Economic Welfare Research Articles

Household Wealth is Associated With Perceived Trustworthiness in a Diverse Set of Countries

Interpersonal trust impacts societal and individual outcomes, affecting economic growth, democracy, and well-being. Trust levels vary both within and across countries, raising the question of what factors influence interpersonal trust. Existing research indicates that an individual’s socioeconomic status influences their level of trust, with wealthier individuals tending to be more trusting. This article examines a further effect of wealth on interpersonal trust, namely whether people perceive wealthier individuals as more trustworthy. Using a novel method for uncovering stereotypes while avoiding social desirability bias, we investigate whether wealth cues are associated with the perceived trustworthiness of targets. Our study, conducted with diverse participants across different cultures (Brazil, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, France, Nigeria, Philippines, and the United Kingdom), consistently demonstrates that wealthier targets are seen as more trustworthy. This culturally widespread negative stereotyping of poorer individuals may contribute to observed patterns of interpersonal trust.

Exploring the Potential of Agritourism: A Gateway to Sustainable Development in Kumaun Region of Indian Central Himalayas

Agritourism, a fusion of agriculture and tourism, is a new ray of hope for the sustainable development of rural regions livelihoods, economies, and other related sectors. This concept combines both aspects, with the potential to provide economic benefits to rural livelihoods and enrich the experience for tourists who visit the place. Agritourism has potential as a catalyst for sustainable development in the Kumaun region of Uttarakhand state, which is the eastern part of the state, boasts rich scenic natural beauties, cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and all above organic and traditional agricultural practices. The paper explores existing agritourism initiatives in the Kumaun region, ranging from farm stays to culinary experiences. and analyzes the economic benefits, challenges, and prospects of agritourism. This abstract underscore the transformative power of agritourism in encouraging sustainable development in rural areas of the Kumaun region while preserving cultural heritage, promoting environmental conservation, and enhancing socio- economic well-being. Keywords: agritourism, agriculture, Kumaun, economic development.

A Call for Afrocentric Decolonial Endogenous Marketing and Public Policy Research and Practice: Toward Sustainable Peace and Well-Being in African Societies

Africa experiences one-third of all conflicts globally, resulting in the diminishment of human, social, and economic well-being; high levels of insecurity; poverty; and disrupted marketing systems. Drawing on the experiences of African countries, the article illuminates the ways in which the slave trade and, later, the colonization of the African continent fomented the social and economic convulsions that continue to erupt into continuing cycles of social conflict. Today these are manifested in the neocolonial influence of public policy on the continent by international organizations, funding bodies, and local and international institutions that control the public policy discourse and resources. The authors argue that if marketing systems are to enhance well-being and reduce social conflict, marketing policy makers need to contest failed “external to Africa” policy frameworks and look to endogenous policies better suited to contemporary African challenges. A case study of Rwanda illuminates how endogenous, “home-grown” decolonial and Afrocentric policy can create enduring peace and improve marketing systems and well-being. The authors call for research at the nexus of public policy and African marketing systems that adopts decolonized, endogenous, and Afrocentric perspectives to address this lacuna in marketing and public policy research and practice.

A Web-Based Intervention to Support a Growth Mindset and Well-Being in Unemployed Young Adults: Development Study

