Positive Socio-economic Outcomes Research Articles

Exploring the Intersection of Tourism Business and Social Responsibility: A Study of Tourism Sector in Andhra Pradesh

The tourism sector is crucial for worldwide economic progress, but, its long-term viability continues to be a significant issue. Incorporating social responsibility into tourism business is decisive for promoting sustainable development in the tourism sector. However, the integration of social responsibility initiatives into tourism enterprises is impeded by various obstacles. The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that integrate social responsibility in tourism business in order to obtain sustainable development within the industry. The study employed both primary and secondary data collection to analyze the impact of social responsibility within tourism sector of Andhra Pradesh. Factors such as Environmental Conversation, Cultural Preservation, Stakeholder Engagement, Corporate Social Responsibility and Socio-Economic Outcomes were considered for the study. The results showed that with effective corporate social responsibility, tourism business can develop sustainability and earn positive socio-economic outcomes. The study suggests that with the expansion of public-private collaborations, tourism organizations can be operated efficiently.

Improving traditional charcoal production system for sustainable charcoal income and environmental benefits in highlands of Ethiopia

Charcoal production from Acacia decurrens has shown considerable advantages for enhancing livelihoods and boosting government revenue in Ethiopia. However, the current reliance on unsustainable traditional Earth mound kilns diminishes these benefits, causing reduced charcoal income and notable environmental damage. Therefore, there is a pressing need to improve the traditional charcoal production system. The objectives of this study were evaluating different improved charcoal production approaches on charcoal conversion efficiency, financial profitability, and gas emission reduction potential compared to traditional charcoal making in the Fagta lokoma district, Ethiopia. Charcoal was produced from Acacia decurrens small-scale plantation, using improved kilns (Green mad retort, MRV portable steel, Casamance) and traditional Earth mound kilns, with three replications of production. Statistical analysis revealed a significant increase in charcoal conversion efficiency (at P ≤ 0.001), with the MRV steel kiln exhibiting the highest efficiency (41.57%), followed by the Green mad retort (36.14%) and Casamance (34.07%). Conversely, the traditional Earth mound kilns displayed the lowest conversion efficiency (24%). The findings demonstrated that improved charcoal-making kilns enhanced wood-to-charcoal conversion efficiency by 41–72% compared to traditional kilns. Moreover, the study reveals a significant increase in average charcoal income per hectare (at P ≤ 0.001), with higher earnings (284,824.4 ETB) at MRV steel kiln, and lower-income (71,580 ETB) at traditional Earth mound kilns. Improved charcoal-making kilns significantly (P ≤ 0.001) reduced harmful gas emissions compared to the traditional Earth mound method. Reduction percentages were substantial for various gases: CO2 (46–57.9%), CO (29.4–56.6%), NO (61.7–86.1%), NOx (56.6–86.2%), SO2 (41–62.8%), and CH4 (35.7–57%). In coclusion, the improved kiln technology has substantially enhanced the efficiency of charcoal conversion, resulting in beneficial effects through emissions reduction. To champion sustainability and cultivate positive socio-economic outcomes, it is imperative to extensively adopt these eco-friendly kilns in areas where charcoal production is prominent.

An analysis of natural disasters’ effects – A global comparative study of ‘Blessing in Disguise’

This paper addresses the intriguing issue of whether natural disasters do not only generate negative impacts on society, but, in the long run – under favourable and effective policy and behavioural responses – also positive outcomes. This challenging and novel resilience question is formulated here as the ‘Blessing in Disguise’ hypothesis. There is quite some speculation in the literature on possible long-term and systemic effects of disasters, but there is little empirical evidence supported by solid quantitative analysis on expected positive outcomes. The challenging aim of the present study – to examine under what conditions natural hazards may lead to positive socio-economic outcomes in the long run (‘Blessing in Disguise’) – is empirically addressed from a resilience perspective. It integrates in one quantitative research framework (the ‘Pentagon model’), a Stimulus-Response approach and a Capability-Theory inspired framing of territorial opportunities in coping with natural disasters, and uses a mix of statistical and econometric analyses, such as multiple linear regression analysis, cluster analysis, and a Stimulus-Response adjusted Difference-in-Difference model. Our findings, based on a global comparative study, show that a ‘Blessing in Disguise’ scenario is frequently a valid proposition that may manifest itself differently in different geographic, social-economic, political and institutional contexts. Although there is not a single pattern of development specific in all cases, it is clear that positive recovery trends can be observed both at the state level, and also at the regional level. The analysed data show regularly incremental changes after recent natural disasters (especially in the long term) at country level, but more thorough positive changes can be identified at the regional scale. In conclusion, the management of disasters requires proper response capacities and appears to create a window of opportunity for improved capabilities, but it is only a conditional possibility that may be transformed into a sustainable form of new development.

