International Journal of Education Economics and Development (17 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• The price of progress: how much are households spending on shadow education in India?  
  by Pushpendra Singh, Archana Singh 
  Abstract: This study examines the factors driving the growth of private coaching institutes in India and their impact on educational equity and accessibility. Using data from the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO), specifically the 75th round of 20172018. The result indicates that private coaching is more prevalent among students from urban areas, affluent households, and upper-caste families. However, coaching expenses, comprising 15.2% of total educational expenses, pose a significant financial burden on students in rural areas. The study underscores the importance for policymakers, educators, and families to address the challenge of accessing educational coaching and managing the financial strain on students and their households. Furthermore, it suggests that the proliferation of private coaching centres may worsen existing disparities in educational opportunities and perpetuate cycles of inequality.
  Keywords: private coaching institutes; educational equity; shadows education; education expenditure; India.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2025.10064376
   
  
• Education financing: a bibliometric survey of educational spending  
  by P.D. Singh, Abhinav Chandel, Deepti Semwal, Abhishek Kumar Singh 
  Abstract: Education financing is a new concept to improve education quality. Until now, however, no study has provided a comprehensive review of this field. To overcome this gap, we postulate a comprehensive overview of educational expenditure using bibliometric analysis technology. Using Co-citation analysis, we have concluded the knowledge and thematic structure of educational funding for 2001-2020. The results help researchers identify appropriate levels of emphasis on education financing. The scope of the present study is restricted to the bibliographical examination of biographical information obtained exclusively from the Scopus database. Furthermore, since only one of these quality papers is listed, future research may be conducted using merged bibliography data from Scopus and Web of Science. To better understand the research paradigm from high-quality publications, future research can use only bibliographic analyses of articles listed on the SCI, SSCI, and ABDC lists.
  Keywords: education; public spending; education spending; education policy; higher education; bibliometric analysis; financing on education.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2025.10064814
   
  
• Remittance and financial development: a comparison between highly- and less-educated migrants  
  by Md Abdur Rahman Forhad, Gazi Mahabubul Alam, Vesna Skrbinjek 
  Abstract: While many studies explored the impact of remittances on recipient countries’ economic development, this study uniquely investigates a comparative analysis between highly-educated and less-educated migrants on financial development. This study uses macro-level data from the World Development Indicators and employs an instrumental variable approach. Findings indicate that remittance generally boosts the financial development of recipient countries, with remittances from low-educated migrants promoting better financial inclusion. To ensure a sustainable positive impact of remittance from both groups of migrants on financial development, easing domestic and international policies related to foreign employment and investment opportunities is important.
  Keywords: remittances; highly-educated migrants; low-educated migrants; financial development.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2025.10065155
   
  
• The impacts of technology and human capital on Malaysias multifactor productivity  
  by Noorazeela Zainol Abidin, Ng Wei Jian 
  Abstract: Despite rising tertiary education in Malaysia, MFP growth remains unaffected, and the increasing number of skilled workers has not significantly influenced MFP. As Malaysia moves toward Industrial Revolution 4.0, low R&D expenditure continues to hinder productivity. This study aims to analyse the impacts of technology and human capital on MFP from 1990 to 2021 using the ARDL method. The findings reveal that R&D positively affects MFP in both the short and long run. High-skilled labour has a positive impact in the long run but a negative one in the short run. Education positively influences MFP in the short run but negatively in the long run. Policymakers should prioritise enhancing the education system by introducing more initiatives and support. Additionally, the government should provide subsidies for employers to promote skill-enhancing training programs and increase R&D spending to foster innovation. These measures will drive productivity growth and technological advancement in Malaysia.
  Keywords: human capital; technology; multifactor productivity; MFP; skill labour; Malaysia.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2025.10066624
   
  
• National university systems as agents for regional development: the Brazilian case  
  by W. E. Hewitt  
  Abstract: Post-secondary institutions in the Global South are playing an increasingly important role in the regional development process, providing educational services and training to citizens, developing important policy levers, and by supporting research and innovation. At the same time, such interventions within regional economies have been relatively uneven, and dependent upon the particular strengths and ambitions of regional institutions. Based upon an in-depth analysis of Brazil’s extensive federal university network, this study attempts to move beyond current understandings within the literature to shed additional light on the factors that could help determine the effectiveness of the regional university’s development function particularly in a context of uneven regional growth. Specifically, it examines which elements of the national university system are effectively capable of undertaking this role, and then for these, how investments in post-secondary education have positioned federal universities to achieve this end. The study concludes that despite strong national policy incentives, significant challenges remain in the development of a national system that can fully address the needs and aspirations of Brazil’s less affluent regions.
  Keywords: Brazil; federal universities; regional development; post-secondary institutions.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2025.10066651
   
