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Purpose: In pursuit of good governance and better allocation of resources, corruption and informal economy are of interest to policymakers and citizens alike. The impacts of military spending on the informal economy are scant. Moreover, the effects of an external factor, such as corruption that moderates this relationship, have largely been neglected in previous studies. Hence, this paper investigates how corruption moderates the effects of military spending on the informal economy in 30 Asian countries from 1995 to 2017. Design/methodology/approach: This paper utilizes the GMM estimation technique, which allows cross-sectional dependence and slope homogeneity in panel data analysis, to examine the moderating role of corruption on the relationship between military spending and the informal economy. Findings: Empirical findings from this paper indicate that an increase in military spending declines the informal economy while corruption increases it. Interestingly, the negative effects of military spending on the informal economy will mitigate with a greater degree of corruption in the Asian region. We also find that enhancing economic growth and attracting more FDI has reduced the informal economy in Asian countries. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first empirical study conducted to examine the moderating role of corruption on the military spending – informal economy nexus. Thus far, this approach has not been investigated in the existing literature, particularly for Asian countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an era of ongoing global development and increasing focus on sustainability, the underground economy persistently identifies novel areas for expansion. This dynamic growth compels states to engage in an ongoing search for effective strategies to regulate and mitigate its effects, while simultaneously addressing the broader implications for economic development. Poverty, financial development, income inequality, and legal framework are analyzed in this paper in relation to the underground economy for the European Union member states between 2004 and 2022 by way of a panel model. Our findings reveal a positive relationship between the levels of poverty among individuals and the underground economy. Conversely, the interplay between the underground economy and both financial development and the legal framework exhibits a detrimental effect. In conclusion, our analysis reveals that the three primary variables examined—poverty, financial development, and legal framework—substantially influence the scale of the underground economy, with important implications for overall economic development and sustainable growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Many low-and middle-income countries have adopted social health insurance schemes. However, the collection of contributions from the large informal sector of these economies poses a significant challenge. Employing an integrated system of contribution collection from all relevant institutions may be cost-effective. We used the integrative framework for collaborative governance, to explore and explain factors that may shape the governance of an integrated system for collecting contributions for social health insurance, pension, and taxes from the informal sector in Zambia. Methods We undertook a qualitative case study involving 25 key informants drawn from government ministries and institutions, cooperating partners, non-governmental organizations, and association representatives in the informal sector. Data were analyzed thematically using Emerson’s integrative framework for collaborative governance. Results The main drivers of collaboration included a need for comprehensive policies and legislation to oversee the integrated system for contribution collection, prevent redundancy, reduce costs, and enhance organizational effectiveness. However, challenges such as leadership issues and coordination complexities were noted. Factors affecting principled engagement within the collaborative regime consisted of communication gaps, organizational structure disparities, and the adoption of appropriate strategies to engage the informal sector. Additionally, factors influencing shared motivation involved concerns about power dynamics, self-interests, trust issues, corruption, and a lack of common understanding of the informal sector. Conclusion This study sheds light on a multitude of factors that may shape collaborative governance of an integrated system for contribution collection for social health insurance, pension, and taxes from the informal sector, providing valuable insights for policymakers and implementers alike. Expanding social health insurance coverage to the large but often excluded informal sector will require leveraging factors identified in this study to enhance collaboration with pension and tax subsystems.

Scholarship about worker precarity, economic insecurity, and individualized risk in platform work tends to ignore that these trends are common features of informal economies in countries like Kenya, which has a culture of hustling rooted in economic opportunism and political resistance. Recognizing the parallels between the platform economy and Kenya’s informal economy, we examine individual and collective strategies ride-haling drivers in Kenya use to navigate the precarity of platform work.

Thailand has experienced a decline in income inequality coupled with unimpressive economic growth since the end of the 1997/98 Asian financial crisis. This paper uses the structuralist approach to understand how these concurrent economic phenomena have become deeply intertwined. We argue that this intertwining results from Thailand’s economic structure, manifesting two types of dualism: (i) the dualism of the formal–informal sectors and (ii) the dualism of the dynamic–stagnant sectors. A decline in the informal sector in recent years coincides with a decrease in income inequality. Further, the second type of dualism between the dynamic and stagnant sectors has emerged since 2000. The stagnant sectors’ employment share has grown faster than that of the dynamic sectors, resulting in a slowdown in economic growth and less inequality. The decline of the informal sector and the rise of the stagnant sectors are the primary engines weighing down economic growth and reducing income inequality in Thailand.

