From Financial Fragility to Resilience: Households, Investors, and Small Businesses

A special issue of Journal of Risk and Financial Management (ISSN 1911-8074). This special issue belongs to the section "Financial Markets".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 14665

Editors


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Guest Editor
REMIT, Department of Economics and Management, Universidade Portucalense, 4200-027 Porto, Portugal
Interests: business administration; accounting scholarship; business economics and tourism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Graduate Program in Management of Public Organizations, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil
Interests: financial literacy; attitude to debt; financial well-being; credit card use and debt; financial management; financial planning for retirement; financial citizenship and default; the construction and application of instruments for evaluating public policies from the point of view of the end user; behavioral finance; public administration; public management; social sciences

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Guest Editor
Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: competitiveness; innovation; sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The dynamics of contemporary financial systems have revealed the vulnerability of households, small businesses, and investors to crises, economic shocks, and structural transformations in global markets. Periods of instability highlight financial fragility, while recovery paths emphasize resilience and adaptation. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial not only for academic research but also for the design of effective policies and strategies to strengthen financial well-being and economic sustainability.

This Special Issue, “From Financial Fragility to Resilience: Households, Investors, and Small Businesses”, aims to bring together multidisciplinary perspectives that deepen our knowledge of the drivers of fragility and resilience in household finance, small business finance, and investment decision-making.

Relevant themes include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Financial Fragility and Shocks: determinants of financial vulnerability, the role of debt and over-indebtedness, and the effects of inflation, unemployment, and crises (financial, health, climate) on households, small businesses, and investors.
  • Resilience and Adaptation: coping mechanisms, savings and investment strategies, diversification, financial literacy as a resilience factor, and intergenerational aspects of resilience among households, investors, and small businesses.
  • Investor Behavior: decision-making under uncertainty, behavioral biases, risk perception, herding behavior, and the role of financial advice in building resilience.
  • Financial Inclusion and Access: barriers to access credit and investment opportunities and the role of fintech and microfinance in reducing fragility and promoting resilience.
    Public Policy and Regulation: government support programs, fiscal and monetary policies aimed at mitigating fragility, and regulatory frameworks for investor protection.
    Socioeconomic and Cultural Dimensions: differences in resilience across income groups, gender, generations, or regions; cultural influences on financial behaviors; and comparative international analyses.
  • Technology and Innovation: the impact of digital financial services, big data, artificial intelligence, and blockchain on reducing fragility and enhancing resilience.
  • Measuring Financial Fragility and Resilience: development and validation of models, scales, and indicators to evaluate financial fragility and financial resilience among households, investors, and small businesses.

By fostering this interdisciplinary dialogue, we expect contributions that enrich the understanding of the complex interplay between financial fragility and resilience in households, investors, and small businesses. Such research will be essential for designing innovative solutions, public policies, and financial strategies that support long-term financial stability and well-being.

We warmly invite you to submit your research articles, reviews, or case studies to this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Fernando Oliveira Tavares
Dr. Kelmara Mendes Vieira
Dr. Elisabeth T. Pereira
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • financial fragility
  • financial resilience
  • household finance
  • household saving
  • over-indebtedness
  • credit constraints
  • financial inclusion
  • financial exclusion
  • investment decision-making
  • behavioral finance
  • risk perception
  • behavioral biases
  • investor behavior
  • portfolio diversification
  • financial literacy
  • financial education
  • retirement planning
  • pension adequacy
  • financial well-being
  • financial stress
  • coping strategies
  • shock resilience
  • economic inequality
  • wealth distribution
  • intergenerational finance
  • financial vulnerability
  • consumer debt
  • financial advice
  • fintech and households
  • public policy and financial stability
  • crisis management
  • inflation and households
  • unemployment and financial fragility
  • housing finance
  • microfinance
  • sustainable finance
  • digital financial services
  • financial risk management
  • social networks and finance
  • climate change and financial resilience
  • sme finance
  • small business resilience
  • entrepreneurship and finance
  • business continuity planning
  • sme credit access
  • entrepreneurial debt
  • family businesses
  • crisis recovery in smes
  • financial management in small firms
  • small business financing strategies

