Search Results (41)

Background: Health inequality is seen as a challenge for implementing the Healthy China Strategy. This study analyzes the income-related health inequality among urban–rural resident basic medical insurance (URRBMI) participants. Methods: This study utilized data from the 2019 China Household Finance Survey (CHFS), and the concentration index (CI) was employed to estimate the effects of income-related health inequality on participants. Results: Our findings provide clear evidence that health inequality among participants has fluctuated—narrowing, widening, and then narrowing again—in the areas of the contribution, medical treatment, and reimbursement of URRBMI, respectively. Overall, the analysis indicates a widening of health inequality post-reimbursement, with results remaining consistent. A heterogeneity analysis shows that health inequality is most pronounced among women and those with less than a middle school education. Finally, our study reveals a pro-rich trend in the actual utilization of medical services among participants, with persistent disparities in outpatient and inpatient service usage even after standardization, further exacerbating income-related health inequality. Conclusions: We recommend that the URRBMI design take participants’ income levels into account, with policies favoring disadvantaged individuals to enhance their medical security, improve access to healthcare services, and ultimately reduce health inequality. Full article

Women in emerging economies face unique constraints rooted in cultural norms, socio-economic disparities, and limited access to education and technology. Narrowing the digital gender gap by ensuring access to financial services may reduce the economic inequalities for women in these countries. This study examines the influence of digital finance in narrowing the gender gap, guided by the research question: To what extent do digital financial services contribute to narrowing the gender gap in access to and usage of financial services in low-and middle-income economies? Gender inclusion was measured by the ratio of accounts owned by women over the total number of accounts. Digital financial inclusion was constructed based on eight components: mobile money account, storing money in financial institutions, Internet access, mobile phone owned, savings, savings in financial institutions, making or receiving a digital payment, and mobile phone or use of the Internet for shopping. A Bayesian regression approach was computed using the Global Findex Database data for 73 countries classified as low and lower-middle-income economies from 2011 to 2022. The Machine Learning approach evaluates the model’s ability to predict women’s autonomy and the role of digital finance. The results show that digital financial services would reduce the gender gap in low-income economies while augmenting the number of open accounts, especially for women. The results aid in the establishment of policies to reduce the gender gap. These results are relevant to the UNSDG agenda, mainly Goal 5 and Goal 10. Full article

According to the Federal Reserve of the United States, in the second quarter of 2024, American credit card debt reached USD 1.14 trillion, the highest balance ever recorded. In an age of high-interest, complex credit cards, how does financial literacy affect credit card debt repayment? Also, how could financial literacy and education stop the rise in credit card debt in America? To answer these questions, we use microdata from the latest wave of the Survey of Consumer Finances for 2022. We aim to capture the likelihood of credit card repayment behaviors related to the monthly balances owed by 3865 credit card holders. We consider three categories of self-reported credit card payoff behavior: hardly ever, sometimes, and always or almost always. Given the ordinal nature of our outcome variable, we perform a series of likelihood-ratio and Brant tests to assess the assumption of the proportionality of odds across response categories. Following the failure of the tests, we conclude with the selection of a generalized ordered logit/partial proportional odds model that allows us to relax the parallel lines constraint for those variables for which it is not justified. In our logistic regressions, we account for a comprehensive set of demographic characteristics, and from our results, we highlight the following: For credit card holders with low financial literacy, we find that the odds of moving to a higher category of payoff behavior are 21% and significantly lower than those of high financial literacy respondents. Further, for college-educated card holders, the odds of paying off always or almost always versus sometimes and hardly ever are 2.49 times and significantly greater than the odds for credit card holders without a college education. Credit card holders who are minority group members, female, under 45, have dependents, or earn less than USD 50,000 demonstrate a tendency for poor credit card payoff behavior. In our conclusion, we discuss how to improve credit card repayments. We stress the importance of monitoring people closely. We also aim to provide better financial advice to certain groups. Lastly, we present a more realistic approach to building and sustaining financial literacy. Full article

This paper reexamines the question of gender differences in financial relative risk aversion using updated methods and data. Specifically, the paper revisits the 1998 work “Are women more risk averse?” by Jianakoplos and Bernasek, suggests refinements in their model in relation to the database used, namely the U.S. Federal Reserve Board’s Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), and performs new tests on the latest SCF from 2022. The suggested refinements pertain first to an enhanced computation of wealth, which includes additional categories of assets such as 401(k)s or other thrift savings accounts, and second to the more subtle handling and consideration of specific demographic data of the SCF respondents. Unlike the original study, which also included married couples, the new study focuses exclusively on single-headed (never-married) households. This eliminates ambiguity about the actual financial decision maker in households, enabling a clearer assessment of individual gendered behavior. Following the refinements, the new tests reveal a continuing pattern of decreasing relative risk aversion; however, contrary to the 1998 findings, there is no significant gender difference in financial relative risk aversion in 2022. This study also documents that education levels strongly influence risk-taking: single women with higher education levels are more likely to hold risky assets, while for men, higher education correlates with less risk-taking. The paper concludes by informing policymakers and financial educators so as to further tailor their strategies for promoting gender equality in financial decision-making. Full article