Background Engaging young adults in the labor market is vital for economic growth and well-being. However, the path to employment often presents setbacks that impact motivation and psychological functioning. Research suggests exploring positive psychology interventions in job-seeking and scaling the delivery of these using technology. However, dropout rates are high for self-administered psychological interventions on digital platforms. This challenge needs to be addressed for such platforms to be effective conveyors of psychological interventions. This study addresses this challenge by exploring user-oriented methods and proposes persuasive features for the design and development of a new web-based intervention targeting young unemployed adults. Objective This study aims to provide an overview of a new positive psychology wise intervention, including its theoretical underpinnings and human-centered design methodology, targeting young, unemployed adults. Methods Researchers collaborated with designers, developers, and stakeholders to design a web-based positive psychology intervention that leverages evidence-based wise interventions. Key improvements and adaptations were explored through formative usability testing with 13 unemployed young adults aged between 18 and 25 years (the target population). Qualitative usability testing data were collected, analyzed, and integrated into the ongoing design process as iterative improvements. Results The result of this study is a modular intervention web application named RØST, designed to align with the user needs and the preferences of the specific end-user group of unemployed young adults. During the project, this application evolved from early concept sketches and prototypes into a developed solution ready for further testing and use. Insights from both end-user feedback and rich user observation gained in the study were used to refine the content and the design. To increase targeted end users’ motivation, persuasive design features including praise, rewards, and reminders were added. The web application was designed primarily to be used on mobile phones using text messaging for reminders. The development process included technical and data protection considerations. Conclusions This study offers valuable insights into developing psychological or behavioral interventions to support unemployed young adults by documenting the design process and the adaptation and combination of diverse theoretical and empirical foundations. Involving stakeholders and end users in the development enabled relatable content development and resolved potential usability problems. An essential implication is the finding that end-user feedback and insights are crucial in shaping interventions. However, we experienced tensions between the evidence-based interventions and the human-centered design approaches. These tensions were not resolved and highlighted a need for ongoing user motivation support through monetary rewards, which were incorporated into the final web app design.

Integration of disamenity costs and equality considerations regarding onshore wind power expansion and distribution into energy system optimization models

BackgroundSocial acceptance of energy infrastructure projects affects public support for the energy transition and is essential for the transition’s sustainability and success. Despite extensive research focusing on the social acceptance of renewable energy, and on the acceptance of onshore wind power in particular, energy system models have largely prioritized techno-economic aspects. This focus has created a gap between model results and decision-makers’ needs. In this study, we offer recommendations for integrating disamenity costs and equality considerations—two critical social aspects related to onshore wind power—into energy system optimization. To achieve this, we use a spatially distributed model from a climate-neutral Germany and explore various implementations and trade-offs of these two social aspects.ResultsWe identified effective linear formulations for both disamenity costs and equality considerations as model extensions, notably outperforming quadratic alternatives, which exhibit longer solution times (+ 50–115%). Our findings reveal that the endogenous consideration of disamenity costs in the optimization approach can significantly reduce the human population’s exposure to wind turbines, decreasing the average disamenity per turbine by 53%. Drawing on notions of welfare economics, we employ two different approaches for integrating equality into the optimization process, permitting the modulation of the degree of equality within spatial distributions in energy system models. The trade-offs of the two social aspects compared to the cost-optimal reference are moderate, resulting in a 2–3% increase in system costs.ConclusionsDisamenity costs emerge as a predominant factor in the distribution of onshore wind power in energy system optimization models. However, existing plans for onshore wind power distribution in Germany underscore equality as the driving factor. The inclusion of social aspects in energy system models facilitates the identification of socially superior wind turbine locations. Neglecting disamenity costs and equality considerations leads to an overestimation of the practical solution space for decision-makers and, consequently, the resulting energy system designs.

Integrating mental health and psychosocial support into economic inclusion programming for displaced families in Ecuador

