International Journal of Education Economics and Development (20 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Economic prosperity, female labour force participation, and educational attainment: a comprehensive analysis from the Indian perspective  
  by Syed Suhail Yaqoob , Hebatallah Adam , Laeeq Razzak Janjua, Firdous Ahmad Malik 
  Abstract: This paper focuses on the causality between Labour female force participation, real income and education in India. This study uses the Vector Auto-regressive (VAR) model to study the dynamic relationship among the relevant variables in India. For this paper, the secondary data covering 1992-2022 is employed. The paper further uses the VECM-based Ganger-causality test for analyzing the direction of causality. The Ganger-causality test via the VECM framework suggests bi-directional causality from real income and female labour force participation. There is also bi-directional causality between female education and Female Labour force participation. However, there is unidirectional causality between actual income and Female education. The causality is from real income to female education in India. The paper argues that policymakers must concentrate on variables simultaneously as there is bi-directional causality among variables.
  Keywords: labour force female participation; real income; education; VECM; causality.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2026.10071080
   
  
• The rates of return on private and social investments in Greek upper secondary education: are investments in general or vocational education more profitable?  
  by Argyro Velaora, Constantinos Tsamadias, George Stamoulis 
  Abstract: This study, which recognises education as an investment, estimates the private and social rates of return in upper secondary education in Greece overall and by type of education (general or vocational). It applies the method of cost-benefit analysis, specifically its refined version. The study utilises earning data from primary research with stratified sampling from the private sector of the economy and cost data from sources. The empirical analysis shows that investing in upper secondary education (overall, general, and vocational) is profitable. The private and social rates of return in upper general secondary education are higher than those in vocational education. Sensitivity analysis shows that private and social returns are significantly affected by changes in costs, with cost reduction having a positive effect on returns.
  Keywords: upper secondary education; general; vocational education; cost-benefit analysis; IRR.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2026.10071559
   
  
• Organisational performance under environmental complexity and uncertainty: roles of emergent strategy and intellectual capital  
  by Bambang Tjahjadi, Noorlailie Soewarno, Johnny Jermias, Anang Kistyanto, Annisa Ayu Putri Sutarsa, Tsanya El Karima 
  Abstract: The outbreak of COVID-19 has triggered complexity and uncertainty in the community, including the higher education institutions (HEIs) environment. This study investigates how environmental complexity and uncertainty can affect HEIs’ performance using the industrial organisation (IO) theory, institutional theory, and resource-based view (RBV). This study also examines whether this relationship is mediated by emergent strategy and intellectual capital. We employ an online survey method on the 50 best public and private HEIs in Indonesia according to the Webometrics 2021 version with a total of 529 colleges/schools/faculties. A total of 119 research data were collected and analysed. The results show that high environmental complexity and uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a decrease in organisational performance. This study contributes to providing empirical evidence to the theories. The results also provide strategic information to the management of HEIs regarding the importance of emergent strategy and intellectual capital in handling environmental complexity and uncertainty to improve organisational performance.
  Keywords: environmental complexity and uncertainty; emergent strategy; intellectual capital; HEIs’ performance; quality education.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2026.10072197
   
  
• Analysis of the difference in financial literacy between boys and girls in Brazilian schools based on PISA data  
  by Kalinca Léia Becker, Paula Prodócimo, Rômulo Cesar Reisdorfer Da Silva, Natali Morgana Cassola, Kelmara Mendes Vieira 
  Abstract: This study aims to analyse the literacy gap between boys and girls based on data from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). The sample used is from PISA 2018, which provides data on the performance of students aged 15 and measures the extent to which students have acquired the knowledge and skills essential for full participation in social and economic life. To this end, proficiency equations were estimated for boys and girls and the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition method was used to decompose the difference in proficiency averages. The results indicate that adolescent boys have a higher proficiency, with a difference of 6.65 points on average compared to adolescent girls. This discrepancy is explained by the structural effect, suggesting that underlying factors not directly observed, such as the dynamics of the division of household labour and social influences, play a significant role in the financial education gap observed between males and females.
  Keywords: financial literacy; gender inequality; program for international student assessment; PISA.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2027.10073684
   