This article presents the main acts of international law and the jurisprudence of European courts that aim to ensure decent working conditions for domestic workers. The author analyzes the legal status of this group of workers in Poland from the times before the Second World War until now. The publication argues that Polish legislation should be complemented by specific provisions concerning domestic workers. The introduction of such measures to the Polish legal system is necessary to align national law with the ILO legal acts. Moreover, the author proposes that state financial incentives for natural persons employing domestic workers should be available in certain cases to encourage the legalization of this type of work.

This study aims to investigate the impacts of the informal economy, climate migration and temperature changes on energy demand and long-term urban energy system planning. The elasticity of energy demand to changes in the size of the informal sector, urban population and mean temperature is estimated for the case study city of Accra, Ghana. Elasticities are then applied to estimate energy demand under different Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). An energy system optimization model analyzes SSP impacts on energy planning. Accra's energy demand is found to be most elastic to climate change-induced migration and rising temperatures; for example, energy demand is up to 43% higher in 2050 in a worst-case scenario compared to the base case. These factors will exacerbate the city's ability to meet its sustainability targets and manage informal sector growth. Photovoltaics, waste CCP and decarbonization of the transportation sector through electrification are found to be critical solution pathways for Accra to meet rising demand while supporting sustainability objectives. However, significant local distribution grid upgrades are required to support these technologies' rollout. Overall, this work demonstrates the importance and value of incorporating climate migration, rising temperature and informal sector analysis in energy planning models and decision-making processes, particularly in low and middle-income countries that are the most vulnerable to climate change. Although the approach is demonstrated on Accra, it can be applied at other scales and scopes globally.

This study analyzes the drivers and constraints affecting enterprise capacity utilization (CU) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. We used data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey and a fractional logit model to examine the impacts of institutional, infrastructural, and sustainability factors on firms' CU. Our analysis highlights corruption and competition in the informal sector as significant impediments to firms' CU, alongside complex infrastructure barriers that hinder the optimization. Conversely, environmental responsibility and innovation emerge as critical drivers for enhancing CU. Surprisingly, top managers' experience introduces a counteractive influence that negatively affects CU. Beyond the empirical findings, this study's implications extend to various stakeholders, notably policymakers. Emphasizing the need to address corruption, foster an enabling business environment, strategically invest in infrastructure, promote sustainability initiatives, and foster innovation to enhance CU are paramount. Additionally, providing targeted managerial training to mitigate negative managerial influences is crucial. Implementing these recommendations promises to foster an environment conducive to improved CU, driving economic growth, and sustainable development in the MENA region and benefiting stakeholders across sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional food markets in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are pivotal urban spaces, especially for vulnerable populations. These markets are vibrant hubs for commerce, cultural exchange, and social interaction, yet they face challenges such as food safety issues, inadequate infrastructure, and regulation that is a complex mix of informal mechanisms in need of a balanced degree of formalization. Rapid urbanization in SSA and the vulnerabilities of informal settlements underline their enduring importance. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted their crucial role in promoting food access, supporting local economies, and preserving social connections during crises. However, a comprehensive understanding of their multifaceted impact on urban life remains limited. This study provides a systematic narrative literature review with the aims of mapping the existing literature and evaluating their complex impact on vulnerable communities. The review employed a systematic search strategy, encompassing research studies and gray literature. It highlights the geographic distribution of studies across SSA, with a concentration in East and Southern Africa. Nutrition is the most explored theme, followed by governance, with economics and social aspects relatively under examined. Traditional food markets are vital sources of affordable food for the urban poor and serve as pillars of economic mobility, providing livelihoods and employment opportunities, especially for women, and act as hubs for diverse groups to interact. Market governance is complex, often marked by policy misalignments due to insuficient collaboration among stakeholders. Policy initiatives to support traditional foodmarkets in SSA should focus on formalization and context-aware regulations to enhance effciency and vendor security, investment in market- related infrastructure, and nutrition-focused policies and economic support for vendors. Further research is needed to bridge thematic and regional gaps, and to inform evidence-based policy measures to support these vital urban institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper proposes a novel framework for digitalising tax revenue for the Zimbabwe’s informal economic sphere. The study addresses the pressing chalelnge of informal economy taxation, indetifying the absence of a modern (or contemporary) tax framework as a critical catalyst for this study. The purpose of the study was to to devise an innvovative framework tailored to improve tax revenue collection efficiency from the informal economic sector in Zimbabwe. Employing a mixed method approach deemed effective complex subject, data were gathered through structured questionnaire and in-depths interviews. The findings of this study reveals that the existing presumptive tax system is ineffective and insignificantly contributing to the treasury. Based on the results, the study developed a comprehensive contempoary framework designed specifically for tax revenue collection from the informal economic sphere in Zimbabwe. The study, therefore, advocates for the adoption of the proposed framework to streamline tax collection processes within the informal economy, thereby bolstering economic growth and inclusivity.