BackgroundPoverty is a key social determinant of mental health among forcibly displaced persons. This study aimed to design and pilot test a strategy to integrate existing mental health and economic inclusion interventions for displaced families in Ecuador.MethodsWe conducted a series of qualitative interviews (n = 30), focus groups (n = 6), and workshops (n = 3) to develop a set of strategies for integrating cross-cutting and focused mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) strategies into an existing economic inclusion program for displaced families in Quito. We non-randomly assigned two field offices in Quito to (1) integrate cross-cutting strategies focused on improving economic outcomes or (2) integrate both those cross-cutting strategies plus focused MHPSS strategies into an economic inclusion program. We measured site-level implementation outcomes (adoption, appropriateness, acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, reach, retention, usability) and participant-level psychosocial (wellbeing, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, functioning) and economic inclusion outcomes (financial resources, diet diversity, social capital/networks, self-reliance) over six months. We conducted a mixed-methods analysis to explore the acceptability and feasibility of the integration strategies and the ability to evaluate their effects in a future cluster randomized trial.ResultsWe developed a toolkit that included 10 strategies for integrating MHPSS into economic inclusion interventions. Fifty displaced persons participating in an existing economic inclusion program (25 per study condition) were enrolled and 88% remained in the study through the six-month follow-up. Participants and implementers reported that the integration strategy was appropriate, acceptable, feasible, and usable. Implementers, including people without prior experience in delivering mental health services, were able to deliver the intervention with high fidelity. Integration of focused MHPSS intervention components into an economic inclusion program appeared to improve MHPSS outcomes, the strength of social capital and networks, and engagement in economic and other programs.ConclusionsThis study provides preliminary evidence of the acceptability and feasibility of integrating MHPSS into economic inclusion programs for displaced people. We found evidence supporting evaluation methods that can be employed in a future study to definitively test the added value of integrated approaches to mental health and economic wellbeing for displaced persons.

Financial Literacy in India

The Financial literacy is very important and plays a crucial role in individuals economic well-being and overall societal development. Financial Literacy is also important to learn money management. This research paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis and information of the current state of financial literacy in India. This paper explores various terms and factors which influencing financial literacy levels, such as education, income, money management. It covers the why India need financial literacy into different areas. This research paper investigates the critical role of financial literacy in India. By examining the current state of financial literacy among Indian citizens, the study explores its impact on personal finance decisions, economic well-being, and overall quality of life. The paper analyzes the factors influencing financial literacy levels, including education, income, and access to financial services. Furthermore, it discusses the challenges and opportunities in promoting financial literacy in India and proposes recommendations for policymakers, educators, and financial institutions to enhance financial education

Climate Finance: Pioneering Pathways to Sustainability

Climate finance is a progressive financial tool to foster sustainability and address climate change mitigation and adaptation challenges. This study delineates the notion of climate finance and sustainability, illustrating their confluence and its impact on social welfare, ecological quality, and economic well-being. Climate financing involves distributing resources to environmentally sustainable enterprises and projects designed to harmonize economic growth with sustainability. Furthermore, developed nations have committed to offering financial assistance to developing nations to confront the problems presented by climate change. This paper aims to decode the confluence of climate finance and sustainability. Moreover, it underscores the significance of climate financing in tackling environmental issues, reaching carbon neutrality, and eventually realizing sustainable development. The finding indicates that climate finance is essential for addressing climate change and achieving sustainability, highlighting the significant role of developed nations and the private sector in closing the funding gap required for investments in climate-resilient projects and infrastructure. Consequently, this can generate possibilities for people and nations to earn carbon credits, which are tradable in carbon markets, thereby securing financial benefits.

Unravelling motives and time use of additional leave in a flexible benefits plan: a mixed-methods case study in Belgium

Working-time reduction emerges as a promising measure for fostering a well-being economy, as it allows to reconsider time allocation between paid labour and other activities, potentially improving human and environmental well-being. This study investigates the motives for and planned time use of additional leave in the context of a flexible benefits plan, a specific form of working-time reduction that is increasingly popular among employees and employers. Despite its popularity, little is known about the rationale behind this choice and its potential to create socio-environmental benefits. Data were collected from a Belgian media company in 2022 using a mixed-methods approach, comprising a survey (N = 241) and semi-structured interviews (N = 13). The findings reveal that a mix of motives matters for choosing additional leave, including push, pull, personal and contextual factors, as well as the specifics of the flexible benefits plan. While the desire for more leisure emerges as a primary driver, difficulties in taking up the standard amount of leave present a key barrier. Employees plan to use their extra leave for diverse activities, mainly personal and social activities, household tasks, travel, and ad-hoc pursuits. However, preferences vary based on parental status, with couples having children primarily intending to use the leave for caregiving responsibilities. Notably, the primary activities for intended time use align with increased well-being and have relatively low environmental impacts, although positive effects may be partially offset for well-being (such as when paid work is replaced with unpaid care or household work) or for the environment (such as when spending the extra leave on environmentally intensive (travel) activities). These findings tentatively suggest that choosing additional leave in flexible benefits plans could contribute to a well-being economy.

