Wealth Research Articles

Wealth creators or inheritors? Unpacking the gender wealth gap from bottom to top and young to old

There is growing interest in understanding how gender influences the accumulation of wealth. While prior studies focused on labor-related determinants, our research focuses on inheritances and gifts. Using unique survey data that oversamples the top 1% of wealth holders in Germany, we show that the gender wealth gap is small for individuals up to age 40, then widens, and declines for those past retirement age. Transfer amounts and their timing are important drivers of these differences: men tend to inherit larger sums than women during their working life. Women often outlive their male partners, thus receiving larger inheritances at older ages.

Students' ideas about life and professional success in relation to career orientations and life satisfaction

Introduction. Studying ideas about success among young people studying at a university can help identify their life goals, expectations, and values, which in turn will ensure more effective preparation of future specialists for professional activities. The purpose of the study was to identify ideas about professional and life success in relation to career orientations and life satisfaction among students. Materials and methods. The study, in which 111 students took part, was conducted at the University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (Russian Federation, St. Petersburg). Projective methods were used, including the method of unfinished sentences, the «Study of Career Orientations» test by E. Shein, the «Life Satisfaction» test (LS) by N.N. Melnikova. Methods of mathematical statistics: frequency analysis, cluster analysis (Ward's method), correlation analysis: Spearman correlation coefficient, factor analysis (Varimax method). Results. Data analysis showed that for students, success in life includes not only material, but also psychological well-being, as well as self-realization, recognition and the opportunity to help people. Professional success lies in social status, material wealth, professional competence, the presence of useful connections and the opportunity not to engage in work. Examples of life success for modern students are relatives (30%), professional success – representatives of the business sphere (34%). Students show a desire for self-realization, while wanting to maintain harmony between their personal life and career (r=0,26; p≤0,001). Respondents who attach great importance to social status tend to perceive their life as more harmonious (r=0,23; p≤0,01). Orientation towards «autonomy» (r=0,21; p≤0,01) and «entrepreneurship» (r=0,23; p≤0,01) increase life satisfaction. Conclusion. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of creating programs aimed at developing skills to achieve professional and personal well-being and helping students. Knowledge about the needs and expectations of future specialists will allow employers to create a motivating environment for comfortable cooperation and achieving goals.

Identification of Shale Layer in Offshore Field of North East Java Basin for Non-Conventional Oil and Gas Exploration

<p>Non-conventional hydrocarbon exploration is one way to develop shale potential to increase oil and gas reserves in Indonesia. Shale is a rock that is rich in organic material and is a target for non-conventional exploration, because it functions as a source and reservoir rock with a large shale volume and low permeability. Isopach maps can represent the thickness of shale layers and have the potential to become non-conventional exploration targets located in thick shale layers. Based on this background, this research will identify shale layers in the offshore fields of the North East Java Basin for non-conventional oil and gas exploration. The methods used are well logging and seismic methods. This research focuses on determining the location of shale layer depocenters based on isopach maps as a first step in localizing areas that will be targeted for the development of non-conventional hydrocarbon exploration. This research uses 29 2D seismic lines and 2 well data, namely NP-1 and NP-2 wells and the research target is the Kujung Formation and Ngimbang Formation in the offshore area of the North East Java Basin. The results obtained from the isopach map show that the depocenter location of the Kujung Formation is in the northwest direction with a shale thickness of 600-800 meters, while the Ngimbang Formation is in the east direction with a shale thickness of 1000-1300 meters. From the depocenter location, it can be seen that this location has a wealth of organic material so it has the potential to become a source rock and reservoir.</p>

INEQUALITY EXPERIENCED BY WOMEN AS REFLECTED IN LOUISA MAY ALCOTT’S 'LITTLE WOMEN'

This study explores women's roles and societal expectations in the 19th century, mainly as portrayed in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. The analysis focuses on three main areas: family, education, and societal roles. In family life, women were largely confined to domestic roles, with ideals such as ‘the angel in the house’, which glorified self-sacrificial wives and mothers. Jo March, the main character in the novel, however, challenges this norm by assuming the responsibilities of the ‘man of the family’ in her father’s absence. In education, women’s access was limited, reflecting broader inequalities. Mrs. March, or Marmee, becomes a pivotal moral teacher to her daughters, instilling values that transcend material wealth. Despite societal constraints, Jo and her sisters navigate personal and financial challenges, with Jo ultimately breaking traditional gender norms by pursuing a career as a writer. This study further reveals how women’s opportunities were shaped by class and how marriage was often seen as the only path to social mobility. Overall, this paper highlights how Little Women reflects the limitations and opportunities for women in the 19th century, challenging prevailing gender stereotypes through its portrayal of women’s independence, ambition, and resilience.

