INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL ECONOMICS最新文献

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the level of empowerment of rural women organic farmers through the Total Observed Score of a Statement-Revised scale (TOSS-R).

Design/methodology/approach

In doing so, exploratory factor analysis is used to investigate the factorial structure of the 8-dimensional TOSS scale. Further, first and second-order confirmatory factor analysis is used to confirm the construct reliability and model adequacy of TOSS-R. The data has been collected from 314 women organic farmers from four selected districts (Nayagarh, Khurda, Boudh, and Ganjam) of Odisha based on 2022 records from the Directorate of Horticulture.

Findings

The results showed that the TOSS-R is showing better model adequacy compared (CMIN/df = 2.031, RMSEA = 0.073, SRMR = 0.064) to the earlier TOSS scale (CMIN/df = 2.697, RMSEA = 0.840, SRMR = 0.096). Further in the analysis of the overall empowerment, the TOSS-R scale determined that 49.60% of women are highly empowered, 44.58% are moderately, and 5.73% are less empowered.

Practical implications

The study emphasizes that the policymakers should establish a local capacity to promote gender equity in land titling such that women irrigators will be officially labelled as “farmers”, thereby bringing them under government scheme that is exclusively granted to women farmers.

Originality/value

The study’s novelty lies in a more comprehensive model of determining the empowerment of women organic farmers which has the capability to determine the constraints of the women failing to be empowered in the farming sector.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-09-2023-0693

Purpose

Agricultural production in Ethiopia is largely dependent on seasonal rainfall. This has made the agriculture-based economy of the country extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climatic change. To reduce this risk, the government has introduced strategies that promote irrigation as a key policy priority. Despite this, there has been limited empirical evidence on the impact of practicing small-scale irrigation on household income. This study was, therefore, conducted to examine the impact of access to small-scale irrigation on farm-household income in GannaBossa district, Ethiopia.

Design/methodology/approach

A multistage stratified random sampling technique was adopted to select 289 study participants. The data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential data analysis techniques. Propensity score matching (PSM) and logit regression were applied to analyse the impact of irrigation utilization on farm households’ income and identify factors influencing farm households’ decisions about irrigation-utilization, respectively.

Findings

The results of the study indicated that access to irrigation has a positive and significant impact on farm-household income. Estimates of the PSM model also confirmed that the mean income of irrigating households is significantly higher than that of non-irritating households. Further analysis of the results of the regression model revealed that amongst the hypothesized predictors of irrigation utilization, family size, soil fertility status, access to credit, access to extension services and access to the market were found to be positive and significant determinants of irrigation utilization, while distance to a water source was found to be a negative and significant predictor of irrigation utilization.

Practical implications

The results of the study can inform development practitioners on how expanding access to irrigation can serve as one key driver in enhancing growth in agricultural productivity, increasing household income and contributing to the alleviation of rural poverty in areas with irregular rainfall and a high risk of drought.

Originality/value

Given the country’s irrigation potential and policy priorities, such empirical evidence informs decision-makers to make informed decisions regarding prioritizing irrigation interventions and expanding access and management in Ethiopia.

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to contribute to empirical research by identifying the key macroeconomic drivers of equity market development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and to ascertain if banking sector development complements equity market development in the SSA region.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed the dynamic panel data approach using the pool mean group (PMG). The sample covered is twenty-seven (27) SSA countries between the period 2000 to 2020.

Findings

The result suggests that banking sector development, economic growth, migrant remittance and trade openness are the key drivers of equity market development in the SSA region. The study also revealed that banking sector development complements equity market development in the SSA region.

Originality/value

The use of robust measure in measuring equity market development (i.e. ratio of portfolio equity to gross domestic product) in ascertaining the macroeconomic drivers of equity market development. Likewise, exploring whether banking sector development complements equity market development in the SSA region makes the paper more unique, especially using the ratio of bank credit to bank deposit as a measure banking sector development.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-01-2024-0005

Purpose

We investigate the impact of private credit expansion and contraction on the unemployment rate in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Credit expansion and contraction are measured using a three-level criterion. The fixed effect panel regression model was used to estimate the impact of private credit contraction and expansion on the unemployment rate in ECOWAS countries.