In this study, we chose to conduct a gender-based contextual analysis of research-performing organizations (RPOs) in the higher-education sector in Albania as a first step toward the implementation of gender budgeting (GB). Our rationale for conducting such a contextual analysis is the overarching need to achieve the European Commission’s strategic objectives regarding gender equality in research and innovation. To carry out this analysis, we used reports from She Figures to calculate dominant gender indicators; these reports were produced in collaboration with the statistics published by the Institute of Statistics of Albania. Our methodology is based on a mixed-methods approach that aims to better our understanding of the situation in Albania. The quantitative findings provided by our contextual analysis within academia were synthesized with qualitative findings resulting from a comparative analysis of the content of gender equality plans (GEPs) currently being implemented by thirteen universities in Albania. The results of our contextual analysis study show that even though women account for more than half of the total population of researchers at the national level, playing a significant role in research and innovation, we recommend that the government develop its first national GEP to counteract the inequality that persists in the career trajectories of women and men. GB represents an effective strategy for reducing gender inequality in this context. The supporting results of the content analysis indicate that the phenomenon of vertical segregation has been identified in the great majority of RPOs that have carried out gender-based contextual analyses; moreover, we observed the interaction of GB with GEPs within three such organizations’ approach to the gender-based allocation of finances. Full article

This article analyzes the implementation of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) and its alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) I: Eradicate poverty. Despite the progress achieved, structural gaps persist and substantially limit the NFIS’s contribution to poverty reduction, especially among rural, indigenous, extreme poverty, and other vulnerable groups. The article employs a mixed methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative techniques. On the qualitative side, a hermeneutic documentary analysis of the NFIS and related regulations was carried out, with a critical textual interpretation supported by specialized software. Quantitatively, descriptive statistical techniques were applied to analyze official financial inclusion indicators—methodological integration was achieved through analytical triangulation under a concurrent mixed methods approach. The progress of initiatives under the NFIS was evaluated, identifying limitations such as the digital divide in rural areas, limited financing for Micro and Small Enterprises, gaps in financial education, and growing exposure to digital fraud. Although the NFIS promotes greater access to financial services, it does not explicitly focus on the poorest and most excluded populations. Therefore, it is recommended that the objectives and indicators of the NFIS be reformulated to focus on universal access and effective use of financial services by the population in extreme poverty and chronic exclusion. In addition, a strategic articulation with social protection policies is necessary, as well as promoting culturally relevant microfinance and inclusive finance models, strengthening consumer protection, and consolidating public–private alliances in high-poverty areas. Finally, strong monitoring and accountability are also key. Full article

This study utilizes the random forest technique to investigate risk management practices and concerns in Islamic banks using survey data from 2016 to 2021. Findings reveal that larger banks provide more consistent survey responses, driven by their confidence and larger survey budgets. Moreover, a positive link is established between a country’s development, characterized by high GDPs and low inflation and interest rates, and the precision of Islamic banks’ survey responses. Analyzing risk-related concerns, the study notes a significant reduction in credit portfolio risk attributed to improved risk management practices, global economic growth, stricter regulations, and diversified asset portfolios. Concerns related to terrorism financing and cybersecurity risks have also decreased due to the better enforcement of anti-money laundering regulations and investments in cybersecurity infrastructure and education. This research enhances our understanding of risk management in Islamic banks, highlighting the impact of bank size and country development. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for ongoing analysis beyond 2021 to account for potential COVID-19 effects and evolving risk management and regulatory practices in Islamic banking. Full article

The financial difficulties of parents have a negative impact on the health of their children. This problem is more pronounced in single mother families. There is limited research on low-income, single mothers and how interventions to help them address financial difficulties may also benefit their children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a year-long financial education and coaching program on school absenteeism and health care utilization of children in employed, low-income, single mother households. This was a post hoc analysis of the Finances First study, a randomized controlled trial conducted in 2017–2020 examining the impact of a financial coaching and education program on economic stability and health outcomes in 345 low-income, single mothers. Either generalized estimating equations (GEEs) or generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) were used to account for relationships between participants. For the continuous outcomes of child absenteeism, physician visits, emergency room visits, and hospitalization days, a linear mixed-effects model was used. The Finances First study demonstrated improvements in various financial strain measures. Compared to the control group, children of intervention group participants experienced 1 fewer day of school absence (p = 0.049) and 1 fewer physician visit (p = 0.032) per year, but no impact was seen on emergency room visits (p = 0.55) or hospitalizations (p = 0.92). Addressing social determinants of health in parents is necessary for improving child health outcomes. Full article