Household Level Determinants of Wheat Packages Adoption in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

Wheat has been considered as one of the strategic food security crops in Ethiopia. A number of research efforts have been done by different research institutions to improve the production and productivity of the crop and as a result a number of wheat production packages has been released and promoted all across the country, including Tigray. Yet, in Tigray, there is no adequate evidence on the adoption status of wheat packages and their determinant factors. Hence, this adoption study was initiated with the objective to analyze the status of wheat packages adoption, and determinant factors for further adoption. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select 493 households from five wheat growing districts of the region. Data were collected through the administration of semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using both descriptive statistics and Multivariate Probit (MVP) model. The descriptive results described that, the average wheat packages adoption status was 67%, of these only 17% of farmers adopted all five packages. The result of MVP model revealed that sex, age, livestock size, extension services, average plot distance, off-farm income source, farmer perception on his status and credit access were the determinant factors which facilitate/and/or hinder wheat packages adoption in Tigray. Thus, the policy and development interventions should focus on improving institutional support and wealth creation opportunities to improve production and productivity of wheat producer farmers in Tigray.

An Analysis of Human Nature in Fromm's Humanistic Thought

In contemporary society, the problem of human existence has increasingly aroused the common concern of all mankind, and the rich and colorful material life has enriched people's daily life, but the spiritual life of human beings is relatively impoverished, and the great abundance of material wealth to a certain extent makes people enslaved to material things, and the spiritual life of individuals is in a state of imbalance. While elaborating on the actual state of human existence, Fromm's humanistic thought critically exposes the social problems caused by the development of productive forces, and fundamentally points out the confusion of human beings, on the basis of which it indicates that we can realize the breakthrough of the state of human beings' gradual dissolution in a certain way, so as to generate a brand-new space for the survival of human beings. In this way, human beings will be able to find their way out of numbness and self-loss, and thus step into the “kingdom of existence”. Fromm's anthropological point of view mainly centers on human nature, including three aspects: human nature, human nature alienation, and human nature liberation. This paper is a brief analysis of this aspect of human nature.

Entrepreneurship and Social Responsibility Research: A Double-edged Sword of Economic Welfare and Social Challenges

It is widely accepted that successful entrepreneurs create both waves of innovation and prosperity and environmental and social challenges. Using economic theories such as Solow’s growth model, Schumpeter’s theory of economic development, and externality theory, this article will explore how the wealth creation and consumption of successful entrepreneurs drive innovation and economic growth, as well as the environmental, social, and financial challenges they bring, thereby providing a balanced analysis of how successful business people affect the world. The results suggest that successful business people can benefit society significantly when they consume wealth, such as creating jobs and promoting economic growth. However, making profits in some industries can lead to environmental degradation, and high-risk investments can exacerbate social inequalities. Therefore, the government needs to introduce a series of policies to mitigate the negative impact of entrepreneurs.

The Wealth Creation in Indian and American Businesses

This paper discusses the comparative analysis of wealth production and distribution by looking at the business contexts and earning functions where there are two sides consisting of earning and spending between India and the USA. This research looks at the business inquiries, wealth-centric cultural attitudes, and economic systems in both countries. The USA has skewed more toward innovation and consumer-driven economies, whereas India is more technology, manufacturing, and services-based - all of which are still driven primarily by the traditional values that are focused on long-term financial security. This study synthesizes the extant body of literature to probe how different earning strategies such as the difference between lowering costs and innovation, the spending patterns including corporate social responsibility initiatives and much more may impact the economic outcomes and societal well-being in each country. This paper will show the comparative analysis between India and the USA which will provide information that will help explain the various paths of wealth distribution and accumulation for the two countries.

The Economic Impact of Successful Businesspeople: The Dual Effect of Wealth Creation and Spending

This article explores the complex impact of successful businesspeople on others and society through wealth creation and spending in their economic lives. The article begins by defining the concept of a “successful businesspeople” and points out its diversity in different historical and political contexts. Then, from an economic perspective, this paper analyzes how successful businesspeople can positively impact society by promoting economic growth, improving production efficiency, creating jobs, and donating to philanthropy in their different roles as investors, producers, consumers, donors, and employers. However, the article also points out the negative externalities that can be brought about by successful businesspeople, such as environmental damage, labor problems, data privacy violations, and public health risks. By citing historical and modern examples, such as Andrew · Carnegie, Henry · Ford, Jeff · Bezos, and Elon · Musk, this article further elaborates on how the economic behavior of successful businessmen has both positive and negative effects, and emphasizes the importance of understanding these complex relationships.

