Socio-economic Well-being Research Articles

Do renewable energies moderate the effect of climate vulnerability on women’s socio-economic well-being? Evidence from African countries

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the role of renewable energy as a means of promoting women’s economic participation and improving their health by mitigating climate vulnerability. Design/methodology/approach To shed light on this relationship, the authors assess the capacity of renewable energy to reduce the negative impact of climate vulnerability on women’s economic empowerment and health, using the generalized method of moments estimator for 36 African countries over the period 1990–2021. Findings The empirical results show that climate vulnerability reduces economic empowerment and climate vulnerability increases child mortality. These results are mitigated by the use of renewable energy. The use of renewable energy mitigates the negative impact of climate vulnerability on women’s economic empowerment. Renewable energy use also reduces the pressure of climate vulnerability on child mortality. In addition, the authors take into account regional heterogeneities and find distinct effects. The results remain stable after further robustness testing. Originality/value Renewable energy thresholds are provided at which climate vulnerability no longer reduces women’s socio-economic well-being.

Enhancing livelihood resilience through hybrid ecological compensation: evidence from Potatso National Park, China

Abstract Balancing biodiversity conservation and the socioeconomic well-being of ethnic minority communities presents a significant challenge in protected areas (PAs). Ecological compensation (EC) is a crucial policy instrument for improving the livelihood of affected residents, but its application in ethnic minority-dominant regions is complicated by cultural differences and fragile economic foundations. This study evaluates the impact of an innovative hybrid EC mechanism, integrating cash payment, employment support, and education incentive, on the livelihood resilience of ethnic minority groups and identifies the most cost-effective mechanism. Using field data from rural households in Potatso National Park, analyzed through hierarchical multiple regression and scenario simulations within the Sustainable Livelihood Framework, the study finds that: (i) hybrid EC mechanisms significantly improve overall livelihoods, with households receiving employment support and education incentive showing 0.074 and 0.052 higher average livelihood score, respectively (on a 0–1 scale); (ii) different EC types have varied effects across households; and (iii) hybrid EC mechanisms increase social benefits by 6.97%–37.65%, with only a 1.30%–20.15% cost increase compared to baseline scenario. The findings highlight the need for diversified and optimized EC policies to improve livelihood resilience and maximize cost-effectiveness in PAs.

UNDERSTANDING THE ADOPTION AND IMPACT OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES ON CLIMATE CHANGE AWARENESS: EVIDENCE FROM UNIVERSITY GRADUATES IN PAKISTAN

Climate change is a pressing issue that significantly impacts agriculture, health, biodiversity, water resources, forests, and the socioeconomic well-being of populations, particularly in developing and least developed nations. Raising public awareness of climate change through accurate knowledge is a key strategy to encourage proactive mitigation and adaptation efforts. This study investigates the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by university graduates to enhance climate change awareness, focusing on the role of both educators and students in knowledge transfer within academic environments. The research was conducted across 15 major universities in Pakistan, using a structured questionnaire to collect data on demographic, socio-cultural, technological, and economic factors influencing graduates’ awareness and perceptions of climate change. A binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the impact of ICTs on climate change awareness. The results indicate that access to smartphones, agricultural magazines, news bulletins, newspapers, television, and internet connectivity significantly enhances climate change awareness. However, access to radio and computers or laptops did not show a significant impact. Universities should integrate ICT-based training and outreach activities into their curricula, promoting technological solutions that address climate change challenges. Furthermore, collaboration between technological solution providers, environmental departments, and academic institutions is recommended to design ICT-driven strategies for raising climate change awareness among the youth.