Agricultural certification as a complementary tool for environmental law compliance

Agricultural sustainability standards are an important way of reducing commodity expansion's pressures on biodiversity. Despite the increase of global area under certification and mounting evidence of positive socioeconomic outcomes, certification-derived conservation benefits are less clear. We applied a robust counterfactual approach with a difference-in-difference methodology to quantify the environmental consequences of certification in one of the largest coffee-producing areas in the world, in southern Brazil, within the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado biomes. We evaluated whether the adoption of certification standards affected native vegetation regeneration and deforestation, the proportion of vegetation deficit within each farm (the required area to achieve Federal Legislation required vegetation cover), and the conservation of sensitive vegetation protected under law across 531 certified farms. We did not detect certification-derived effects on the natural vegetation cover deficit and on deforestation and regeneration rates, which were low for certified and non-certified farms. However, we found that certified farms are restoring more sensitive areas than non-certified farms in the Atlantic Forest, which indicates a potential combined effect between law enforcement and certification. We suggest that in more consolidated landscapes, certification beneficial impacts on deforestation and regeneration might be more limited than observed in areas with weaker governance, such as agricultural frontiers or low-income countries. However, our results demonstrate the potential for certification schemes to complement and promote environmental legislation compliance. These potential combined effects between private sustainability standards and compliance with government environmental policies could provide a potent tool for improving the effectiveness of certification schemes in other high-biodiversity landscapes.

Toward a sustainable environment and economic growth in BRICS economies: do innovation and globalization matter?

Over the last few decades, environmental deterioration has accelerated significantly. Environmental degradation has been a subject of research across the world because of its impact on billions of people. However, there has been no international agreement on lowering the utilization of energy and CO2 emissions (CO2), while demand for fossil fuels grows in emerging economies. On the other hand, the recent COP26 summit brought all parties together to accelerate action toward reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Although previous research shows that international trade promotes positive socioeconomic outcomes, other experts argue that it contributes to natural resource shortages and ecological deterioration. Thus, the current research considers the effect of international trade, renewable energy use and technological innovation on consumption-based carbon emissions (CCO2), coupled with the role of financial development and economic growth in the BRICS economies between 1990 and 2018. Moreover, this research utilizes the common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG), augmented mean group (AMG) and Dumitrescu and Hurlin (2012) causality methods to assess these interrelationships. The study findings reveal that renewable energy use, exports and technological innovation mitigate CCO2, whereas economic growth and imports trigger CCO2 in the BRICS economies. The panel causality outcomes also reveal that all the variables except financial development can predict CCO2 emissions. Based on the study findings, we recommend the adoption of policies, regulations and the development of legislative frameworks that promote technological innovation and the shift toward sustainable energy.

Correlates and Consequences of Delayed Marriage in Malaysia

This paper aims to examine the correlates of age at first marriage and the consequences of late marriage. Data for this paper were drawn from the 2014 Malaysian Population and Family Survey. Simple cross-tabulation and multiple classification analysis were used for the analysis. Age at marriage of women varied across socio-economic groups. Among the ethnic groups, the Other Bumiputera entered marriage earliest, followed by the Malays, Indians and Chinese. Age at marriage was positively associated with urbanisation, educational level, and women’s autonomy in marriage. The assumption of modern norms and ideas, and escalating cost of marriage are important determinants of marriage postponement. Late marriage has a direct impact on demographic outcomes, resulting in ultra-low fertility for some groups of the population. Marriage postponement has positive socio-economic outcomes for individuals. However, postponing marriage beyond the prime reproductive age may result in some reproductive health problems.