Women engaged in street food vending face a myriad of challenges as they juggle business activities and family obligations. The complexities of managing both spheres often disrupt their pursuit of a balanced life, impacting their overall well-being. This study aims to reveal the work-family dynamics of female food vendors and uncover the strategies employed to navigate these challenges. Qualitative research methods were used to understand the work-life balance among women food vendors. The data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions, and observations of street food vendors in Africa. Findings reveal the persistent struggle of women food vendors to achieve equilibrium between work and family responsibilities. Although they employ a variety of strategies, ranging from working extended hours to relying on external support such as grandparents or domestic help, these approaches often prove insufficient and unsustainable. Moreover, the utilization of such strategies can lead to conflicts with employers. Through an examination of daily routines, work-life balance, and coping mechanisms, the author’s conclusions shed light on the intricate interplay between entrepreneurship, personal responsibilities, and resilience within the dynamic street vending landscape.

A continuous decline in the number of informal economies in the advanced economy has been boosted across the globe by various institutions such as IMF (International Monetary Fund). But a resurrection of the informal economy is being witnessed in the United States (US) with a 102% jump from 1990 to 2018. Over the years technological advancement has impacted the involvement of labour in the production process, with rapid automation in the last three decades this involvement has been reduced a to minimalistic level. In this paper, we tried to build a narrative to explain this resurgence of the informal market in the US. Through our theoretical framework, we commented on how unemployed graduates and the informal economy are associated with automation. The result showed that both variables were positively associated with automation which was confirmatory of the theory put forward. Lastly, we also comment on income inequality and automation which were also positively related.