Artificial intelligence and public governance models in socioeconomic welfare: some insights from Slovenia

This paper investigates the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in public governance and its impact on socioeconomic welfare, focusing on Slovenian Social Work Centres (SWCs). The objectives are to assess how AI applications align with governance models such as (Neo)Weberian Bureaucracy, New Public Management (NPM), and Good Governance, and to evaluate their effectiveness in promoting socioeconomic welfare. Furthermore, the study aims to identify opportunities and risks associated with AI in public governance and to provide policy recommendations for the ethical and effective integration of AI. A mixed-methods approach is adopted, comprising a comprehensive literature review to develop a theoretical framework, a cross-tabulation analysis of the European Commission's dataset of 686 AI use cases in 27 EU Member States, and a case study of AI implementation in Slovenian SWCs. This includes the analysis of administrative data from 2018–2022 on the e-Welfare platform and analysis of reports from Slovenian oversight bodies such as the Court of Audit, the Administrative Inspection, and the Human Rights Ombudsman. The results show that AI significantly improves administrative efficiency, particularly in the areas of resource management, cost-effectiveness, and service quality, which closely align with NPM principles. However, challenges remain in terms of transparency and accountability, as AI systems are often not transparent, making oversight difficult and jeopardising public trust, especially in the area of social welfare. The study concludes that while AI has significant potential to improve public governance, appropriate regulation and human oversight are essential to mitigate risks and ensure compliance with governance principles. The study provides valuable insights into the role of AI in administrative efficiency and is therefore relevant to policymakers, public officials, and researchers aiming to leverage AI's benefits while ensuring ethical governance and equitable socioeconomic outcomes.

The impact of agricultural development on socioeconomic well-being: A sociological review of African case studies and implications for U. S. policies

This sociological review examines the impact of agricultural development on socioeconomic well-being in African communities, drawing on case studies that highlight the role of social factors—class, ethnicity, and community networks—in shaping development outcomes. African agricultural initiatives have revealed complex interactions between economic and social dimensions, demonstrating that agricultural growth alone does not automatically translate to equitable socioeconomic benefits. The influence of class disparities often means that wealthier groups gain disproportionately from development projects, while marginalized ethnicities and lower-income communities encounter barriers to economic participation. Community networks, however, play a critical role in mitigating such inequalities by promoting resource sharing, knowledge exchange, and resilience-building within rural societies. This analysis offers valuable insights for U.S. policy aimed at rural poverty reduction and inclusive growth. Specifically, it suggests that U.S. agricultural policies could benefit from integrating sociological perspectives that address social disparities and strengthen community bonds within rural areas. By recognizing the role of social capital and community networks, U.S. policies could enhance resource accessibility and foster inclusive economic growth, particularly in underserved rural regions. The review concludes by identifying directions for future research, emphasizing the need to explore how agricultural development influences social mobility within rural communities, particularly regarding class and ethnic dynamics. Additional areas for investigation include the intersection of economic development and social inequality, as well as the sociological impacts of agricultural policies on rural household dynamics. Understanding these relationships can inform policies that not only support agricultural productivity but also ensure that growth leads to improved well-being across all social groups.

The IMPACT Survey: the humanistic impact of osteogenesis imperfecta in adults

BackgroundThe IMPACT Survey explored the humanistic, clinical, and economic burden of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) on individuals with OI, their families, caregivers, and wider society. Two previous publications report research methodology, initial insights of the survey, and cost of illness of OI. Here, we present data on the impact of OI on the quality of life (QoL) of adults with OI and explore potential drivers of this impact.MethodsThe IMPACT Survey was an international mixed methods online survey in eight languages (fielded July–September 2021), aimed at adults (aged ≥ 18 years) or adolescents (aged 12–17 years) with OI, caregivers (with or without OI) of individuals with OI, and other close relatives. Survey domains included demographics, socioeconomic factors, clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, QoL, and health economics. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the QoL data, as well as exploratory regression analyses to identify drivers of impact of OI on QoL (independent associations between patient characteristics and the impact on QoL).Results1,440 adults with OI participated in the survey. The proportion who reported an impact of OI on their QoL across individual areas in the physical, socioeconomic, and mental well-being domains ranged between 49 and 84%. For instance, 84% of adults reported an impact of OI on the types of leisure activities they could do and 74% on the type of job they could do. More severe self-reported OI and higher fracture frequency were consistently identified as drivers of OI’s impact on QoL. The proportion of adults who reported worrying about different aspects of their lives due to their OI, such as mobility loss, future fractures, and ageing, ranged between 31 and 97%.ConclusionIMPACT provides insights into the humanistic burden of OI on adults, revealing that OI has a substantial impact on the QoL of adults. OI severity and fracture frequency were consistently identified as drivers of impact on QoL across all domains. Understanding these drivers may aid in identifying areas for targeted interventions, such as fracture prevention.