  
• Nexus between the public expenditure in education and economic growth in a least developed landlocked country: the case of Nepal  
  by Basudeb Khanal 
  Abstract: This study examines the relationship between Nepal's economic growth and government spending on education by utilising 38 years of time series data (1985-2022). The Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model shows that public education spending has a favourable effect on economic growth over the long run as well as the short run. The results highlight how important it is to make large investments in education as a means of attaining substantial and long-lasting economic advancement. Such investments also improve important elements like labour force participation and fixed capital formation, which together support Nepal's long-term economic growth. The study emphasises the necessity for the country's developmental strategies to emphasise education expenses, identifying it as a vital means for driving sustainable economic growth in the long run.
  Keywords: economic growth; public expenditure; education; Nepal.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2027.10074133
   
  
• The Impact of the Family Kinship Structure and Maternal Empowerment on the Education of Daughters in Malawi  
  by Marinella Boccia, Fernanda Mazzotta, Anna Papaccio, Lavinia Parisi 
  Abstract: This research examines the theoretical and empirical relationship between women's power and children's years of schooling in Malawi using the Integrated Household Panel Survey (IHPS-2010-2013-2016). To investigate the trade-off between schooling and domestic productivity, we build a model of household decision-making that takes into account the type of customary law (of the family) as well as parents' preferences about the gender of their children. We develop a female power index (FPI), which measures each woman's intra-household decision-making within her family, and then test-empirically- the theoretical results through a random effects estimation. Our findings imply that women's power improves daughters' education, and that the education level differs according to the family's kinship structure. In fact, in a matrilineal system, if the mother has more power, the daughter gets more in terms of years of education, but in patrilineal systems a woman's authority alone is not sufficient to reach the same results.
  Keywords: Female Power; Kinship System; Children's Education; Africa.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2026.10074417
   
  
• Does a TVET graduate's accomplishment depend on the program's nature, length, or socioeconomic status? An analysis comparing graduates from high-, low-, and digital-paradigm fields  
  by Gazi Mahabubul Alam, D.A.I. Xiaoli, Vesna Skrbinjek, Karima Bashir, MIAO LEI 
  Abstract: Through a cross-sectional survey, group regression served to evaluate the relation between program nature, duration and SES. The findings showed that: firstly, program duration moderates the effect of SES on graduates’ success (?=-0.302, p<0.05); and secondly, the moderating effect of program duration on graduates' success is significantly different for the three program types: high-paradigm discipline (?=0.034, p>0.05), low-paradigm discipline (?=-0.585, p<0.01), and digital-paradigm discipline (?=-0.507, p<0.05). Additionally, the nature of the program strongly moderates the success of graduates in digital-paradigm (?=-0.256, p<0.05) and low-paradigm (?=-0.439, p<0.001) disciplines. By advocating for equal education from basic to tertiary levels, this study contributes to the conversation on TVET education by addressing the impact of socioeconomic status on education. The study made the case that maintaining equal educational options should stop prejudice and the SES effect while also improving the success of TVET graduates.
  Keywords: TVET graduates; program nature; program duration; success; SES; TVET-plus.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2027.10074710
   
  
• Transformational Leadership and Lecturer Performance: the Mediating Role of Organisational Identification  
  by Vu Hung Dang, Thao Hong Phuong Chau 
  Abstract: This research presents a novel model that investigates the impact of transformational leadership on lecturers' performance, with a specific emphasis on the mediating role of organisational identification. A total of 205 surveys were collected from lecturers at a university located in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. The gathered data underwent analysis employing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) techniques. The findings of the analysis reveal that both transformational leadership and organisational identification have a positive influence on lecturers' performance, and the mediating role of organisational identification is supported. The study also discusses the theoretical and practical contributions of this research, and suggests potential avenues for further investigation based on the identified limitations.
  Keywords: Transformational leadership; organisational identification; lecturer performance; Vietnam.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2027.10074716
   