Getting to Denmark: The dialectic of governance & development in the European periphery

Good institutions and high quality of governance are generally considered to be prerequisites for economic growth and other positive socio-economic outcomes. This is due to their role in framing decisions by agents, including policymakers, business owners or individuals. Despite the many theoretical and empirical contributions to their study, we argue that three elements deserve further attention. First is the importance of avoiding simplistic dichotomies between good vs bad institutions, a classification that obscures as much as it reveals. Second is the need to take more seriously the multi-scalar nature of institutions, particularly when studying regional policy. Third is the balance between structure and agency, which avoids deterministic readings of underdevelopment. We develop these three elements with four case studies of European regions and conclude that the scale and scope of their innovation policies is limited by nation-states and the European Union. Nonetheless, agents can (and do) mobilise to improve governance, even when operating under restrictive conditions.

Microcredit programs may increase risk to pastoralist livelihoods in Inner Mongolia.

The literature on microcredit programs has largely focused on positive socioeconomic outcomes and low accessibility issues in farming areas and has provided less insight into the effects of easily acquired microcredit in pastoral areas. Using a case study approach, and econometric models, this paper addresses this gap by examining why and how easily acquired microcredit loans in Inner Mongolian pastoral areas increase the risk to the financial security of households or livelihood risk. Results show that existing microcredit programs increase livelihood risk because loan and repayment requirements do not align with the husbandry production cycle of contemporary Inner Mongolian pastoralists. This misalignment forces pastoralists to borrow from usurers to repay bank loans. Furthermore, households that need to borrow from usurers typically own smaller numbers of livestock and are less likely to be able to repay the usurers by selling animals. Instead, they tend to increase their bank loans in the coming year to repay the previous year's debt, trapping them in a vicious and ultimately impoverishing circle of annual loans they cannot fully pay back, and feeding increasing debt. We suggest that microcredit programs in semiarid areas should be in sync with the local production cycle and recognize environmental constraints that cause high variation in production seasonally and year to year. Our results supplement previous findings on microcredit applications and are particularly pertinent for other semiarid areas of the world.

Item-Level Genome-Wide Association Study of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test in Three Population-Based Cohorts.

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), a 10-item screen for alcohol use disorder (AUD), have elucidated novel loci for alcohol consumption and misuse. However, these studies also revealed that GWASs can be influenced by numerous biases (e.g., measurement error, selection bias), which may have led to inconsistent genetic correlations between alcohol involvement and AUD, as well as paradoxically negative genetic correlations between alcohol involvement and psychiatric disorders and/or medical conditions. The authors used genomic structural equation modeling to elucidate the genetics of alcohol consumption and problematic consequences of alcohol use as measured by AUDIT. To explore these unexpected differences in genetic correlations, the authors conducted the first item-level and the largest GWAS of AUDIT items (N=160,824) and applied a multivariate framework to mitigate previous biases. The authors identified novel patterns of similarity (and dissimilarity) among the AUDIT items and found evidence of a correlated two-factor structure at the genetic level ("consumption" and "problems," rg=0.80). Moreover, by applying empirically derived weights to each of the AUDIT items, the authors constructed an aggregate measure of alcohol consumption that was strongly associated with alcohol dependence (rg=0.67), moderately associated with several other psychiatric disorders, and no longer positively associated with health and positive socioeconomic outcomes. Lastly, by conducting polygenic analyses in three independent cohorts that differed in their ascertainment and prevalence of AUD, the authors identified novel genetic associations between alcohol consumption, alcohol misuse, and health. This work further emphasizes the value of AUDIT for both clinical and genetic studies of AUD and the importance of using multivariate methods to study genetic associations that are more closely related to AUD.

Linking food systems and landscape sustainability in the Mediterranean region

ContextGlobal dynamics affect the sustainability of agricultural landscapes, but these cross-scale connections are understudied. Therefore, we combine food systems and landscape ecology, focusing on food products that provide a linkage between global consumers and landscapes of production (e.g., Douro Valley wine) which we call landscape products.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to characterise Mediterranean landscape products based on experts’ perceptions by analysing their qualities, farming practices, and value chains, and to identify their ecological, cultural, and socio-economic outcomes in the landscapes of production.MethodsExperts with specific knowledge on a landscape product were surveyed by email and their answers analysed using descriptive and ordination statistics. Fifty-four landscape products were characterised.ResultsBased on the experts’ perceptions, landscape products are high quality products, mainly using traditional knowledge and low intensity farming. They support biocultural diversity in the landscapes of production, but their positive socio-economic outcomes remain limited, with problems of inequity and lack of empowerment among producers and a tendency towards intensification or abandonment of the farming practices. We distinguished three types of products based on their localness and how their qualities were shared with consumers. Local products performed better in the ecological and cultural outcomes and products under certification in the economic. Labelling mechanisms and better organisation of producers could enhance these products and their positive outcomes.ConclusionsCombining landscape ecology and food systems research allowed us better understand the outcomes of landscape products in the landscapes of production and suggest pathways for fostering landscape sustainability.

