The DIMS Maghtech Review, faithful to its vocation of scientific dissemination and transdisciplinary openness, continues in this fifth issue its mission to explore the contemporary issues shaping the global economy, regional dynamics, and national development trajectories. In a context where climate, financial, geopolitical, and health crises intersect, academic reflection must provide rigorous frameworks for interpretation, solid empirical analyses, and original proposals that can enlighten both the scientific community and public and private decision-makers. This issue is dedicated to the BETA 24 (Business and Economics Theory and Applications) International Conference organized by the Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Sousse (Tunisia) on November 15 and 16, 2024, on the theme “Rethink the Economic Development Model: What Contributions Does Khaldunian Thinking Offer?” A re-examination of economic concepts, tools, theories, and models is indeed necessary at a time when so many disruptions have taken place and paradigm shifts are multiplying and occurring at a rapid pace. Our thanks go to the event organizers, who also oversaw the publication process, notably by selecting the articles submitted and acting as liaisons between the journal and the authors:

Dr. Aymen Ajina, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management, and

Prof. Amani Kahloul, Professor at the faculty.

Guest Editors

The contributions gathered here share a common concern: to understand the mechanisms of economic transformation in the face of multiple pressures—environmental, financial, technological, or political—and to draw useful lessons for the sustainability and resilience of societies.

 

The first article, by Abdelkader Djeflat, attempts to interpret the challenges facing countries in the South in general and those in Africa in particular, in light of two major challenges. The first is sustainable development, which has become a major concern as the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals approaches. The second is meeting the challenges of competitiveness in a globalized economy in order to boost employment, especially among young people. Most studies agree on the need for annual growth driven by innovation and knowledge. Addressing these two major challenges creates areas of tension and divergence. On a conceptual level, attempts at convergence have been made over the past two decades, both by international organizations and within the academic sphere. Drawing on ancient theories, including those of Ibn Khaldoun, the author argues that the knowledge economy (KE) paradigm could greatly restore this convergence through a transformative KE.

 

From a different but complementary perspective, Abderraouf Mtiraoui seeks to decipher regional disparities in the MENA region before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. His article uses a socio-economic mapping approach to highlight the structural gaps that have widened as a result of the global health crisis. This study illustrates how the pandemic has not only exacerbated pre-existing inequalities, but has also revealed the fragility of development models in a region already facing multiple political and social tensions. By combining economic data and territorial analysis, the author demonstrates the need for more inclusive public policies capable of reducing regional divides and strengthening social cohesion. Through this contribution, the issue enriches the debate on the links between global shocks and regional vulnerabilities, and opens a discussion on the conditions for a sustainable and equitable recovery in the Arab world.

 

Geopolitics also plays a central role in Leila Ben Ltaief's article, which examines the impact of the war in Ukraine on foreign direct investment (FDI) flows and trade relations. By analyzing the repercussions of a major conflict on the global economy, the author highlights how sanctions, disruptions in value chains, and the reconfiguration of geo-economic alliances are redrawing the map of international trade. This study helps us understand how a geopolitical event of global magnitude affects financial stability, trade, and investment strategies, and how it forces emerging and developing countries to redefine their partnerships. By offering an empirical perspective on this war, the article enriches the literature on the interactions between armed conflict, international finance, and globalized trade.

 

In the same geoeconomic vein, but focusing on the Russian case, Mariem Mejri offers an original analysis of real economic fluctuations and inflation dynamics in Russia. Using a sophisticated analytical framework—the hybrid NCPK approach combined with HP and BK filters and the EMD method—the author highlights the specificities of the Russian inflation regime, particularly in a context marked by economic sanctions and high market volatility. With its methodological sophistication and focus on a strategic country, this article makes a valuable contribution to understanding the mechanisms of macroeconomic adjustment in emerging economies under geopolitical constraints. It also opens up avenues for reflection on how external shocks affect monetary stability and internal resilience.

 

This issue concludes with a study rooted in the Algerian reality, authored by Younes Ferdj, Abdelkader Djeflat, and Abdelkader Hamadi, who examine the mathematical modeling of the influence of training and industrial organization on the degree of innovation in manufacturing SMEs. Using a quantitative and theoretical approach, the authors demonstrate how investment in human capital and industrial structuring determine the capacity for innovation and, consequently, the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises. At a time when Algeria is seeking to diversify its economy and strengthen its productive fabric, this contribution offers important analytical insights that are useful for both academic research and industrial policy.

 

Although these articles cover a variety of fields and issues, they are thematically consistent. Each in its own way, they examine the relationships between economic openness, environmental sustainability, social resilience, and geopolitical stability. Their diversity illustrates the DIMS Review's commitment to combining global analysis with regional perspectives, integrating multidisciplinary approaches ranging from international economics to public policy analysis, green finance to industrial modeling. Methodologically, this issue also stands out for the variety of tools used: panel VAR models, GMM methods, economic filtering techniques, socio-economic mapping, and mathematical modeling. This wealth of approaches reflects the dynamism of current research and its ability to offer innovative interpretations of complex realities.

 

Finally, this fifth issue of the DIMS Maghtech Review confirms the journal's growing status as a scientific platform for exchange and critical reflection on major contemporary economic and social transformations. By giving a voice to researchers from different backgrounds, it contributes to an essential academic debate and informs decisive political and strategic choices. Through the plurality of themes addressed—from historical perspective to industrial innovation, regional disparities, and geopolitical shocks—this issue illustrates the journal's ambition: to be a space for rigorous, open, and engaged dialogue, serving to foster a more nuanced understanding of the challenges of our time.