In Kinshasa, chronic crises and lack of access to employment, quality education, and other resources contribute to the social exclusion of a growing number of disadvantaged young people. They are deprived of the possibilities of leading a decent life and alienated from both the market and legitimate authorities. Despite their social, political, and economic marginalization, many of these precarious Congolese youth have proved adept at improvising livelihoods in the informal economy and seek out ways to be agents of social change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines how legislative instability in tax laws affects the growth of informal economic activities in Egypt. It suggests that unclear or unsustainable tax regulations drive a shift towards the informal sector, fueled by benefits like tax evasion and reduced compliance costs. To encourage voluntary integration, the study proposes measures such as transparent tax laws, awareness campaigns on tax compliance benefits, and simplification of procedures. It advocates for policymakers to prioritize creating an environment conducive to integration over punitive measures. By fostering a fair tax system and addressing underlying factors driving informality, Egypt can boost tax revenue, ensure fairness, and promote sustainable growth. Employing a descriptive-analytical approach, the study analyzes secondary data from official reports, academic literature, and relevant publications. This method allows for a systematic examination of tax legislative disruptions' impact on informal economic activities. It facilitates understanding the dynamics of tax regulations and their effects on informality by analyzing diverse information sources. This approach ensures reliable insights into the relationship between tax laws and the informal economy in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article delves into a compelling case study examining the intricate connection between plastic waste management in Morocco, with a particular focus on Casablanca and Rabat, and the disparate working conditions experienced by workers, both in formal and informal roles, within this sector. All of this unfolds within the broader context of the sector's shift towards the principles of the Circular Economy. To accomplish this, we draw upon insights from a diverse array of experts in the field, as well as input from key stakeholders, including public administration overseeing the transition process, representatives from the private business sector, and the informal waste collectors themselves. Through this multifaceted approach, we gain a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies and subtleties surrounding the evolution of waste management practices in Morocco. Additionally, it enables us to pinpoint the primary challenges associated with achieving social justice in the context of transitioning toward a Circular Economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identifies the factors that describe informal economies and summarizes them into indices measuring informality. We use data from 189 countries for the years 2015 and 2020. We carry out a factor analysis to identify the variables which structure informal economies and use the scores from a logistic regression to measure the degree of informality for each country. The results show that the degree of informality is related to the level of development. Thus, developing countries are generally those with the highest degree of informality while developed countries are generally characterized by a low level of informality. One of the important contributions of this paper is the method used to derive and then determine the depth of the informal economy in each country from the logistic regressions. Since the informal economy is not directly measurable, we first construct a binary variable named "prior informality." It is this variable that will be used in the logistic regression to measure the magnitude of the informal economy in each country. Thus, we construct a synthetical indicator that takes into account all dimensions of the informal economy with their particularity depending on whether we are in developed countries, in middle-income countries, or in underdeveloped countries. Mathematically, the principal component analysis gives us the best graphical representations of informal economies according to their characteristics. Likewise, the study enables us to classify countries into groups according to the variables that determine informality and draw dynamic charts representing the countries according to their level of informality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is nowadays widely understood that undeclared work cannot be efficiently combated without a holistic view on the mechanisms underlying its existence. However, the question remains whether we possess all the pieces of the holistic puzzle. To fill the gap, in this paper, we test if the features so far known to affect the behaviour of taxpayers are sufficient to detect noncompliance with outstanding precision. This is done by training seven supervised machine learning models on the compilation of data from the 2019 Special Eurobarometer on undeclared work and relevant figures from other sources. The conducted analysis not only does attest to the completeness of our knowledge concerning the drivers of undeclared work but also paves the way for wide usage of artificial intelligence in monitoring and confronting this detrimental practice. The study, however, exposes the necessity of having at disposal considerably larger datasets compared to those currently available if successful real-world applications of machine learning are to be achieved in this field. Alongside the apparent theoretical contribution, this paper is thus also expected to be of particular importance for policymakers, whose efforts to tackle tax evasion will have to be expedited in the period after the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though the literature on unregistered economic activity is growing at an increasing rate, we commonly encounter simple ordinary least squares methods and panel regressions, largely ignoring the recent rapid developments in machine learning methods. This study provides a new approach to more accurately estimate the size of the non-observed economy using machine learning methods. Compared to two currency demand-based models used to estimate the size of the non-observed economy, we show that a Random Forest algorithm can more accurately estimate the demand for currency, which is known to provide a fair estimation of the unregistered economic activity. The proposed approach shows superior forecasting capabilities compared to the current state-of-the-art linear regression-based methods dedicated to estimating non-observed economic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Universitatis Lodziensis. Folia Luridica is the property of Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Lodzkiego and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Marketplaces have long provided a context for observing the negotiation of everyday life amid broader processes of social and economic transformation. A growing scholarship has debated the relationship between markets and capitalist modes of production in Africa. However, less attention has been paid to the changing moral dimensions of economic life within popular urban marketplaces. This article examines the moral economy of a central marketplace in Kampala, Uganda, through an analysis of a rare archive: the records of the market disciplinary committee. We show that market vendors have responded to the expansion of market economy in Kampala by invoking principles derived from the past, including the obligation to 'feed' others. Rather than an abstracted market economy, disputes in the market were interpreted in the context of an embedded market society in which value is placed on livelihood facilitation. These findings advance the burgeoning literature on capitalism in Africa by demonstrating the ways in which neoliberal norms and values are situated within a broader moral landscape that places limits on what can be exchanged with whom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suppressed demand arises from inadequate energy access, resulting in unmet basic needs. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of the informal economy, rising temperatures, and electricity transmission losses on suppressed demand in Ghana from 2000 to 2020, using a quantile autoregressive distributed lag (QARDL) approach. The study forecasts suppressed demand using Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios, offering insights for energy system planning. The results indicate that all the variables significantly affect suppressed demand in the mid-quantiles. Notably, transmission losses and growth of informal economy variables significantly impact suppressed demand within the 50th to 75th quantiles but have minimal impact before the 50th and after the 75th quantiles in the long run. Additionally, rising temperatures substantially increase suppressed demand by increasing electricity demand for cooling. All future scenarios project this growth trend will continue through 2050, albeit at varying rates. In the business-as-usual (BAU) case, suppressed demand is expected to steadily increase from 1782 MW in 2020 to 8636 MW in 2050. This trajectory aligns well with historical growth trends, which saw suppressed demand increase from 659 GWh to 1782 GWh between 2000 and 2020. SSP scenarios suggest that suppressed demand could grow substantially through 2050, driven by high losses and informal sector growth. Despite sustainable development narratives like SSP1, suppressed demand remains high without major grid and governance improvements. Comparing the results with past studies shows that our findings align with previous research but provide more nuanced insights by incorporating the effects of the informal economy and using advanced forecasting techniques. Practical policy implications include investing in green infrastructure, upgrading grid infrastructure, and formalising the informal economy to alleviate suppressed demand. These actions are critical for sustainable energy access and meeting future electricity needs effectively.

Traditional food markets in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are pivotal urban spaces, especially for vulnerable populations. These markets are vibrant hubs for commerce, cultural exchange, and social interaction, yet they face challenges such as food safety issues, inadequate infrastructure, and regulation that is a complex mix of informal mechanisms in need of a balanced degree of formalization. Rapid urbanization in SSA and the vulnerabilities of informal settlements underline their enduring importance. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted their crucial role in promoting food access, supporting local economies, and preserving social connections during crises. However, a comprehensive understanding of their multifaceted impact on urban life remains limited. This study provides a systematic narrative literature review with the aims of mapping the existing literature and evaluating their complex impact on vulnerable communities. The review employed a systematic search strategy, encompassing research studies and gray literature. It highlights the geographic distribution of studies across SSA, with a concentration in East and Southern Africa. Nutrition is the most explored theme, followed by governance, with economics and social aspects relatively under examined. Traditional food markets are vital sources of affordable food for the urban poor and serve as pillars of economic mobility, providing livelihoods and employment opportunities, especially for women, and act as hubs for diverse groups to interact. Market governance is complex, often marked by policy misalignments due to insufficient collaboration among stakeholders. Policy initiatives to support traditional food markets in SSA should focus on formalization and context-aware regulations to enhance efficiency and vendor security, investment in market-related infrastructure, and nutrition-focused policies and economic support for vendors. Further research is needed to bridge thematic and regional gaps, and to inform evidence-based policy measures to support these vital urban institutions.