(1) Background: The Austrian health care system is extremely fragmented. Primary care is mainly provided by self-employed GPs. Other health professionals are rarely integrated into primary care. But, according to the political plans of the Austrian government, a system of community nurses and community health nurses should be implemented and several pilot projects have already been started. (2) Objective: The present study explores the skills and competences needed in the planning, management and collaboration for the change in the system and gives recommendations for community health nurse education in Austria. (3) Methodology: Fifteen qualitative, problem-centered interviews were conducted with experts in the field of community health nursing and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. (4) Results: The skills and competences often and widely mentioned are interprofessional collaboration, cooperation with other actors, systems thinking, project and change management, and basic management skills, including strategic planning, communication, accounting and finance. Areas such as health planning and lobbying are also highlighted. The main competences are broken down into subcompetences, making it possible to create a detailed competence grid. Competences in planning, management and collaboration are particularly important in the initial stages of the first implementation of a community health nursing system. (5) Conclusions: Skills and competences in these areas occupy a central position. A multilayered breakdown of these competences is required in order to create a targeted requirements profile. Due to the small-scale fragmentation of the Austrian health care system, collaboration and coordination are more difficult and costly, but all the more important. The aforementioned skills and competences represent an essential expansion of nursing education in Austria. Full article

Economic activities’ efficiency represents the level of performance that uses the lowest quantity of inputs to achieve the highest possible amount of output. This paper presents the process of calculating the relative efficiency of separate non-financial activities in an economy using the DEA methodology. The purpose of this paper was to create the DEA model for monitoring the relative efficiency of individual non-financial activities of the economy. The purpose was achieved through the realization of two objectives. The first one included the determination of the relative efficiency of the above-mentioned activities in the period from 2002 to 2020 using the data from non-financial entities in the Republic of Croatia. The second objective consisted of ranking the economic activities according to their relative efficiency. An output variable that measures the efficiency was presented using the return on assets, while the total debt to EBITDA, EBITDA per employee, assets turnover and human capital efficiency were used as input variables. Research results indicate that the DEA methodology could be used as an economic activity’s relative efficiency measurement tool, giving the possibility to rank it according to its relative efficiency using the accounting ratios. Research results show that service sectors’ economic activities were the most efficient ones according to the lower assets engagement and the respective sources of financing that dominate. The highest average relative efficiency in 19 years was scored using wholesale, retail and repair activities as well as information, communication and education. The lowest average relative efficiency was achieved in construction, water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities as well as accommodation and food service activities, which is the consequence of their low level of activity and profitability and high indebtedness in the analyzed period. The relative efficiency scores calculated using the DEA methodology could be used as a benchmark for companies on a micro level, while on the macro level decision-makers can obtain a deeper insight into the relative efficiency of the nonfinancial activities. Full article

Establishing an enterprise risk management (ERM) system is widely viewed as providing firms with the tools and processes needed to build resilience and expertise, enabling them to manage the consequences of crises that have led to the collapse of major firms across different industries globally. Intended for use in advanced accounting, auditing, and finance courses, this case study (of a true event) describes the development and implementation of an ERM system for a U.S. multinational nonprofit firm during the 2015–2021 period. The case study’s main learning objectives are several-fold. First, couched within the recent economic environment, it informs students on some of the more important academic and applied research on corporate risk management. Second, students will learn to analyze the content of a questionnaire designed to capture the integrated effects of the firm’s risk culture, risk structure, risk governance, and control for establishing its risk profile. Third, they will learn to create and apply multi-dimensional risk indices to measure and prioritize the firm’s risk exposures. Finally, the last learning outcome focuses on strategies to triangulate the firm’s overall risk profile and risk prioritization results to construct mitigation strategies that build resilience and create value through risk diversification, information signaling, the exploitation of natural hedges, and enhancing the board’s governing efficiency. The nonprofit nature of the firm in this case study introduces no methodological or conceptual constraints or limitations in applying the proposed risk management methodologies to for-profit or publicly traded firms. Full article