Child labor in artisanal and small-scale mining: Implications for health, development and poverty

This paper investigates the complexities of health-related consequences associated with child labor in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). Based on qualitative data from northeast Guinea, our findings reveal pervasive adverse effects on the physical, psychological, and target organ health of affected children, significantly compromising their quality of life. Physical injuries, psychological distress, and exposure to toxic substances are prevalent, underscoring the inadequacy of existing policies and institutional actions to eradicate child labor and ensure the safety of those involved. Drawing from the findings, we have formulated a conceptual framework, the 'Child Labor Poverty Cycle,' to simplify and explain the intricate dynamics and connections among child labor, poor health outcomes, community vulnerability, and persistent poverty. These interrelated outcomes of child labor are detrimental to the socioeconomic wellbeing of communities, necessitating the need for government and stakeholder institutions to improve protection measures against child labor and address rural poverty, which partly drives children into child labor. Decision-makers can adopt the conceptual framework to inform the development of sustainable policies that address the drivers of child labor.

Technical Efficiency of Smallholder Dairy Farms in Rural Assam: A Double Bootstrap Data Envelopment Analysis Approach

Analysing a sample of 245 smallholder rural dairy farms in Assam, it is found that most dairy farms operate at technically inefficient level. The analysis of input-oriented conventional and bias-corrected data envelopment analysis (DEA) procedure entails that most farms produce milk below the production frontier with underlying scope of reducing variable input component up to 50% to retain the same level of output. Further, exploring the bias-corrected efficiency score determinants, it is found that input use decision is superior for male-headed households, farms that are involved in fodder cultivation, farms with proximity to markets and resource poor farmers whose dairy farming is mostly a principal source of income. The findings of the study indicate presence of ample scope and potential to leverage the technical efficiency (TE) and thereby increase the socio-economic wellbeing of the smallholder dairy farm households in the state. The study also points towards the need for sensitising farmers about the improved dairy farm technologies such as artificial insemination to produce more crossbred cattle along with building a strong network of extension machineries.

Socioeconomic impact of Brazilian electricity market liberalization: Forecasting and optimized tariff analysis

–This article integrates forecasting methods with an optimized tariff model to assess the effectiveness of the schedule proposed by the Brazilian Association of Energy Traders, as outlined in the technical note NT n°10/2022-SRM/ANEEL. This note discusses the regulatory measures to fully open the free energy market to all captive consumers by 2026. Several models, including Winters, SARIMA, ARIMA, and trend analysis were compared to determine the most suitable method for each input variable in the TAROT model, aiming to enhance forecasting accuracy. The results show that the new schedule proposed in the technical note successfully maintains the balance between the economic surplus of concessionaires and the socioeconomic welfare. Despite both approaches declining during the migration period of low-voltage consumers, their surpluses remain positive. However, there are negative effects on tariffs, impacting all consumer groups remaining in the regulated market, both high-voltage and low-voltage consumers. A key conclusion is that further regulatory changes are essential to mitigate additional increases in energy tariffs, aligning the proposed schedule with the reduction of legacy contracts.

Insurance and climate risks: Policy lessons from three bounding scenarios

Climate change poses complex risks without precedent that challenge established planning and risk management tools, including property insurance. The nature and timing of transitions in markets and institutions in response to growing climate risks will shape prospects for future socioeconomic well-being. As property insurance markets in the United States face higher levels of turmoil, policymakers are weighing various interventions to stabilize not only insurance but also housing and mortgage markets. We identify policy lessons based on the investigation of three bounding scenarios designed to address the question of how near-term (1 to 3 y) policy and regulatory choices surrounding insurance markets in Florida could influence medium-term (3 to 15 y) risk levels, disaster recovery, housing markets, and local economic outcomes. Since our policy choices today have a profound impact on future outcomes, careful consideration of the longer-term impacts of today’s policy choices is required to secure more effective and equitable adaptation decisions and pathways.