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Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 1193 KB  
Article
The Signalling Trap: How Crisis Lending Reinforced Informal MSME Exclusion in Indonesia’s Financial System
by Esta Lestari, Latif Adam, Agus Eko Nugroho, Muhammad Soekarni, Tuti Ermawati, Yeni Saptia, Achsanah Hidayatina, Septian Adityawati, Felix Wisnu Handoyo, Ikval Suardi and Jiwa Sarana
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(7), 494; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19070494 - 2 Jul 2026
Viewed by 162
Abstract
This study examines access to Indonesia’s subsidised credit programme, Kredit Usaha Rakyat (KUR), during the COVID-19 pandemic using signalling theory. Based on logit regression of survey data from 2361 micro and small enterprises (MSEs), the study analyses how borrower characteristics were associated with [...] Read more.
This study examines access to Indonesia’s subsidised credit programme, Kredit Usaha Rakyat (KUR), during the COVID-19 pandemic using signalling theory. Based on logit regression of survey data from 2361 micro and small enterprises (MSEs), the study analyses how borrower characteristics were associated with loan approval across the Super Micro, Micro, and Small KUR schemes. The results show that prior credit history was the strongest observed signal of creditworthiness during the crisis. Previous receipt of KUR was associated with a 5 percentage-point higher probability of loan approval. Scheme-level estimations indicate heterogeneous signalling mechanisms. Prior credit history was positively associated with access to Micro KUR (15 p.p) and negatively associated with access to KUR Super Mikro that targeted non-bankable SMEs, whereas access to Small KUR was more strongly associated with collateral-based signals, particularly land ownership. The findings further indicate that borrowers lacking prior credit experience or formal assets were less likely to obtain KUR during the pandemic, suggesting that crisis-period lending created a “signaling trap” that stabilised liquidity while perpetuating exclusion. The study recommends reforms to KUR that incorporate hybrid risk assessment mechanisms, capacity-building, decentralised guarantees, and pathways to formalisation. Full article
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23 pages, 747 KB  
Article
The Behavioral Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Investor Decision Making and Investment Strategies
by Marija Vuković, Ivana Ninčević-Pašalić and Roko Lukačević
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(7), 466; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19070466 - 26 Jun 2026
Viewed by 277
Abstract
This study examines how investors’ perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI) are associated with investor behavior, focusing on short-term and long-term investment strategies and their implications for investor resilience. While prior research has primarily emphasized the technical capabilities of AI in financial decision making, [...] Read more.
This study examines how investors’ perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI) are associated with investor behavior, focusing on short-term and long-term investment strategies and their implications for investor resilience. While prior research has primarily emphasized the technical capabilities of AI in financial decision making, less is known about how investors perceive these technologies in practice. Using survey data from 221 individual investors and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), the study analyzes how different dimensions of AI perception affect investment strategies. The results show that perceived efficiency and positive expectations regarding the future role of AI positively influence both short-term and long-term investment strategies. In contrast, perceived accuracy is associated with lower engagement in short-term strategies, suggesting greater reliance on AI-generated recommendations. Most notably, perceived forecasting ability is negatively related to long-term investment strategies, indicating that stronger belief in AI’s predictive capabilities may encourage a shift toward shorter investment horizons. The findings demonstrate that different dimensions of AI perception are associated with investment behavior in different ways. While some AI-related perceptions may support more disciplined and potentially resilient investment behavior, others may encourage greater dependence on automated forecasts and reduced long-term orientation. The study contributes to understanding the behavioral implications of AI in financial decision making. Full article
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23 pages, 442 KB  
Article
Capital Structure Adjustment in SMEs: Limits of the Dynamic Trade-Off Model
by Luís Pacheco and António Carvalho
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(6), 414; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19060414 - 8 Jun 2026
Viewed by 375
Abstract
Capital structure theory remains a central concern within corporate finance, despite more than six decades of sustained scholarly inquiry. The seminal contributions of Modigliani and Miller established the analytical foundations from which subsequent frameworks emerged, notably the static trade-off theory and its later [...] Read more.
Capital structure theory remains a central concern within corporate finance, despite more than six decades of sustained scholarly inquiry. The seminal contributions of Modigliani and Miller established the analytical foundations from which subsequent frameworks emerged, notably the static trade-off theory and its later evolution into dynamic adjustment models. Although competing theoretical perspectives have advanced the debate, their respective limitations have increasingly encouraged a more integrative understanding of firms’ financing behaviour. This study critically examines the limitations of the dynamic trade-off model in explaining the financing decisions of Portuguese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during the period 2015–2024. The article contributes to the literature by proposing an original comparative methodological framework and introducing an empirical indicator designed to assess the divergence between the model’s theoretical assumptions and observed financing practices. Using dynamic panel estimations based on the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), the findings reveal that, although SMEs exhibit partial adjustment behaviour towards target leverage rations, several core determinants predicted by the dynamic trade-off framework lose explanatory power when confronted with observed data. In particular, profitability displays patterns more consistent with pecking order behaviour, while variables traditionally associated with debt optimization and collateral effects become statistically weak or inconsistent. These results suggest that the financing behaviour of Portuguese SMEs cannot be fully explained by a single theoretical framework and is strongly shaped by institutional constraints, internal financing preferences, and contextual factors. The study therefore highlights both the continuing relevance and the empirical limitations of the dynamic trade-off model, while reinforcing the need for more pluralistic approaches to capital structure analysis. From a practical perspective, the findings indicate that SME financing decisions should not be interpreted solely through leverage optimization logic, carrying implications for managers, financial institutions, and policymakers involved in SME financing and fiscal policy design. Full article
26 pages, 373 KB  
Article
Investment Experience and Financial Vulnerability: The Role of Financial Literacy, Gender and Social Context
by Elisabet Ruiz-Dotras and Josep Llados-Masllorens
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(5), 369; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19050369 - 20 May 2026
Viewed by 545
Abstract
Several studies show that financial vulnerability is not determined solely by low levels of wealth, but also by behavioural and social factors that shape financial behaviour. From this perspective, the social environment and financial knowledge can influence how investors evaluate their investment experiences. [...] Read more.