Higher education attainment is a focus of gender differences research. However, little is known about differences in university students’ major choices at the same level of higher education in China’s education hierarchy. Based on a web survey of 1164 undergraduate students in China’s broad enrollment context, this study uses Wenjuanxing to collect information by posting questionnaires on social media platforms and analyzes the impact of gender differences on the major choices of finance and economics undergraduates by using the Linear Discriminant Model (LDM). Moreover, this study explores the differential impact of income level, urban–rural settings, and regional differences on university students’ major choices. This study finds that female students are approximately 2.62 times more likely than male students to choose applied majors (such as accounting, financial management, auditing, international business, and so on), a gap that is more pronounced in high-income families and Eastern regions. In addition, in rural areas, female students have a higher probability of choosing applied majors than male students. These findings indicate that in China’s broad discipline enrollment model, gender differences still significantly affect students’ major choices, and female students are more likely to enter applied majors than their male counterparts. Full article

Significant emphasis has recently been placed on measuring companies from a sustainability perspective by environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores, resulting in a considerable amount of financial, accounting, business, and management research on the subject. We provide a concise and harmonized systematic literature review of the current trends within this area for a broader range of academic researchers and practitioners. This work comprehensively explains ESG ratings, scores, and reports and aims to summarize how CSR activities are accounted for as non-financial information. The review aims to provide information and a better understanding of the complexity of corporate ESG aspects for those interested in this area. The results suggest that diverse methodologies, subjective elements, and some complexity of ESG measurement exist, leading to companies unconsciously using ESG ratings based on incorrect measures. Scoring methodologies are controversial, highlighting the need for more certainty about the validity of the ratings. ESG ratings need more reliability, and ESG reports do not help increase credibility, transparency, or accountability. Greenwashing emerges from loose regulation, measurement complexity, and the absence of transparency, emphasizing the need for more auditing and regulations in sustainability reporting and rating. Our results also demonstrate that ESG reporting is an ever-growing issue in sustainability and finances, and regulators must focus on it. Inconsistencies and uncertainties exist in ESG ratings and reporting; therefore, education is needed for decision-makers to understand better how this emerging topic works in practice. Full article

The present umbrella review aimed to: (i) analyze review manuscripts on sport management knowledge/competencies/skills; (ii) propose a harmonized, evidence-based, competency framework for a comprehensive understanding of the intertwined relationships between knowledge, competencies, and skills in determining sport managers’ expected working performance and need for training; and (iii) provide insights for a sound implementation of educational curricula. Based on the PRIO guidelines, inclusion criteria encompassed systematic and narrative literature peer-reviewed review manuscripts relevant to sport management knowledge/competencies/skills, published between 2012 and 2022 in English. The search was performed on three databases, resulting in twenty-two retained review manuscripts representing different research topics. From 277 recorded elements, 72 knowledge/competencies/skills items were extracted. Leadership skills, Finance and administration, Marketing, and Effective communication accounted for the highest representation. Based on the identified evidence, a sport management comprehensive framework was developed including: (1) Life-long learning; (2) Necessary knowledge; (3) What is needed to be done; (4) How things get done; (5) Modulating factors; (6) Transversality within the industry; and (7) Dynamic interaction and intertwined relations. In considering the research propositions and relative recommendations for curricula implementation and future research, the present findings could foster the debate for the sustainable growth of this research area. Full article

Reducing the disparity in consumption between urban and rural areas, as a critical component in mitigating the economic imbalance between them, holds significant importance in enhancing people’s sense of well-being and achieving collective prosperity. This research investigated the nonlinear impact of the digital economy and its sub-dimensions, including digital industrialization, industrial digitization, and the digital environment, on the urban–rural consumption disparity. We employed a systematic GMM and a dynamic panel threshold regression model and utilized dynamic panel data from 30 provinces in China. Our research reveals that the impact of digital economic development on the urban–rural consumption gap displays an inverted U-shaped nonlinear relationship of widening and then narrowing. This effect is primarily determined by the process of digital industrialization. The digital economy exerts a notable impact on the urban–rural consumption gap, with significant threshold effects identified for the income gap, the education gap, and financial expenditure for livelihoods; these threshold effects exhibit variation across the three sub-dimensions of the digital economy. Further analysis reveals that the digital economy plays a vital role in reducing the disparity between urban and rural hedonic and developmental consumption, while promoting the optimization and upgrading of consumption structure. Upon accounting for regional disparities in urbanization rates, it has been observed that the digital economy’s dampening effect on the urban–rural consumption gap is notably more pronounced in areas with lower rates of urbanization. To more effectively leverage the positive impact of the digital economy on bridging the urban–rural consumption divide, it is recommended that the government accelerate the establishment of a digital environment in rural areas, encourage the integration of digital industries with traditional rural industries, and optimize the investment structure of livelihood-based finance. These measures would help to create a more conducive environment for the digital economy to thrive and could contribute to narrowing the consumption gap between urban and rural areas. Full article