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This article discusses a study on the conceptual integration of Feng Shui principles into an AI-based application for real estate sector in Vietnam. Feng Shui, a deeply embedded cultural and spiritual practice, significantly influences property selection and design in Vietnam. A 2018 survey by the Vietnamese Royal Institute of Feng Shui indicated that approximately 98% of buyers consider Feng Shui in real estate purchases, yet only a small fraction receives satisfactory guidance. This gap presents an opportunity for leveraging AI technologies like machine learning and data analytics into traditional Feng Shui practice to modernize and streamline recommendations for real estate sector in Vietnam. This study explores insights into the feasibility and potential impacts of such AI-based Feng Shui application for the real estate industry. Specifically, the study aims to assess how an AI-based Feng Shui application could enhance buyers’ preferences by aligning with (1) socio-cultural values (analysis on buyers’ perception and acceptance, including buyers’ preference factors, cultural resonance of AI-based Feng Shui), (2) technological integration (improving ease of interaction and satisfaction, offering tailored recommendations), and (3) business impact (assess how AI-based Feng Shui contributes to the competitive advantage and business performance).

Keywords: Feng Shui Principles, AI-based Application, Prop-Tech, Real Estate, Buyers’ Preferences.

We provide the first evidence on the impact of VAT rate change on consumer prices in a developing economy. On May 7th, 2020, Saudi Arabia announced a 10% increase in VAT, from 5% to 15%, to take effect by July 1st of the same year. Using data on all grocery items sold by two of the largest hypermarkets chains in the country, we show that the pass-through was complete as prices increased by 10% between May and July. For less durable goods, such as grocery and fresh food items, the price adjustment happened gradually within the period between the announcement and July 1. But for durable goods, such as beauty and personal care, frozen food, and cleaning and household, we find that the adjustment happened immediately following the announcement. Interestingly, while both retailers raised prices by 10%, Retailer A raised prices by 8% between May and June, and by another 2% between June and July, whereas Retailer B raised prices by 3% and 7% over May-June and June-July, respectively. Prices in other GCC countries did not rise over the same period. The evidence is important for the optimal design and implementation of tax policies in developing countries, as they offer insights on the impact these policies will have on inflation.

Keywords: value-added tax, pass-through, Saudi Arabia, online price data, price adjustment.
JEL classification: D22, D43, H22, L11, L13, O53.

The originality from this study lies in the topic raised about Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN) by dissecting nine indicators in economic development. The urgency of this study is to see comparisons in the economic development landscape based on two different data: (1) before IKN in 2019–2021 and (2) since IKN in 2022–2024. The nine parameters of economic development analyzed are gini ratio (GR), income per capita (IpC), poverty (Pov), open unemployment (OU), labor force participation (LFP), economic growth (EG), human development (HD), inflation (Inf), and investment (Inv). The analysis scenario uses different tests (independent sample, one sample, and paired sample). The results of data processing implemented using independent sample test show that the two variables (GR and OU) are significantly related in an unpaired way. On the other hand, the one sample test predicts that eight variables (GR, IpC, Pov, OU, LFP, HD, Inf, and Inv) have a single significant effect. Then, through a paired sample test, it is reported that only OU has a significant influence in pairs. Overall, there are similar findings through these three tests, where OU is the only indicator of economic development that is consistently significantly affected over both different time periods. The implications of the current study are of concern to stakeholders with understanding and rethinking economic policies made towards sustainability in the new IKN.

Keywords: IKN, economic development indicators, difference test, sustainable prosperity.

The research aims to clarify the concept of joint auditing and its importance as one of the modern procedures of the auditing process. And to highlight its role in enhancing faith in the external auditor’s report. “There is a significant relation between enhancing the confidence in the external auditor’s report and joint auditing, as assumed by the study.” The research hypothesis was tested through a field study conducted on a sample that included a selected group of auditors and specialized academics, using the descriptive approach, adopting the questionnaire form and according to the five-point Likert scale for a random sample, by distributing (50) questionnaire forms, where (45) of them were retrieved as valid forms for the study, i.e. at a rate of (90%) and (5) of them were invalid, i.e. at a rate of (10%), which is an excellent and acceptable percentage for scientific research purposes. For analysis purposes, the (SPSS) program was relied upon to analyze the answers of the research sample and present and interpret the results reached by the research:

1. Joint auditing is the auditing process executed by two or more independent auditing offices that share in the planning process, distribute field work tasks, and issue a final report signed by them. The audit can be mandatory or optional.