ТҮРКІСТАН ОБЛЫСЫНЫҢ 2020-2023 ЖЫЛДАР КЕЗЕҢІНДЕГІ БЮДЖЕТІН ТАЛДАУ ЖӘНЕ БАҒАЛАУ

The article analyzes the budget of the Turkestan region for the period 2020-2023. The main attention is paid to the dynamics of revenues and expenditures, as well as changes in the budget deficit (surplus) for the specified period. The use of financial resources and loans to finance budget operations is considered. Data analysis allows us to highlight the key problems and tasks facing the budget of the Turkestan region, as well as to identify potential strategies and measures to improve the financial situation and ensure sustainable development of the region. In order to ensure the socio-economic well-being of residents of the Turkestan region, the work shows the need for effective financial management, optimization of expenses and increase in revenues. As a result of the study, through analysis of the use of financial resources and loans, it is shown that the region is actively using internal resources to finance its needs, and it is also determined that it is faced with the need to seek external financing and loans. Therefore, it is proposed to pay more attention to measures to reduce costs, increase revenues and optimize budget management in order to achieve sustainable development and ensure the well-being of the Turkestan region and its residents. It also requires careful analysis and development of strategies to ensure financial stability, efficient use of resources and effective management of long-term financial risks.

Impact of populism and economic policy on state growth: A systematic literature review

This research systematically reviews the relationship between populism and economic policies, analyzing their impact on state development and growth. It is the first study to comprehensively examine the interaction between these two concepts through a systematic literature review. The review process adhered to the PRISMA protocol, utilizing the Scopus, EBSCO, and Web of Science databases, covering the period from 2012 to 2024. The findings reveal a deep interconnection between populism and economic policies, with significant implications for governance and socioeconomic well-being. The review identifies that neoliberal populism combines pro-corporate elements with populist rhetoric, favoring economic elites while presenting itself as beneficial for the “people.” Additionally, it underscores that neoliberal globalization has facilitated market liberalization but also increased inequality and undermined national sovereignty. The review concludes that while populism may offer quick fixes to immediate economic issues, its simplistic and polarizing approaches can be counterproductive in the long term. Thus, there is a critical need to reevaluate and reformulate economic and governance policies to balance global economic integration with the protection of citizens’ rights and well-being.

The Role of Community-Based Initiatives in Enhancing Water Quality and Livelihoods in Rural Tanzania: A Case Study of Mvomero Distric

This study investigates the impact of community initiatives on water quality and household livelihoods in Mvomero District, Tanzania. With a focus on the FuatiliaMaji project. The studyexplores how these initiatives influence both water quality and the socio-economic well-being of households. Using a cross-sectional research design, data were collected from 130 households through structured questionnaires. The analysis revealed that community-based monitoring, water conservation efforts, and the protection of water sources positively contribute to improved water quality. Moreover, these initiatives were found to enhance household income, health, and overall livelihood, although challenges related to water cost and time spent fetching water persist. The study highlights the importance of affordable water solutions and strengthened community participation in water governance to foster sustainable water management practices. The findings suggest that increasing investments in water infrastructure, scaling up community-based monitoring systems, and reducing the economic and time burdens of water collection are crucial for improving both water quality and household livelihoods in the region.

Indigenous communities and tourism-integrated climate change outcomes on subsistence within the hinterlands: a development management perspective

PurposeThe study focused on rural commodities, climate change and tourism activities for socioeconomic welfare and enhanced productivity within disadvantaged indigenous communities and remote areas. It relates primary and secondary data details on the Musina Municipality’s rural biodiversity, tourism management and integrated pastoral livelihoods, alongside climate change issues locally and abroad.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs focus group discussions and interviews to gather data. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation analysis and central tendencies, along with manual data sorting, provide non-inferential data analysis.FindingsThis study discloses a harmful connection between unsustainable integrated rural activities and tourism products and climate change-linked environmental consequences within such environs. Ultimately, the study has highlighted the need for proper biodiversity resource management and an agricultural approach to diminish climate change hazards and permit the indigenous communities of the municipality. Thus, there is a need for awareness and practices in responsible tourism, decent rural ecotourism and agro-tourism for enhanced productivity and sustainability achievements.Originality/valueMany rural citizens in the world naturally live in low-income areas. Southern Africa and Africa, with specific reference to the Musina Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa, are no exception. Despite the abundance of assorted natural and cultural biodiversity and rural tourism qualities, such regions are nonetheless prone to climate change consequences and the deprivation of socioeconomic sustainability.

