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This study investigates the effectiveness of gender-mainstreamed aid in mitigating gender inequality. We develop a robust theoretical model that accounts for the potential positive and perceived negative effects of shifts toward gender parity, capturing diverse societal perspectives. Utilizing a comprehensive dataset on aid activities focused on gender (in)equality and women's empowerment across 118 countries from 2009 to 2022, primarily low-income nations, we employ panel fixed-effects and mixed-effects random coefficient models to examine the impact of gender-related aid on gender inequality. Our findings reveal that significant gender-related aid (SGRA), which integrates gender considerations into broader development projects, reduces gender inequality in 115 out of 118 countries. In contrast, principal gender-related aid (PGRA), which explicitly targets gender equality, shows significant effects in only 85 countries. When analyzing the effects of both components of gender-related aid, we find that SGRA consistently impacts gender inequality. However, the effectiveness of PGRA becomes less clear-cut. This observation, coupled with the variation in the effectiveness of the components across countries, underscores the importance of developing strategies tailored to country-specific needs and conditions in promoting gender parity effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the Covid-19 crisis, 186 countries implemented direct cash transfers to households, and 181 introduced in-kind programs that lowered the cost of utilities such as electricity, water, transport, and mobile money. During times of crisis, do people prefer in-kind transfers or cash, and why? In this paper, we compare electricity transfers against a benchmark of cash transfers (mobile money) among 2000 rural and urban residents of Kenya with pre-paid electricity meter connections. We offer participants an incentivized choice between electricity transfers or mobile money, totaling approximately USD 10 to 15, and then implement their choice over three months. We generate three main findings. First, participants overwhelmingly prefer cash, with three-quarters of participants opting for mobile money even when offered electricity tokens with a cash value that is 40 percent higher, possibly due to the flexibility in expenditures or credit constraints. Second, despite relatively low baseline electricity consumption, preference for cash is slightly lower in rural areas, possibly due to higher transaction costs for purchasing electricity, lower mobile money penetration, or savings constraints. Third, electricity tokens transfers generate a larger increase in electricity consumption than equivalent cash transfers, suggesting a role for mental accounting; however, we estimate no impact of either electricity or cash transfers on a broad set of socioeconomic outcomes. These patterns suggest that mobile money transfers generate larger welfare gains than electricity credit, at least in settings with high mobile money penetration.

This study examines the dissemination of (mis)information on a social media platform in Pakistan. It combines an intervention to disseminate official information about the COVID-19 pandemic across the platform with a randomized experiment that measures the impact of fully controlling access to pandemic-related misinformation. The two treatments rely on a higherintensity, ex-ante approach to moderating misinformation on the platform relative to the control, which relies on a more standard ex-post approach to moderation. In one treatment, no misinformation was allowed on the platform, while in the other, it was allowed with an official rebuttal. Controlling misinformation, as in the treatments, reduces platform usage by 41%, indicating a distaste for moderation. Furthermore, the treatments reduce exposure to official information by 29% more than they reduce exposure to misinformation. A conceptual framework posits that these findings can be explained by the fact that, in this setting, official information is more trusted, and thus is more widely disseminated, relative to misinformation. We find evidence for two potential mechanisms for the observed distaste for moderation.

Machine learning algorithms, and economic interpretation, integrated with survival analysis, are used to examine the temporal dynamics associated with achieving a 5% increase in purchasing power parity-adjusted GDP per capita over a period of 120 months (2013-2022). The comparative investigation reveals that DeepSurv effectively captures non-linear interactions, though standard models exhibit comparable performance under certain conditions. The weight matrix evaluates the economic implications of vulnerabilities, risks, and capacities. To meet the GDP per capita objective, the findings emphasize the necessity of a balanced approach to risk-taking, strategic vulnerability reduction, and investment in governmental capacities and social cohesiveness. The policy guidelines advocate for individualized approaches that account for the complex dynamics at play in decision-making processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to provide a theoretical and methodological substantiation of the conceptions of economic growth and economic development in the context of their interconnection and differences. This is achieved through the prism of the dialectical approach, synergistic approach, normative approach, cyclical theory of economic development, economics of happiness, and theory of sustainable development. The main reasons why economic growth should not be considered as a process identical to economic development are highlighted. It is substantiated that economic development is a more expansive concept than economic growth, which is a component of economic development. Economic growth is perceived as a desirable outcome of economic activity, while economic development, due to its dialectical nature, is progressive and regressive, involving alternating stages of growth and decline. In cyclical theories, economic growth typically coincides with the upswing phase of constantly repeating cycles of economic development. The analysis indicates that there is no singular methodological approach to determining the level of economic development. In contrast, economic growth is typically assessed based on GNP and other metrics. Development economics employs a range of indicators, including life expectancy, poverty, unemployment, income inequality, education, healthcare, happiness, freedom, and others. From the perspective of sustainable development economics, an excessive focus on quantitative indicators of economic growth without considering the cumulative effects of economic activity can be described as "growth without development." This approach may jeopardize the long-term progress of humanity. It is substantiated that economic growth can be predicted within a certain time period, provided that the economic system maintains relative stability at the same level of development. Conversely, economic development is a challenging to predict process, dependent on random fluctuations that cannot be predicted. Consequently, the modeling of economic development necessitates the convergence of the exact and social sciences, interdisciplinary synthesis, which represents an important area for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of edible and nutritious vegetable crops in the world. The objective of this study was to identify tomato value chain actors, their roles and linkages, as well as to estimate the benefit share of tomato value chain actors in Seka Chekorsa District, Jimma Zone and Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources. Semi structured interview schedules, focus group discussion and key informant interviews were used to collect first-hand information. Two-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 158 tomato producers randomly. Likewise, 20 consumers and 21 Traders were selected randomly and purposively, respectively. To analysis the data, descriptive statistics, value chain mapping and market margin were used. In the study area, the primary tomato value chain actors included input suppliers, producers, local collectors, retailers and consumers. Sinke Bank, Harbu Microfinance, Seka Chekorsa District Agriculture Office, District Trade Office and Non-governmental Organizations were key tomato value chain supporters. There is poor linkage among value chain actors and poor coordination of activities. Producers earned maximum gross profit in channel I (producer–consumer), which was 382.54 birr/qt and the lowest gross profit in channel III (producer–local collectors– retailer–consumer) and channel IV (producer–local collector–consumer), which was 111.07birr/qt. From traders, local collectors took higher gross profit (224.93birr/qt) in channel IV (producer–local collector–consumer). So, it is better for producers to sell their product through channel I (producer–consumer), and imperative to develop ground rules that bind all chain actors together by changing their outlook.