Analisis Peran Petani Tambak Dalam Meningkatkan Pendapatan Ekonomi dan Kesejahteraan Pada Masyarakat

This study aims 1) to determine the role of pond farmers in enhancing the productivity of milkfish and shrimp, 2) to determine the supporting and inhibiting factors in pond farming, and 3) to determine the impact of the ponds on the economic income and welfare of the community of Patuhu village. The study adopted a qualitative approach. The result indicated that the role of pond farmers in enhancing pond productivity has a positive impact. It is necessary to optimize available resources, such as human resources, for innovations that are cultivated to support the progress of the pond. Then, the supporting factors of the pond business include, first, the type of fish seeds used, second, natural factors (weather), third, technological factors (fertilizers). Then, the inhibiting factors in the pond business include: First, the difficulty of getting non-organic fertilizers, second, diseases and pests, third, weather (drought). In addition, the income enhancement is the result of the work of the farmers, where the employment opportunities provided by the pond farmers have changed the lives of people who work as farmers or pond managers and those who work for the company. Pond farmers consist of teenagers or adults and who are married or unmarried. In conclusion, productivity is a process of improving the results to be achieved, where the results of the ponds in Patuhu village have changed. In running a pond business, pond farmers encounter many things, such as supporting and inhibiting factors. The inhibiting factors are difficulty in getting fertilizer, hot weather, pests and diseases. Then, pond farmers' role in enhancing the community's economic income has a very positive impact. In this case, the employment opportunities provided by pond farmers have resulted in a notable positive impact on the individuals engaged in various roles such as cultivators, pond managers, and company employees. In brief, all of this has brought changes to them. Finally, the outcomes derived from pond farmers contribute to the overall prosperity of the community, enabling children to attend school and ansuring their daily necessities are adequately provided for.

Social determinants and oral health conditions in the elderly

Introduction: In older adults, the social determinants of health directly influence the health-disease process; oral health is no exception. Objective: Determine the behavior of social determinants and oral health conditions in older adults. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 221 individuals aged 60 years and over from office 19, La Demajagua, in June 2024. Questioning and clinical examination of the oral cavity were used, with prior informed consent of the participants and caregivers. The variables studied were: age, sex, occupation, economic well-being, family functioning, housing conditions, eating habits and oral health conditions. Results: The most represented age group was 60 to 74 years old with 72,8 %, with a predominance of males. Only 32,6 % of older adults worked and 11,8 % had good oral health conditions. 56,1 % of those examined reported not having economic well-being, and 73,8 % presented a regular oral health condition. Dysfunctional families predominated in 56,6 %, 46,2 % living in homes with regular conditions and 58,8 % with inadequate eating habits. Conclusions: The unfavorable behavior of the analyzed determinants reveals their negative influence on the oral health condition of older adults.

Digital literacy, relative poverty, and common prosperity for rural households: Evidence from Chinese Family Panel Survey (CFPS) 2018

Digital transformation has emerged as a crucial driver of economic development, yet its impact on rural China's socioeconomic landscape remains understudied. This research investigates how digital literacy influences common prosperity and relative poverty in rural China using comprehensive household-level data from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). Through robust econometric analysis, including multiple regression models and structural equation modeling, we examine both the direct effects of digital literacy on household economic outcomes and its indirect effects through the mediating channel of relative poverty. Our findings demonstrate that a one standard deviation increase in digital literacy scores corresponds to a 12.3 % reduction in relative poverty and a 15.7 % increase in household income, with these effects amplified in China's western regions and among unmarried individuals. The results are robust to various model specifications and controls for potential endogeneity. By establishing the causal pathways between digital skills and economic well-being, this study provides empirical evidence for policymakers to design targeted interventions that leverage digital literacy as a tool for reducing rural-urban disparities. Our findings contribute to the growing literature on digital inclusion and suggest that investing in digital skills training could be a cost-effective strategy for promoting inclusive growth in rural China.