  
• Do Residential Colleges Remove the Education Gaps Developed by Socioeconomic Status and Enable Sustainable Education Development Possible? A Comparative Study  
  by Pingping Gui, Gazi Mahabubul Alam, Vesna Skrbinjek 
  Abstract: The efficacy of RCs within private universities, has received limited research attention. This paper contrasts RCs in both public and private tertiary institutions in an effort to explore the contributions to sustainable development in China’s education system. Data from a survey conducted among RC and non-RC individuals from public and private universities were analyzed utilizing the quantitative research method. Findings suggest that RCs, regardless of institutional affiliation, fail to provide equitable access for students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, with a particularly pronounced enrollment gap in the private sector. Consequently, despite the fact that RCs are effective in mitigating academic inequalities, prioritizing equitable access for people from poorer SES backgrounds is crucial for advancing sustainable education and achieving the SDGs.
  Keywords: residential college · education gap · socioeconomic status ·sustainable education · China.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2026.10074719
   
  
• Risk and its management process in universities - literature review 2003-2023.  
  by Marek Michalski, Washington Guevara Piedra, José Luis Montes-Botella 
  Abstract: This research paper presents a literature review and provides a synthesis on risk, its management process and mitigation strategies. Our review focuses first on the characteristics of the risk phenomenon and its different and distinct definitions, highlighting a lack of consensus in its interpretation. Next, we address the common characteristics used by researchers looking for the connections between them that would have allowed a common understanding. On this basis, we present the process of risk mitigation in academic environments looking for the existing connections with the risk management process addressed. Finally, we review the empirical approaches applied to identify the areas with a greater interest from researchers as those that would need greater attention from academia, proposing future lines of research.
  Keywords: risk management process; mitigation strategies; information security; organisational resilience; strategic planning.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2027.10075902
   
  
• Designing classrooms for immersive experiential-based learning projects  
  by Rujirutana Mandhachitara 
  Abstract: In order to reach the expected learning outcomes of experiential based term projects, this paper introduces three prongs of classroom flipping model, including scaffolding, elaboration of likelihood model and framing theory, for an instructor to plan, design, communicate and manage the experiential-based term project. The paper tests the effectiveness of this classroom flipping model through a triangulation research design with mixed method data collection tools, including, self-reflection essay self-administered survey and interjudging approach. These tools measure student learning and engagement toward a semester-long experiential-based term project on their professional future-ready skill development. Data was collected from marketing students enrolled in a junior-core class at a small rural college. The findings confirm the key professional skills by which students obtained from the experiential-based learning term project, including problem solving, critical thinking and critical reflection, learning to learn and perceived impact to community.
  Keywords: flipping classroom; experiential learning; future-ready professional skills; marketing education.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2027.10076365
   
  
• Career preparation ecosystem: a conceptual model to determine career success of millennial and Z generation  
  by Irfan An Naufal, Olivia Fachrunnisa 
  Abstract: This study aims to develop a comprehensive conceptual model of a career preparation ecosystem to help the millennial and z generation workforce achieve career success. This career design ecosystem concept involves three entities, providing implications for potential college graduates and companies (employers). This study uses a mixed research approach with quantitative and content analysis. Data collection techniques include questionnaires involving 139 respondents and documentation studies from job content on online job portal platforms and official Higher Education Institutions websites. The results show an imbalance between the career success expectations of prospective workers and the recruitment strategies of the industry. Additionally, there needs to be more clarity between the career preparation of prospective workers and the career preparation programs offered by higher education institutions. Therefore, a conceptual career ecosystem model is needed to bridge this gap.
  Keywords: career success; gap analysis; career preparation ecosystem.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2027.10076601
   
  
• Youth unemployment nexus school dropout: evidence from Eastern Ethiopia  
  by Sisay Diriba Lemessa, Emana Beyene Gebregiorgis 
  Abstract: Youth unemployment and school dropout remain critical challenges in developing countries. Previous research often treats these problems in isolation. Studies that consider both have relied on limited methodological approaches. This study seeks to address these gaps by providing new empirical evidence on the nexus between youth unemployment and school dropouts in Eastern Ethiopia. We apply two-stage residual inclusion and Poisson regression models using a household survey. The results show that higher household income and greater distance from school significantly reduce the expected number of dropouts. In contrast, larger household sizes substantially increase the number of unemployed youths, while household landownership significantly reduces the likelihood of youth unemployment. The analysis reveals a mutually reinforcing nexus between unemployment and school dropout. The findings point to the need for comprehensive policy interventions that simultaneously address both outcomes.
  Keywords: school dropouts; youth unemployment; Poisson model; nexus; Ethiopia.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2027.10076797
   