Several studies show that financial vulnerability is not determined solely by low levels of wealth, but also by behavioural and social factors that shape financial behaviour. From this perspective, the social environment and financial knowledge can influence how investors evaluate their investment experiences. However, most of the literature has focused on how these aspects affect participation in financial markets, rather than on how they shape perceptions of the investment experience itself. This study explores how interactions with one’s social environment and both objective and subjective levels of financial knowledge contribute to how people evaluate the outcomes of their investments. To do so, we analyse a sample of undergraduate students using multivariate regression and Oaxaca–Blinder decompositions across three social environments—family, workplace, and banking advisors—and three types of financial assets: stocks, investment funds, and pension funds. The results show that perceptions of investment experience are shaped not only by individual factors but also by financial knowledge and the social environment—and these effects differ between men and women. There are also differences across types of financial assets, suggesting varying levels of vulnerability. These findings highlight the importance of personal characteristics, financial knowledge, and social context in explaining investment perceptions and differences in financial vulnerability. Full article
23 pages, 634 KB  
Article
From Financial Practices to Sustainable Outcomes: A Resilience-Based Perspective
by Enkeleda Lulaj and Blerta Dragusha
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(5), 318; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19050318 - 27 Apr 2026
Viewed by 1228
Abstract
Understanding how financial management practices translate into firm-level financial sustainability remains an important yet insufficiently explored issue. This study examines how financial discipline and financial risk management contribute to financial sustainability through financial resilience capacity. Drawing on a resilience-based perspective, financial resilience capacity [...] Read more.
Understanding how financial management practices translate into firm-level financial sustainability remains an important yet insufficiently explored issue. This study examines how financial discipline and financial risk management contribute to financial sustainability through financial resilience capacity. Drawing on a resilience-based perspective, financial resilience capacity is conceptualized as the firm’s ability to absorb financial shocks and adapt to uncertainty. The study employs a quantitative, survey-based research design using firm-level data collected during 2024–2025 from 217 respondents in financial and managerial roles. Financial discipline and financial risk management are operationalized through multi-item Likert-scale proxies capturing cost control, financial policy discipline, risk identification, diversification, and strategic financial planning, while financial sustainability is measured through indicators reflecting long-term financial stability and the ability to meet financial obligations. The relationships are tested using covariance-based structural equation modeling (SEM), including mediation analysis. The results show that both financial discipline and financial risk management significantly enhance financial resilience capacity, which in turn exerts a strong positive effect on financial sustainability. Financial resilience capacity acts as the primary mechanism linking financial practices to sustainable outcomes. While financial discipline has both direct and indirect effects, the impact of financial risk management operates fully through financial resilience capacity. These findings highlight the critical role of resilience in translating financial practices into long-term financial sustainability. Full article
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24 pages, 1861 KB  
Article
Financial Wellbeing and Financial Resilience: Insights from Personal Experiences and Gender Differences
by Arturo Garcia-Santillan, Jacob Owusu Sarfo and Francisco Venegas-Martínez
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(3), 217; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19030217 - 13 Mar 2026
Viewed by 924
Abstract
This study aims to examine the relationships between perceived financial health indicators, lived financial experiences, and actions taken to cope with economic crises, as well as exploring potential gender differences. A non-experimental, quantitative, cross-sectional design is applied to a sample of 499 working [...] Read more.
This study aims to examine the relationships between perceived financial health indicators, lived financial experiences, and actions taken to cope with economic crises, as well as exploring potential gender differences. A non-experimental, quantitative, cross-sectional design is applied to a sample of 499 working professionals who graduated from universities in Veracruz, Mexico, and were employed in the public or private sector. A 24-item Likert scale instrument assessed financial health perceptions, experiences, and crisis-related behaviors. In this study, reliability indices (Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega) exceeded the acceptability threshold of 0.70. Data were analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis, Structural Equation Modeling, and Bayesian estimation to examine gender effects. The results supported a four-factor structure explaining 64.86% of the variance. Financial wellbeing showed a moderate association with resilience (r = 0.32), a weaker relationship with financial experiences (r = 0.18), and a strong association between experiences and crisis-related actions (r = 0.47). No statistically significant gender differences were identified. These findings contribute to understanding how experiential and behavioral components interact to shape financial outcomes, and we propose a refined three-factor framework linking financial experiences and adaptive actions to overall financial wellbeing. Full article
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27 pages, 1429 KB  
Article
Latin American Migrants, Vulnerability, and Financial Access: A Study on the San Diego–Tijuana Border
by Malena Portal Boza, Duniesky Feitó Madrigal and Blanca Jazmín Meza Marroquín
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(3), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19030187 - 5 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1036
Abstract
In the San Diego–Tijuana border region, characterized by human mobility dynamics, institutional vulnerability, and inequalities, experiences of financial exclusion among Latin American migrants are deeply intertwined. This study draws on in-depth interviews with 14 migrants from Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, [...] Read more.
In the San Diego–Tijuana border region, characterized by human mobility dynamics, institutional vulnerability, and inequalities, experiences of financial exclusion among Latin American migrants are deeply intertwined. This study draws on in-depth interviews with 14 migrants from Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, including both men and women. It analyzes factors such as undocumented status, institutional mistrust, cultural barriers, and regulatory requirements that shape access to financial services. In contexts of exclusion, migrants resort to social support networks, informal strategies, and emerging digital options such as fintech. The study adopts a qualitative design, using an analysis based on emerging categories to construct analytical dimensions grounded in participants’ trajectories and voices. The findings show that financial inclusion does not depend solely on access to services, but also on recognizing the lived experiences, emotions, and everyday obstacles faced by migrants. Far from being passive recipients, migrants play an active role in building responses to exclusion. The study concludes that making these practices visible and designing policies grounded in migrants’ realities are essential steps toward a more just and accessible financial system. Full article
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24 pages, 3130 KB  
Article
Digital Financial Inclusion and Financial Vulnerability: An Exploratory Analysis of Spanish Households
by Marcos Álvarez-Espiño, Sara Fernández-López, Lucía Rey-Ares and María Jesús Rodríguez-Gulías
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(3), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19030175 - 1 Mar 2026
Viewed by 1416
Abstract
Public authorities have increasingly focused on digital financial inclusion (DFI) owing to its potential to enhance overall financial inclusion (FI) and, ultimately, to mitigate households’ financial vulnerability (FV). Although the existing literature generally reports a negative relationship between DFI and FV, most studies [...] Read more.
