Income Instability Research Articles

The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on employment in Cameroon: A general equilibrium analysis.

This paper presents a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model that assesses the impacts of the Covid‐19 pandemic on different economic sectors in Cameroon. A special feature of the CGE model used in this study is that it accounts for the importance of the informal sector in Cameroon. Indeed, more than 80% of the employed work in the informal sector, which is characterized by the precariousness and instability of income and employment over time and space. Simulation results suggest that economic sectors such as construction, education, hotels and restaurants and commerce should receive special attention, as they have experienced the most severe employments losses. This calls for a differentiated support from the government to protect employment in these industries.

Family Resilience in a Resource‐Cursed Community Dependent on the Oil and Gas Industry

The economic and social well-being of rural, "resource-cursed" communities can depend on the boom-bust cycles of a single industry like oil and gas. This study used a constructivist, inductive approach to identify the challenges placed on families in one such community and the processes that strengthen family resilience. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 35 adult residents (30-76 years old, 19 women) from a community in Alberta, Canada, that has specialized in oil and gas extraction for 70 years and experienced its worst economic downturn while the study was underway. Results showed that many families have experienced an endless cycle of poor work-life balance and income instability throughout the economic cycle. Family life often lacked social cohesion as a consequence of demanding work schedules and economic pressures. Additional challenges were the perceived negative effects of rigid gender roles, substance abuse, family conflicts, and domestic violence. Crucial strengthening processes for family resilience were fundamental financial and living standard adaptations (e.g., living within or below one's economic means; having both spouses become earners), maintaining regular contact by having a flexible home routine, and mutually agreeing to change roles during busts (former earners take responsibility for caregiving and running of the household and vice versa). Alternatively, accepting economic volatility and its impact on normal family life processes were essential for family resilience. Findings suggest the need for clinicians to help families foster resilience in communities that depend on resource extraction industries with concurrent adaptations required by individuals, families, and socio-political and economic systems.

There and Back Again: A Commentary on Social Welfare Policy in the Wake of 2020

There and Back Again: A Commentary on Social Welfare Policy in the Wake of 2020

Impact of COVID-19 on Child Maltreatment: Income Instability and Parenting Issues.

Introduction: Children are widely recognized as a vulnerable population during disasters and emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic, like a natural disaster, brought uncertainties and instability to the economic development of the society and social distancing, which might lead to child maltreatment. This study aims to investigate whether job loss, income reduction and parenting affect child maltreatment. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of 600 randomly sampled parents aged 18 years or older who had and lived with a child under 10 years old in Hong Kong between 29 May to 16 June 2020. Participants were recruited from a random list of mobile phone numbers of a panel of parents. Of 779 recruited target parents, 600 parents completed the survey successfully via a web-based system after obtaining their online consent for participating in the survey. Results: Income reduction was found significantly associated with severe (OR = 3.29, 95% CI = 1.06, 10.25) and very severe physical assaults (OR = 7.69, 95% CI = 2.24, 26.41) towards children. Job loss or large income reduction were also significantly associated with severe (OR= 3.68, 95% CI = 1.33, 10.19) and very severe physical assaults (OR = 4.05, 95% CI = 1.17, 14.08) towards children. However, income reduction (OR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.15, 0.53) and job loss (OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.28, 0.76) were significantly associated with less psychological aggression. Exposure to intimate partner violence between parents is a very strong and significant factor associated with all types of child maltreatment. Having higher levels of difficulty in discussing COVID-19 with children was significantly associated with more corporal punishment (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.05, 1.34), whereas having higher level of confidence in managing preventive COVID-19 behaviors with children was negatively associated with corporal punishment (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.76, 0.99) and very severe physical assaults (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.58, 0.93). Conclusions: Income instability such as income reduction and job loss amplified the risk of severe and very severe child physical assaults but protected children from psychological aggression. Also, confidence in teaching COVID-19 and managing preventive COVID-19 behaviors with children was significantly negatively associated with corporal punishment during pandemic.