The crisis during the pandemic restrained the livelihood of women and disrupted their economic opportunities. Specifically, during the height of the lockdown, when people were restricted from going out, the livelihood of women who sold and peddled seafood products was greatly affected. This paper unfolds women’s socio-demographic profile and knowledge regarding the laws for protecting women’s rights in the lexis of the Republic Act No. 9710, also known as the Magna Carta of Women, and their economic condition in the informal economy during the pandemic. This descriptive mixed method quantitatively surveyed 70 women and another 10 women for the Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). The findings have shown that women in the informal economy were predominantly in the middle and late adulthood stage, married, the majority had a low level of education (i.e., elementary & high school levels) and were the breadwinners in the family. Also, the average size of each family consisted of 7 members with an average family monthly income of 7,407 pesos. The themes unearthed that informants perceived the Magna Carta of Women as unfamiliar and vague concepts, inconsistent implementation, and responsive leadership. On the other note, informants highlighted that the imagery of women in society gained parity in gender roles. It was revealed that women struggled with delayed assistance, parental obligations, prejudice, and partial treatment.

In this paper, we use panel data containing all EU27 countries from the 2010 to 2022 period to investigate the impact exhibited by the shadow economy on the level of NPLs. Based on a Panel GMM approach we reveal a negative connection, indicating that Countries with larger informal sectors often exhibit lower reported NPLs, possibly due to less stringent oversight. Additionally, economic growth correlates negatively with NPLs, while rising unemployment is associated with increased NPL levels. However, factors like inflation, political stability, and government debt did not show significant correlations with NPLs in our analysis. The topic holds significant relevance for both macro-stability policymakers and commercial banks aiming to understand how changes in fiscal and budgetary conditions impact the quality of credit portfolios.

ABSTRACTThis study explores the diverse range of activities undertaken by informal workers and the ways in which these activities can differ in terms of their degree of informality. The methodology is qualitative, based on a case study of mototaxi drivers in Cartagena, Colombia, in order to achieve a more complete description and a holistic analysis of the phenomenon. The paper offers a novel multilevel perspective of informality that encompasses not only legal status but also social and economic aspects, and proposes an integrated approach to understanding informality that accounts for the range of activities undertaken by informal actors.