Public authorities have increasingly focused on digital financial inclusion (DFI) owing to its potential to enhance overall financial inclusion (FI) and, ultimately, to mitigate households’ financial vulnerability (FV). Although the existing literature generally reports a negative relationship between DFI and FV, most studies focus on economically less developed countries and apply heterogeneous measurement approaches. This study adopts a quantitative methodology to assess DFI as a potential determinant of FV in a developed economy—Spain—using both objective and subjective indicators of FV. DFI is proxied by the diversity of payment and transfer methods conducted via Internet and mobile devices. Empirical findings confirm a negative association between DFI and FV, indicating that higher levels of digital engagement are associated with lower FV. However, results also reveal a potential adverse effect on savings behaviour, possibly linked to the reduced “pain of paying” commonly associated with online transactions. These insights suggest that policies promoting DFI should be complemented by initiatives to enhance financial literacy, strengthen consumer protection laws, and reintroduce the “feel of cashback” within online payment platforms. By providing evidence from a developed country, this paper contributes to the limited literature by also examining subjective measures of FV variables and offline FI. Full article
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29 pages, 1782 KB  
Article
Financial Capabilities and Financial Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Financial Resilience
by Arturo Garcìa-Santillàn
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(2), 141; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19020141 - 13 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2514
Abstract
This study proposes a two-stage structural model integrating financial literacy, education, attitudes, behavior, financial advice, and financial stress as predictors of financial capabilities. It examines the relationship between financial capabilities and financial well-being, highlighting financial resilience as a potential mediator. The main contribution [...] Read more.
This study proposes a two-stage structural model integrating financial literacy, education, attitudes, behavior, financial advice, and financial stress as predictors of financial capabilities. It examines the relationship between financial capabilities and financial well-being, highlighting financial resilience as a potential mediator. The main contribution is positioning financial resilience as a central explanatory mechanism, offering a holistic perspective that addresses theoretical gaps and provides empirical evidence in the context of an emerging economy. A non-experimental, quantitative, cross-sectional design was applied with a sample of 365 university students from Veracruz, Mexico. Data were collected via an online questionnaire and analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling (SEM), and mediation analysis with bootstrap procedures. The results indicate that financial literacy, education, attitudes, financial advice, and behavior positively influence financial capabilities, with financial advice being the strongest predictor. Financial capabilities strongly affect financial well-being, whereas financial resilience did not mediate this relationship. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and non-probability sampling. Future research could examine additional mediators and moderators and evaluate interventions in diverse socio-economic contexts. Full article
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30 pages, 461 KB  
Article
Financial Literacy in Contexts of Vulnerability: Determinants Among Women Horticulturists in Guinea-Bissau
by Ani Caroline Grigion Potrich, Ana Luiza Paraboni, Teju Ducanda, Karen Susele Gimenes Machado, Gabriel Leite Barcelos Moreira, Amanda de Arcega Innocente and Natália Machado
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18(12), 708; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18120708 - 12 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1249
Abstract
Financial literacy plays a crucial role in promoting social and economic resilience, particularly in vulnerable contexts where access to education and financial services is limited. This study provides the first empirical analysis of the determinants of financial literacy among women horticulturists in Guinea [...] Read more.
Financial literacy plays a crucial role in promoting social and economic resilience, particularly in vulnerable contexts where access to education and financial services is limited. This study provides the first empirical analysis of the determinants of financial literacy among women horticulturists in Guinea Bissau in West Africa, a group that sustains household income and local markets through informal work. A survey with face-to-face data collection was employed, using a structured questionnaire to assess financial literacy across three dimensions: financial attitude, financial behavior, and financial knowledge. All 978 women horticulturists at the Pessubé Farm were invited to participate in the survey, and 200 valid questionnaires were returned and used as the final sample. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. Results revealed prudent and consistent financial behaviors, mid to low financial attitudes marked by concern about expenses and short-term planning, and limited conceptual financial knowledge, with frequent uncertainty on basic topics such as inflation, interest, and diversification. Regression analysis showed that financial satisfaction and food sufficiency are positively associated with higher levels of financial literacy, while overdue debts exert a negative effect. These findings highlight that strengthening financial literacy in low income and informal settings requires context sensitive strategies integrating financial education, debt management, and food security initiatives, emphasizing the multidimensional nature of financial literacy and its role in inclusive and sustainable development. Full article
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23 pages, 513 KB  
Article
Financial Literacy, Financial Resilience and Participation in Securities Markets: Evidence from Portugal
by Margarida Abreu, Victor Mendes and Mário Coutinho dos Santos
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2025, 18(12), 677; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18120677 - 28 Nov 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1917
Abstract
Using a unique multi-wave dataset from nationally representative surveys in Portugal (2015, 2020, and 2023), this study extends the household finance literature by examining the mechanisms linking financial literacy to capital market participation. We propose and test a moderated mediation framework, arguing that [...] Read more.
Using a unique multi-wave dataset from nationally representative surveys in Portugal (2015, 2020, and 2023), this study extends the household finance literature by examining the mechanisms linking financial literacy to capital market participation. We propose and test a moderated mediation framework, arguing that the relationship is channeled through the mediating roles of financial resilience and self-efficacy and is contingent upon sociodemographic moderators. Our findings reveal a decline in average financial knowledge between 2015 and 2020/23, with persistent gaps across socioeconomic groups. Empirical results from count, logit, and ordered logit models provide strong evidence for partial mediation; financial literacy significantly enhances a household’s financial resilience, which in turn is a strong positive predictor of participation in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Furthermore, we find that perceived financial knowledge is a more powerful direct driver of participation than objective knowledge. Crucially, these pathways are powerfully moderated by income and education, highlighting that socioeconomic status is a fundamental boundary condition for converting knowledge into investment behavior. The results challenge simplistic direct-effects models and suggest that policy initiatives aimed at boosting market participation, such as the Portuguese National Plan for Financial Education, must look beyond knowledge dissemination to also foster financial resilience, self-efficacy, and address structural inequalities. Full article
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Review