Exploitation of Lagoon Water Bodies and Conflicts of Use: the Case of The Lagoons of Grand-Lahou (Cote D’ivoire)

Demographic pressure, the reduction of arable land and the instability of income generated by export crops have forced the people of Grand-Lahou to show more interest in fishing activities. Thus, the exploitation of water bodies is an important strategic and economic issue for the neighbouring populations. However, in recent years, this exploitation of aquatic resources has led to conflicts between operators. The aim of this article is to analyse the procedures for resolving these conflicts and to assess their effectiveness. The methodological approach has integrated field observations and analyses carried out on the basis of information collected through interviews with stakeholders. The results reveal various forms of conflict resolution with relative levels of effectiveness. This situation is a hindrance to the efficient use of Ivorian aquatic areas. It is therefore desirable for the State to play its role by proposing more effective ways of managing these conflicts.
 

The Relationship between Income Instability and Psychological Condition of Real Estate Price Changes and Willingness to Adjust Real Estate Holding Ratio

The Relationship between Income Instability and Psychological Condition of Real Estate Price Changes and Willingness to Adjust Real Estate Holding Ratio

Nexus Between Islamic Microfinancing and Financial Wellbeing of Microentrepreneurs during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Malaysia

Islamic microfinance is expanding and penetrating its potential market over the globe. Access to credit or financing, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, is vital for micro-entrepreneurs in climbing the socio-economic ladder that will contemporaneously increase their household income. In Malaysia, most of the MEs can hardly access financing from formal financial institutions due to poor credit rating, having zero to little collateral, income instability, small loan amounts, and high transaction costs. Alternatively, MEs approach Islamic microfinance institutions for their financing solution. Therefore, this study intends to investigate how far the utilization of Islamic microfinancing by MEs could enhance their quality of life. One hundred seven (107) usable questionnaires were analysed via the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) AMOS using IBM® SPSS and found that both investment and expansion factors played key roles in affecting the financial wellbeing of the micro-entrepreneurs. The results lend credence to the positive effect of Islamic microfinance products may have on MEs and indirectly support the long-term economic development for MEs. This study deliver implication to various angles. In practical part, it opens the eyes of micro-entrepreneurs to opt for the right path (expansion and investment) to achieve financial wellbeing. Government (regulators) can enhance the ability of Islamic microfinancing as a tool towards financial wellbeing and in theoretical part, this study deepens the scope of Schumpeter’s theory by inculcate this theory with Islamic finance scope of study. © 2021 Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. All rights reserved.

Diversification of the economy in the context of globalization (case of Azerbaijan)

Research background:Azerbaijan, as a country with rich mineral resources, faces macroeconomic difficulties due to income instability. In 2011-2013, during the period of high world oil prices, Azerbaijan began to diversify the economy and develop the non-oil sector at the expense of oil and gas export revenues. The need to diversify the economy and export has become especially important in the conditions of increased global competition and the integration of the national economy into the world economy.Purpose of the article:The aim of the issue is assessment and study the characteristics of diversification of the economy of Azerbaijan, analyze the dependence of the country’s economic development on the degree of diversification of its economy and exports, assess the level of economic diversification of the country.Methods:To measure the level of diversification, we used indicators such as Herfindahl-Hirschmann export diversification index, and industry concentration in GDP. The originality and value of the research lies in revelation a number of indicators specific to the Azerbaijani economy that affect economic growth based on correlation-regression analysis and other econometric methods. According to econometric characteristics, the resulting model is adequate and confirms the empirical findingsFindings & Value added: The results of the study showed that deeper diversification of the economy is required. To overcome oil dependence and conduct effective economic diversification, it is necessary to develop processing industries, expand the accessibility of small and medium enterprises to financial resources, and stimulate foreign investment in the non-oil sector.

