title: Essays on Fintech development

authors: Tang, Mengxuan

abstract: Fintech is a contraction of the term "financial technology", which has become increasingly popular in the financial sector in recent years. Even the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019 has not changed the fact that the Fintech industry is growing. The rapid development of Fintech has significantly impacted the traditional financial landscape, redefining the delivery of financial services, broadening their coverage, and significantly improving efficiency and convenience, injecting new vitality into the global financial industry.

The aim of this thesis is to explore the impact of Fintech on the incumbent financial system and the real economy in the Chinese context. First, to gauge the development of the Fintech area in China, this paper uses various Fintech development indicators. Notably, this thesis builds the Fintech development index by combining the multidimensional information that involves advanced technologies and Fintech-related fields. The study also uses the Peking University Digital Financial Inclusion Index of China (PKU-DFIIC) and hand-collected and constructed datasets of Fintech patents. Second, this thesis comprehensively analyses the implications of Fintech developments on corporate operational strategies in several key areas including risk-taking, liquidity creation, diversification, fraud, tax avoidance, financing, and investment policies. By exploring how Fintech shapes corporate development strategies and influences value growth in these areas, the thesis reveals the role of Fintech in optimizing resource allocation, improving corporate efficiency, and reducing operational risk. Moreover, the study analyses the potential risks and challenges that the Fintech development may pose.

The main contribution of this thesis is to provide new empirical evidence for the impact of Fintech on the development of traditional financial institutions and the real economy and to fill the gaps in existing research. Through an in-depth exploration of the economic consequences of the Fintech field, this paper not only reveals the role of Fintech in promoting the transformation of the real economy but also provides new perspectives on the benign development of the Fintech industry. Meanwhile, the findings provide valuable insights into the transformation of China's existing economic system, especially in terms of how to optimize the financial service system, improve the efficiency of resource allocation, and achieve sustainable growth in the context of the digital economy, which has important political implications.

text: Essays on Fintech development Fintech is a contraction of the term "financial technology", which has become increasingly popular in the financial sector in recent years. Even the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019 has not changed the fact that the Fintech industry is growing. The rapid development of Fintech has significantly impacted the traditional financial landscape, redefining the delivery of financial services, broadening their coverage, and significantly improving efficiency and convenience, injecting new vitality into the global financial industry.

The aim of this thesis is to explore the impact of Fintech on the incumbent financial system and the real economy in the Chinese context. First, to gauge the development of the Fintech area in China, this paper uses various Fintech development indicators. Notably, this thesis builds the Fintech development index by combining the multidimensional information that involves advanced technologies and Fintech-related fields. The study also uses the Peking University Digital Financial Inclusion Index of China (PKU-DFIIC) and hand-collected and constructed datasets of Fintech patents. Second, this thesis comprehensively analyses the implications of Fintech developments on corporate operational strategies in several key areas including risk-taking, liquidity creation, diversification, fraud, tax avoidance, financing, and investment policies. By exploring how Fintech shapes corporate development strategies and influences value growth in these areas, the thesis reveals the role of Fintech in optimizing resource allocation, improving corporate efficiency, and reducing operational risk. Moreover, the study analyses the potential risks and challenges that the Fintech development may pose.

The main contribution of this thesis is to provide new empirical evidence for the impact of Fintech on the development of traditional financial institutions and the real economy and to fill the gaps in existing research. Through an in-depth exploration of the economic consequences of the Fintech field, this paper not only reveals the role of Fintech in promoting the transformation of the real economy but also provides new perspectives on the benign development of the Fintech industry. Meanwhile, the findings provide valuable insights into the transformation of China's existing economic system, especially in terms of how to optimize the financial service system, improve the efficiency of resource allocation, and achieve sustainable growth in the context of the digital economy, which has important political implications.

year: 2025-08-01

title: Do youth in sport stay out of court? Insights and recommendations for families, coaches, community groups, sports organisations, and policymakers

authors: Clarke, Gloria Hinemoa

abstract: In Aotearoa New Zealand, rugby and rugby league are popular sporting codes, historically and particularly among males. In their 2023 annual reports, New Zealand Rugby reported 147,434 registered participants, while New Zealand Rugby League reported 28,180. Both institutions have also developed equity, diversity and inclusion strategies aimed at nurturing the participation and involvement of women and girls, as well as Māori and Pacific communities. However, while both codes have recorded an increase in female participation, there has been a gradual decline in male participation (Cully, 2023; Radio New Zealand, 2023; Wilson, 2022). This decline in sport participation has also been noted by (former) Principal Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft, who found that young male offenders are often not involved in sport (Bruce, 2013; Sport NZ, 2018). 