Context and background The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into businesses has become increasingly widespread in recent years, particularly in developed countries, fundamentally reshaping the landscape of entrepreneurship and innovation. AI presents numerous opportunities for small businesses, including those involved in cross-border trade. It has the potential to transform various aspects of business operations, such as customer interactions, marketing research, understanding consumer behavior, optimizing routes, and forecasting sales and marketing trends. Additionally, AI can contribute to the formalization of business processes, and assist these businesses in adapting more effectively to the ever-changing dynamics of the market. However, the successful implementation of AI necessitates a meticulous assessment of AI applications to ensure alignment with the objectives and resources of each individual small business. Goal and Objectives: The primary focus of this paper is to explore the potential of Artificial Intelligence in enhancing Africa's cross-border trade. The paper will address the following research questions: What are the effective applications of artificial intelligence in cross-border informal trade in Africa, and what are the limitations? What does the future hold for African countries in terms of utilizing artificial intelligence for cross-border trade? How can African informal cross-border traders and their stakeholders benefit from incorporating artificial intelligence in their activities? Methodology: The research is purely empirical research based on observation and measurement of phenomena, as directly experienced by the researcher. Results: AI can be effectively applied by Informal Cross-Border Traders (ICBT) to enhance their businesses and enhance competitiveness. There are several AI applications accessible to ICBT within their operational context. Although the adoption and utilization of AI in Africa are still in their infancy, there is considerable promise for the future. Africans must address the challenges hindering the adoption and utilization of AI, as technology is advancing rapidly, and opportunities await those who embrace it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article uses transaction data from three time banks located in Barcelona to analyze their potential to generate bonding and bridging social capital for their members. Regarding bonding social capital, the findings are in line with the related literature in terms of the average number of trading partners and the ego-network density. However, reciprocity is a more frequent form of behavior in our data than in other time banks from other countries. Concerning bridging social capital and considering different age groups, the results show slight evidence of homophilic behavior, although intergenerational transactions are also present, being more frequent between more similar age groups. Finally, we explore the influence of age on the time it takes for members to engage in transactions, which could somehow be related to their potential motivations behind joining a time bank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops a new concept, entrepreneurial political activity based on corporate political activity to understand when an entrepreneur, representing both the firm and the individual simultaneously, will engage in political activity. The case of petty traders in Kumasi, Ghana generates grounded theory of entrepreneurial political activity. Faced with an existential threat, informal entrepreneurs had to decide whether to try to influence government policy by engaging in political activity. Findings from over 200 interviews demonstrated entrepreneurs carefully considered the state's willingness to allow for the extra-legal economic activity in the informal economy to continue, and if they had trust in the leadership of the collective action before engaging in political action. Policy saliency motivating action was determined by growth orientation and dependency on the venture for household survival, both driven by the entrepreneur's social role in the social system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the relationship between street trading and urban planning in Enugu City, Nigeria, within the expanding informal economy of the global South. It particularly focuses on the perspectives of urban planners regarding the impacts and management of street trading. The research employed a mixed-method approach, including personal observation, questionnaires, and in-depth interviews, analyzed through basic statistical methods. Findings reveal that urban planners recognize the socio-economic importance and cultural relevance of street trading, despite its negative spatial externalities. Contrary to prevailing assumptions, planners favour negotiated solutions over forced evictions. This study highlights the need for inclusive urban planning practices that accommodate the socio-economic benefits of street trading while addressing its challenges, contributing to the discourse on sustainable urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on the informal economy and environmental quality nexus is quite thin despite that the considerable size of the informal economy is capable of creating significant effects on the environmental quality, since the firms in the informal part of an economy are not subject to regulations. This study aims to investigate the aforementioned nexus on the global scale using a large panel of 138 countries for the 1990–2018 period. By utilizing Augmented mean-group estimation technique and bootstrap Granger non-causality approach, it is shown that the size of the informal economy is negatively associated with and causally linked to carbon-dioxide (CO2) emissions, globally. In addition, GDP per-capita, population and government consumption are found to be in highly significant positive relation with the emissions, whereas no significant effect is captured from globalization and capital stock. The marginal analysis for the informal sector size and CO2 emissions nexus shows that the relation gains momentum as the informal sector shrinks, particularly below 20% of GDP. Thereby, it is concluded that the countries with an informal sector that allocates a larger part of the economy are suffering from severe underproductivity. It is also argued, based on the marginal analysis, that if the size of the informal economy continues to shrink globally and policymakers do not take the necessary actions, CO2 emissions might hike sharply in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the diverse range of activities undertaken by informal workers and the ways in which these activities can differ in terms of their degree of informality. The methodology is qualitative, based on a case study of mototaxi drivers in Cartagena, Colombia, in order to achieve a more complete description and a holistic analysis of the phenomenon. The paper offers a novel multilevel perspective of informality that encompasses not only legal status but also social and economic aspects, and proposes an integrated approach to understanding informality that accounts for the range of activities undertaken by informal actors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the impact of fiscal instruments for Colombia on two of the country’s main issues: income inequality and informality, phenomena that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. For this purpose, we built a DSGE model whose main differentiating element is the level of liquidity of households. The model carried out various simulations of transfers to households, and we examined the effects of these on different macroeconomic variables. We conclude that for the economy to return to the same fiscal adjustment it had before a transfer, the government will somehow have to increase the productivity of the formal sector, as this increase will have a positive effect on growth, increase income taxes and employment, and decrease informality.

As a vulnerable group in South Africa, women have been the primary victims of unemployment, the lack of access to income generation opportunities and barriers to sustainable livelihoods in general. Street vendors are a significant part of the economy, and their income supports several families and sustains their livelihoods. However, such vendors, particularly women, are faced with severe problems that interfere with their daily operations, as well as challenges relating to the law. Their low literacy levels mean they have an inadequate understanding of the laws and by-laws that regulate street vending. Even though the South African Constitution guarantees equal rights and protection, as well as the freedom to choose one's own occupation, trade or profession, street vendors, especially female vendors, are not adequately protected. The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges faced by street vendors in the Durban area and to examine the role of the law in contributing to such challenges, as well as addressing them. Through a quantitative study using a survey, data was collected from street vendors in Durban. The study’s findings indicate that vendors lacked knowledge of their rights and faced poor working conditions, harassment by the police, evictions, impounding of goods and a lack of access to permits.

