Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Thomas Ameyaw-Brobbey Author-X-Name-First: Thomas Author-X-Name-Last: Ameyaw-Brobbey Title: Leveraging Chinese economic presence in the post-lockdown Ghanaian market space and the growth of China's public relations and diplomacy Abstract: Recent research indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic has deeply affected the socioeconomic life of people in sub-Saharan Africa. Consequently, the paper's purpose is to explore how the economically bottom-class citizens in Ghana - small-scale vendors - are navigating themselves out of their predicaments. Using a mixed method, I combined a structured questionnaire with unstructured interviews to collect data and examined 384 small-scale vendors in four urban centres with content analysis and SPSS descriptive statistics. I find that Ghanaian small-scale vendors are leveraging the Chinese economic presence in the Ghanaian market space to navigate themselves from the negative impacts the pandemic brought on their socioeconomic life. I argue that China's international image-building effort is growing and achieving desired outcomes in Ghana as a result of pegging economic engagement as a soft power resource. The economic engagements may further Chinese public relations and diplomacy - transforming Chinese cultural assets into soft power. I base the theoretical argument on the new public diplomacy framework. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 57-80 Issue: 1 Volume: 9 Year: 2023 Keywords: Ghana; China; COVID-19 pandemic; China's economic/business presence; living standard and poverty; small-scale vendors and low-income earners; new public diplomacy; Ghanaian market space; soft power; public relations and image building. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=128801 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:9:y:2023:i:1:p:57-80 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Kerry Liu Author-X-Name-First: Kerry Author-X-Name-Last: Liu Title: The effects of China's wolf warrior diplomacy on the Chinese economy: a stock market perspective Abstract: China's wolf warrior diplomacy has attracted worldwide attention since April 2020. There are discussions about the potential negative effects on the Chinese economy. Based on weekly Google Trends data during April 2020 to February 2022, this study creatively created a 'wolf warrior diplomacy index' used as a proxy measuring the aggressiveness or assertiveness of Chinese foreign policy. Using an exponential generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic model, this study finds that the effects of the wolf warrior diplomacy index on the Chinese stock markets, i.e., a proxy variable for the Chinese economy, are insignificant. Various robustness tests and fundamental data also support this conclusion. The implication is that, while a country's foreign policy may potentially impact its economy, its decisive force may be primarily fundamental factors. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 5-22 Issue: 1 Volume: 9 Year: 2023 Keywords: China; wolf warrior diplomacy; COVID-19; EGARCH; exponential generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic model; Shanghai stock exchange composite index; Google trends. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=128802 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:9:y:2023:i:1:p:5-22 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Vito Bobek Author-X-Name-First: Vito Author-X-Name-Last: Bobek Author-Name: Andrea Schachl Author-X-Name-First: Andrea Author-X-Name-Last: Schachl Author-Name: Tatjana Horvat Author-X-Name-First: Tatjana Author-X-Name-Last: Horvat Title: The impact of women's economic empowerment on the rise of female entrepreneurship and human capital in South Africa Abstract: The authors investigated the importance of women's economic empowerment and its impact on the rise of female entrepreneurship and human capital in South Africa. The research included a case study analysis with four in-depth expert interviews. Data triangulation ensured the study's validity, and the case was examined through pattern matching. The results demonstrate that female entrepreneurs face challenges such as access to resources and education, socio-cultural norms, a lack of social protection and a large and unprotected informal sector. The government and institutions shall promote women's enablement through a direct labour market intervention, support for the informal sector, a gender-sensitive constitutional, legal and institutional framework, the enforcement and oversight of gender-responsive laws and policies and access to resources and education. Furthermore, women require digital inclusion, entrepreneur networks, social protection and reformed socio-cultural norms. If female entrepreneurs are empowered adequately, they would contribute to nations' human capital, economic growth and development. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 23-56 Issue: 1 Volume: 9 Year: 2023 Keywords: women's economic empowerment; women entrepreneurship; self-employed females; female labour force participation; gender equality; gender-responsive policies and initiatives; female entrepreneurs in South Africa; human capital. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=128803 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:9:y:2023:i:1:p:23-56 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mohit Saini Author-X-Name-First: Mohit Author-X-Name-Last: Saini Author-Name: Mahender Yadav Author-X-Name-First: Mahender Author-X-Name-Last: Yadav Author-Name: Vaibhav Aggarwal Author-X-Name-First: Vaibhav Author-X-Name-Last: Aggarwal Author-Name: Manoj Kumar Author-X-Name-First: Manoj Author-X-Name-Last: Kumar Title: All weather friends: How did the Russia-Ukraine war impact Indian stock markets? Abstract: The article examines the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the Indian economy. Data for 12 sectoral indices and Nifty 50 were retrieved from the official website of the National Stock Exchange of India. Using event study methodology, findings suggest that on the event day, India saw negative average abnormal returns that persisted up to the fifth-day post the event day. Second, the automobile sector witnessed a continued negative abnormal return until the tenth day of the event window. The banking sector was on second, which hurt the most. It observed a high negative abnormal return. As this study supports the negative impact of the war on markets, it implies that investors diversify their funds away from the warzone markets. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 93-111 Issue: 1 Volume: 9 Year: 2023 Keywords: war; sectoral indices; India; Russia-Ukraine; event study. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=128806 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:9:y:2023:i:1:p:93-111 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Gorazd Justinek Author-X-Name-First: Gorazd Author-X-Name-Last: Justinek Title: State of economic play: European Union and economic diplomacy Abstract: The paper presents the state of economic play in the post financial and economic crisis of 2009 and the economic consequences which the pandemic will leave on largest global economies. We present the state of play for these key actors in regard to developments in the fields of sustainability and digitalisation, which in our belief will be the key priority points in the years to come. We present the views from policy and business sector point of view. The notion of Economic Diplomacy, as a soft power, is introduced into this analysis from the point of view of the relevant strength of different economies in regard to the power of their most propulsive (digitalised) companies. Comparisons between the EU, USA and China are presented and policy proposals are suggested. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 81-92 Issue: 1 Volume: 9 Year: 2023 Keywords: economic diplomacy; EU; economy; globalisation; COVID-19; sustainability; digitalisation. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=128807 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:9:y:2023:i:1:p:81-92 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Gazala Khan Author-X-Name-First: Gazala Author-X-Name-Last: Khan Author-Name: Sazzad Parwez Author-X-Name-First: Sazzad Author-X-Name-Last: Parwez Title: Navigating cultural diplomacy: a literary perspective from India Abstract: Cultural diplomacy is adopted as a medium for establishing strong international relations among countries of distinct cultures, socio-spatial dimensions and ethnicities. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is one such international body which creates space and opportunities to connect with people from different countries and tries to establish bonds of solidarity through various programs and festivals through cultural exchange. Among other mediums, books are considered a 'Soft-Power'. The paper focuses on Indian literature and how it has tried to establish bonds of solidarity on a global pedestal. It is observed that the inter-literary connections between countries like Russia, France, China, England and America proved significant in consolidating international relations. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 117-130 Issue: 2 Volume: 9 Year: 2023 Keywords: cultural diplomacy; Indian literature; soft-power; international relations. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=134634 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:9:y:2023:i:2:p:117-130 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Vaibhav Aggarwal Author-X-Name-First: Vaibhav Author-X-Name-Last: Aggarwal Author-Name: Sudhi Sharma Author-X-Name-First: Sudhi Author-X-Name-Last: Sharma Author-Name: Pankaj Kumar Author-X-Name-First: Pankaj Author-X-Name-Last: Kumar Author-Name: Jitesh Mohnot Author-X-Name-First: Jitesh Author-X-Name-Last: Mohnot Author-Name: Mahender Yadav Author-X-Name-First: Mahender Author-X-Name-Last: Yadav Title: Lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war: portfolio optimisation in cryptos and stocks for investors in Ghana Abstract: The Russia-Ukraine conflict has once again highlighted the need for diversification across asset classes to avoid the fallout of black swan events. This study aims to identify the optimal portfolio weights for long-only investors in emerging Ghana stocks and two major cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin and Ethereum. BEKK-GARCH (1, 1) has been deployed to investigate the volatility spillover between the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) and two major cryptos by market share: Bitcoin and Ethereum between January 2019 and December 2021. The influence of the COVID-19 crisis has been examined by dividing the full sample period into three sub-periods: pre-COVID-19, during-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 pandemic. This study has several important implications. First, the investors can take advantage of higher returns in cryptos by allocating low-single digits exposure and enhancing portfolio risk-adjusted returns. Second, policymakers can formulate policies to encourage more investors to adopt cryptos as an asset class in Ghana. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 160-175 Issue: 2 Volume: 9 Year: 2023 Keywords: Russia-Ukraine war; Africa; stock market; GARCH; crypto; spillover; volatility; COVID-19 pandemic. