Focus and Scope

The International Journal of Economic Integration and Regional Competitiveness (IJEIRC) is an international peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing scholarly understanding of economic integration, regional competitiveness, accounting, finance, governance, and sustainable economic development in an increasingly interconnected global economy.

The journal provides a forum for high-quality theoretical, empirical, and policy-oriented research examining how economic integration, institutional arrangements, financial and accounting systems, technological transformation, and cross-border economic activities influence the competitiveness and sustainable development of countries, regions, industries, firms, and communities.

IJEIRC particularly encourages research that goes beyond purely descriptive or locally bounded analysis by demonstrating clear theoretical, comparative, international, regional, or policy relevance. Studies focusing on a single country, locality, institution, or organization are welcome when their findings contribute to broader scholarly debates or provide insights applicable to other economic, institutional, or regional contexts.

The journal welcomes interdisciplinary contributions from economics, accounting, finance, business and management, development studies, public policy, regional science, international business, political economy, and related fields.

Scope

The journal welcomes original research addressing, but not limited to, the following areas:

Economic Integration and International Trade
Regional and global economic integration; bilateral and multilateral trade agreements; free trade areas; customs unions; global and regional value chains; trade liberalization; trade barriers; export competitiveness; international trade policy; and the economic consequences of regional integration.
Regional Competitiveness and Economic Development
Determinants and measurement of regional competitiveness; regional productivity; economic growth; industrial development; regional specialization; innovation ecosystems; industrial clusters; entrepreneurship; small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); local economic development; and regional economic resilience.
Foreign Direct Investment and International Capital Flows
Foreign direct investment (FDI); international investment; capital mobility; multinational enterprises; investment attractiveness; technology transfer; knowledge spillovers; cross-border business activities; and their implications for regional and national competitiveness.
Macroeconomic Policy, Public Finance, and Regional Disparities
Fiscal and monetary policies; taxation; public expenditure; public debt; inflation; financial stability; regional inequality; income disparities; economic convergence and divergence; fiscal decentralization; and policy responses to regional development challenges.
Accounting, Financial Reporting, and Economic Integration
International accounting; financial reporting; accounting standards and harmonization; International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS); accounting quality; corporate disclosure; transparency; earnings quality; accounting information and capital markets; and the implications of accounting practices for investment, integration, and economic competitiveness.
Management Accounting, Business Performance, and Competitiveness
Management accounting practices; cost management; budgeting; performance measurement; strategic management accounting; accounting information systems; organizational performance; SME accounting practices; productivity; and the role of accounting information in strengthening firm and regional competitiveness.
Auditing, Corporate Governance, and Accountability
Internal and external auditing; audit quality; corporate governance; corporate accountability; ownership structures; board effectiveness; internal control; risk management; regulatory compliance; fraud prevention; public sector accountability; and governance mechanisms affecting economic and organizational performance.
Finance, Financial Markets, and Regional Development
Corporate finance; financial markets; banking; financial inclusion; access to finance; investment decisions; capital structure; financial performance; behavioral finance; Islamic finance; financial technology; and the role of financial institutions and markets in promoting regional economic development.
Sustainability Accounting, ESG, and Sustainable Finance
Sustainability reporting; environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices; integrated reporting; carbon accounting; green accounting; climate-related financial disclosure; sustainable finance; green investment; corporate social responsibility; environmental economics; circular economy; and sustainable regional development.
Labor Mobility, Human Capital, and Inclusive Development
Labor migration; workforce mobility; education and skills development; human capital; employment creation; productivity; demographic change; inequality; social inclusion; and their relationship with economic integration and regional competitiveness.
Institutions, Governance, and Regional Cooperation
Institutional quality; regulatory frameworks; public governance; regional cooperation; economic diplomacy; political economy; decentralization; international and regional institutions; public policy; and institutional arrangements supporting economic integration and competitiveness.
Digital Transformation, Innovation, and the Integrated Economy
Digital economy; financial technology; digital accounting; artificial intelligence in economics, accounting, and finance; digital trade; e-commerce; digital financial services; technological innovation; Industry 4.0; digital entrepreneurship; and the effects of technological transformation on productivity and regional competitiveness.

Research Approaches

IJEIRC welcomes a broad range of rigorous research approaches, including:

quantitative and econometric studies;
qualitative and interpretive research;
mixed-methods research;
comparative and cross-country studies;
longitudinal and panel-data analyses;
experimental and quasi-experimental studies;
case studies with broader theoretical or policy implications;
systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses;
conceptual and theoretical studies; and
policy-oriented research supported by robust analytical frameworks.

The journal particularly values manuscripts that demonstrate theoretical originality, methodological rigor, empirical relevance, and meaningful implications for international or regional scholarly debates.

IJEIRC welcomes studies from developed, emerging, and developing economies. However, manuscripts based on specific countries, regions, industries, firms, or institutions should clearly articulate how their findings contribute to the broader understanding of economic integration, regional competitiveness, accounting and financial systems, institutional development, or sustainable economic transformation.