  
• The effectiveness of a gamification-based training program in developing some social communication skills of students with autism spectrum disorder  
  by Worud Awamleh 
  Abstract: This study examined the effectiveness of a gamification-based training program in developing the social communication skills of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher prepared a training program based on gamification in developing some social communication skills, a test to measure some social communication skills, and a post-measuring test to measure the students' performance level at the end of the training program. The study followed the comparative descriptive approach due to its suitability to the objectives of the study. The results of the study indicated the effectiveness of the gamification-based program in developing some social communication skills among the study sample. The use of a gamification strategy has increased the development of some social communication skills in the post-achievement academic test as a whole compared to the traditional method.
  Keywords: effectiveness; gamification; social communication skills; autism spectrum disorder; ASD.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2025.10067323
   
  
• “Digital teaching revolution: bridging the gap with tech self-efficacy and citizenship” empowering teachers through innovative digital resources  
  by Shamrao Parashram Ghodake, Vinod R. Malkar, Ankita Pathak, Radhika Gandhi Shah, Rakesh Sarvaiya, Mohhammedshakil S. Malek, Ravi Rajai 
  Abstract: Technological innovation is crucial in educational settings, particularly in incorporating online classrooms for student development and fostering a virtual learning environment. Educational institutions urge teachers to become proficient in using technology to increase instruction effectiveness. The main objective of study was to find out the impact of digital resources, digital citizenship and teachers technological self-efficacy on teachers teaching experience. This researcher employed a cross-sectional survey methodology by employing a quantitative methodology. Data was collected from 615 respondents working as academicians at various designations in public and private university in various cities of Gujarat state. The results show that Organisational digital resources may help teachers use technology successfully by fostering collaboration, curating content, offering technical assistance, stimulating digital civics, and streamlining input and assessments. Implementing digital citizenship allows educators to adapt in the digital realm more effectively. According to the results, teachers with high self-efficacy in digital citizenship are more likely to model appropriate technological savvy behaviour, which leads to enhanced self-confidence and trust in lecture deliverance, eventually overriding digital citizenship in their teaching approaches. The final results show that teachers’ technological self-efficacy boosts self-confidence, enabling more effective work, leading to increased trust and self-efficacy, overpowering digital citizenship.
  Keywords: educational digital resources; EDRs; digital citizenship; teachers teaching experience; teachers teaching self-efficacy.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2026.10068068
   
  
• Women’s financial empowerment: unpacking the influence of socio-economic, education and demographics  
  by Mamta Aggarwal, Priya Gupta 
  Abstract: Women's financial empowerment is a cornerstone for societal progress and gender equality. Through rigorous investigation, this study aims to unveil the complex interplay among the SEED factors and their impact on women’s financial status based on the data collected from the fifth round of the Haryana National Family Health Survey (NFHS). By employing the Chi- square and odd ratio, the investigation delves into the complex dynamics of Socio-Economic factors such as education and employment, alongside demographic factors like age, family structure, caste, religion, and geographical location. Findings unveil that a high level of financial empowerment is associated with higher age, employment, a nuclear family, higher education, and urban residency. Policymakers and stakeholders can devise targeted interventions in society and advance gender equality so that the country can move towards gender neutrality from the concept of just equality.
  Keywords: women’s financial empowerment; gender equality; socio-economic; education and demographic factors; and women.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2026.10068815
   
  
• Psychological wellness of employees: role of AI-based digital technology and leadership behaviour in higher educational institutions  
  by Shilpi Sarna, Dhananjay Beura, Ipsita Dash, Anchal Luthra 
  Abstract: Robust digital leadership is essential in digital disruption age especially in this field of higher education after introduction of artificial intelligence (AI). The major objective of this paper is to explore the personal and professional attributes of digital leaders in higher education field. The job resource and job demand (JR-D) model has been considered to specifically define the psychological well-being of digital leaders in the field of higher education. Non-probability snow ball sampling method was used and 189 respondents were evaluated during this research. The results of this study revealed that personal attributes and organisational attributes of a leader significantly influencing the digital leadership behaviour. Moreover, there is strong evidence that digital leadership behaviour significantly influencing psychological well-being and also being influenced by personal and organisational attributes in this digital disruptive world of higher education. The novel contribution of this study is critical to the ongoing discussion about role of AI and the significance of personal and organisational attributes along with psychological well-being. The measurement model was tested by using PLS-SEM and found to be significant in establishing the relationship.
  Keywords: digital leadership; psychological well-being; artificial intelligence; AI; job resource; job demand.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2026.10069589
   