Are successful business people beneficial to society: an analysis based on consumer preferences

Common perceptions may view successful business people with suspicion, assuming that their achievements are gained at the expense of others or through less-than-ethical means. However, a fundamental truth about genuine success in business is that business should inherently benefit others. This article argues that despite potential negative impacts, through responsible business practices and appropriate regulation, successful business people can effectively cover their potential negative effects in both wealth creation and expenditure processes. Successful business people will increase social welfare by promoting job creation, driving innovation, and dedicating themselves to charitable causes. This article further adopts the basic concept of “prisoner’s dilemma” in game theory to analyze the evolving relationship between business practices and consumer choices. It explains how consumer preferences shape corporate behavior, leading to more socially responsible and environmentally sustainable practices.

Analysis of changes in HSBC’s income statement between 2022-2023

The banking industry is a cornerstone of the world wide economy, primarily due to the unique nature of its primary product—money. This sector has long held a central role within society and continues to attract considerable interest from potential investors. However, investing in the banking industry is not without its challenges. Market volatility, regulatory compliance costs, and geopolitical uncertainties can profoundly impact the industry’s profitability and stability. Being among the biggest banks in the world, HSBC provides financial services such as personal banking, wealth management, and corporate finance in over 60 countries. This is an excellent example of an analysis of the banking sector. The essay lists changes in HSBC’s income statement between 2022 and 2023 and analyses them using vertical and horizontal analysis, ratio analysis, segment reporting analysis, and benchmarking. Through these analyses, the essay aims to see HSBC’s capacity to face banking crises and provide a few suggestions for investors.

Features of Worldview Perception Among Speakers of Yakut and Russian: Associative Field Analysis of Stimulus Words DYOL — SCHASTYE

This article analyzes the associative fields of the stimulus words DYOL and SCHASTYE, which are central to the linguistic consciousness of Yakut and Russian speakers. Investigating the underlying processes within language enables us to uncover the ethnocultural specificity of a community’s linguistic consciousness — a snapshot of the real-world image at a particular period in the life of an ethnic group. The focus is on identifying both commonalities and distinctions in the perception of happiness among speakers of the two languages, as well as the ethnocultural nuances in their worldviews. A comparative analysis of the associative fields of the stimulus words DYOL — SCHASTYE is conducted using Y.N. Karaulov’s “semantic gestalt” methodology, which includes delineating semantic zones, determining types of connections between stimuli and responses, and employing a quantitative assessment method to measure the overlap of associative fields. The analysis reveals significant shifts in the value priorities of Yakut speakers in recent years. While happiness was previously associated with family, children, and material wealth, con-temporary perspectives increasingly emphasize aspects such as fulfilling work, travel, career advancement, and self-care. This reflects modern social trends where happiness is linked not only to material factors but also to personal growth and self-actualization.

Who is sufficient, and why? A mixed-methods approach to the social determinants of sufficiency lifestyles in the pursuit of decarbonisation

Sufficiency consists of less materially intensive consumption patterns that focus on wellbeing rather than material wealth. Such consumption patterns are commonly referred to as sufficiency lifestyles and are increasingly seen as a key driver for achieving decarbonisation. However, while research finds that sustainable consumption and environmental behaviour are often associated with high social status, lower carbon footprints and lower consumption more broadly are associated in the literature with poverty and deprivation. This article aims to investigate whether a combination of low carbon footprint and high wellbeing exists, what socio-demographic characteristics are associated with it, and to explore the actual experiences of people engaged in sufficiency lifestyles through initiatives and their characteristics. We use a mixed-methods design with data from demographically representative surveys in Denmark, Germany, Italy and Latvia (N=5,080), and in-depth interviews with participants from sufficiency-oriented intentional communities (N=90). We find that sufficiency lifestyles are linked to a stronger inclination towards sufficiency orientation or a heightened stronger environmental identity, accompanied by a negative correlation with social deprivation aspects. Drawing on the interviews, we find that individuals engaged in sufficiency-oriented practices tend to benefit from economic, social and cultural resources that allow them to overcome energy dependency and constraints, and that their motivations are not limited to pro-environmental behaviour. Based on these empirical findings, we explore potential avenues for the diffusion of sufficiency-oriented lifestyles, including the establishment of binding rules through a democratic process that curb overconsumption while providing attractive low-carbon lifestyles for all.