Retirement Financial Insecurity for Men and Women in Canada: The Impact of Life Course Work and Income Instability

Financial security is critical to overall well-being in retirement. Life course disruptions in work due to unemployment or disability may have lasting impacts on financial security in later life, and these effects may or may not be ameliorated by old age security programs and retirement benefits. Women are known to be particularly vulnerable for financial hardship in later life, making their life course experiences especially important in understanding financial well-being in retirement. We examine the Canadian Longitudinal and International Study of Adults (LISA) to assess later life financial insecurity in retirement, including 20 years of data on labor force experiences across adulthood drawn from linked tax records (N=2,353; N=1,079 men and N=1,274 women). The Canadian context is a useful complement to studies in the US due to its diverse and relatively generous public support programs, in addition to personal savings options for retirement. We find that among men, financial insecurity is tied to years reporting unemployment, where for women this outcome is more strongly linked to reports of disability and income assistance across adulthood. Although public and private retirement benefits do not offset these associations for either gender, receipt of income supplements reduce subjective financial insecurity among women. Among men, personal savings have the most robust effect in reducing financial insecurity. Our results suggest that in Canada, with its relatively generous provision of retirement support, life course work and health instability have lasting but differential effects for men and women in retirement.

Influence of a Forward-Facing Step Surface Irregularity on Swept Wing Transition

An experimental study has been carried out to determine the influence of a forward facing-step (FFS) on the laminar–turbulent transition of a swept wing boundary layer. Wind tunnel experiments were conducted at a fixed 3 deg angle of attack and varying Reynolds number between 2.5 and 4.5 million. Moreover, the FFS influence was investigated under unforced (i.e., smooth leading edge) and forced conditions (i.e., using discrete roughness elements). For each test case infrared thermography was used to determine the transition location and spatial organization of the crossflow vortices. In addition, the change in amplification factor was calculated using linear stability theory. Results reveal the importance of considering multiple parameters when estimating the critical FFS height. The unforced cases indicate that one-parameter correlations (i.e., based on the crossflow vortex core height or boundary-layer displacement thickness) might not be sufficient to universally capture the dynamics of these complex flows. Analysis of the forced cases shows that in addition to local parameters (i.e., step height and vortex core height), the FFS influence on transition depends on the stability characteristics of the incoming instability mode. These findings suggest a complex nonlinear interaction between instabilities and surface irregularities, which highlight the need for multiparameter correlations for accurate transition prediction.

ҚАЗАҚСТАННЫҢ АГРОӨНЕРКӘСІПТІК КЕШЕНІНДЕГІ КӘСІПКЕРЛІК УНИВЕРСИТЕТТЕРДІҢ РӨЛІ

The authors set a goal - to show the role of the formation of entrepreneurial universities as one of the elements of a new innovative model for the development of the country's economy and to recommend solutions. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between the research in universities and achievements in agricultural sector, where the process of organizing a new type of university becomes necessary in connection with the current situation in the world and the republic associated with the pandemic. Higher education institutions characterized by research and entrepreneurial activities are created according to the triple helix model and are thriving in the United States, Great Britain, Australia and many other countries. It is noted that scientific developments in the field of agriculture do not always meet the requirements of consumers. Often they are not known in the educational system or may be non-competitive, not comparable to the demands of practice. Due to the seasonality of production and instability of income, agricultural enterprises are not able to finance the costs of mastering and introducing innovative technologies into production. The dynamics of development of agricultural sector (gross agricultural output, yield per hectare for the main types of crops, livestock population), the quality of educ national programs for agricultural specialties are shown. The costs of financing science in Kazakhstan are considered on the basis of ratings of the national chamber of entrepreneurs "Atameken". Entrepreneurial universities have real opportunities to solve the problems of harmonizing relations between universities and agribusiness, contribute to improving the image of both parties, increasing their investment attractiveness and competitiveness in market environment.

Effects of the Global Coronavirus Disease-2019 Pandemic on Early Childhood Development: Short- and Long-Term Risks and Mitigating Program and Policy Actions

Effects of the Global Coronavirus Disease-2019 Pandemic on Early Childhood Development: Short- and Long-Term Risks and Mitigating Program and Policy Actions

Rural families food intake behaviour in relation to livelihood diversification, income differences and family size

