Asian Journal of Economics and Empirical Research

Influential factors of online purchase intention in the financial industry: A perspective from an emerging economy

Shimei Wen — 2025-01-20

This study addresses the gap in understanding the impact of product types on online purchasing decisions in the financial industry. It examines how key factors—product features, financial needs, institutional reputation, and government regulations—affect online purchase intention while also investigating the mediating roles of consumer perceptions. Data from 218 respondents in China was collected via a structured questionnaire distributed across various social media platforms. Quantitative analysis was employed to explore the direct effects of influential factors on online purchase intention, along with the mediating effects of perceived value and purchase risk. The study reveals that product features, financial needs, institutional reputation, and government regulations positively influence online purchase intention in the financial sector. Perceived value amplifies these effects, while purchase risk attenuates them, underscoring the significant mediating role of consumer perceptions. Managers in the financial sector should prioritize brand building and real-time customer engagement to bolster online purchase intentions. Strengthening institutional reputation and highlighting product value can positively sway consumer decisions. Policymakers are advised to enact regulations ensuring e-commerce transaction safety, fostering consumer trust and a secure online purchasing environment.

Investigating small business operators’ views on taxation of business income: A novel analysis from cape coast metropolis in Ghana

Kamal Deen Moro — 2025-04-04

Tax evasion poses a significant task for governments and tax officials in many African nations, including Ghana. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a vigorous role in the national economy by substantially contributing to tax revenue. This paper implemented a descriptive research survey design, gathering primary data through structured questionnaires and employing a quantitative approach. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 22.0, with inferential statistics (standard multiple regressions, Pearson correlation) and descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage) to derive insights. A survey conducted in Cape Coast Metropolis with 120 participants revealed three key factors influencing tax compliance: tax awareness, observations of government spending, and the likelihood of audits. Among these, tax knowledge greatly impacted the government's revenue generation capacity. The paper recommends that the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) perform regular, fair audits to ensure compliance among SMEs. Additionally, GRA must host frequent seminars and conferences to educate SMEs on the importance of tax compliance and motivate them to fulfill their tax obligations.

The spatial impact of new urbanization construction on total factor productivity in China

Yuanyuan Wang — 2025-04-04

This study examines the spatial impact of new urbanization on total factor productivity (TFP) in China using data from 199 prefecture-level cities from 2011 to 2019. We measured the level of new urbanization using an indicator system and the entropy weight method, and assessed TFP using the stochastic frontier production function model. The spatial Durbin model was employed to analyze the spatial effects empirically. The study found that (1) new urbanization has a positive spatial effect on TFP, and there is a spatial spillover effect. (2) The spatial effect of new urbanization on TFP has obvious city-level heterogeneity and regional heterogeneity. (3) The spatial spillover effect of new urbanization on TFP is most significant in second-tier cities and third-tier and lower cities. There is a "diffusion effect" of the spatial effect of the central and western cities on the neighboring areas, and a "siphon effect" of the spatial effect of the eastern cities, but both of these spatial effects are not significant. The spatial spillover effect of new urbanization on TFP in non-provincial capitals is significant, whereas the spatial effect in non-provincial capitals is not significant. These findings highlight the importance of considering regional context in urbanization policies to enhance TFP.

ARDL approach: The determinants of government size in Malaysia

Kuang Yong Ng — 2025-06-25

The government size is determined through the ratio between the government expenditure which including the operation and development with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This study with the intention to examine the long-run relationship between the determinants with the government size of Malaysia during the periods of year 1980 to year 2018. The determinants including the trade openness, country size, foreign direct investment openness, portfolio investment openness and the economic growth. The annual data are achieved from the World Bank and the Department Statistic of Malaysia (DOSM). Moreover, we adopted the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, which proposed by Pesaran et al. (2001), to examine the long-run relationship. The result revealed that there are long-run negative relationship significantly between the determinants including the trade openness, country size, foreign direct investment openness and portfolio investment openness with the government size. On the other hands, the economic growth has a significant positive long-run relationship with the government size in Malaysia. Both trade openness and economic growth variables have the Granger Causality effects towards the government size variable. Therefore, it is essential for the government to maintain a balanced allocation of both operating and development expenditures, taking into account key influencing factors, to support sustainable long-term economic growth in Malaysia.

Measuring the financial health using the Altman Z-score model: A case study on listed banks in Bangladesh

Md. Tamim Hasan — 2025-06-25

The study evaluates the financial performance of publicly listed banks in Bangladesh and forecasts potential financial distress using the Altman Z-score model. Based solely on secondary data from annual reports of the banks over the period 2018 to 2023, the analysis reveals alarming findings. Across the listed banks, 34 banks scored an average Z score of below the threshold level, placing them in the “Financial Distress Zone”, indicating a likelihood of financial difficulty or potential bankruptcy in the near future. Notably, 16 banks are not only scored below the threshold level and were placed in the financial distress zone but also recorded negative values, indicating a high risk of imminent financial collapsed. Only two banks namely Union Bank and Uttara Bank achieved average Z scores above the threshold level and were categorized in the “Grey Zone”, suggesting a reduced risk of financial distress in the short-term, though they should still remain conscious about their financial activities. The findings underscore the need for regulatory authorities to implement proactive measures to address financial instability within the banking sector. Additionally, the results offer valuable insights for bank managers, shareholders, investors, lenders, and customers to assess and mitigate financial risks, thereby contributing to informed decisions and promoting financial stability across the industry.

The impact of urban business environment on the agglomeration of high-skilled labor

Jiawei Liang — 2025-06-25

In the era of technology-driven global economic transition, optimizing high-level labor agglomeration is crucial for economic growth as high-skilled workers prioritize urban business environments over housing prices and wages. Leveraging panel data from 280 Chinese cities spanning 2009-2021, this study delves into the impact of the urban business environment on high-skilled labor agglomeration. Specifically, the entropy weight method is employed to measure business environment indicators, and the location quotient is used to measure the level of high-skilled labor agglomeration. Employing two-way fixed effect, mediating effect, and threshold effect models, we find that improving the urban business environment significantly boosts high-skilled labor agglomeration, partially through enhanced urban innovation. However, the impact of the business environment on high-skilled labor agglomeration is constrained by the average wage level. If the average wage level is too low, the optimization of the urban business environment will impede the agglomeration of high-skilled labor. Our findings emphasize the importance of a favorable business environment and reasonable wage policies in attracting talent for sustainable economic development.