Solving the problem of abundance: venture capital and the making of asset-driven inequalities

The 2010s were an era of abundant capital for investors but limited opportunities to put it to profitable use. This paper traces the origins of dealing with the ‘problem’ of having to convert large accumulations of cash into appreciating assets. It puts venture capitalists in the US at the center of this history. Charting venture capital’s 1950s emergence, 1960s formalization, and 1970s institutionalization, I show how early venture capital investors built a financial infrastructure that safeguarded the appreciation of their assets. Venture capitalists’ influence increased as institutional investors (as funders) and startup employees (as investees) became enrolled in this infrastructure and oriented their actions toward its imperatives. I argue that in their handling of abundance, venture capitalists constructed and deepened asset-driven inequalities. Empirically, the paper makes a contribution by demonstrating that vast accumulations of (personal) wealth played a decisive role in this process and highlights the importance of stark inequality well before the neoliberal turn or quantitative easing. Conceptually, I show that venture capitalists’ solution to a personal problem became useful at a much larger scale. The paper argues that we should read this influence as conditioned on elite surplus and access to a financial infrastructure.

Metagenomic study of the microbiome and key geochemical potentials associated with architectural heritage sites: a case study of the Song Dynasty city wall in Shou County, China

Historical cultural heritage sites are valuable for all of mankind, as they reflect the material and spiritual wealth of by nations, countries, or specific groups during the development of human civilization. The types and functions of microorganisms that form biofilms on the surfaces of architectural heritage sites influence measures to preserve and protect these sites. These microorganisms contribute to the biocorrosion of architectural heritage structures through the cycling of chemical elements. The ancient city wall of Shou County is a famous architectural and cultural heritage site from China’s Song Dynasty, and the protection and study of this site have substantial historical and cultural significance. In this study, we used metagenomics to study the microbial diversity and taxonomic composition of the Song Dynasty city wall in Shou County, a tangible example of Chinese cultural heritage. The study covered three main topics: (1) examining the distribution of bacteria in the biofilm on the surfaces of the Song Dynasty city wall in Shou County; (2) predicting the influence of bacteria involved in the C, N, and S cycles on the corrosion of the city wall via functional gene analysis; and (3) discussing cultural heritage site protection measures for biocorrosion-related bacteria to investigate the impact of biocorrosion on the Song Dynasty city wall in Shou County, a tangible example of Chinese cultural heritage. The study revealed that (1) the biofilm bacteria mainly belonged to Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes, which accounted for more than 70% of the total bacteria in the biofilms. The proportion of fungi in the microbial community of the well-preserved city wall was greater than that in the damaged city wall. The proportion of archaea was low—less than 1%. (2) According to the Shannon diversity index, the well-preserved portion of the ancient city wall had the highest diversity of bacteria, fungi, and archaea, and bacterial diversity on the good city wall was greater than that on the corroded city wall. (3) Bray–Curtis distances revealed that the genomes of the two good city walls were similar and that the genomes of the corroded city wall portions were similar. Researchers also detected human intestine-related bacteria in four locations on the city walls, with the proportion of these bacteria in the microbial community being greater on good city walls than on bad city walls. (4) KEGG functional analysis revealed that the energy metabolism and inorganic ion transport activities of the bacterial community on the corroded city wall were greater than those of the good city wall. (5) In the carbon cycle, the absence of active glycolysis, the ED pathway, and the TCA cycle played significant roles in the collapse of the east city wall. (6) The nitrogen cycling processes involved ammonia oxidation and nitrite reduction to nitrate. (7) In the sulfur cycle, researchers discovered a crucial differential functional gene, SoxY, which facilitates the conversion of thiosulfate to sulfate. This study suggests that, in the future, biological approaches can be used to help cultural heritage site protectors achieve targeted and precise protection of cultural relics through the use of microbial growth inhibition technology. The results of this study serve as a guide for the protection of cultural heritage sites in other parts of China and provide a useful supplement to research on the protection of world cultural heritage or architectural heritage sites.