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31 pages, 2856 KB  
Review
Mapping the Relationship Between Financial Inclusion and Undergraduate Students: A Scoping Review
by Alicia Flores-Vasconcelos, Igor Antonio Rivera-Gonzalez, Denise Díaz de León, María del Rosario Pérez-Salazar, Alejandro Zacarías and José Michael Cruz
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19010023 - 1 Jan 2026
Viewed by 831
Abstract
Financial inclusion should be shared with university students so that they link access to and use of financial products and services to low costs, without discrimination or inequality, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. This study aims to map the literature on the [...] Read more.
Financial inclusion should be shared with university students so that they link access to and use of financial products and services to low costs, without discrimination or inequality, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. This study aims to map the literature on the relationship between financial inclusion and undergraduate students within a contextual approach. The mapping was conducted through a scoping review, utilizing keyword pairwise searches, which we referred to as contextual constellations, as an emergent method. The search was conducted on the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The range of publications found ranges from 1973 to July 2024. The contextual analysis considered the following keywords: financial inclusion, undergraduate students, financial literacy, financial well-being, experiment, behavior, sustainable development goals, social and solidarity economy, decision, and innovation. The relationships were analyzed using VOSviewer software, version 1.6.20. The findings found the main articles that have contributed to knowledge about the relationship between financial inclusion and undergraduate students from the proposed context. Therefore, the research gaps in the relationship between financial inclusion and undergraduate students were identified. This research also offers the potential to conduct a mapping from a contextual perspective, identifying strong and weak relationships between research topics and keywords of interest. Full article
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Other