  
• Exploring factors influencing the ChatGPT usage in Albanian University  
  by Dorjana Feimi, Fioralba Vela 
  Abstract: This study explored factors associated with the frequency of ChatGPT use among university students in Albania, focusing on academic level, perceived effectiveness, and perceived barriers. Survey data were collected from 205 students and analysed using correlation and regression techniques. The results showed that students at higher academic levels particularly master’s and doctoral candidates reported more frequent use of ChatGPT than undergraduates, suggesting that increased academic demands may encourage greater reliance on AI-based support tools. Perceived effectiveness was positively related to ChatGPT usage, indicating that students who view the tool as helpful for tasks such as idea generation, explanation of concepts, or writing support tend to incorporate it more regularly into their academic routines. Conversely, perceived barriers including technical challenges, limited internet access, or lack of familiarity with the tool were negatively associated with usage, suggesting that infrastructural and skill-based obstacles can hinder student engagement. These findings highlight the importance of addressing both enabling and limiting conditions surrounding AI adoption in higher education. The study offers practical insights for institutions aiming to enhance AI literacy, reduce access barriers, and promote responsible and equitable use of tools like ChatGPT in academic settings.
  Keywords: ChatGPT usage; academic level; perceived effectiveness; barriers; Albania University.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2027.10077088
   
  
• Realigning vocational education: closing the gap between skills and employment opportunities  
  by Dumadi , Catur Raharjo Febrayanto, Ira Amanda Hirbasari, Lintang Prahita Ningarum , Fitri Susiyanti, Mohammad Agus Yulianto 
  Abstract: High unemployment rates among vocational school graduates in Brebes Regency highlight the urgent need for interventions to address the mismatch between education and industry demands. This study aims to analyse the discrepancy between job availability and vocational programmes in Brebes, proposing recommendations to mitigate this issue. By examining the profiles of vocational schools, programme popularity, and the alignment with industry needs, the research identified a significant gap, notably in agriculture and industrial sectors. Recommendations include integrating soft skills, fostering industry partnerships for internships, strategically managing student enrolment, and establishing industrial clusters for enhanced synergy and innovation. These strategies aim to reduce unemployment, improve workforce quality, and stimulate economic competitiveness in Brebes Regency.
  Keywords: unemployment; education; skills; job.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2027.10077089
   
  
• Evaluating students’ financial literacy and preferences for digital financial assets: a behavioural experiment  
  by Melpomeni Anysiadou 
  Abstract: Cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies have been an ever-evolving field in recent years. Young consumers’ attitude towards these technologies requires special investigation, as their participation in using these products can shape the evolution of each economy. The research investigated young Greek consumers’ financial literacy, their perceptions regarding the use of cryptocurrencies, and their actual behaviour in adopting innovative products, in contrast to the already established traditional products, such as shares and cash. A good financial level was revealed, as well as characteristics related to money management, the perceived benefits of cryptocurrencies, and individual elements that positively influenced adoption. This multifaceted research approach has provided valuable insights that can inform interested parties, such as marketing managers, on the effective management of financial products. The early adoption of these methodologies by policy educators could lead to a brighter future, where students are equipped with a deeper understanding of financial products and services.
  Keywords: cryptocurrency; financial literacy; young consumers; experimental economics; assets.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2027.10077239
   
  
• Microeconomic and macroeconomic factors determining individual preferences for education  
  by Nitsotolis Vasileios 
  Abstract: The article attempts to shed light on the ongoing discussion about the factors that determine individual choices about public spending, reforms and education. The paper examines the effects of individual choices on support for strengthening public education. The data used are drawn from the Eurobarometer surveys, Eurostat and OECD. The empirical models confirm previous findings that individual preferences are affected by microeconomic and macroeconomic variables. The empirical evidence supports that some demographic, economic and educational individual characteristics, together with the socioeconomic and educational inequality characteristics of a country, shape the individual preferences for education.
  Keywords: education; European countries; individual preferences; political economy.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2027.10078220
   