Sustainability and Social Farming in the Czech Republic: The Impact of Selected Factors on the Employment of Disadvantaged Persons in Agriculture

In the agricultural sector, where factors like the type of agriculture, management techniques, and access to funding are critical, disadvantaged people face significant barriers to employment. This study investigated the effects of these factors, especially with regard to sustainability and social farming, on the employment of disadvantaged persons in the Czech Republic. We sent questionnaires to 2036 agricultural businesses within the Czech Republic, and the data we received were sorted and analyzed. There was a favorable relationship between farm size and employment chances. Disadvantaged people were more likely to be hired by large farms, especially those larger than 250 hectares. Furthermore, mixed-production farms were more capable of employing disadvantaged persons, unlike conventional farms, which reached their maximum employment levels at one, three, or six workers. Organic farming had a more even distribution, while biodynamic farming showed limited capacity to employ disadvantaged persons. Farms involved in fundraising had fewer farms but employed more disadvantaged persons (number of employees peaked at two, four, and six), while farms that did not engage in fundraising hired more disadvantaged individuals (peaked at one and three employees). The motivations for employing disadvantaged persons were primarily social concerns, as well as labor shortages and economic and innovative factors. These findings show the importance of agricultural enterprises using these factors to improve the social and economic well-being of disadvantaged persons.

The lifetime risk of maternal near miss morbidity in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America: a cross-country systematic analysis

Life-threatening maternal near miss (MNM) morbidity can have long-term consequences for the physical, psychological, sexual, social, and economic wellbeing of female individuals. The lifetime risk of MNM (LTR-MNM) quantifies the probability that a female individual aged 15 years will have an MNM before age 50 years, given current mortality and fertility rates. We compare the LTR-MNM globally to reveal inequities in the cumulative burden of severe maternal morbidity across the reproductive life course. We estimated the LTR-MNM for 40 countries with multifacility, regional, or national data on the prevalence of MNM morbidity measured using WHO or modified WHO criteria of organ dysfunction from 2010 onwards (Central and Southern Asia=6, Eastern and Southeastern Asia=9, Latin America and the Caribbean=10, Northern Africa and Western Asia=2, sub-Saharan Africa=13). We also calculated the lifetime risk of severe maternal outcome (LTR-SMO) as the lifetime risk of maternal death or MNM. The LTR-MNM ranges from a 1 in 269 risk in Viet Nam (2010) to 1 in 6 in Guatemala (2016), whereas the LTR-SMO ranges from a 1 in 201 risk in Malaysia (2014) to 1 in 5 in Guatemala (2016). The LTR-MNM is a 1 in 20 risk or higher in nine countries, seven of which are in sub-Saharan Africa. The LTR-SMO is a 1 in 20 risk or higher in 11 countries, eight of which are in sub-Saharan Africa. The relative contribution of the LTR-MNM to the LTR-SMO ranges from 42% in Angola to 99% in Japan. There exist substantial global and regional disparities in the cumulative burden of severe maternal morbidity across the reproductive life course. The LTR-MNM is an important indicator to highlight the magnitude of inequalities in MNM morbidity, once accounting for obstetric risk, fertility rates, and mortality rates. The LTR-SMO can be used to highlight variation in the relative importance of morbidity to the overall burden of maternal ill-health across the female reproductive life course, given countries' stage in the obstetric transition. Both the LTR-MNM and LTR-SMO can serve as important indicators to advocate for further global commitment to end preventable maternal morbidity and mortality. UK Economic and Social Research Council, EU Horizon 2020 Marie Curie Fellowship, and Leverhulme Trust Large Centre Grant.

