Innovative machine learning approaches for complexity in economic forecasting and SME growth: A comprehensive review

Economic forecasting and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) growth prediction have become essential tools for guiding policy, business strategy, and economic development in an increasingly data-driven world. This paper reviews recent advancements in economic regression and SME growth forecast...

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Main Authors: Mustafa I. Al-Karkhi, Grzegorz Rza̧dkowski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-11-01
Series:Journal of Economy and Technology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949948825000010
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author Mustafa I. Al-Karkhi
Grzegorz Rza̧dkowski
author_facet Mustafa I. Al-Karkhi
Grzegorz Rza̧dkowski
author_sort Mustafa I. Al-Karkhi
collection DOAJ
description Economic forecasting and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) growth prediction have become essential tools for guiding policy, business strategy, and economic development in an increasingly data-driven world. This paper reviews recent advancements in economic regression and SME growth forecasts, with a focus on the application of machine learning (ML) techniques. Specifically, the findings highlight that the integration of ensemble methods and deep learning models has achieved significant improvements in prediction accuracy, while interpretability tools such as SHAP and LIME enhance transparency and user trust. It provides a structured analysis of diverse methodologies that includes ensemble methods, deep learning models, and interpretability tools to evaluate their effectiveness and limitations in addressing the complexities of economic and SME data. This review categorizes studies by regional focus to highlight unique challenges in different economic landscapes and the adaptability of various forecasting models. Key challenges—such as imbalanced data, feature selection, and the integration of real-time data—were identified as critical factors for enhancing prediction reliability and applicability. By comparing existing surveys and identifying gaps, this review presents actionable insights and proposes future research directions that emphasize the need for integrative models that combine Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) with cross-regional data fusion for more accurate and adaptable economic forecasts. These integrative models have the potential to achieve greater regional generalizability by the offering of better decision-making tools for policymakers. The findings underscore the transformative role of ML and XAI in economic forecasting and offer valuable guidance for researchers and decision-makers to optimize forecasting models for business growth and economic planning.
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spelling doaj-art-e60be257faaf41c2b16e644add7950e22025-08-20T03:31:21ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Journal of Economy and Technology2949-94882025-11-01310912210.1016/j.ject.2025.01.001Innovative machine learning approaches for complexity in economic forecasting and SME growth: A comprehensive reviewMustafa I. Al-Karkhi0Grzegorz Rza̧dkowski1Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Technology, Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq; Department of Finance and Risk Management, Warsaw University of Technology, Narbutta 85, Warsaw 02-524, Poland; Corresponding author at: Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Technology, Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq.Department of Finance and Risk Management, Warsaw University of Technology, Narbutta 85, Warsaw 02-524, PolandEconomic forecasting and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) growth prediction have become essential tools for guiding policy, business strategy, and economic development in an increasingly data-driven world. This paper reviews recent advancements in economic regression and SME growth forecasts, with a focus on the application of machine learning (ML) techniques. Specifically, the findings highlight that the integration of ensemble methods and deep learning models has achieved significant improvements in prediction accuracy, while interpretability tools such as SHAP and LIME enhance transparency and user trust. It provides a structured analysis of diverse methodologies that includes ensemble methods, deep learning models, and interpretability tools to evaluate their effectiveness and limitations in addressing the complexities of economic and SME data. This review categorizes studies by regional focus to highlight unique challenges in different economic landscapes and the adaptability of various forecasting models. Key challenges—such as imbalanced data, feature selection, and the integration of real-time data—were identified as critical factors for enhancing prediction reliability and applicability. By comparing existing surveys and identifying gaps, this review presents actionable insights and proposes future research directions that emphasize the need for integrative models that combine Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) with cross-regional data fusion for more accurate and adaptable economic forecasts. These integrative models have the potential to achieve greater regional generalizability by the offering of better decision-making tools for policymakers. The findings underscore the transformative role of ML and XAI in economic forecasting and offer valuable guidance for researchers and decision-makers to optimize forecasting models for business growth and economic planning.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949948825000010C53L26O47D22
spellingShingle Mustafa I. Al-Karkhi
Grzegorz Rza̧dkowski
Innovative machine learning approaches for complexity in economic forecasting and SME growth: A comprehensive review
Journal of Economy and Technology
C53
L26
O47
D22
title Innovative machine learning approaches for complexity in economic forecasting and SME growth: A comprehensive review
title_full Innovative machine learning approaches for complexity in economic forecasting and SME growth: A comprehensive review
title_fullStr Innovative machine learning approaches for complexity in economic forecasting and SME growth: A comprehensive review
title_full_unstemmed Innovative machine learning approaches for complexity in economic forecasting and SME growth: A comprehensive review
title_short Innovative machine learning approaches for complexity in economic forecasting and SME growth: A comprehensive review
title_sort innovative machine learning approaches for complexity in economic forecasting and sme growth a comprehensive review
topic C53
L26
O47
D22
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949948825000010
work_keys_str_mv AT mustafaialkarkhi innovativemachinelearningapproachesforcomplexityineconomicforecastingandsmegrowthacomprehensivereview
AT grzegorzrzadkowski innovativemachinelearningapproachesforcomplexityineconomicforecastingandsmegrowthacomprehensivereview