Findings

Private credit contraction significantly increases the unemployment rate in ECOWAS countries. Private credit expansion does not have a significant effect on the unemployment rate. Real GDP growth has a significant negative effect on the unemployment rate which supports the prediction of the Okun’s Law while the inflation rate has a positive and insignificant effect on the rate of unemployment in ECOWAS countries which contradicts the prediction of the Phillips curve.

Practical implications

Policymakers in ECOWAS countries need to be cautious when introducing policies that lead to private credit contraction as it could increase unemployment. Policymakers in ECOWAS countries should also find the “threshold” below which private credit contraction will worsen the unemployment rate and introduce policy measures to ensure that private credit contraction does not fall below the threshold.

Originality/value

The literature has not examined the factors leading to tight labor markets or unemployment in West African countries.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-12-2023-0939.

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the implications of COVID-19 shocks on household income, food security and the role of social protection in Tunisia.

Design/methodology/approach

We used food insecurity classes proposed by FAO and data from the Economic Research Forum (ERF) Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Monitor Household Survey conducted over four waves of COVID-19 (November 2020, February 2021, April 2021 and June 2021). Here, the regression of a multinomial logistic model (MLM) is used to highlight the likelihood that a respondent’s eating habits were degraded by the COVID-19 crisis.

Findings

The findings first indicate that low-income and labor income-dependent households are the most vulnerable to shocks induced by COVID-19 and have had their food habits deteriorate considerably. Second, self-produced food by farmers who inhabit rural areas represented a food safety net during the pandemic. Finally, households that received a social transfer did not manage to overcome severe food insecurity.

Social implications

As a result, the challenges are to extend social protection coverage to households that face transitory poverty.

Originality/value

This is among the first studies to examine the effects of COVID-19 on household income and food insecurity in Tunisia. The study uses a new survey whose main objective is to monitor the impact of health crisis on Tunisian households, taking into consideration the strong labor market fluctuations. Indeed, these fluctuations, when measured against the pre-pandemic period and subsequent periods, would help to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on households’ well-being.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-11-2023-0867.

Purpose

This study aims to test the Kuznets curve between economic growth and child labor, along with the influence of exports, household size and rural population in the context of Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the research objective, this study applied the unit root test, bound co-integration test, and autoregressive distributive lags (ARDL) method for the period of 1972–2021.

Findings

The findings show an inverted U-shaped relationship between economic growth and child labor indicating that at the beginning stage of economic development, child labor increases due to lower per capita household and subsequently, in the long-run of economic development, child labor decreases due to the higher per capita households. Moreover, the results also show that exports, household size and rural population have a positive influence on increasing child labor.

Research limitations/implications

The policymakers and government of Pakistan need to focus on long-term economic growth policies, ensure free quality education and cheap equipment which practices minimum manpower to reduce the threat of child labor.

Social implications

Having long-run economic growth, the government of Pakistan need to equally benefit the households and the poor population to reduce child labor and enhance the social welfare of society.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that investigates the Kuznets curve relationship between economic growth and child labor in the context of Pakistan. Moreover, this study contributes to the reduction in child labor through long-term economic growth in the context of Pakistan.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-05-2023-0387

Purpose

Though Murabaha financing experienced substantial growth in several majority-Muslim countries, its market share in the Moroccan banking industry is still very narrow than other conventional banks’ instruments. The current research investigated the ability of an extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) framework to explain the main drivers of attitude and intention to use Murabaha financing among Moroccan households. The moderating effect of Islamic religiosity was also scrutinized.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected via a survey of 512 Moroccan consumers and analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS) technique.

Findings

First, attitude toward Islamic banking products is a key predictor of consumer intention to use Murabaha financing. At the same time, consumers’ attitudes are influenced by Islamic financial literacy, subjective norms, behavioral control and profit and loss sharing. Islamic religiosity was also found to positively moderate the link between attitudes towards Islamic banking (IB) and intention to use Murabaha financing, e.g. positive attitudes toward IB are more likely to convert into an intention to use Murabaha financing among Muslim consumers with higher levels of religiosity.

