Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies

Digital Economy, Globalization, and Sustainable Development

Globalization has been a major driver of economic growth and integration since the 1990s. However, the global economic landscape has been reshaped by recent disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with rising protectionist policies—most notably the tariff hikes imposed during the U.S. Trump Administration—has challenged international trade, cross-border investment, and global cooperation. These shifts have heightened uncertainties and prompted calls for new frameworks to manage global economic interdependence.

Meanwhile, the accelerating pace of digital transformation and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) offer fresh opportunities to enhance productivity, stimulate innovation, and unlock new gains from international trade and capital flows. Digital technologies are transforming industries, creating unprecedented demand for novel goods, services, and cross-border investments.

Yet, this new digital era brings profound challenges: How can we ensure that technological advancements, global integration, and economic growth are aligned with environmental sustainability and social equity? This special issue seeks to explore these critical questions, contributing to a deeper understanding of how economies can leverage digital innovation and globalization to achieve sustainable and inclusive development.

Topics of Interest

We welcome both theoretical and empirical contributions on themes related to digital transformation, global economic integration, and sustainable development. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

·         Geopolitical, macroeconomic policy, and development: Transmission of global shocks to national economies; inflation and monetary policy; exchange‑rate regimes and capital‑flow management; fiscal space, debt sustainability, and long‑term development.

·         Trade, foreign direct investment, and global value chain: Trade conflicts and tariff wars; geoeconomic fragmentation; supply‑chain restructuring and resilience; regional trade agreements and global value chains.

·         Climate change, green transition, and public finance: Climate adaptation and mitigation policies; climate‑related public finance and budgeting; climate finance and loss‑and‑damage mechanisms; carbon pricing, carbon border adjustments and green industrial strategies.

·         Finance, stability, and sustainable investment: Banking and financial stability; cross‑border capital flows and systemic risk; sovereign risk and debt restructuring; ESG investing, sustainable finance taxonomies, and impact‑measurement frameworks.

·         Digitalization, labor markets, and social protection: Digital transformation, platforms and digital trade; data governance and regulation; skills gaps, automation and the future of work; social protection and inclusive growth.

·         Urbanization, regional development and resilience: Smart‑city initiatives and urban governance; housing, transport and land‑use policies; regional disparities and place‑based development strategies; local resilience to climate, health and economic shocks.

·         AI, growth, economic impacts, and government policies: Economic effects of AI adoption; productivity and labor‑market implications; innovation and competitiveness; and policy frameworks to guide safe, inclusive AI‑driven growth.

·         Global governance, institutions, and international cooperation: Reform of global economic governance; development cooperation and SDG financing; tax cooperation and global public goods; regulation of multinational corporations.