01-19) Rathnayake, D; Sandanayaka, I; Wijesuriya, P; Athalage, D; Jayathilaka, RComprehending the dynamic between globalisation and economic growth in low-income nations is vital to understanding how they navigate growth trajectories whilst addressing global concerns. This study examined the nexus between globalisation and its financial, social, and political facets in relation to growth in fourteen lowincome nations. The analysis spanned over five decades and the Wavelet Coherence and Granger Causality methodologies. The findings revealed a bidirectional causal relationship between globalisation and growth in Rwanda, unidirectional causal flows in Burundi, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Uganda. A bidirectional relationship between economic integration and growth was identified in Burkina Faso. Possible policy actions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals have been developed, focusing on the country-specific dynamics of each nation. These policy recommendations comprise introducing incentives for foreign investments in Rwanda and liberalising trade in Burkina Faso to reinforce economic globalisation. The study also recommends the expansion of digital infrastructure and global educational avenues in Burundi and Uganda to strengthen social integration, and the reinforcement of governance mechanisms in Chad and Togo to encourage political integration. This study contributes to the globalisation-growth literature by offering time-sensitive insights into the growth trajectories of low-income economies.Publication Open Access Mapping causal relationships between migration and economic growth: A visual and empirical approach(Elsevier, 2025-09-17) Azmi, Y; Landersz, S; Dissanayake, P; Chloe, LThe focus of this study is to identify whether causal relationships exist between migration and economic growth across countries in the Asian continent. Real GDP per capita and net migration per capita were used to measure economic growth and net migration, respectively. A dataset comprising panel data from 1994 to 2023, covering 41 countries, was utilised. The Bootstrap Dumitrescu and Hurlin Granger non-causality test was conducted for a continental analysis of Asia. Further, the Granger causality Wald test was undertaken for in-depth country-level analysis. The empirical results indicate a unidirectional causality in Asian continent, and Eastern, and Western Asian sub reigns while other sub reigns indicated no causality. Additionally, while majority of the countries indicated no causality, seven countries namely, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan, Viet Nam, Sri Lanka, Macao SAR China, Malaysia and Rep. Korea indicated unidirectional causalities. Based on these findings, implications were made for policymakers when developing economic policies that leverage the economic potential of net migration.Publication Open Access Brain drain or economic gain? Untangling the global migration-growth puzzle through causality and time-frequency lenses(Elsevier, 2025-07-22) Dissanayake, P.; Chloe, L; Azmi, Y; Landersz, S; Jayathilaka, RThis study investigates the complex causal relationships between net migration and economic growth at the global, income group, and country levels, framing these dynamics within the evolving landscape of global economic integration and disparities, thereby addressing the enduring “brain drain or economic gain” debate. The analysis is conducted employing the latest available panel data from 1990 to 2023 for 154 countries. Additionally, several advance analytical techniques including Juodis, Karavias and Sarafidis non-causality test and Wavelet Transform Coherence is utilised to investigate relationships across multiple scales and time frequencies. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no prior research has examined these dynamics using these methods. Additionally, a novel visualisation technique called Lucius Jesper Chloe heatmap, was utilised to depict the Granger causalities. The findings confirm a relationship between migration and economic growth on a global scale. Further analysis reveals bidirectional and unidirectional relationships within income groups and countries. Finally, implications are made for policymakers to develop economic policies that leverage the economic potential of migration and vice versa.Publication Open Access Globalisation and growth nexus: Evidence from Africa through Granger Causality and Wavelet Coherence(Elsevier, 2025-06-08) Wijesuriya, P.; Athalage, D; Rathnayake, D; Sandanayaka, I; Jayathilaka, RThis study analyses the causal relationship between economic growth with globalisation and its economic, social and political facets in 33 African nations, for 51 years from 1971 to 2021. On an empirical perspective, the Granger Causality Test is utilised in the cross-country analysis, with the Wavelet Coherence methodology being conducted to comprehend the growth-globalisation nexus for the African region. Conceptually, the study is based on the Endogenous Growth and Dependency theories in identifying how globalisation drives growth in Africa. Unidirectional causal flows between globalisation and growth have been revealed for Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Mauritania, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. Bidirectional causal flows between globalisation and growth have been revealed for Eswatini, Egypt and Rwanda. The study also suggests the strengthening of economic, social and political integrations, leveraging natural resources for sustainable growth, and cultivating resilience against external shocks while extending targeted support for low-performing nations in the region as strategies to improve the globalisation-growth nexus in the region. The study contributes to the existing literature by providing a holistic assessment of the growth-globalisation dynamics in Africa and its regional nations, extending over five decades, and using a dual-method approach.Publication Open Access The interplay between globalisation and economic growth: a multi‑regional analysis(Springer Nature, 2025-06-10) Athalage, D; Wijesuriya, P; Sandanayaka, I; Rathnayake, D; Jayathilaka, RGlobalisation is recognised as a prospective dynamic that facilitates the performance and expansion of economies. This study analyses the causal progression between globalisation, its sub dimensions (economic, social and political) and economic growth spanning 