Gendered Taxation: IMF Tax Advice and the Unintended Disempowerment of Women

Case research points to the gendered effects of the value added tax (VAT), which may particularly disadvantage women by crowding out their economic participation. A key driver of VAT introductions has been the International Monetary Fund (IMF). To counterbalance of-payments woes, IMF advice for cash-stripped countries has frequently focused on shifting toward broad-based consumption taxes while lowering trade taxes and corporate income taxes. We expect this tax policy advice – while ostensibly gender-blind – to contribute in practice to a deterioration in women’s socioeconomic well-being. To test this hypothesis, we construct a panel dataset for 147 countries from 1980 to 2016 and estimate the effect of IMF programs on women’s economic participation, education and health. Accounting for selection effects, we find that women’s life chances deteriorate relative to men’s if a country undergoes an IMF program with tax conditionality. We corroborate these findings to demonstrate the mechanism underlying these effects by showing a negative effect of IMF-induced de jure VAT adoption on women’s life chances. We provide complementary individual-level evidence from the World Values Surveys based on 98 countries from 1981 to 2019. We show that during an IMF program with tax conditionality, women are significantly less satisfied with home life and report more material hardships. Our results provide evidence of the potential for unintended consequences of IMF revenue prescriptions for women, supporting calls for increased attention to gender-responsive budgeting.

Effects of Teen Childbearing on the Family Socio-Economic Wellbeing in Ruiru, Kiambu County, Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of teenage childbearing on family socio-economic well-being in Ruiru, Kiambu County, Kenya, focusing on financial strain, educational disruption, post-partum experiences, and family support. Methodology: Using family stress, human capital, and social support theories, the study adopted descriptive survey design targeted 378 teenage mothers, with a sample of 195 selected using Yamane’s formula. Data collection involved semi-structured questionnaires and interviews, analyzed quantitatively through descriptive statistics and regression, and qualitatively through thematic analysis. Findings: The findings reveal that 85.5% of respondents faced financial difficulties within six months, and 55% reported disrupted high school education, leading to long-term setbacks. Emotional and health challenges characterized post-partum experiences, and 61.1% of respondents found family support insufficient to meet socio-economic needs. The study concludes that teenage childbearing significantly disrupts family well-being, recommending comprehensive support programs, including financial aid, childcare, healthcare, and community initiatives, to better assist teenage mothers and reduce their socio-economic burdens. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This research uniquely contributes to theory, policy, and practice by creating a comprehensive model that integrates empirical findings and qualitative insights, thereby enriching existing theories. Additionally, it provides practical recommendations for targeted support programs that guide policymakers in alleviating socio-economic burdens and enhancing family well-being.

Environmental Justice in the Age of Energy Transition: A Case Study of Shell's Operational Impact on Bayelsa State Ecosystem (2000-2023)

This study investigates environmental justice within the context of the ongoing energy transition, focusing on the shell's operational impact on the ecosystem of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. It assesses the effects of shell's activities on local communities, particularly regarding environmental degradation and socioeconomic well-being. The research employs a descriptive design, surveying 290 respondents, including chiefs, community leaders, youths, and opinion leaders from ten purposively selected oil-producing communities in Bayelsa State. Data were collected using a self-designed questionnaire on environmental justice concerns and Shell's operational impact, with responses measured on a four-point Likert scale. The questionnaire's validity was ensured through expert review, with reliability confirmed by a Cronbach's alpha of 0.73. Data collection, achieved with a 91% response rate, involved frequency counts, percentages, means, standard deviations, and independent linear regression to test the null hypothesis at a 0.05 significance level. The findings reveal a statistically significant relationship between Shell's operational activities and the degradation of Bayelsa State's ecosystem. Additionally, the study discovered that community resistance significantly influences corporate accountability, with Shell's operations detrimentally affecting environmental justice and ecological integrity in the region. Thus this research contributes to the broader discourse on environmental justice during the energy transition, offering specific recommendations for Shell to adopt a human rights-based approach to its operations, emphasizing ecological restoration to address the environmental and social harms caused by its activities in oil-producing regions.