Politiques et pratiques en matière de bois-énergie dans certains pays d’Afrique subsaharienne – un examen critique

L'Afrique subsaharienne reste très dépendante des biocombustibles, qui couvrent 60 % de sa demande énergétique totale. Bien que le bois-énergie soit une source d'énergie importante pour des millions de personnes en Afrique subsaharienne, il est rarement suffisamment reconnu dans les politiques énergétiques. Depuis des décennies, les politiques gouvernementales ont supposé que la croissance économique et l'augmentation des revenus des ménages qui en résulterait entraînerait un passage à des carburants plus "modernes". Cependant, avec des niveaux de pauvreté toujours élevés et le manque d'accès à des sources d'énergie alternatives abordables, cette transition est loin de devenir une réalité. Cet article conceptualise la gouvernance du bois-énergie et analyse les politiques et les mécanismes institutionnels pertinents pour le sous-secteur du bois-énergie dans certains pays : Cameroun, République démocratique du Congo, Kenya et Zambie. Sur la base d'un examen structuré de la littérature, il évalue les politiques et les mécanismes juridiques existants et leur mise en œuvre, dans le contexte des pratiques actuelles le long des chaînes de valeur du bois-énergie dans ces mêmes pays. La principale conclusion est que, bien que le bois-énergie soit de plus en plus reconnu comme une source d'énergie majeure dans la plupart des pays, il est souvent associé à des résultats environnementaux négatifs et à des résultats socio-économiques positifs. Récemment, les gouvernements de plusieurs pays ont élaboré des politiques et des cadres législatifs pour guider, gérer, soutenir et réglementer la production et le commerce du bois-énergie. En dépit des dispositions légales, l'industrie du bois de feu fonctionne en grande partie dans le secteur informel et n'est pas réglementée et/ou réprimée dans certains endroits. La gouvernance des chaînes de valeur du bois-énergie est confrontée à des défis majeurs liés au manque de clarté des arrangements institutionnels et des mécanismes d'application, aux capacités limitées et aux comportements corrompus, ainsi qu'à l'insuffisance des investissements et du financement. Par conséquent, une gouvernance plus intégrée et mieux adaptée est nécessaire pour que les chaînes de valeur durables du bois-énergie deviennent une réalité.

Rural household income distribution and inequality in China: Effects of payments for ecosystem services policies and other factors

In the late 1990s, China initiated the Conversion of Croplands to Forest Program (CCFP) and the Ecological Welfare Forest Program (EWFP) based on the Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) principle. Positive socioeconomic outcomes of the programs are essential for the long-term success of eco-environment conservation. However, there is lack of understanding of their longer-term (over 10 years) impacts on rural livelihoods. In this paper, we examine income distribution and inequality of rural households under CCFP and EWFP in rural Anhui, China after 12 years of program implementation. Results show that CCFP-participating households have higher income inequality than non-participants, while the EWFP does not have a significant effect. Local off-farm work and out-migration with remittances are the two principal income sources and both add to inequality. A regression-based decomposition of inequality shows that the CCFP indirectly alters livelihoods by increasing out-migration with remittances, but it also adds to inequality from shifting livelihoods to non-agricultural activities. Meanwhile, EWFP payments positively affect agricultural incomes and contribute 16% to agricultural income inequality. Finally, human capital, natural capital and physical capital all play important roles in generating income and inequality, but the factors affecting inequality from agricultural and non-agricultural activities are different.