This article uses transaction data from time banks to analyze their potential to generate bonding and bridging social capital among members, emphasizing community engagement and contributing to the circular economy. It also indirectly investigates members’ motivations to engage in time banks. Regarding bonding social capital, the findings are in line with the related literature in terms of the average number of trading partners and the ego-network density. However, reciprocity is a more frequent behavior in our data than in other time banks from other countries. With respect to bridging social capital and considering different age groups, the results show slight evidence of homophilic behavior, although intergenerational transactions are also present, being more frequent between closer age groups. Finally, regarding members’ motivations to participate in time banks, the analysis suggests that young people seem to be more driven by ideological reasons while the elderly members seem more motivated by economic reasons.

Previous studies show that gig economy‐based work opens up new ways in which inequalities are (re)produced. In this context, it is particularly important to look at female cleaners in private households, where gender inequalities intersect with other axes of disadvantage such as class, migratory experience, or ascribed ethnicity. This spatially and linguistically fragmented group presents challenges for scientific research, which is reflected in insufficient data available to date. The aim of the project GigClean—from which research for this article is drawn—is to address this gap. The guiding research question is: How do domestic cleaners in the informal labour market experience working in the gig economy? The methodological design consists of 15 problem‐centred interviews with platform‐based cleaning labourers in private households in Vienna, who predominantly operate in the informal economy. Our results suggest that undeclared domestic work via online plat‐forms is associated with increased power gaps between workers and clients as well as changing working conditions to the detriment of cleaners. Specifically, three recurring themes could be identified: reserve army mechanisms; lookism, objectification, and sexual harassment; and information asymmetry and control.

The relationship between economic growth and the development of financial systems has been analyzed from different perspectives for a long time. This paper addresses the effects of the informal economy on the relationship between financial development and economic growth, using a panel data covering 20 countries during the period 1993–2020. The results show that financial development, as measured by the IMF’s Financial Development Index, is positively associated with economic growth (the coefficient α1 related to financial development fd is positive and statistically significant at 5%). The results also show that large sizes of the informal economy moderate the influence of this association (α1 remains positive and statistically significant at 1%, while the coefficient α2 related to the interaction between financial development and informal economy, fd and ie, is negative and statistically significant at 1%). In effect, financial development has the greatest impact on economic growth whenever there is control over the informal economy’s size. Inversely, a favorable ground for the informal economy limits the positive association between financial development and economic growth. However, the results show the absence of a causality relationship between financial development and economic growth (W-bar = 1.0015 and Z-bar = 0.0048; p-value = 0.9980). The informal economy plays no role in making this type of link significant (W-bar = 0.9761 and Z-bar = -0.0756; p-value = 0.9520).

Street vendors are an indispensable part of the urban social ecosystem, but due to a lack of comprehensive understanding, many cities have adopted simple eviction policies, resulting in the gradual marginalization and stigmatization of the street economy. The efficient governance of street vendors requires the comprehensive investigation of their business scale and spatial distribution information. However, traditional methods have limitations in terms of automatically surveying large-scale street vendor information, particularly spatial distribution. This paper proposes a method for the automatic investigation spatial distribution of street vendors based on street-view images and a deep-learning object recognition model. Street-view images were collected at fixed intervals according to the urban road network, and 1,957 images containing one or more vendors were selected through human-machine interaction to establish street vendor label data. To achieve high recognition model accuracy, the category labels were subdivided into four categories: ground stalls, table stalls, tricycle stalls, and small truck stalls, based on the goods carriers used by street vendors. A deep neural-network-based image object detection model based on YOLO v4 was constructed to identify street vendors in the street-view image library, with an average F1 value of 0.77 and an mAP of 0.67. The accuracy of the model was satisfactory for investigating the number and location of street vendors covering the main roads in the city and then applying a kernel density distribution model to evaluate the spatial distribution pattern of street vendors. Using street vendors in Guangzhou as a case study, the proposed automatic investigation model identified 26,119 street vendors from 3,339,062 street-view images. The results showed that the street vendors were distributed in a multicenter aggregation pattern in the central urban area, mainly concentrated in areas with high pedestrian traffic, such as subway stations and urban villages; their numbers increased as road grades decreases. Street vendors were mainly distributed in areas with medium rents. The proposed method is helpful for performing the efficient, low-cost, and city-scale mapping of street vendors; the results obtained provide suggestions for formulating and implementing spatial governance policies for the informal economy and further provide suggestions for improving and implementing spatial governance policies for open and diverse urban street-view images. The results can be used as a reference for the location preference analysis of practitioners, the exploration of NIMBY syndrome, and the determination of the formalization zone. Although street-view images have an insufficient spatiotemporal coverage, using them to perform street vendor investigations is a low-cost and efficient method compared with the use of traditional investigation methods and data sources. In addition, the method proposed in this article can be coupled with multitask deep learning algorithms to investigate additional dimensions of street vendor information, such as the sex, age, and type of business of street vendors. Relevant research needs to be conducted in the future.