Three new species of Amphipoda (Crustacea: Peracarida) from the remote oceanic island of Trindade, off the coast of south-eastern Brazil

ABSTRACT Trindade is a volcanic remote island isolated some 1200 km from the nearest continental landmass. While knowledge of the island’s diversity of crustacean decapod fauna has been notably broadened by extensive investigations, knowledge about its amphipod fauna is still poor. During a 12-year survey (2012–2024) a wealth of amphipod material was obtained in Trindade from various sublittoral habitats at water depths of less than 30 m. Here, we report on three new species of the genera Colomastix Grube, 1861, Pariphinotus Kunkel, 1910 and Eusiroides Stebbing, 1888. Additionally, identification keys to the world species of Eusiroides and Pariphinotus, and to the Brazilian species of Colomastix are provided. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B17266F0-B78E-4768-8FB2-D91BA5F748CA

AFRICAN CONCEPT OF HAPPINESS IN THE LIGHT OF CHINUA ACHEBE’S THINGS FALL APART: A HERMENEUTICAL APPROACH

Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, reflects a deeply relational and communal worldview. Happiness in African thought is not merely tied to individual fulfilment or material wealth, as often seen in Western perspectives, but is rooted in harmonious coexistence with others and the environment. For Africans, happiness arises from a balanced relationship with all forces in the hierarchy of beings, a notion which emphasizes interconnection and collective well-being. This contrasts with Western metaphysical views that tend to prioritize individual pleasure or material achievement. African happiness extends beyond this life, focusing on a state of blessedness in both life and the afterlife. Understanding this concept requires grasping the African notion of Being, which is seen as relational, where existence is defined by one’s connection to others. Achebe’s work exemplifies these ideas, showing how happiness is experienced through peaceful co-existence and the absence of egocentric attitudes. This study established the African philosophy of "Being-with," where happiness is an ontological experience derived from natural and collective existence, rather than self-centred pursuits.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0851/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Entrepreneurial Microbiology: A Perspective of Microbiology for Wealth Creation

Entrepreneurial Microbiology: A Perspective of Microbiology for Wealth Creation

New enantiornithine diversity in the Hell Creek Formation and the functional morphology of the avisaurid tarsometatarsus.

Enantiornithines were the most diverse group of birds during the Cretaceous, comprising over half of all known species from this period. The fossil record and subsequently our knowledge of this clade is heavily skewed by the wealth of material from Lower Cretaceous deposits in China. In contrast, specimens from Upper Cretaceous deposits are rare and typically fragmentary, yet critical for understanding the extinction of this clade across the K-Pg boundary. The most complete North American Late Cretaceous enantiornithine is Mirarce eatoni, a member of the diverse clade Avisauridae. Except for Mirarce, avisaurids are known only from isolated hindlimb elements from North and South America. Here we describe three new enantiornithines from the Maastrichtian Hell Creek Formation, two of which represent new avisaurid taxa. These materials represent a substantial increase in the known diversity of Enantiornithes in the latest Cretaceous. Re-examination of material referred to Avisauridae through phylogenetic analysis provides strong support for a more exclusive Avisauridae consisting of six taxa. Exploration of the functional morphology of the avisaurid tarsometatarsus indicates potential strong constriction and raptorial attributes. The lower aspect ratio of the tarsometatarsus facilitates a more biomechanically efficient lever system which in extant birds of prey equates to lifting proportionally heavier prey items. In addition, the proportional size and distal position of the m. tibialis cranialis tubercle of the tarsometatarsus is similar to the morphology seen in extant birds of prey. Together with the deeply-grooved metatarsal trochlea facilitating robust and likely powerful pedal digits, morphologies of the hindlimb suggest avisaurids as Late Cretaceous birds of prey.

MATERIAL LOKAL DAN RAMAH LINGKUNGAN: INOVASI DALAM PERANCANGAN INTERIOR DENGAN INSPIRASI BUDAYA OSING

Dependence on nature should encourage people to build systems that utilize nature as a life-support system. Increased awareness of environmental and sustainability issues emphasizes the importance of environmentally friendly industrial practices. The Osing community is known for its tourism and handicrafts, including abaca fiber and bamboo weaving. This research delves deeper into the cultural customs of the Osing tribe that can be identified, utilized, and developed in interior design so as to create an interior design with local cultural wealth and sustainable use of local materials as a design foundation. Using a descriptive qualitative method, it was found that the materials and handicrafts typical of the Osing tribe can be youthfully utilized to enrich interior design with diverse aesthetic elements, but also to produce functional products that reflect the cultural identity of the Osing tribe. This research is useful in showing how the use of local materials such as abaca fiber and bamboo by the Osing people in Banyuwangi Regency can create continuity between local tradition, sustainability and creativity. As such, the results of this research support the application of sustainable materials and the integration of local cultural elements in interior design, contributing to environmental preservation and local economic development.