ABSTRACT
This paper is primary concerned with providing evidence that the Catholic Missionaries who introduced Christianity (Whiteman’s religion) in Nkongho-Mbo in 1936 played a significant role in the economic development of the area. The paper argues that if the Catholic Missionaries did not set foot in the area, then the entire region should have remained as stagnant economically just as it was during the pre-Christian era. In the domain of agriculture the paper reveals that the Missionaries introduced new fruit trees such as mango, paw-paw (Carica papaya), oranges (Citrus sinensis) pineapples (Ananas cosmosus), guava (Psidium guayava), pear (Persea Americana) and lime (Citrus aurantifalia) fruits. They also experimented the cultivation of vegetables such as tomatoes, onion and yellow pepper. The cultivation of these food crops coupled with cash crops such as coffee, American oil palms and cocoa that were also introduced by the Missionaries helped to improve the nutritive diet of the entire Mbo populace, increased the income of the villagers, increased agricultural yields in the area and thus raised the standard of living of the people. The paper further illuminates improvement in trading activities, road infrastructure and the introduction of a radio telephone network in Nkongho-Mbo. The study also sheds light on the bee keeping that was introduced by Catholic Missionaries as it fetched honey-producers a fortune and thus improved their financial situation remarkably. To accomplish this study, three main sources of information were consulted including archival documents, sacred return records from Catholic Mission Mbetta, printed documents such as books, dissertations, theses and finally oral interviews.

ABSTRACT
Technological changes and trade are closely intertwined in the contemporary era. Technological advancements, particularly in the realms of communications, information technology, and patents, have played a crucial role in stimulating and reshaping international trade by influencing production methods and the quality of goods and services produced. This research aims to analyze and measure the impact of technological changes, represented by patent applications, on commodity exports in China. Employing the Threshold Regression model, the study examines the magnitude of this impact across various stages during the research period. The underlying hypothesis posits a positive correlation between technological changes and commodity exports in China throughout these different stages. To achieve this objective and validate the hypothesis, the research combines two methodological approaches. The deductive approach utilizes descriptive analysis in the theoretical framework, drawing upon economic theory and a comprehensive review of literature pertaining to technological changes and foreign trade. Conversely, the inductive approach employs quantitative analysis, leveraging econometric techniques to interpret the relationship between technological changes and foreign trade. The study relies on time series data spanning the period from 2000 to 2022. Following a series of econometric tests, the data was deemed suitable for analysis using the Threshold Regression model. The results of the Bai-Perron sequential test for threshold values revealed the existence of five thresholds for the dependent variable (patent applications) when testing for multiple structural breaks. The impact of these thresholds on commodity exports was positive and statistically significant across all five thresholds, with the greatest impact observed at the first threshold, followed by a gradual decline until reaching saturation levels in the subsequent thresholds. Based on these findings, the research recom

ABSTRACT
The aim with this study is to gauge the short and long-term relationship between public debt and its effect on unemployment in the Iraqi economy for period (2004-2022) using modern joint integration methods according to the (ARDL) model. Given the effect of public debt fluctuations upon unemployment rates in the Iraqi economy for period (2004-2022), there were a number of conclusions reached by that research. Among them was that public debt has a direct effect on the unemployment rate in the Iraqi economy for period (2004-2022), that is to say increasing public debt results in an increasing unemployment rate during this period. The reason is simply that when public debt increases it also increases the burden upon the Iraqi economy, and this forms a major barrier towards economic development because these loans are made under constraints. And this serves as an additional burden upon the Iraqi economy which in turn leads to an increase in unemployment rate in Iraq. Therefore, the investigation recommends to.