  
• Impact of work-life balance on enrichment and well-being of female teaching professionals  
  by Shweta Sharma, Shiwangi Sharma 
  Abstract: This study investigates the relationship between work-life balance (WLB) and factors such as job enrichment, well-being, and job satisfaction among female academicians in higher education. It also examines the moderating role of work environment and training and development in these relationships. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that WLB is negatively related to job enrichment but positively associated with both job satisfaction and employee well-being. Additionally, job enrichment and well-being were found to be positively related to job satisfaction. The study further identifies the work environment as a moderator in the relationships between WLB and job enrichment, as well as WLB and job satisfaction. Furthermore, training and development moderates the relationship between job enrichment and job satisfaction, and between well-being and job satisfaction. These findings highlight the complex dynamics between personal-professional balance and job outcomes, emphasising the need for supportive organisational practices to enhance female academics’ professional experiences and overall satisfaction.
  Keywords: work-life balance; WLB; job enrichment; well-being; training and development; T&D; work environment; job satisfaction.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2027.10078559
   
  
• Brain drain and skill mismatch: can higher and vocational education bridge the gap?  
  by Predrag Trpeski, Violeta Cvetkoska, Igor Ivanovski, Filip Peovski, Bojan Kitanovikj, Fekede Tuli Gemeda, Ephrem Tekle Yacob, Adula Bekele Hunde, Sergii Melnyk, Andrii Lytvynchuk, Hanna Tereshchenko, Olga Anisimova 
  Abstract: This comparative study examines how skilled migration and brain drain shape the capacity of higher education institutions (HEIs) and vocational education providers in North Macedonia, Ethiopia, and Ukraine to address skill shortages. Using a mixedmethods design, we conducted 66 semistructured interviews with HEIs, VETs, labour market intermediaries, and policy stakeholders, and triangulated the findings with secondary data on migration, education, and employment. While most HEIs and VETs perceive their programmes as aligned with labour market needs, systematic tracking of graduate outcomes is rare, and curriculum updates often lag behind technological and organisational change. Limited industry collaboration and chronic funding constraints further widen skill gaps, while existing measures such as targeted training and wage subsidies produce only partial and contextspecific effects. Interviewees emphasised the need for richer internships, flexible learning pathways, and modernised, technologyinfused curricula. The findings highlight an urgent call for stronger publicprivate partnerships, reinforced international cooperation, and comprehensive curriculum reforms to prevent brain drain and align education with evolving labourmarket demands. The article contributes to global research through a threecountry comparison of how education systems in migrantorigin countries respond to skill shortages induced by brain drain.
  Keywords: brain drain; skill mismatch; migration; higher education; vocational training; labour market.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2028.10079826
   
  
• Assessing the efficiency of education in OECD countries using entropy-based and bootstrap data envelopment analysis  
  by Burcu Çelikten, Hasan Türe 
  Abstract: Recent economic shocks such as inflation, unemployment and exchange rate volatility have renewed attention to the role of education systems in societal welfare and sustainable development. Assessing the efficiency of education systems is therefore crucial for policymakers seeking to improve resource allocation. This study evaluates the relative efficiency of education systems in 26 OECD countries using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The main dataset refers to 2023; where data were unavailable, missing observations were completed using the closest available year within the 2018-2023 period to ensure a balanced dataset. To address limitations of conventional DEA related to unrestricted weight flexibility, input and output weights are determined objectively using an entropy-based approach. In addition, a Simar-Wilson bootstrap DEA procedure is employed to assess robustness and obtain bias-corrected efficiency scores. The findings show that deterministic DEA tends to overestimate efficiency, highlighting cross-country differences and potential areas for performance improvement.
  Keywords: education system; comparative education; efficiency analysis; data envelopment analysis; DEA; PISA scores; OECD countries; entropy weighting; bootstrap DEA; resource allocation; benchmarking.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2028.10079850