2. The results of the study showed that the regression value of the coefficient (0.973), the calculated “t” value reached (4.827) and (2.563), which is a value the tabular value is more than at the significance level (0.05), which means the existence of a strong statistically significant correlation for joint auditing in strengthening the auditor’s opinion in the auditing process, which is reflected in his report and thus enhancing confidence in that report. The study recommended that the relevant authorities and professional organizations concerned with the external auditing profession should establish the intellectual framework for joint auditing and how to apply it, as well as the principles, procedures and mechanisms that auditors, auditing offices and companies charged with carrying it out must adhere to, in order to ensure increased confidence in the report of the external auditor , and organizing the work of joint auditing by issuing standards, instructions and controls to be used as guidance during its application.

Keywords: Joint audit, External auditor’s report, Audit evidence, Audit firms, Financial statements.

The year 2015 was a revolutionary year for the reason that United Nations tossed 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and at the core of this agenda, there are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that requires the prompt action from banks to align and design their products and services in such a way that they reflect the implications of sustainability. The purpose of this case study is to describe the initiatives undertaken by the India’s largest public sector bank- State Bank of India in milieu of sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) concerns and how it is contributing to realization of SDGs. The research design comprises of reviewing existing literature, Annual and Sustainability Reports of bank, government and regulatory publications and other credible sources. The findings illustrated the commitment of SBI towards achieving sustainability goals via governance & compliance, volunteer initiatives, corporate social responsibility etc. The literature also supports the significance of incorporating sustainability into banking products, operations and cost efficiency.

Keywords: Sustainable Development, ESG concerns, Sustainability.

This study investigates the impact of economic integration on Nigeria’s exports of the agricultural, intermediate (value-added), and manufacturing sectors. Most prior studies in Nigeria in this area studied the nexus between economic integration and a particular sector using cross-country analysis. The study focuses on the three sectors (agriculture, intermediate (value-added), and manufacturing) because of their interconnectedness and their critical role in stimulating growth. Although Nigeria has made efforts towards economic diversification for broad-based growth, its export performance remains unsatisfactory. The Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag econometric model was explored, in which short-run and long-run models were independently estimated for each sector. Manufacturing estimates revealed that economic integration (HOIEI) exerts about 0.37% improvement on manufacturing exports one year after economic integration in the long run. The agricultural sector results showed that as economic integration (HOIEI) improves, agricultural exports rise by about 2.46% in Nigeria. The Long-run estimate of the value-added sector did not identify any relationship between economic integration and value-added exports. The study established that economic integration influences agricultural and manufacturing sector exports but shows no impact on value-added (intermediate) exports. The intermediate sector needs to be productively strengthened through infrastructural investment and knowledge sharing. The linkage between the intermediate sector, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors is crucial to enhancing productivity and exports. This will stimulate output vis-à-vis government revenue and make the government less dependent on foreign aid and external borrowing.

Keywords: Economic Integration, Export Performance, Auto-Regressive Distributed Lag.

India’s remittances surged to $129 billion in 2024, a 7.5% rise from $120 billion in 2023. The UAE contributed 18% of 2023 inflows (~$21.6 billion), while the US, UK, Singapore, and Gulf nations remained key sources, with the US leading at 25–36%. GCC countries contributed ~50%, driven by skilled migration. OECD nations Singapore and Australia are emerging players. The 2023 UAE-India payment agreement has fostered growth, building on historical trends in remittance distribution from crucial source countries. This paper utilizes secondary data sources to examine the vital role of remittances from the UAE in shaping India’s economic landscape. The UAE’s strategic geographic position and its efforts toward economic diversification significantly influence its labour market dynamics. Understanding these factors is critical for developing policies that support migrant workers and maximize the benefits of remittances.

Keywords: Remittances, UAE, Indian Migrant Workers, Economic Development
JEL classification codes: F24, F22, J61, O10.

A persistent assumption holds that compared to non-profit social ventures, for-profit social ventures more often have their social intentions doubted. To elicit whether this perception holds up to a close study, this study compares three types of companies, for-profit ventures (without social claims), for-profit social ventures, and non-profit social ventures. Using a three group online experiment, all three types of ventures are rated according to perceived product quality, warmth, competence, and organizational greed. Study results suggest that for-profit social ventures are not perceived as less socially beneficial or less competent than non-profit social ventures. Compared to for-profit ventures without a social purpose, they are perceived as warmer and less greedy. Consumers are more willing to buy products by for-profit social ventures than they are to buy products by for-profit ventures without social activities. Targeting for-profit companies, this study stresses the relevance of corporate social responsibility actions by illustrating the effect they have on a company’s brand perception. For social ventures, it indicates that a for-profit orientation will not be harmful to the company’s brand perception.

Keywords: social venture, entrepreneur, product quality, consumer behaviour, for-profit
JEL: L26, O35.