ABSTRACT
A high level of economic growth in a country only sometimes reflects a similar increase in all regions. Disparities in economic growth between regions often occur, even when overall economic growth has increased. This research aims to analyze the influence of economic growth on the level of regional inequality in Papua Province. This research is explanatory research that uses the causality method. The secondary data used in this research is collected by conducting documentation studies at several Papuan government agencies. This research was conducted in Papua Province because it is one of the provinces with a high level of regional inequality in the Republic of Indonesia. The data in this research was obtained using document study techniques. Data analysis techniques are carried out using data collection, data reduction, and data categories. This research shows that economic growth has a negative and significant effect on regional inequality in Papua Province, where increasing production in all economic sectors can create jobs, increase income and reduce the unemployment rate, so regional inequality in Papua Province can be reduced. In the future, the Papua Provincial Government will need to implement strict policies regarding mining activities' environmental and social impacts. The Papua Provincial Government also needs to increase economic diversification by strengthening non-mining sectors to reduce dependence on the mining and quarrying sector.

ABSTRACT
This study examines the effects of Korean Wave brand ambassadors on consumer purchase intentions in online marketplaces, focusing on the mediating roles of brand image and online customer reviews. A quantitative approach involving a survey was used to collect data from a hundred respondents who are fans of the Korean Wave, employing purposive sampling based on criteria such as age, gender, and the intensity of Korean Wave content consumption. Findings indicate that while brand ambassadors significantly enhance brand image, they do not directly influence online reviews. However, brand image substantially affects online reviews, which in turn, significantly impact purchase intentions. Hence, the authors underscore the pivotal role of brand image and online reviews in boosting consumer trust and purchase intentions. Moreover, it highlights the profound influence of the Korean Wave on brand ambassadors, suggesting that popular culture is a potent tool in shaping brand image perception. These insights emphasize the importance of considering online elements like brand image and customer reviews in marketing strategies tailored to culturally influenced industries.

ABSTRACT
This study is aimed at empirically investigating the relationship between trade liberalization and economic growth in Nigeria. Real gross domestic product and degree of openness were used as measures of economic growth and trade liberalization respectively. Exchange rate and inflation were used as check variables. The aforementioned variables for the study were sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria. The Augmented Dickey fuller (ADF) was used to test for data stationarity, while the specified model was estimated using the Fully Modifies Ordinary Least (FMOLs) square method. Findings from the study show that there is positive and statistical significant relationship between degree of openness and real gross domestic product. The aforementioned result indicates that the adoption of liberal trade policies will likely bring about economic growth. However economic growth and development are not the same. Historical and empirical evidence from Nigeria have shown that liberal trade policies have not favoured the country. Nigeria’s productive capacity has been and has remained low and as a result Nigeria consumes more than it produces. In addition, the country has not been able to develop its local productive capacity. Thus, this paper recommends that the government should be tactful in the formulation and implementation of trade policies.

ABSTRACT
This research aims to analyze the influence of motivation, work discipline, and recruitment on the Performance of Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) members of the Iswahjudi Magetan Air Base Personnel Service, both simultaneously and partially, and to analyze the variables that have a dominant influence on the Performance of TNI-AU members of the Iswahjudi Magetan Air Base Personnel Service. The type of research used is explanatory research. Location: This research was conducted within the Iswahjudi Magetan Air Base Personnel Service. The research population was all members of the TNI-AU Iswahjudi Magetan Air Base Personnel Service, namely 60 members. Considering that the population is a manageable size, census research is used. Namely, all members of the TNI-AU Personnel Service at Iswahjudi Magetan Air Base will be the research respondents. The analysis method uses multiple linear regression and hypothesis testing. The research results show that motivation, work discipline, and recruitment affect the Performance of TNI-AU members of the Iswahjudi Magetan Air Base Personnel Service, both simultaneously and partially. This research also shows that motivation has a dominant influence on the Performance of TNI-AU members at the Iswahjudi Magetan Air Base Personnel Service. The Head of the Personnel Service could better enforce discipline fairly among all members, both superiors and subordinates. When working at the Iswahjudi Magetan Air Base Personnel Service, motivation is also needed. Therefore, every member must be highly motivated at work.