AbstractThe livelihood diversification significantly contributes to the family income having effect on food varieties' consumption in rural families of different sizes. This study investigated the food intake differences among rural families considering different income levels and family sizes. Moreover, barriers faced by the rural families to increase the consumption of food varieties were also analysed. A total of 200 rural families were selected through multistage purposive and random sampling techniques in the Punjab province of Pakistan and were directly interviewed and categorized first into low and high livelihood diversified families. The food groups were derived by assigning individual food to conventional food group taxonomies, and two‐way ANOVA (4 (income groups) × 3 (family size groups) was separately conducted for low and high livelihood diversified families. The income instability, prices of food items, market distance and storage were perceived as barriers for increasing food consumption. The high livelihood diversified families significantly and regularly consumed more food items than low diversified families. The rural households both in low and high livelihood diversified family categories having low income and high family size consumed less expensive food items. The regular consumption of fruits, bakery products, and livestock and dairy items was greatly associated with high income and small family size. One of the most remarkable findings of the multivariate multiple regression model was the households belonging to the lowest income group were significantly lowering the consumption of livestock and dairy food items as the family size increased from small to large family size. The interaction effect was highly associated with per capita income because the consumption of food items increased with the rise in income irrespective of the family size. However, family size groups showed different patterns of food intakes with different income levels. Government agencies should assist rural households to diversify their income portfolios for better nutrition.

Job Instability and Fertility Intentions of Young Adults in Europe: Does Labor Market Legislation Matter?

Total birth rates have fallen dramatically in many European countries during the last 40 years. Job and income instability caused by labor market polarization are significant drivers of declining birth rates because employment certainty and stability are crucial to childbirth planning among young adults. This article investigates the impact of job instability on the fertility intentions of young adults in Europe, focusing on employment protection legislation (EPL) in European countries. I use data from twenty-seven countries that participated in the European Social Survey in 2004 and 2010 to show that job instability measured as temporary employment, informal work, and unemployment decreases fertility intentions among European youth regardless of the EPL in the country. Unemployed young adults tend to plan less for having their first child in the countries with high EPL. Contrary to the hypotheses, multilevel modeling showed that young people in temporary or informal employment in countries with low EPL show decreases in their fertility intentions.

Addressing economic vulnerability among low-income families in America: is the basic income approach a viable policy option?

Income instability characterizes the lives of many low-income families in America. Growing income inequality, wage stagnation, unstable jobs, and limited savings are only a few of the factors contr...

Factors of Inequality of Russians' Life Chances (Empirical Analysis)

The article, based on the data from the eighth wave of all-Russian Monitoring carried out by Institute of Sociology of FCTAS RAS in April 2018, presents the results of the analysis of factors that determine individual’s position in the space of life chances and risks. As shown by the multinomial regression analysis, the risks of falling into the deprived strata are largely related to the ascriptive characteristics of the individual, primarily – with his health, male gender and place of residence. In particular, the increased risks of deprivation for Moscow residents have been identified, which may be associated with a high share of the first-generation migrants among them, who are in a situation of the high probability of long-term unemployment, income instability and non-compliance of their basic labor rights. The scale of this problem is so great that all mass strata of the Moscow residents demonstrate relatively worse indicators in this respect in comparison with residents of other cities, although However, hereditary Muscovites are in a privileged position relatively to the inhabitants of other locations. It is also demonstrated that the expansion of life chances, in contrast to their narrowing relative to the current standard of life chances and risks in modern Russian society, is primarily due to specifics of the resource endowment of individuals. High-quality human and cultural capital, the presence of high-potential social contacts, the habit of planning one’s life and accepting own responsibility for it significantly expand the life chances of Russians while minimizing the risks. The interaction of these factors provides a cumulative effect and shows itself in the accumulation of the human potential of highest quality, contributing to the further expansion of life chances. This is also facilitated by the transfer of key resources in the process of the upper strata’s social reproduction.

Income instability and child maltreatment: Exploring associations and mechanisms

Income instability is an aspect of having a low-income that likely has unique implications for child maltreatment. The unpredictable nature of frequent changes in economic resources may add additional stress and strain to families already experiencing significant financial stress, which could increase risk for abuse and neglect. Work has begun to examine the relationship between income instability and child and family outcomes, but limited work has focused on the association between frequent income instability and child maltreatment. The current study begins to address this gap in the literature by examining the association of income instability and child maltreatment in a sample of low-income families deflected from Child Protective Services. Mediation analyses are conducted to investigate potential mechanisms of this association (e.g., stress, parenting, maladaptive behaviors). Findings indicate income instability significantly increases risk for child maltreatment, beyond the influence of income level. Substance abuse partially mediates this relationship. Implications of findings are discussed.