This report summarises the findings of a study that examines sports attrition in relation to youth offending. In that study, the author (Clarke, 2012) examined the childhood and youth sporting experiences and illegal activities of five young men aged between 18 and 25 years old. 

The aim of this report is to provide insights into how these young men became involved in sport and why they dropped out, how they became involved in crime, and possible links between their sport participation and offending. Their experiences highlight several issues that can be addressed by parents/caregivers, clubs, sport administrators, coaches, community groups, sports organisations, and policymakers. 

In course of the study, six key observations were made. For these young men:
1. rugby and or rugby league were their primary and final sporting codes; 
2. these sports were or had become ‘just a game’;
3. aggressive coaches diminished their enjoyment and commitment to sport;
4. their parents/caregivers were absent from their sporting lives; 
5. their participation in sport and crime was simultaneous; and
6. the collision aspect of rugby and rugby league may have helped to facilitate their offending.

In this document, the names of these young men have been replaced with aliases. To provide the reader with a richer and deeper understanding of the issues, the report features a number of their stories and reflections (edited for readability only). The research methods are briefly outlined in Appendix 1. Sources included in this report are listed in the References section. For a fuller review of the literature and the research analysis refer to the original research document (Clarke, 2012).

text: Do youth in sport stay out of court? Insights and recommendations for families, coaches, community groups, sports organisations, and policymakers In Aotearoa New Zealand, rugby and rugby league are popular sporting codes, historically and particularly among males. In their 2023 annual reports, New Zealand Rugby reported 147,434 registered participants, while New Zealand Rugby League reported 28,180. Both institutions have also developed equity, diversity and inclusion strategies aimed at nurturing the participation and involvement of women and girls, as well as Māori and Pacific communities. However, while both codes have recorded an increase in female participation, there has been a gradual decline in male participation (Cully, 2023; Radio New Zealand, 2023; Wilson, 2022). This decline in sport participation has also been noted by (former) Principal Youth Court Judge Andrew Becroft, who found that young male offenders are often not involved in sport (Bruce, 2013; Sport NZ, 2018). 

This report summarises the findings of a study that examines sports attrition in relation to youth offending. In that study, the author (Clarke, 2012) examined the childhood and youth sporting experiences and illegal activities of five young men aged between 18 and 25 years old. 

The aim of this report is to provide insights into how these young men became involved in sport and why they dropped out, how they became involved in crime, and possible links between their sport participation and offending. Their experiences highlight several issues that can be addressed by parents/caregivers, clubs, sport administrators, coaches, community groups, sports organisations, and policymakers. 

In course of the study, six key observations were made. For these young men:
1. rugby and or rugby league were their primary and final sporting codes; 
2. these sports were or had become ‘just a game’;
3. aggressive coaches diminished their enjoyment and commitment to sport;
4. their parents/caregivers were absent from their sporting lives; 
5. their participation in sport and crime was simultaneous; and
6. the collision aspect of rugby and rugby league may have helped to facilitate their offending.

In this document, the names of these young men have been replaced with aliases. To provide the reader with a richer and deeper understanding of the issues, the report features a number of their stories and reflections (edited for readability only). The research methods are briefly outlined in Appendix 1. Sources included in this report are listed in the References section. For a fuller review of the literature and the research analysis refer to the original research document (Clarke, 2012).

year: 2025

title: Te Ira Atua: The spiritual spark of the child

authors: Rameka, Lesley Kay

abstract: “E ai ki tā te Māori he atua tonu kei roto i te mokopuna ina whānau mai ana ia ki tēnei ao” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 35). This quote is from the New Zealand Ministry of Education’s early childhood curriculum policy statement, Te Whāriki: He Whāriki Matauranga mo ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa/Early Childhood Curriculum (Ministry of Education, 1996). It speaks of the godliness or spiritual essence each child inherits from their ancestors when they are born (Early Childhood Development, 1999; Reedy, 2003). From a traditional Māori perspective, not only is the child endowed with spiritual potential or a divine spirit, but the world the child is born into is also endowed with spiritual influences.

text: Te Ira Atua: The spiritual spark of the child “E ai ki tā te Māori he atua tonu kei roto i te mokopuna ina whānau mai ana ia ki tēnei ao” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 35). This quote is from the New Zealand Ministry of Education’s early childhood curriculum policy statement, Te Whāriki: He Whāriki Matauranga mo ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa/Early Childhood Curriculum (Ministry of Education, 1996). It speaks of the godliness or spiritual essence each child inherits from their ancestors when they are born (Early Childhood Development, 1999; Reedy, 2003). From a traditional Māori perspective, not only is the child endowed with spiritual potential or a divine spirit, but the world the child is born into is also endowed with spiritual influences.

year: 2015