Managerial implications

To boost consumers’ intention to use Murabaha financing, Islamic bank managers should consider further investment in advertising to enhance consumers’ awareness about IB products. Islamic banks should also consider digital and social media marketing to increase consumers’ awareness about the products and spread a positive e-WOM with regards to their products. Our findings emphasize the importance of Islamic religiosity in shaping Muslim consumers’ intentions to use Murabaha financing. Islamic banks ought to make sure that Murabaha financing contracts are strictly adherent to and compliant with Shari’ah principles. They should also train their frontline employees on Islamic financing activities so that they can effectively respond to the queries and questions of Murabaha potential consumers.

Originality/value

The study findings contribute to the IB literature by demystifying the key factors shaping Muslim consumers’ intentions to use Murabaha financing. The study also extends the literature by emphasizing Islamic religiosity as a basis for Muslim consumers’ behavior in the context of IB. To the best of our knowledge, this study is among the first to empirically investigate Muslim consumers’ intention to use Murabaha financing in North Africa and the Arab countries.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-10-2022-0680

Purpose

Electric Vehicles (EVs), owing to their low carbon emissions, have gained immense importance in achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. They have also appeared as viable substitute to conventional vehicles. Aligning with global initiatives, India has created a favourable ecosystem and has implemented several policies since 2011 to achieve its target. Consequently, the market share of EVs has surged, both globally and in India, over the past decade. Taking this into account, this study aims to identify the factors that influence EVs in a developing economy using the context of India.

Design/methodology/approach

This study identified important determinants of EV adoption from global literature and employed a multiple linear regression model (MLRM) using the ordinary least squares (OLS) technique. Secondary data were utilised to identify determinants in the Indian context, sourced from the Ministry, NITI Aayog, AQI, the Lok Sabha Question, and the Economic Survey of India.

Findings

This study found that the number of charging stations and local pollution levels significantly influence EV adoption in India. The insignificance of the other variables may be due to the emerging state of the Indian EV market.

Originality/value

This study adds to the growing body of literature on EV adoption in developing economies by analysing the factors that impact its adoption using regional data. In addition, this study provides a unique perspective on a developing economy and advocates a comprehensive policy for EV adoption that reflects long-term sustainability.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-06-2023-0479.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the research is to examine the impact of financial socialisation (FS) on the financial well-being (FWB) of unskilled internal migrant labourers, particularly focusing on the intervening roles of financial knowledge (FK) and financial behaviour (FB).

Design/methodology/approach

Using a cross-sectional research design, primary data from 269 unskilled internal migrant labourers were collected, applying the purposive sampling method. Using the data, the direct and mediated effects are examined through a three-path mediation model with structural equation modelling (SEM).

Findings

Direct relationship analysis of FS on FWB exhibits an insignificant relationship, and FK also does not mediate the relationship; instead, FB acts as a potent mediator in both relationships.

Research limitations/implications

The study enriches existing literature as it contributes to understanding the FWB of internal migrant labour, highlighting the pivotal role of FS and FB. Further, it provides insights for policymakers to enhance FWB through targeted interventions and inclusive policies, promoting social inclusion, economic empowerment and inclusive development.

Originality/value

Despite the significant economic role of unskilled internal migrant labours, studies have not focused on their FWB. Hence, the study delves into their FWB through FS directly as well as indirectly using a three-path mediation model for achieving sustainable development.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-01-2024-0044

Purpose

This paper aims to find the effects of mothers’ schooling on child schooling.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses Bangladesh's Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES), which is a nationally representative survey. It employs the instrumental variable technique to estimate the intergenerational model.

Findings

Interestingly, the results show that the intergenerational transmission of schooling from mothers is slightly higher than that of fathers in Bangladesh.

Research limitations/implications

Estimating the intergenerational model is challenging due to the endogeneity issue. The methodology used in this paper may help to find similar evidence from other countries.

Practical implications

The findings of the study may help to design and evaluate the educational policies in Bangladesh or a country like Bangladesh. For instance, the results of this paper suggest that the female stipend program (FSP) in Bangladesh is effective for the next generation’s schooling.

Originality/value

This paper is among the first to analyze the effect of mother’s schooling on the child’s schooling, controlling the father’s education and other household characteristics. In addition, it controls for endogeneity bias due to genetic transmission.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-06-2023-0491