Analysis of Factors Affecting the Effectiveness of Road Maintenance in Pidie Regency

Land transportation infrastructure as a medium of accessibility for various community needs that have an important role in economic growth, socio-cultural, political, and other factors of a region or area. In order for road infrastructure to function optimally in improving these factors, several important aspects need to be considered, including having user safety and comfort, environmentally friendly. Land transportation infrastructure is not only a means of mobility but also a tool to achieve better social and economic welfare for the entire community. Given the strategic role of land transportation infrastructure, namely roads, it is very necessary to have security and comfort values so that the efficiency and effectiveness of the infrastructure are indicators to be evaluated. The effectiveness and efficiency of roads are greatly influenced by many factors including road conditions and age, land use, social, economic and policy. community and related parties. The purpose of this study is to analyze the dominant factors that influence the effectiveness of road maintenance in Pidie district. This study uses a qualitative approach to analyze data obtained from respondents which are primary data and the use of SPSS as an analysis tool so that it becomes numerical. The results obtained for the instrument items used are reliable and trustworthy, this is based on the Cronbach's Alpha (CA) value obtained in the range of 0.50 to 0.70. Based on the results and discussions obtained, it can be concluded that all proposed instrument items provide a significant contribution to determining the effectiveness of road maintenance decisions in Pidie Regency with the highest influence instrument factors being economic instruments and road conditions. The coefficient value obtained for the two factors is 5.571 for the economic instrument and followed in second place, namely the road condition instrument item with a coefficient of 3.603.

Effective financial inclusion and the need to put the horse before the cart: Saving!

The financial inclusion paradigm is increasingly considered a veritable development model. Therefore, we argue that a deeper understanding of it is necessary for enabling policies and strategies that would yield positive development outcomes (successful financial inclusion). We explore this argument by first, defining “effective financial inclusion” along the lines of identifiable population groups that are often financially excluded from mainstream financial services; and second, by hypothesizing that large national savings pools are a crucial prerequisite for effective financial inclusion. Furthermore, we posit that if effective, financial inclusion should enhance economic welfare, thus engendering “successful financial inclusion.” We evaluate these hypotheses by using a battery of econometric techniques, and document robust supportive findings. Moreover, we evolve first-of-its-kind robust definition of financial inclusion and provide unambiguous evidence that would guide governments and other stakeholders on how to leverage financial inclusion, as a development model, more productively. Importantly, we highlight the primacy of large savings pools for effective financial inclusion.

Reinterpreting Iddah for Career Women: Najmuddin Tufi�s Maqashid Sharia Approach

This study aims to reinterpret the concept of iddah (waiting period) for career women using a maqashid sharia approach based on Najmuddin Thufi�s thought. Iddah is an Islamic ruling intended to protect family and societal welfare, yet it presents challenges for modern career women. The traditional rules of iddah, which restrict activities outside the home, can impact women�s social and economic well-being, particularly for those who work. This research employs Najmuddin Thufi�s approach, which emphasizes public interest (maslahah), to explore whether the rules of iddah require adjustment for career women without compromising the fundamental objectives of Islamic law. Using a qualitative methodology with a library research approach, this study gathers data from literature on Islamic law, maqashid sharia and Najmuddin Thufi�s theory. The study finds that reconstructing iddah for career women is feasible by applying maqashid sharia principles, particularly through Thufi�s emphasis on maslahah. In the context of working women, traditional iddah rules�which limit activities outside the home�present challenges, especially concerning economic and social well-being. Based on the principle of maslahah, the iddah rule can be adapted without disregarding the core objectives of sharia, allowing career women to continue working during the waiting period as long as they uphold personal dignity and adhere to Islamic legal regulations. This approach offers a contextual and adaptive interpretation of Islamic law that aligns with modern developments while preserving the objectives of Sharia. The study concludes that iddah for career women can be reconstructed to bridge the gap between religious obligations and contemporary socio-economic needs.

Retraction of "Home visiting impacts during the pandemic: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial of Child First" by Xia et al. (2023).