97 countries and six regions (Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America) covering the period from 1971 to 2021. The Panel Granger causality test is employed as the statistical methodology to comprehend the nexus between globalisation and economic growth. The Granger results reveal bi-directional causal flows between economic growth and globalisation in Asia, North America, and Oceania, along with one-way causal flows in Africa, South America, and Europe. Bidirectional dynamics pertaining to economic globalisation were also revealed in Asia, Africa, Oceania, and Europe. This study recommends the enhancement of regional integration, addressing of structural changes, leveraging the use of technology, and the development of comprehensive globalisation strategies with respect to regions with the intention of reinforcing their globalisation-growth stance, while complementing the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.Publication Open Access Carbon emissions across income groups: exploring the role of trade, energy use, and economic growth(Springer Nature, 2025-07-10) Dharmapriya, N; Gunawardena, V; Methmini, D; Jayathilaka, R; Rathnayake, NThis study investigates the interplay of trade openness, energy consumption, and gross domestic product (GDP) on carbon emissions across different income groups, analysing data from 163 countries from 2000 to 2019. Using panel regression and multiple linear regression techniques, the findings highlight energy consumption as the principal driver of carbon emissions across all income categories, underscoring its central role in environmental sustainability challenges. High-income countries, despite technological advancements, continue to exhibit substantial emissions due to their reliance on fossil fuels. In contrast low-income nations face difficulties in balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability, often lacking the resources to adopt cleaner energy alternatives. The study emphasises the urgent need for income-specific strategies to reduce carbon emissions, advocating for the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources and tailored policy interventions. These insights align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), by promoting the integration of economic development with environmental stewardship. By addressing disparities across income levels, this research offers actionable recommendations for policymakers to support equitable and sustainable practices globally.Publication Open Access Surviving the first five years: the economic and healthcare determinants of child mortality in Sri Lanka(Springer Nature, 2025-06-21) Rajapakse, V; Jayathilaka, RBackground This study investigates the role of economic growth, healthcare investment, immunization coverage, and malnutrition in reducing under-five mortality rates (U5MR) in Sri Lanka. Understanding how these factors interact within socio-economic ecosystems is essential to formulating sustainable strategies to improve child survival outcomes. Methods This study employs multiple linear regression to analyze the statistical associations between economic growth, healthcare investment, immunization, malnutrition, and under-five mortality in Sri Lanka. Using secondary data from the World Bank and UNICEF (2000–2021), U5MR was modeled against economic growth (per capita GDP), government healthcare expenditure (GHE), immunization coverage (DTP1), and malnutrition (MLN), with significance assessed through p-values and model fit via R². Results The multiple linear regression model demonstrated strong explanatory power, accounting for 85% of the variation in under-five mortality (R² = 0.85). Economic growth and immunization coverage were negatively associated with U5MR and found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05 and p < 0.10 respectively), indicating their potential role in reducing child mortality. Malnutrition showed a strong positive association (p < 0.01), emphasizing its continued threat to child health. Although government healthcare expenditure had a negative association, it was not statistically significant, suggesting possible inefficiencies in resource utilization. Conclusion The study highlights the significant role of economic growth, healthcare expenditure, immunization coverage, and nutrition in shaping U5MR trends in Sri Lanka. The findings emphasize the need for targeted policy interventions to enhance child health outcomes and ensure sustainable progress in reducing child mortality.Publication Open Access Interweaving globalisation and growth: A causal exploration across income levels(Elsevier, 2025-02-28) Sandanayaka, I; Rathnayake, D; Athalage, D; Wijesuriya, P; Jayathilaka, REconomic growth is a crucial global macroeconomic goal and globalisation is widely regarded as a key driver of growth in today's interconnected world. However, previous studies have largely examined this relationship in a generalised manner, often without allocating equal focus to the multiple dimensions of globalisation. This study explores the causal relationship between economic growth and globalisation—encompassing its economic, social, and political dimensions—across 97 countries grouped by income level. The analysis spans 51 years (1971–2021) and employed the Panel Granger Causality Test. Unlike most existing studies, which primarily focus on global and country-level trends, the current findings disclose a bidirectional relationship between economic growth and globalisation in both high and low-income groups. The results also reveal a growth driven globalisation in the upper-middle-income group, and a globalisation-driven growth in the lower-middle income group. Accordingly, policy recommendations are formulated in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations and tailored to income specific contexts to assist stakeholders in drafting effective and personalised strategies. These include promoting sustainable production practices and technology transfers in low-income nations, enhancing policies to support international trade in the lower-middle-income group, investing in human capital development in upper-middle-income nations, and encouraging technological advancements in high-income nations. This study contributes to the empirical literature on the globalisation-growth nexus across income classifications, offering intricate and timely insights spanning a fifty-year timeframe.