Studies in Economy and Public Policy

Synergistic criteria and indicators for evaluating Small Enterprise Performance

Erkin Shavqiyev, D. H. Davirova — Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Purpose: This study investigates the criteria and indicators essential for determining the efficiency of small industrial enterprises, a sector crucial for sustainable economic development yet often underserved by traditional evaluation frameworks.

Research methodology: The research draws on existing synergistic efficiency frameworks, particularly those developed by Kondratiev et al. (2022), and integrates insights from production capacity modeling to propose a refined system of indicators suitable for small enterprises. Utilizing a mixed-method approach combining economic-mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, and case study evaluation, the study examines fluctuations in equipment utilization, labor productivity, and material efficiency over a thirty-year period.

Results: Results indicate that while material efficiency remains relatively stable, labor and equipment productivity are highly variable, reflecting inconsistencies in workforce management and capital utilization. These findings underscore the limitations of conventional metrics and the need for multidimensional models that incorporate internal and external performance drivers.

Contribution: This research contributes to the academic discourse by filling a gap in performance evaluation literature for small-scale industry and offers a foundation for future work in developing sector-specific benchmarking systems, performance dashboards, and policy instruments to support sustainable industrial growth.

Implication: The implications are significant: small enterprises require adaptive, real-time efficiency monitoring tools that are both theoretically sound and practically implementable.

Economic challenges and opportunities in climate change: The case of Africa

Aminu Abdulrahim Olayinka, Baaba Sule, Emmanuel John Kaka — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Purpose: This study aims to identify the causes and consequences of CC and some important economic potentials/opportunities and challenges for addressing CC.

Research Methodology: This paper reviews the state of knowledge on the challenges of CC, particularly the challenges related to the large uncertainties in CC projections for parts of Africa, and opportunities in energy transition modeling and projections in Africa, which can be integrated with a relatively modest effort within a shift in Africa from an economic challenges view of CCs to a long-term perspective that emphasizes livelihood security and vulnerability reduction. This study reviews the literature to assess the challenges and opportunities of CC Africa. It also identifies policy recommendations.

Results: The study found that to capitalize on the economic opportunities and bridge the economic challenges gap, governments in Africa, and technical and financial partners need to actively promote renewable energy and energy efficiency through investment incentives towards developing low-carbon economies.

Conclusions: Climate change is a two-sided issue. It is a threat to our existence, but it also offers humanity a chance to get things right for future generations.

Limitations: The study is limited to peer-reviewed research papers that cover part or the whole of Africa, concerned with the issue of the climate changes

Contribution: The findings will be useful in informing African countries’ national and international processes concerned with the implementation of various international agreements on CC and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.