Journal of International Development最新文献

The movement against land acquisition for industrialization in Singur (2006–2008) became emblematic of the defeat of CPI(M) in West Bengal—the longest democratically elected communist regime in the world. A decade later, in 2018, CPI(M) organized a farmers' rally from Singur, demanding industrialization and jobs. This article engages with this narrative of ‘demand for industrialization’ and asks why farmers who had opposed land acquisition for industry a decade ago have started supporting industry now. Amid an ongoing wave of political change, the demand for industry emerges as a hope for the future rising from its own ashes. This article also engages with the classical agrarian question to argue that today, the transition to industrialization occurs not due to agricultural surplus but due to agricultural economic insecurities. This article critically explores the relationship between industrialization and agricultural productivity.

In the wake of COVID-19, distance education has emerged as a critical tool in developing countries to overcome geographical barriers and enhance educational access. This study evaluates the impact of a radio education programme implemented by the Korea Food for the Hungry International in Dedza, Malawi. It specifically investigates the direct and indirect effects of radio education on students' learning behaviour and self-efficacy, using survey data of 1654 students at 8 secondary schools in Dedza. Findings from multivariate regression analyses on two major outcome variables reveal that regular listening to radio education significantly enhances students' learning behaviour including class engagement and assignment completion, as well as students' self-efficacy, especially in terms of resilience, positivity and self-confidence. According to mediation analysis, self-efficacy is examined to serve as a partial mediator in the relationship between radio education on student learning behaviour. The results underscore the potential of radio education in boosting academic achievements, by utilising the constructs of self-efficacy to further enhance learning behaviour. The study contributes to the field through empirical and concrete evidence of radio education programmes and at the same time offers vital insights for interventions, using educational radio as a supplementary tool in similar contexts with vulnerability to regular education.

The aim of this study is to investigate whether digital technologies affect the credit market in the European Union (EU). The impact of digital technology on three types of bank loans (residential mortgage loans, consumer loans and corporate loans) is analysed separately for two groups of EU countries: Central and Eastern Europe and Western Europe. A dynamic panel regression model is employed based on yearly data on the individual bank level. The sample panel data cover the period 2010–2019. The results show that digital technology affects the growth of loans for households, mortgages and consumer loans. We also find heterogeneity between the Central and Eastern European and Western European banking sectors. Furthermore, the impact of digital technology on bank loan development is significantly stronger in foreign banks. Finally, the findings confirm the dominant role of digital technologies in loans for households during the analysed period. This is the first comprehensive study on the determinants of different loan types in the context of digital technology use in the EU.

This study focuses on the role of sand mining in rural livelihoods in Bangladesh, where the surge in sand extraction has raised environmental concerns. This study situates itself within the literature on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM), emphasizing the vital role of sand mining in diversifying rural economies. We found that a mixed-methods approach, including a comprehensive livelihoods survey and qualitative fieldwork, was needed to uncover the importance of sand mining as a critical component of livelihood diversification. It serves as a stable income source, particularly for individuals with limited assets or education. The study highlights the predominantly local workforce in sand mining along Brahmaputra River near the city of Jamalpur, deviating from the typical mobile labour seen in ASM. Additionally, the study examines the potential effects of mechanization on sand labour, emphasizing the precarious nature of this livelihood.

This study meticulously explores the intricate relationship between water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities and economic well-being in Punjab, employing a comprehensive approach that utilizes Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) data. Existing research lacks comprehensive multilevel and spatial analyses of the effect of WASH facilities on economic well-being. Addressing a gap in existing research, this study employs both linear and multilevel regression models to analyse household and district-level factors. The study finds significant associations between improved sanitation, hygiene practices and economic well-being. A 1% increase in WASH facilities is associated with approximately a 0.52% increase in economic well-being. Moreover, the enduring influence of parental education and the socio-economic dynamics within households play pivotal roles. At the district level, factors such as healthcare institutions, a lower multidimensional poverty index and enhanced access to water and sanitation infrastructure emerge as crucial contributors to economic well-being. The spatial analysis, utilizing Moran's I, further enriches the geographical understanding of these intricate connections. The results suggest a positive spatial correlation of WASH facilities within Punjab. This study attempts to unravel this complex relationship of WASH facilities with economic well-being, which is very important for further understanding the broader dimensions of socio-economic factors forming these dynamics. The insights gleaned from this research hold pivotal implications for policymaking, guiding interventions toward inclusive and sustainable socio-economic well-being.

This study utilizes data related to the manufacturing stock market to explore the impact of supply chain finance on total factor productivity and its related mechanisms, with a view to providing reference for the healthy operation of enterprises and economic growth. Empirical results show that supply chain finance can effectively improve the total factor productivity of manufacturing enterprises and enhance their innovation capabilities and risk tolerance. At the same time, the level of information disclosure and the ‘Big Four’ audits have a significant moderating effect on the relationship between supply chain finance and total factor productivity.