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23 pages, 3124 KB  
Systematic Review
Artificial Intelligence in Tourism Businesses: Financial Resilience, Organisational Adaptation and Performance Drivers—A Systematic Literature Review
by Jorge Alberto Marino-Romero, Ángel-Sabino Mirón Sanguino, Eva Crespo-Cebada and Carlos Díaz-Caro
J. Risk Financial Manag. 2026, 19(6), 379; https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm19060379 - 25 May 2026
Viewed by 786
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping tourism businesses by improving decision making, service personalization, operational efficiency, and data-driven management. Beyond these organizational benefits, AI may also strengthen firms’ capacity to cope with market volatility, demand shocks, cost pressures, and other sources of financial fragility. [...] Read more.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping tourism businesses by improving decision making, service personalization, operational efficiency, and data-driven management. Beyond these organizational benefits, AI may also strengthen firms’ capacity to cope with market volatility, demand shocks, cost pressures, and other sources of financial fragility. This study provides a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of 146 Web of Science articles on AI in tourism published between 2019 and 2023. Following a structured screening process, it identifies the intellectual structure, thematic evolution, and main performance-related drivers associated with AI adoption. The findings show a rapidly expanding field centered on business performance, information technology, big data, robotics, and AI-enabled service innovation. The literature suggests that AI contributes to resilience by enhancing forecasting, resource allocation, customer management, and organizational adaptability under uncertainty. However, explicitly financial perspectives—such as financial vulnerability, resilience, liquidity, solvency, and risk management—remain underdeveloped. This study contributes by reframing AI in tourism as a potential resilience-building capability rather than only a tool for service innovation. Its main limitations are the reliance on Web of Science and a fixed 2019–2023 bibliometric corpus, which future research should extend. Full article
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