In recent years, how to coordinate the sustainable production and life of human society with the protection of ecological environment has become particularly important. This paper reviewed and analyzed the existing Chinese and English literature on Horizontal transfer payment system for eco-compensation (or hereinafter referred to as ECITPS), based on which this paper applied Grounded Theory to study the critical elements and theoretical logic of the System, exploring its formation process and logical procedure, and constructing a theoretical model of this System. It was found that the theoretical model of eco-compensation Horizontal transfer payment system is mainly divided into three stages, namely, the early, middle and late stages. Moreover, the logic of the ECITPS as a whole was the validation of PDCA Deming Cycle Theory, while the previous research on Horizontal transfer payment for eco-compensation was more focused on the specific object, with a lack of the overall macro understand of the theoretical framework for the system. Therefore, this paper assisted to promote the improvement of the ECITPS from the macro theoretical framework, and provided a reference idea for the development of the transfer payment field in the future period.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted urban social and economic conditions worldwide, influencing crime trends and patterns. This study examines how socio-economic and built environment factors affect theft crime density in Chicago across different pandemic phases. Using both linear regression and machine learning models, we analyze crime data to identify key factors driving changes in theft crime trends, focusing on the role of built environment elements such as public facilities, commercial venues, and transportation hubs. Results indicate that built environment features have a significant impact on theft density, while socio-economic factors like unemployment and income inequality show variable effects across pandemic periods. These findings suggest that urban and social factors interact to influence crime patterns, with non-linear models capturing these complex relationships more effectively than traditional methods. For policymakers and urban planners, the results underscore the importance of incorporating built environment considerations into crime prevention strategies, particularly in adapting urban spaces to foster safer, more resilient communities in the post-pandemic era.

The general assumption in the mainstream social capital theory states a likely causal relationship between education and trust in people, while such a conclusion might be contextual. Using the CGSS data and employing a fuzzy regression-discontinuity design where the compulsory education law (1986) in China is taken as an exogenous instrument, I find a positive correlation between education and the level of generalized trust. Further, with respect to another measure of trust—the radius of trust, I find no evidence supportive to significant correlations between education and trust in different distant social groups. However, the second-stage results do not suggest any likely causal effect from education on generalized trust or trust in different relationships, which indicates the OLS results might suffer from omitted variable bias.

As China shifts from an investment- and export-driven economy to a domestic demand-oriented one, household consumption has emerged as the major driver of economic growth. By reviewing the historical development of China's economy, this paper reveals the significance of household consumption during this transformation period. This paper finds that the increase in household consumption not only stimulates market demand but also motivates companies to expand production and increase investment, thereby propelling a virtuous economic cycle. Meanwhile, it promotes the optimization and upgrading of consumption structure, specifically manifesting as the transformation of the consumer pattern from spending more on essential items to spending more on high-quality, personalized goods and services. This process has significantly improved people's quality of life and facilitated the innovative development of relevant industries. Based on the analysis of China's current economic development, this paper proposes that the government should emphasize the optimization of the consumer environment and introduce inclusive policy, thereby effectively driving consumption upgrading and economic growth.

The digital divide, a global issue shaped by disparities in access to information and communication technologies (ICTs), has far-reaching implications for individuals, societies, and economies. This paper explores the roots and impacts of the digital divide, emphasizing the economic, social, and cultural inequalities it perpetuates between developed and developing nations and within different demographic groups. Key areas of concern include the imbalance in digital infrastructure, digital literacy, and affordability, which hinder equitable access to education, employment, and democratic participation. The paper also examines the role of digital hegemony, economic polarization, and the Matthew Effect in widening this gap while highlighting the societal and cultural challenges, such as linguistic and ethnic divides. To address these challenges, the paper proposes strategies focusing on infrastructure development, affordable technology, digital literacy promotion, and robust ICT regulations. Bridging the digital divide offers significant opportunities for fostering socioeconomic development, reducing global inequalities, and enhancing democratic engagement. This study underscores the need for collaborative efforts from governments, private enterprises, and international organizations to create a more inclusive and equitable digital future.

Reasonably evaluating the value of NFT digital content works is of great significance for regulating NFT service platform transactions, expanding cultural dissemination channels, and promoting the development of the digital cultural industry. First, the study proposes the value influencing factors of NFT digital content works based on the value chain theory, and constructs the value assessment index system accordingly. Then, the historical transaction data of NFT are collected and empirical analysis is carried out by applying multiple linear regression, K-neighborhood algorithm and BP neural network model respectively. The research results found that cost, copyright, and market are the main factors affecting the value of NFT digital content works. Compared with linear models, nonlinear models are more applicable for evaluating the value of NFT digital content works. Exploring non-linear models that balance accuracy and interpretability is one of the important directions for evaluating the value of NFT digital content works.

Investing in risk management as part of global financial plans is a fundamental process for MNCs that want to take advantage of the international business climate. The MNCs are exposed to financial uncertainties like exchange rate risk, political uncertainty, and regulatory uncertainties that can dramatically impact their business. The article explains how MNCs can successfully implement risk management in their global finance models. It discusses the regional risk variability, the complexity of financial instruments, and coordination between cultures and regulatory contexts. The paper calls for a common but flexible risk management framework, financial objectives being aligned with risk management, and the deployment of technological solutions to assess risk in real time. Also, it also stresses the need to develop a risk-sensitive corporate culture and to foster greater communication between headquarters and regional locations. The paper concludes by providing suggestions and guidelines for the challenges MNCs encounter when trying to implement risk management into their global financial planning, while maintaining resilience and long-term performance in volatile global markets.

In the digital age, enterprises face unprecedented challenges and opportunities. As a key strategy for adapting to the digital economy, digital transformation not only reshapes corporate operational models but also exerts a profound influence on their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. With technological advancements, enterprises can monitor and manage their environmental impact more effectively, enhance social responsibility, and optimize internal governance structures. However, how digital transformation specifically influences corporate ESG performance and how it equips enterprises to better respond to evolving market and regulatory environments remain issues worthy of deeper exploration. This study aims to investigate the impact of digital transformation on corporate ESG practices, analyze how this transformation empowers ESG performance, and examine its role in helping companies adapt to changing market and regulatory landscapes. Through this research, we hope to provide empirical evidence to help enterprises improve operational efficiency while enhancing ESG performance during digital transformation, thereby gaining a competitive edge in the highly dynamic market. The purpose of this study is to uncover the relationship between digital transformation and corporate ESG performance and how this relationship influences a company’s ability to adapt to market and regulatory changes. We anticipate that this study will offer the academic community a new perspective to better understand the role of digital transformation in ESG practices. Simultaneously, it aims to provide practical guidance to help enterprises achieve sustainable development during their digital transformation journey. By thoroughly analyzing the interplay between digital transformation and corporate ESG practices, this research seeks to offer theoretical support and practical insights for companies to design and implement effective ESG strategies.

"Green finance" has emerged as a novel financial service over the past decade, offering distinct advantages in addressing ecological challenges and climate change within the context of economic and social activities. This paper examines the impact of green finance from the perspective of China's "dual carbon" (carbon peaking and carbon neutrality) goals and uses empirical analysis to demonstrate the achievements of green finance development. Meanwhile, it highlights challenges hindering the progress of green finance, such as incomplete legal frameworks, regional development disparities, and issues like "greenwashing." Drawing on international experiences in green finance, this paper provides policy recommendations and underscores the critical role of green finance in achieving China's "dual carbon" goals and advancing sustainable development. This analysis serves to clarify the importance of improving China’s green finance legal framework.