  
• Board characteristics, corporate social responsibility and bank performance in an emerging economy: the moderating effect of foreign ownership  
  by Peter Arhenful, Jones Adjei Ntiamoah, Joseph Asare 
  Abstract: This study investigates the impact of board characteristics and corporate social responsibility disclosure on bank performance, examining the moderating effect of foreign ownership. The study employed longitudinal panel and correlational research designs, the study analysed data from annual reports of 17 banks, comprising 119 firm-year observations, using panel ordinary least square regression, fixed and random effects regression methods. The study findings suggest that board size significantly impacts bank performance measured by return on equity (ROE), while board composition exhibits a significant negative association with performance. Foreign ownership demonstrated a significant negative effect on ROE but not on return on assets (ROA). Additionally, bank size had a significant negative impact on ROA but not on ROE. Thus, board characteristics and foreign ownership significantly influence bank performance. Banks should carefully evaluate the impact of board composition, foreign ownership and bank size on performance metrics to inform strategic decision-making and governance practices.
  Keywords: board characteristics; bank performance; Ghana; corporate social responsibility; CSR;foreign ownership; corporate governance.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2026.10069653
   
  
• Does the civil service commission of Bangladesh map skills to align public administration major graduates’ education, recruitment testing, and training to ensure substantial educational development?  
  by Gazi Mahabubul Alam, Romana Kader, Vesna Skrbinjek, Md. Mahfuzur Rahman, Karima Bashir, Nor Azni Abdul Aziz 
  Abstract: Public administrative jobs should ideally follow a regulated framework to ensure recruitment tests; education and training are properly aligned. This is a topic that is currently much debated. Given the nature of the research question, a quantitative approach was adopted. The ratio of science graduates in public administrative roles is markedly higher than that of their counterparts who graduated with a public administration major. A science-friendly recruitment test increases the number of science graduates. Furthermore, science graduates do well in various aspects of job training. This may mean that the public administration programme does not inject adequate or specialised knowledge, which is required for doing public service jobs well. Policy reforms are needed to align recruitment tests, public administration programme and training so that educational mismatch is reduced.
  Keywords: education; public administration; training; mismatch; skills requirement; recruitment test; Bangladesh.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2026.10069804
   
  
• Employer perception on graduate employability: evidence from Uttar Pradesh  
  by M. Yousuf Malik, Kulsoom Raza, Irsad, Ranjana Singh 
  Abstract: The current paper is an attempt to understand the skill gap and predicted job market skills needed. Thus, following the set of objectives and review of the literature, 13 types of skills relevant to employment were identified and classified into three categories: technical skills, non-technical skills, and behavioural skills. Out of the 13 talents chosen by businesses, technical skills in graduates were deemed the most significant, followed by skill flexibility. Students and HR executives were asked to rate all talents on a Likert scale of 1 (least essential) to 5 (most important) using structured questionnaires (most important). There is a gap between the required and apparent abilities of graduates, resulting in poor performance of employees in new workplaces. Graduate foreign language skills have a 0.45 gap, while conceptualising skills have a 0.44 difference. Academic excellence and numeric skills have the smallest difference, with a 0.11 index value. This highlights the importance of identifying the most crucial talents for employers.
  Keywords: behavioural skills education; employability; non-technical skills; skills gap; technical skills graduate employability.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2025.10061882
   
  
• Sustainable development and blended learning in accounting education  
  by Chara Kottara, Dimitra Kavalieraki-Foka, Fragiskos Gonidakis, Sofia Asonitou, Apostolos Zaridis, Vasiliki Brinia 
  Abstract: In recent decades, the scientific community has focused on sustainable development, as there are concerns about economic, social, and environmental resources. One of the key sustainability goals is Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4) focusing on the quality of education both lifelong and university education where it is oriented towards free access, non-discriminatory, increasing the prospects for enhancing employment, entrepreneurship, and the acquisition of skills through new educational teaching methods that promote sustainable principles. The exploration of sustainable teaching approaches is inextricably linked to blended learning practices, which promote sustainability through the management of educational resources and the reduction of educational costs. Even today there is a limited number of published studies, where this academic study attempts to elucidate and reduce this gap by investigating blended learning in accounting courses through a literature review in order to identify any potential for sustainable development in academic environment.
  Keywords: sustainable development; blended learning; accounting education; university; sustainability perspective.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2025.10062903
   
