Dr. Ailin Leng, Associate Professor

Center of Economic Research, Shandong University, Jinan, China

Biography

Dr. Ailin Leng is an associate professor in the Center of Economic Research, Shandong University, Jinan, China. Dr. Leng’s research interests are experimental economics, behavioral economics and game theory. Her work has been published in top field journals such as Games and Economic Behavior, Experimental Economics, and Behavioral Sciences. Ailin is the principal investigator of the General Program and Young Scientist Program of the National Natural Science Foundation. She has been awarded the title of “Taishan Scholar” by the Shandong government. She was an invited speaker at conferences such as the Beijing International Workshop on Microeconomics: Empirics, Experiment and Theory.

Topic

Competitive Behavior, Economic Investment, and Educational Equality

Abstract

Educational equity is a crucial issue in both economic resource allocation and social management. In China, students from financially advantaged families engage in various ways of investment to secure an advantage in educational competition, such as participating in after-school tutoring programs, purchasing homes in desirable school districts, and attending high-tuition private schools. However, the wealthier families can provide more support. To curb the excessive educational investment and promote educational equality, the Chinese government over recent years has issued policies such as “double reduction”, orderly exchange for principals and teachers, and the same enrollment policy for public and private schools. This paper investigates the opportunity fairness in educational competition using game theory models and economic experiments. Students with different economic conditions work hard to learn various topics and invest monetary resources to participate in the competition. The results indicate that even when students’ wealth is above the equilibrium level, differences in its distribution make people more likely to invest money to compete. Furthermore, changing the cost of education has little impact on people's behavior, but using simple learning tasks and imposing investment limits can effectively curb excessive investment. The study has the following policy implications. In a society where income disparities are smaller, the average level of investment in education is significantly reduced. The government can then improve the economic condition of impoverished families through taxes, subsidies, and financial aid. However, measures aimed at changing the cost of education have limited effects. Therefore, if the “double reduction” policy mainly increases the price of tutoring services. Students’ total investment still remains high. Nevertheless, simple learning tasks can effectively reduce the total investment and increase the chances of students from ordinary families. Only when exam questions are difficult, the extra-curricular tutoring increases the chances of success. Finally, limiting high education consumption can also effectively curb excessive investment. This prevents high-income families, even if they have extra money, from gaining educational opportunities that exceed those available to ordinary families.

Dr. Nazimah Hussin, Associate Professor

Azman Hashim International Business School, University Technology Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Biography

Dr. Nazimah Hussin is an Associate Professor at Azman Hashim International Business School, University Technology Malaysia. Dr. Nazimah Hussin brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role. As a former Academic Director, she successfully oversaw postgraduate programs, including MBA, DBA, and PhD initiatives. She holds a BSc in Finance from Arizona State University, an MSc from Loughborough University, and a PhD from Durham University. Dr. Hussin has been a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy since 2010 and has over two decades of teaching experience. She has led numerous research grants and consultancy projects, demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence and industry engagement. Her research interests span behavioral finance, Islamic finance, fintech, services marketing, and talent development. Through strategic collaborations with industry partners, Dr. Hussin has played a pivotal role in talent development and fostering innovation. Her dedication to bridging academia and industry underscores her commitment to advancing knowledge, developing future leaders, and driving societal progress.

Topic

Action Research as a Catalyst for Financial Sustainability

Abstract

Financial sustainability is a cornerstone of corporate governance, strategic financial management, and institutional resilience. In an era of economic volatility, organizations must adopt adaptive financial strategies to ensure long-term viability. Action research, as a participatory and iterative methodology, provides a structured approach to diagnosing financial challenges, developing sustainable financial models, and implementing evidence-based solutions. The role of action research in fostering financial sustainability is crucial, as it bridges the gap between theory and practice. By engaging in action research methodologies, participants gain the skills to design and test innovative financial strategies in real-world contexts. Through business simulations and industry collaborations, participants enhance their critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and strategic decision-making. The significance of action research extends beyond education, as it plays a vital role in preparing future financial leaders, influencing policy development, and driving sustainable financial practices across industries. This study offers actionable insights for educators, industry practitioners, and policymakers on leveraging action research as a tool for financial sustainability and organizational success.