Does social capital reduce poverty? A cross-sectional study of rural household in Bangladesh

PurposeSocial capital accrues to numerous positive socioeconomic outcomes, especially poverty reduction in developing countries. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between social capital and poverty reduction with special reference to Bangladesh.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural setting of north-eastern Bangladesh, where primary data were collected from 310 households. Exploratory factor analysis was pursued to extract multiple dimensions of social capital. Afterward, multivariate binary logistic regression model was applied to measure the association between social capital dimensions and poverty. In this model, odds ratios were used to present the regression coefficients.FindingsThe study confirms that social network, norms of reciprocity, social trust and civic participation were associated with poverty. The logistic regression reveals that social trust, social networks, norms of reciprocity and civic participation are negatively associated with poverty by OR=0.488, 95% CI=0.377–0.633; OR=0.709, 95% CI=0.542–0.927; OR=0.619, 95% CI=0.473–0.812; and OR=0.783, 95% CI=0.598–1.025 units.Originality/valueThis study has a significant policy implication related to reducing entrenched poverty in Bangladesh as social capital has a potential to bring about a concomitant improvement in the condition of the poor.

Environmental impact of Binaloud industrial estate on social-ecological sustainability of rural settlements

Development of industrial areas in villages can produce numerous positive socio-economic outcomes. Results of many studies show an improvement in the living conditions of villagers after the establishment of industrial areas in villages. The present study is intended to investigate the impact of Binaloud Industrial Estate on social sustainability of rural settlements in Ahmadabad district of Mashhad. This research is an applied study in terms of purpose, whose results can be used in planning. To measure the effects of the industrial estate, its social dimension (including four components of population, education, welfare and service) has been considered, which has been evaluated by multiple questions. Out of 58 villages in Ahmadabad district of Mashhad where Binaloud Industrial Estate is located (research statistical population), 42 villages were chosen. To determine the number of sample villages, demographic factor (villages with more than 100 inhabitants) was used. Afterwards, considering the factor of distance dimension and access to Binaloud Industrial Estate, 10 villages were selected out of 42 villages and were applied as the population of the research sample. Based on Cochran formula, unlimited population size was used to determine the sample size. Accordingly, the sample size was obtained to be equal to 279 . The sample size of each village has been estimated with respect to the proportion of the household size in each village. To compare the average of respondents’ opinions concerning the impact of industrial estates on social sustainability of rural settlements, the mean of this variable was compared with number 3 (medium) using t-test , whose results suggested that p-value divided by 2 of this test is less than 0.05 and t-statistic is positive (16.732). Therefore, it can be concluded that the mean effect of the industrial estate on social sustainability of villages is more than medium. Accordingly, it can be stated that the establishment of industrial estates is effective in social sustainability of villages.

Promoting a Bi-partisan Approach in Responding to the Contemporary Socio-economic Challenges in Kenya

The contemporary political landscape in Kenya has been marred by political antagonism and unhealthy competition among the political actors. The Kenyan citizens have bore the brunt of the negative outcomes of this approach to political engagement in seeking solutions to their socioeconomic challenges like poor roads, lack of access to health and educational facilities especially in marginalized areas, high crime rate, inflation, unemployment among others. There is need for a paradigm shift to ensure positive socio-economic outcomes are achieved. This paper therefore seeks to demonstrate how a bi-partisan approach in responding to the contemporary socio-economic challenges can help achieve socioeconomic development and milestones in Kenya. This study is grounded on political theory while the Search, Appraisal, Synthesis and Analysis (SALSA) framework was used to review different articles from revered journals related to bipartisan policy, non-confrontational political approaches and pragmatic political ideals. The reviewed literatures revealed that achieving bipartisanship in a competitive political environment is a tedious process but ultimately if achieved produces positive socio-economic outcomes like fast tracking of bills and policies in parliament meant to ensure provision of services to the people, value addition to suggested ideas and minimal obstruction in the implementation of projects and services to the people. The study recommends a wide stakeholder engagement and intensive training of Non state actors like the Civil Society groups, State actors like elected representatives at the, Constituency, County and National assembly on the value of bipartisanship and how to engage positively on issues of common good. These bipartisan ideals that will enhance their service delivery and ensure socio-economic development at the constituency. County and National levels.

Having it all: can fisheries buybacks achieve capacity, economic, ecological, and social objectives?

The objective of this study is to assess the performance of fishery buybacks so as to determine the conditions under which positive socio-economic outcomes can occur during the process of fisheries adjustments. We do this by conducting a desk top review and supplementing the literature with targeted interviews with experts who have direct knowledge or experience with the implementation of buybacks. We focus on four case studies: Australia, the United States, British Columbia (Canada), and Norway. The outcome of each buyback was assessed in terms of the extent to which it achieved its capacity, economic, ecological, and social objectives. Our results indicate that buybacks can be successful in achieving specific programme objectives, such as reducing fishing capacity and increasing economic profits, at least in the short term. However, none of the buybacks evaluated were a resounding success due to the presence of latent permits or licences, effort creep, and continued reinvestment in the fishery. Enabling conditions for positive social outcomes included a strong economy, accountable leadership, and social assistance programmes tailored to local fishing communities. This study is useful in informing future buyback programmes’ design and implementation.