  
• Assessing the students' digitalisation at country level by building a composite index based on PISA 2018  
  by María Verónica Alderete 
  Abstract: This paper contributes to measuring information and communication technologies' (ICT) adoption by students and compares it among different countries. A composite index named the students digitalisation index (SDI) is built based on the 2018 PISA database and by applying multivariate statistical techniques. The index assesses ICT adoption beyond equipment acquisition (ICT access) and activities performed by using ICT (ICT use), and includes students' perception of their digital skills and competencies (ICT engagement). A digital gap between countries was detected. Statistically significant mean differences are observed in terms of type of country, household income, gender, grade repetition, and parents' highest education. There are no other composite indexes to compare students' digitalisation among countries. The SDI index is useful to explain the consequences of mass quarantine due to COVID-19 in the educational field. Countries with a low SDI are expected to suffer more as they are less prepared for virtual education.
  Keywords: digital gap; students' digitalisation; education; ICT adoption; PISA; composite index.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2025.10061452
   
  
• Government financial assistance in higher education: an empirical analysis of efficiency in Australian universities  
  by Carolyn Thi Thanh Dung Tran, Jerrie Ngoc Nhu Binh Tran 
  Abstract: Government financial assistance (GFA) plays an important role in higher education to facilitate the process of teaching, learning and research of staff and students. However, very little is known about efficiency of using GFA in higher education. This paper aims to investigate efficiency of using GFA in Australian universities in the context of substantial variation in public funding distribution. The stochastic frontier input requirement model was developed to measure efficiency of using GFA for 2009-2016. The findings reveal that the overall efficiency of using GFA on average at 0.956, implying a high level of efficiency in using public funding. However, bigger is not better in the performance of universities through using GFA. In addition, contextual factors potentially influence temporary transient efficiency (0.974), other than long-term managerial efficiency (0.982) decomposed from the overall efficiency index of GFA. Some suggestions are made for more appropriate solutions to funding distribution in Australian universities.
  Keywords: Australia; higher education institution; long-term efficiency; transient efficiency; government financial assistance; GFA; stochastic frontier analysis; SFA.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2025.10061451
   
  
• Unveiling the impact of abusive supervision on life satisfaction in Indian higher education: a trust-breaking phenomenon  
  by Manisha Singh 
  Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the linkages between abusive supervision, emotional exhaustion, and life satisfaction. In addition, we aim to investigate whether external social support moderates the effects of abusive supervision on life satisfaction. The sample of the study comprised 255 academic staff from the higher education institution of Jaipur Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and collected in three waves. Hypotheses were tested with structural equation modelling to verify the proposed linkage in the study. We found that abusive supervision leads to emotional exhaustion that, in turn, negatively predicts life satisfaction. Furthermore, external social support attenuates the impacts of abusive supervision on life satisfaction. We contribute to the literature by demonstrating that sustained exposure to abusive supervision affects subordinates' life satisfaction indirectly through emotional exhaustion, and that the positive impacts of abusive supervision and emotional exhaustion on life satisfaction are weaker among individuals who are.
  Keywords: abusive supervision; emotional exhaustion; life satisfaction; external social support; higher education; India.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2025.10065620
   
  
• Whistleblowing, fraud and forensic accounting subjects: a perception of accounting students in East Java, Indonesia  
  by Saarce Elsye Hatane, Juan Michael, Agustino Leo Sutanto, Hendri Kwistianus, Hatane Semuel 
  Abstract: This study aims to ascertain the factors that influence students' attitudes towards engaging in or refraining from whistleblowing and the factors that contribute to the incorporation of fraud and forensic accounting subjects. This study employs a survey-based approach from 101 active accounting students from East Java, Indonesia universities, focusing on the Surabaya area and its surrounding regions. The integration variable of forensic accounting topics in the curriculum includes three indicators. The student perception variable includes six indicators related to forensic accounting topics. Four indicators are formulated to identify the variables motivating students to whistleblowing. Four indicators explain the factors that discourage students from engaging in whistleblowing. This study highlights the significance of implementing an accounting curriculum to adequately train future accountants in effectively combating fraud. Future studies can utilise these indicators to examine the influence between variables and other pertinent causal relationships.
  Keywords: forensic accounting; fraud; whistleblowing; accounting curriculum; Indonesia.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2025.10066800