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=134635 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:9:y:2023:i:2:p:160-175 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Haitham Nobanee Author-X-Name-First: Haitham Author-X-Name-Last: Nobanee Author-Name: Hiba Zaki Shanti Author-X-Name-First: Hiba Zaki Author-X-Name-Last: Shanti Author-Name: Lama Alsaiari Author-X-Name-First: Lama Author-X-Name-Last: Alsaiari Author-Name: Bettylucille Hillebrand Author-X-Name-First: Bettylucille Author-X-Name-Last: Hillebrand Author-Name: Nadeen Hassanain Author-X-Name-First: Nadeen Author-X-Name-Last: Hassanain Author-Name: Karen Telan Author-X-Name-First: Karen Author-X-Name-Last: Telan Author-Name: Sondos Alas'ad Author-X-Name-First: Sondos Author-X-Name-Last: Alas'ad Author-Name: Baraa AlShalabi Author-X-Name-First: Baraa Author-X-Name-Last: AlShalabi Author-Name: Huda Noor Author-X-Name-First: Huda Author-X-Name-Last: Noor Author-Name: Rania Elhossary Author-X-Name-First: Rania Author-X-Name-Last: Elhossary Author-Name: Layal Khalaf Author-X-Name-First: Layal Author-X-Name-Last: Khalaf Title: Central bank and economic development: a bibliometric review of relevant literature, current streams and directions for future research Abstract: Central banks and economic growth are two vital components in constructing a country that aid in increasing output, employment rates and economy. Central banks are crucial to economic growth because they ensure financial and economic stability. This research paper aims to better understand the role of central banks in economic growth through the application of bibliometric analysis. The analysis resulted in identifying six streams related to the research topic: unemployment, financial crisis, financial system, inflation, interest rate and capital movement. Additionally, the relationship of central banks and economic development is primarily examined in terms of inflation impact, monetary policy and developing economies. Another key finding of this research states that the financial crisis may have appeared recurrently as it had influenced many central banks to develop robust policies. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 131-159 Issue: 2 Volume: 9 Year: 2023 Keywords: bibliometric analysis; central banks; cluster analysis; economic development; economic growth; financial crisis; inflation; interest rate; monetary policy; VOSviewer. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=134636 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:9:y:2023:i:2:p:131-159 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mohit Saini Author-X-Name-First: Mohit Author-X-Name-Last: Saini Author-Name: Mahender Author-X-Name-First: Author-X-Name-Last: Mahender Title: Surviving crisis: the role of sustainable investments in navigating the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war Abstract: This study examines the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on sustainable and conventional investments in India using an event study methodology. The results show that the war has a negative impact on conventional indices and a positive impact on sustainable indices for two days after the war. However, the positive impact on sustainable indices does not persist, while the conventional markets experience growth in abnormal returns with high instability. In the long run, sustainable indices have positive abnormal returns compared to low abnormal returns in conventional indices. The study also finds that sustainable indices have better performance in the long run than conventional indices post-event. The study has implications for investors, portfolio managers and policymakers, suggesting that investors and portfolio managers should diversify and minimise risk by investing in sustainable indices for the long term and policymakers should consider more stringent sustainable reporting practices. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 189-204 Issue: 2 Volume: 9 Year: 2023 Keywords: event study methodology; sustainable investment; socially responsible investment; ESG investment; Russia-Ukraine war; war crisis. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=134637 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:9:y:2023:i:2:p:189-204 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ibrahim Suleiman Roba Author-X-Name-First: Ibrahim Suleiman Author-X-Name-Last: Roba Author-Name: Patrick Maluki Author-X-Name-First: Patrick Author-X-Name-Last: Maluki Author-Name: Martin Odhiambo Ouma Author-X-Name-First: Martin Odhiambo Author-X-Name-Last: Ouma Title: Role of diplomacy in recognition of an evolving state: the case of Eritrea and South Sudan Abstract: This study sought to examine the role played by diplomacy in an evolving state using a case study of Eritrea and South Sudan. The study used mixed methods approach that included qualitative and quantitative techniques and a case study design. Purposive and simple random sampling was used to obtain 384 participants. Interviews were conducted to collect the data for the study. From the findings, the majority of the respondents (78%, 68%) indicated that diplomacy played a role in South Sudan and Eritrea state recognition. These diplomatic strategies included multi-track diplomacy, shuttle diplomacy, resistance and rebellion (diplomacy of liberation), seeking membership in international organisations, secession and self-determination and referendum. In conclusion, state recognition is a process that requires different diplomatic strategies. This makes state recognition a tedious and lengthy process with no universal diplomatic strategies. Consequently, diplomatic support from the United Nations is central to attaining statehood and eventual recognition. Journal: Int. J. of Diplomacy and Economy Pages: 176-188 Issue: 2 Volume: 9 Year: 2023 Keywords: state recognition; diplomacy and statehood; evolving state; Eritrea; South Sudan. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=134638 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijdipe:v:9:y:2023:i:2:p:176-188