The rise of secularism and its economic consequences

The literature on the economics of religion finds that increased religious participation or religious density is associated with positive socio-economic outcomes such as increased earnings, educational attainment, and lower engagement in risky behaviors. The literature suggests that this relationship is causal, and that the gains from religion often tend to be accrued among low-skill or marginalized youth groups. In turn, as education and income increase, societies become more secular. Will the positive outcomes associated with religion disappear as western societies become more secularized?

Payments for environmental services and community-level socioeconomic wellbeing: Comparing programs in Vietnam and Australia

The success of Payments for Environmental Services (PES) programs depend crucially on local conditions, although some considerations can help make PES schemes more successful in any locale. Many PES programs are in their infancy yet have ambitious goals for environmental preservation and poverty alleviation. Monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of PES programs can provide insights into how they can best achieve these goals. This research adds to existing PES case studies by evaluating new data on one village’s participation in a World Wildlife Fund PES scheme. A village in central Vietnam was visited and the Administrative Chief of the village was interviewed to gauge the success of the PES scheme in that village. The comments from the Vietnamese village were then compared to written and verbal accounts of the Working on Country program in Australia to elucidate factors that can make PES schemes successful. This comparison revealed four key factors that can improve the outcomes of PES schemes. Community involvement in the design, implementation and evaluation of projects is crucial. Furthermore, the monetary remuneration that the community receives should be adequate. In addition, PES schemes are particularly successful when the community receives non-monetary benefits, such as social or cultural benefits, from participating in the program. Finally, the involvement of outside organisations, including the state, needs to be adequate and appropriate to ensure positive socioeconomic outcomes for the communities involved.

A global assessment of the social and conservation outcomes of protected areas.

Protected areas (PAs) are a key strategy for protecting biological resources, but they vary considerably in their effectiveness and are frequently reported as having negative impacts on local people. This has contributed to a divisive and unresolved debate concerning the compatibility of environmental and socioeconomic development goals. Elucidating the relationship between positive and negative social impacts and conservation outcomes of PAs is key for the development of more effective and socially just conservation. We conducted a global meta-analysis on 165 PAs using data from 171 published studies. We assessed how PAs affect the well-being of local people, the factors associated with these impacts, and crucially the relationship between PAs' conservation and socioeconomic outcomes. Protected areas associated with positive socioeconomic outcomes were more likely to report positive conservation outcomes. Positive conservation and socioeconomic outcomes were more likely to occur when PAs adopted comanagement regimes, empowered local people, reduced economic inequalities, and maintained cultural and livelihood benefits. Whereas the strictest regimes of PA management attempted to exclude anthropogenic influences to achieve biological conservation objectives, PAs that explicitly integrated local people as stakeholders tended to be more effective at achieving joint biological conservation and socioeconomic development outcomes. Strict protection may be needed in some circumstances, yet our results demonstrate that conservation and development objectives can be synergistic and highlight management strategies that increase the probability of maximizing both conservation performance and development outcomes of PAs.

Influences of education on gender and status: a study of Sri Lankan export processing zone workers

Sri Lankan women employed by export processing zones (EPZs) represent various educational levels. Using a survey sample of 2,304 randomly selected female EPZ workers, this paper quantitatively compared workers with ordinal-level secondary education - O-levels - and below (n = 1,423) - and those with advanced-level secondary education - A-levels - and above (n = 878). Overall, the 'higher educated' women reported more positive socio-economic outcomes than their 'lower educated' counterparts. Mann-Whitney U tests demonstrated greater earning (saving) capacities among 'higher educated' women; with Pearson's chi-square test of contingencies revealing that this cohort were also more likely to receive promotions than 'lower educated' women. Although reports of abuse (harassment) were generally low among both sub-samples, 'lower educated' female EPZ workers were more likely to experience verbal abuse, sexual harassment and public humiliation. Despite such inter-group polarisation, a near consensus of all participants reported feeling greater empowerment as a result of their time in formal employment.