Theory gaps in Economics

Representative open questions

Showing 18 of 23 — one per source paper, highest-quality first.

• Multi-asset optimal trade execution with stochastic cross-effects: An Obizhaeva–Wang-type framework (2026) · doi

  The framework assumes bounded coefficients (μ, σ, and γ) across all proofs, but the behavior of the multi-asset optimal trade execution model under time-varying or unbounded market impact coefficients has not been rigorously analyzed. Extension to regimes where Obizhaeva–Wang-type parameters exhibit stochastic volatility or regime-switching dynamics requires new theoretical development.

• Application of the Derivative Concept to Determine the Maximum Profit Point of Nasi Lengko Traders in Cirebon (2026) · doi

  This study's derivative analysis produced contrasting results compared to prior UMKM profit studies—some vendors exhibit linear profit functions with boundary maxima while others show critical point maxima. Future research should systematically investigate which specific operational conditions (pricing strategy, production capacity constraints, menu product mix) determine whether a Nasi Lengko vendor's profit function exhibits linear vs. nonlinear behavior under derivative optimization.

• FINANCIAL LITERACY AMONG WOMEN EDUCATORS IN HIGHER EDUCATION: AN EMPIRICAL INVESTIGATION OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND BEHAVIOUR (2026) · doi

  The study identifies that STEM field educators (Science and Engineering) show significantly lower financial literacy despite quantitative training, but provides no mechanistic explanation. Future research should investigate whether the lower literacy among STEM educators stems from curriculum focus differences, pedagogical approaches in quantitative disciplines, or selection bias in STEM career pathways among women educators in India.

• Pemetaan Profil Mahasiswa dalam Adopsi Dompet Digital Berdasarkan Sentimen Bauran Pemasaran Menggunakan Fuzzy C-Means (2026) · doi

  The Expectation-Confirmation Theory (ECT) interpretation assumes that basic functionality expectations override promotional incentives; however, no longitudinal tracking data exists showing whether the Mildly Dissatisfied cluster (47.3%) actually churns when technical issues persist, versus remaining active due to unobserved switching costs.

• Entrepreneurial Skills and Quantitative Decision - Making: The Role of Business Mathematics in Emerging Enterprises of Assam (2026) · doi

  The mediation analysis demonstrates that business mathematics partially mediates the relationship between entrepreneurial skills and quantitative decision-making (indirect effect=0.21, p<0.05), but the mechanism by which business mathematics competencies translate entrepreneurial skills into improved decision-making remains unexplored and requires investigation of specific mediating pathways.

• The legislative legacy of WTO accession: a retrospective analysis of Jordan’s industrial transformation (2000–2025) (2026) · doi

  While the paper identifies that the diplomatic impact of QIZs in manufacturing peace with neighboring countries was limited and economic cooperation failed to generate anticipated political spillovers, it provides no framework for measuring or testing what specific political outcomes (trade dispute resolution, bilateral cooperation agreements, conflict reduction) would constitute successful political spillovers in the Jordan context.

• O USO DA INTELIGÊNCIA ARTIFICIAL NO MARKETING SOCIAL PARA O COMBATE À HESITAÇÃO VACINAL INFANTIL: UM ESTUDO DE CASO EM PARAÍSO DO TOCANTINS – TO (2026) · doi

  AI adoption must be conducted in a planned, ethical, and gradual manner to ensure technology benefits translate into concrete gains for municipal public health, requiring frameworks for ethical implementation oversight.

• Striking a balance: the crucial role of climate risk disclosure in correcting overvaluation and undervaluation in stock markets (2026) · doi

  The paper suggests three pathways through which climate risk disclosure mitigates stock mispricing (reducing information asymmetry, decreasing investor irrationality, and lessening analyst opinion divergence), but the relative importance and interaction effects between these mechanisms remain unexplored.

• Regularized Vector Autoregressive Model for the Assessment of Macroeconomic Variables Associated with Inflation in Nigeria (2026) · doi

  While the study demonstrates superior forecast accuracy of regularized models, the theoretical mechanisms explaining why LASSO and Elastic Net outperform standard VAR in the Nigerian context require deeper investigation.

• Service encounters and the manufacture of harm: violence in the service economy under late-modernity (2026) · doi

  Future research must investigate how algorithmic management, surveillance technologies, and customer-rating systems contribute to new forms of harm and control in digital economies.

• Construction Material Market Volatility on Project Budgetary Risk and Contingency Planning (2026) · doi

  There is insufficient exploration of how contingency planning methodologies should be adapted based on different types of volatility drivers (supply chain disruptions vs. geopolitical factors vs. inflation).

• Factors Affecting the Effectiveness of Private Economic Development Policies in Vietnam Today (2026) · doi

  The paper recommends developing a venture capital ecosystem and innovation fund for startups but does not examine how these mechanisms would specifically address the absorptive capacity constraints of existing SMEs.

• Ownership structure, firm age, and technological capital as determinants of firm performance and value (2026) · doi

  Future research is recommended to incorporate additional variables to improve the adjusted R-square value while simultaneously reducing the potential subjectivity inherent in content analysis.

• Employment Alignment and Salary Satisfaction among Doctoral-Level High-Skilled Talent in Taiwan (2026) · doi

  Salary expectations in lower-paying humanities fields poorly predict actual compensation, creating systematic dissatisfaction, but the mechanisms underlying these expectation-reality gaps are not fully explained.

• Socio-Economic Analysis on Rice Crisis Production (2026) · doi

  While the paper identifies livelihood shocks and vulnerabilities, it does not provide detailed mechanisms or pathways explaining how these shocks translate into specific health outcomes beyond nutritional deficiencies.

• Artificial Intelligence for Modeling Investor Behavior and Market Sentiment Dynamics (2026) · doi

  The paper discusses risks of algorithmic herding and sentiment manipulation but does not provide validated detection methods or governance frameworks to protect market integrity from the weaponization of sentiment.

• The Impact of Negative Public Sentiment on Stock Price Volatility: A Case Study of Qiaqia Food (2026) · doi

  The study does not explore potential moderating or mediating factors beyond media authority, such as firm reputation, industry characteristics, or investor sentiment indicators, which could provide deeper insights into the sentiment-volatility mechanism.

• A Review of International Marketing Research for Chinese Medicine Health Products (2026) · doi

  Cultural differentiation often remains superficial, failing to translate the core essence of TCM culture into tangible brand value for consumers.