This article analyzes texts written by users of Russian-language digital communication platforms on the topic of emigration to the Republic of Korea. The purpose of the study was to determine what meanings are attributed to the Republic in these texts, and how these images can affect the migration strategies of Russian-speaking migrants. The texts were sourced from relevant communities inside the largest social networks by the number of Russian-speaking users. The research method of choice was discourse analysis. Korea was regarded as an intersectional symbol that combines “migrant” texts into a single discourse. Its significance was determined by means of the authors of the messages constructing associations between the host country and certain situations and actions. It was established that pendulum migrants working in the country illegally, educational migrants, intermediaries, and communities of fans of Korean popular culture are most actively involved in shaping the image of Korea within the considered social media platforms. The messages posted by those users who focus on the shadow segment of the labor market portray Korea as a country that deals with visitors employed in this segment in as lenient a manner as possible. During the visa-free period, you can earn more here than in six months back home, without knowing the language and without having any skills, after which you can go home and return to Korea again once the money you earned has run out. This group describes the following strategy: you enter the country as a tourist for 60 days, and find a job on “samushil” or through an intermediary. Then return to Russia temporarily, or stay in Korea illegally, or use such mechanisms as political asylum and marriage of convenience. Educational migrants describe Korea as a developed, safe and wealthy country, with optimal conditions for permanent residency. Many describe the following strategy: get into the country on a student visa, receive an education, find a job in areas somehow related to servicing Russian-speaking migration flows. Some count on legalization through marriage to a member of the host community. Groups dedicated to Korean popular culture associate the Republic with a male idol, overconsumption, scenery and drama characters. Their users might describe either of the strategies mentioned above. A group of intermediaries reproduces the images conveyed by the texts produced by illegal migrants and k-pop communities, idealizing Korea and omitting the numerous difficulties and risks associated with staying there. Intermediaries essentially provide customers with the opportunity to become a part of this image by selling them paths of migration to and integration in Korea, which are often utilized by pendulum and educational migrants. According to G. Klein’s model of decision-making in a situation of uncertainty, it can be assumed that “migrant” social media containing these images contribute to the dissemination and reproduction of appropriate migration strategies, influencing the direction and content of migration flows between Korea and the CIS countries.

Context and background The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into businesses has become increasingly widespread in recent years, particularly in developed countries, fundamentally reshaping the landscape of entrepreneurship and innovation. AI presents numerous opportunities for small businesses, including those involved in cross-border trade. It has the potential to transform various aspects of business operations, such as customer interactions, marketing research, understanding consumer behavior, optimizing routes, and forecasting sales and marketing trends. Additionally, AI can contribute to the formalization of business processes, and assist these businesses in adapting more effectively to the ever-changing dynamics of the market. However, the successful implementation of AI necessitates a meticulous assessment of AI applications to ensure alignment with the objectives and resources of each individual small business. Goal and Objectives: The primary focus of this paper is to explore the potential of Artificial Intelligence in enhancing Africa's cross-border trade. The paper will address the following research questions: What are the effective applications of artificial intelligence in cross-border informal trade in Africa, and what are the limitations? What does the future hold for African countries in terms of utilizing artificial intelligence for cross-border trade? How can African informal cross-border traders and their stakeholders benefit from incorporating artificial intelligence in their activities? Methodology: The research is purely empirical research based on observation and measurement of phenomena, as directly experienced by the researcher. Results: AI can be effectively applied by Informal Cross-Border Traders (ICBT) to enhance their businesses and enhance competitiveness. There are several AI applications accessible to ICBT within their operational context. Although the adoption and utilization of AI in Africa are still in their infancy, there is considerable promise for the future. Africans must address the challenges hindering the adoption and utilization of AI, as technology is advancing rapidly, and opportunities await those who embrace it.

This article argues that the gig economy is an exploitative extension of the informal economy. With its decentralised promise of individual entrepreneurship, I will argue that it places undue burdens on the worker as an ‘independent contractor’ that would otherwise be upheld by the employer. I will do so by applying a Marcusian analysis of the gig economy, highlighting two primary concerns. First, Marcuse’s critique of ‘industrial rationality’ explains how industrial rationality creates the framework for – and justification of – exploitation within the gig economy. Second, as Wendy Brown notes, following Marcuse, the gig economy promotes the neoliberal notion of ‘self-care’ as a means of absolving corporations from any duty towards their employees. More specifically, ‘self-care’ within the gig economy forms part of the exploitation of workers within the informal economy which is often viewed as a buffer to absorb the unemployed within a neoliberal society. Building on this critique, I refer to the work of Byung-Chul Han and his concept of ‘self-exploitation,’ arguing that the gig economy should be considered an extension of an informal economy, in which workers are left in a perpetual state of servitude.