Accessing the Equity Return Volatility Effect of East and South Asian Nations: The Econometrics Modelling Method

In financial management, the equity market performance is the critical element of equity market returns volatility wherever the shareholder’s resilience around the instability subsists. The data is collected from the authenticated secondary sources for the analysis. This paper shows that the 2008economicpredicament, as well as the effect above proceeding developing financial prudence of the globe, is found in the equity return instability connation of developing financial prudence (2004-2015). By the GARCH model, it can be examined that as the information from the U.S.A. stock market news has an essential consequences on the earnings of the S&P 500 stock market index, the indices of the east, as well as south Asian nations, has also influenced by the news of U.S.A. The GARCH model is estimated for the U.S.A. stock market news has a substantial effect or not on East and South Asian nation's daily share market returns. The outcomes show that market earnings in the equity market in east and south Asian nations are incredibly reliant on their historical earnings. It is found that Tokyo Topic (4.8929) is a highly volatile stock index among the East and South Asian stock returns, and the low volatile stock index is DSEX (0.0068). The news of the U.S.A. stock market has affected the equity market of India, Japan, China, and Korea, which are included in the East and South Asian stock market. In all the country’s share markets, found most significant variance in the equity income instability. This study is essential for the shareholders looking for the diversification in the portfolio, domestic institutional investors and foreign institutional investors

Will More Workers Have Nontraditional Jobs as Globalization and Automation Spread?

Recent research has called attention to alternative employment arrangements that often leave workers without retirement and health benefits and with income instability. At the same time, workers are facing increasing competition from automation and globalization. This competition is of special concern for older workers, who increasingly need longer careers to secure an adequate retirement and jobs with benefits to enable saving and access to affordable health care. The question is: are these “nontraditional” jobs more prevalent in areas more exposed to such competitive pressures and are older workers more likely to hold them? The study uses the 1996-2008 panels of the Survey of Income and Program Participation to track the share of workers in nontraditional work arrangements – defined based on characteristics of the job including retirement plan coverage, health insurance coverage, and hour or wage instability. It then estimates whether workers are more likely to be in nontraditional arrangements, or transition from traditional to nontraditional work, in areas with greater exposure to trade and automation. The findings suggest that globalization does not have a major effect, but automation does; a 1-standard deviation increase in the use of industrial robots is associated with an 11-percent increase in nontraditional employment. This relationship is even stronger for older workers: a 1-standard-deviation increase in automation is associated with a 17-percent increase in nontraditional work at ages 50-62. As automation continues to increase, jobs that offer retirement savings, health insurance, and stable income may continue to decline, and the impact is likely to be particularly felt by older workers who may need these benefits the most.

DOES FINANCIAL LITERACY AND FINANCIAL STRESS EFFECT THE FINANCIAL WELLNESS?

Nowadays, people use financial wellness’s as terminology to understand the level of the individual’s financial condition. Previous researches show that although the persons have a lot of debts, they feel satisfied with their financial status. Conversely with those who are in good financial wellness with their wealth of life. Additionally, two elements have been discussed in relation to the income earner’s financial wellness which is economic well-being and financial well-being. Imbalance of financial wellness among low-medium income earners is due to reducing in employment opportunities, income instability and increase the number of family members. Therefore, personal financial management is important to ensure good or bad financial wellness among income earners. In this paper, financial literacy and financial stress are considered to determine the relationship of financial wellness. The result showed that both factors are significant with a strong positive relationship. It is important to describe the ability of income earners manage their money and apply the knowledge to make an effective financial decision. Thus, the organization should imply the financial education programs to their employees that can enhance financial literacy and reduce financial stress. Further research should be explored the other determinant factor such as financial self-efficacy and financial help-seeking behavior. These factors will improve the low-medium income earners’ financial wellness by seeking financial help as well as reducing financial stress.