Representations of Muscovites of working age about a healthy lifestyle and observance of its principles

Introduction. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle (HLS) is one of the key aspects of the prevention of a number of chronic infectious diseases (CID). The increase in the number of people keeping a healthy lifestyle is a predictor not only of the sanitary, but also of the socio-economic well-being of society. The purpose of the study is to determine the views of Muscovites of working age about HLS and compliance with its principles. Materials and methods. The article uses the results of a sociological survey of the able-bodied population of Moscow (18–55 years women and 18–60 years men) conducted in 2022. A total of one thousand five hundred twenty two respondents took part in the survey. The maximum sampling error is ± 2.51% (CI = 95%). To obtain additional data, 12 focus group discussions were also conducted with capital residents of working age, both having and not keeping HLS. Results. 63% of the respondents noted that they certainly or rather keep HLS, 71% of them assess their state of health as good. Different HLS practices are considered, the adherence to which is rather uniform. The study describes self-preserving and acquiescent models of attitude to one’s own health, factors of motivation to HLS, as well as images of people who do and do not follow HLS. These images can have positive and negative aspects in different population groups. Various socio-economic, infrastructural and personal barriers can hinder the gain in the number of Muscovites who lead a healthy lifestyle, and a number of approaches to work with them are proposed in this paper. Research limitations. The study is limited to residents of the city of Moscow, which may impose restrictions on the generalization of data. Conclusion. An increase in the share of Muscovites who keep HLS is possible by creating the most attractive conditions for conducting a healthy lifestyle in all spheres of human life at the level of the general urban environment, the level of habitat and work.

Abortion and Mental Health and Wellbeing: A Contemporary Review of the Literature.

This review discusses the importance of abortion care and access for mental wellbeing for people seeking abortion, abortion providers, and trainees. The recent Dobbs v. Jackson case has jeopardized the physical and mental health of millions. Much of the data regarding mental health impacts of abortion access comes from the Turnaway Study. This study supports that abortion does not cause negative mental health effects and being denied abortion is detrimental to mental health, physical health, and has negative socioeconomic impacts. Other recent studies support that the Dobbs decision continues to disproportionately harm historically marginalized groups. Additionally, there is more anxiety and depression reported in states with abortion restrictions. Many obstetrician gynecologists are moving away from restricted states and report moral distress due to restrictions. Many medical students are choosing not to apply to obstetrics and gynecology residency programs in states with abortion restrictions. Access to abortion care is important for mental and physical health, and socioeconomic well-being for people seeking abortion. Restrictive bans negatively affect people seeking abortion, as well as healthcare providers and trainees.

Exploring Culture and Sustainability: Community Participation in Indigenous Tourism in Malaysia

Nowadays, Indigenous tourism contributes to the conservation of cultural heritage and further supports sustainable development for Indigenous communities, which ultimately increases socio-economic well-being. By providing unique cultural experiences, Indigenous tourism gives greater recognition and respect for the culture while also economically benefiting. This paper aims to examine how such dynamics operate in the context of Indigenous tourism from the viewpoint and experiences of Indigenous community members who participated in tourism initiatives. Identifying culture as one of the crucial parameters that determine successful outcomes in this field, this study intends to explore how people participate in sustainable development through tourism and close important gaps using a cultural lens. Numerous databases containing scholarly research, including the Emerald Insights, Science Direct, and Web of Science, have been used in this study. As a response to the ever-growing call for inclusive and respectful tourism, this study aims to contribute valuable insights and geographical relevance to defining policy change, practice modifications, or academic pursuits of Indigenous tourism. The result of this study will fill crucial empirical research gaps in terms of how cultural restoration, tourism management, and community participation can be optimized for sustainable development with nuanced voices that are necessary to drive policy change as well as practice modifications.