Reports the retraction of "Home visiting impacts during the pandemic: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial of child first" by Samantha Xia, Mervett Hefyan, Meghan P. McCormick, Maya Goldberg, Emily Swinth and Sharon Huang (Journal of Family Psychology, 2023[Aug], Vol 37[5], 569-580). This article is being retracted at the request of the publisher, and the editor and all authors of the original article consented. The MDRC study team identified two caregivers who were enrolled at baseline but were, themselves, minors. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2023-81526-001.) Existing research has found that home visiting programs for families with young children can improve children's development and strengthen caregiver and family well-being. However, the pandemic created numerous challenges for home visiting programs, forcing them to deliver services online or in a hybrid format to respond to pandemic-related challenges. Questions remain about the impacts of these programs when delivered at-scale via a hybrid model, especially during this uniquely challenging time. The present study reports 12-month impacts from a randomized controlled trial of Child First-an evidence-based home visiting program that provides psychotherapeutic, parent-child intervention (children ages 0-5) embedded in a coordinated system of care-when implemented as a hybrid service. This study estimates impacts within four domains: families' receipt of services, caregiver psychological well-being and parenting, child behavior, and family economic well-being. After randomly assigning families (N = 226) to receive Child First or typical community services, the research team surveyed caregivers (N = 183) about a year after study enrollment. Results from regression models with site fixed effects revealed suggestive evidence that Child First reduced caregivers' job loss, residential mobility, and self-reported substance abuse, and increased receipt of virtual services during the pandemic. There were null impacts on caregivers' psychological well-being, families' involvement with the child welfare system, children's behaviors, and other indicators of economic well-being. Implications for future research and policy are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Geographical ignorance: The vital role of geographic knowledge for decision-makers

The ongoing environmental, social, and cultural problems in today’s world indicate that geographic knowledge (GK) is not given sufficient importance by decision-makers. On the other hand, decision-makers, when making crucial decisions that impact competitiveness, economic well-being, and environmental stability, face significant risks and potential costs due to gaps in GK and a lack of awareness. In this context, this article presents a theoretical investigation that underscores how GK can assist decision-makers in achieving success in their decisions. We characterize GK with a mindset emphasizing the complex spatial system connections and the significant role of space in decision-making processes. The article discusses this topic at the local-regional, national, and international scales. As a result, we argue that addressing the knowledge gaps of decision-makers is impactful in enhancing their capacity to understand the mutual relationships among environmental dynamics at various scales and enables the synthesis of economic, political, social, and cultural mechanisms within human society. Considering the support of theory for empirical studies, we hope that this study will also support empirical research related to planning. Overcoming challenges requires a holistic approach that not only equips decision-makers with GK but also enables its effective implementation throughout the planning process.

Optimizing Ecotourism Management Strategies for Mangrove Forests: A Maqashid Sharia Approach in Batu Bara Regency

Mangrove ecotourism was developed to promote the welfare of local communities by leveraging natural resources in a sustainable manner. This study investigated strategies to increase visitor numbers to Batu Bara Mangrove Park (BBMP) and improve the socio-economic conditions of the surrounding community. A descriptive mixed method was utilized, employing SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) analysis to analyze data collected through interviews, observations, and questionnaires. The research sought to understand key factors contributing to the growth in visitor numbers while addressing challenges faced by park management. Additionally, the study included a welfare analysis based on the principles of Maqashid As-Syariah, which provided an Islamic perspective unique to this research. The findings identified various strategies that could be implemented to better meet visitor needs and preferences, enhancing the overall visitor experience. These strategies focused on improving facilities, services, and aligning development efforts with tourist expectations. By doing so, BBMP could establish itself as a more appealing and sustainable ecotourism destination. The study concluded that addressing visitor satisfaction through tailored development strategies not only holds the potential to increase tourism but also significantly contributes to the economic and social welfare of the local community. This research offers valuable insights into the sustainable management of ecotourism in similar regions.