Introduction/Main Objectives: This study aims to investigate whether competition impacts bank stability. Furthermore, the study also analyzes the role of institutional quality in a country, such as voice and accountability, political stability, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, the rule of law, and control of corruption, forming the effect of competition on bank stability. Background Problem: Analysis of the relationship between competition and bank stability has been at the center of academic and policy debate. However, the theoretical and empirical research has not concluded whether bank competition leads to more or fewer stable banks. Novelty: We consider institutional quality's role in mitigating the negative impact of competition on bank stability, which has mainly been under-elaborated in prior studies, particularly in using measures from The World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators, which measure how the institutions of each country influence bankers’ and the people's behavior, as part of the cultural system. Research Methods: Using a sample of 427 Asian commercial banks from 2011 to 2019, we employ the generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator and consider loan growth and the cost to income ratio as instrumental variables. Findings/Results: We find robust evidence that competition erodes bank stability. Besides, better institutional quality, especially government effectiveness, regulatory quality, the rule of law, and corruption control in each country are important aspects that promote bank stability and mitigate the negative impact of competition on bank stability. Conclusion: Competition has a negative impact on bank stability. Meanwhile, the quality of institutions can both promote bank stability and mitigate this negative relationship.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a fundamental global commitment to addressing a wide range of socio-economic and environmental challenges. A key component of these goals is the commitment to ocean sustainability, encapsulated in the concept of the blue economy. The blue economy, emerging in an era characterized by intricate dynamics and openness to transformation, is influenced by various determinants. This study utilizes panel data analysis and the pooled least squares method to investigate the factors influencing the share of the blue economy in the archipelagic provinces of Indonesia from 2012 to 2021. With its vast maritime territory and numerous islands, Indonesia provides a highly relevant context for examining these dynamics. The empirical results indicate that information and communication technology (ICT), fisheries capture, and aquaculture production positively impact the blue economy’s share. Conversely, trade openness and electricity consumption exhibit a negative relationship with the blue economy’s share. Moreover, the analysis reveals that investment does not have a significant effect on the blue economy’s share. These findings underscore the critical importance of developing robust infrastructure and implementing stringent regulatory oversight on fishery product trade to enhance sustainable growth within the blue economy framework.

This study examines the relationship between national culture, innovation, and sustainable competitiveness, addressing a critical gap in empirical research. This study engages in a rigorous investigation of the interconnections among national culture, innovation, and sustainable competitiveness, effectively addressing a significant void in the existing empirical literature. It offers a detailed and systematic analysis of the interrelationships among the three variables within the purview of an international economic framework. After conducting a comprehensive evaluation of data completeness and availability, it was determined that only 88 data points fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in the final sample. The analysis operationalizes national culture through Hofstede’s cultural dimensions, measures innovation using the World Intellectual Property Organization’s Global Innovation Index, and assesses sustainable competitiveness via Solability’s Sustainable Competitiveness Index, employing a quantitative path model across the selected countries. The findings reveal that national culture exerts a statistically significant, moderate influence on both innovation and sustainable competitiveness. Furthermore, innovation demonstrates a robust positive effect on sustainable competitiveness, indicating its crucial role in driving long-term national competitive advantage. Mediation analysis suggests that innovation partially mediates the relationship between national culture and sustainable competitiveness, though national culture retains a direct effect on competitiveness independent of innovation. These results underscore the multifaceted interplay between cultural and innovation-related factors in shaping national competitiveness. The study contributes to the literature by providing empirical validation of the complex interdependencies between these constructs and offers critical insights for policymakers focused on fostering innovation in alignment with cultural contexts to achieve sustainable competitiveness. Future research may explore additional mediating variables and employ longitudinal designs to further substantiate these findings.

This study aims to determine the influence of bank ownership and company size on bank stability in banking companies within the Southeast Asian region. The population of this study comprises banking companies from ASEAN-5 countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand) over the period from 2013 to 2022. Based on data availability, a sample of 100 banking companies over 10 periods, resulting in a total of 1000 panel observations, was analyzed. Linear regression analysis of the panel data was conducted using Eviews12 software. The results indicate that both bank ownership and company size have a negative and significant impact on bank stability. These findings suggest that banks should enhance transparency and diversification in their holdings to mitigate risks associated with high concentrations of ownership, particularly in large banks. This research highlights the need for regulatory frameworks that promote stable and resilient banking systems in the Southeast Asian region.