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Purpose: This case study focuses on an alternative minimum-security model, the Safety Income (SI) Model, representing a nuanced departure from both established policies and UBI. StI is a welfare system that supplements households earning below the standard median income with 50% of the difference between the standard median and their current earnings. The quantitative case study presents the set-up of SI and assesses the cost of its implementation in South Korea. By employing a computable general equilibrium model method, the study compares the impacts of SI, UBI and the existing scheme in South Korea on income disparities, labor market outcomes and Gross Domestic Product. Design/methodology/approach: In the past decade, the Universal Basic Income (UBI) concept has gained international significant traction as a potential remedy for poverty and inequality. However, the practical implications of UBI implementation remain under extensive debate. It is unclear if UBI is an effective model for poverty alleviation. Findings: The analyses show that SI outperforms the other two welfare systems across all studied economic indicators. SI demonstrates more substantial reductions in income inequality compared with UBI and the existing scheme, minimal impact on unemployment rates compared with other schemes and a relatively modest decrease in GDP, making it a more favorable choice for South Korea when developing the minimum-security system within the specified budget constraint. Originality/value: This research contributes to the discourse surrounding basic income, economic security, poverty alleviation and inclusive social policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the role of Social Financial Grants (SFGs) in poverty reduction in South Africa, focusing on their impact on economic stability and income inequality. Using a structured model, it explores both the direct and mediated effects of SFGs on poverty alleviation. Results indicate that SFGs significantly reduce poverty by decreasing income inequality and enhancing economic stability, key factors in a highly unequal society. Effective administration and expansion of SFGs could further benefit vulnerable populations. The study notes limitations, such as the need for longitudinal data to assess sustainability and attention to regional disparities. Recommendations include integrating SFGs with job training, improving distribution, and reducing stigma. Implications extend beyond South Africa, offering insights for other developing nations. Future research should investigate additional mediators and conduct comparative regional studies to optimise social grant programmes globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, microfinance programs have been the major strategy of many developing countries to improve people’s welfare and reduce poverty. Yet several studies on the welfare impacts of microfinance result in contradictory conclusions. While some studies support the mainstream view that microfinance improves the welfare of the unbankable poor, others criticize its limited effect on business development and weak impact measurement methods. This study analyzes 409 articles to bridge the empirical gaps between mainstream and critical views of microfinance impacts on society through synthesizing major themes in existing research and their interconnections and provides recommendations for future research. Using bibliometric and systematic literature review (SLR) approaches, this study found five clusters of empirical research on microfinance impacts, including entrepreneurship and poverty alleviation; self-help groups and women empowerment; financial inclusion; household income; and community welfare. The study also suggests that microfinance programs have positive impacts on welfare across countries. However, future research needs to more deeply focus on the impact of microfinance programs on agricultural finance, specifically financial efficiency, and social efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

South Africa has one of the most extensive social assistance systems among developing countries; however, the proportion of the population below the national poverty lines remains relatively high. Thus, we develop a micro-macro framework to assess the economic growth implications of expanding South Africa's social grant system under alternative conditions. We find that conditional poverty-alleviation social transfers foster growth while unconditional redistribution towards lower-income earners can hinder economic growth. From policy perspectives, we show that the transfer of purchasing power to extremely poor beneficiaries and their economic participation are required for poverty-alleviation social transfers to have positive economic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poverty reduction is the primary goal of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Enhancing the purchase rate of health insurance is essential for alleviating poverty caused by health shocks, as it serves as a crucial risk management tool for addressing health-related risks. In this paper, we investigate the impact of digital inclusive finance on household participation in terms of health insurance and financial vulnerability, utilizing the Digital Inclusive Finance Index developed by Peking University and survey data from the China Household Finance Survey. Our findings indicate that the advancement of digital inclusive finance can significantly reduce the risk of household financial vulnerability by increasing household health insurance enrollment rate. The findings are robust across various digital inclusive finance indices, different metrics for financial vulnerability, alternative econometric models, and additional control variables. Furthermore, the effects of digital inclusive finance on health insurance enrollments and household financial vulnerability are particularly pronounced among urban households and those led by younger and more risk-averse household heads. Our findings advocate for further development of digital inclusive finance, mainly targeted at rural households and those with elderly heads, to enhance health insurance participation and mitigate the risk of illness-related poverty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The government‐initiated campaign for targeted poverty alleviation (TPA) not only affords corporations an opportunity to extend their presence into underdeveloped regions but also imposes a consequential burden upon them to contribute to ameliorating poverty. Firms' motivations in this endeavor are intricately linked to the alignment of their business strategies with the TPA activities. We posit that firms adopting a cost leadership approach are inclined to actively partake in poverty alleviation, due to a congruence between their strategic positioning and the activities intrinsic to poverty alleviation. And firms embracing a differentiation strategy are impelled by extrinsic pressures to engage in poverty alleviation, as they face heightened societal expectations regarding their involvement in such altruistic endeavors. Drawing from a dataset comprising Chinese listed firms from 2017 to 2020, our empirical findings bring to light a significant correlation between both cost leadership and differentiation strategies and firms' contributions to the TPA campaign. And, the impact of a cost leadership strategy on firms' involvement in poverty alleviation activities surpasses that of a differentiation strategy. This influence is further accentuated for firms contending with rivals pursuing a differentiated approach in the competitive landscape, which may block their way moving upmarket. Moreover, the nexus between a differentiation strategy and a firm's participation in poverty alleviation gains more strength where local government intervention in the economy is more pronounced. This study delves into the nuanced motivations that underpin firms' participation in the TPA campaign within the framework of business strategies, offering insights for both policymakers and business practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many models depicting the spatial dimensions of poverty are based on cities in developed countries, raising questions about their appropriateness for urban spaces in developing countries. This study evaluates the spatial suitability of these models in understanding poverty distribution and informing alleviation efforts related to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). One in cities of developing nations. A grid sampling technique in ArcGIS 10.8 was used to select 1098 households across 56 wards in three mid-sized Nigerian cities. Household data were collected through structured questionnaires using GeoODK, and Maxar high-resolution imagery was used to assess urban building density. The Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) poverty indices and Pearson correlation were applied for analysis. Results showed that over 29 wards had a poverty incidence and gap index greater than 0.20, while poverty severity remained below 0.20 in most wards. High building density was more prevalent in the city's interior. Significant correlations were found between the income poverty gap (p = 0.005, r = 0.367), poverty severity (p = 0.009, r = 0.346), and building density. The study concludes that these models are suitable for informing poverty alleviation policies in mid-sized cities of developing countries, especially Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study conducted a comprehensive literature review on global poverty alleviation and eradication. A structured literature review (SLR) was employed, collecting 955 articles from the Scopus database spanning from 1990 to 2022. The data was analyzed using bibliometric analysis tools and Excel. The paper explores the significant and conceptual aspects of the published literature on poverty alleviation and eradication. Additionally, it highlights the global issues faced by humanity, such as poverty alleviation and eradication, their origins, and implications. The study also provides potential directions for future research in this field by examining the poverty alleviation and eradication strategies employed by China and the USA. The significance of this study lies in the need for further research on the factors limiting efforts toward poverty alleviation and eradication from a global perspective. These findings can serve as a foundation for global anti-poverty initiatives and offer insights into reducing poverty in underdeveloped and developing nations worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to develop a poverty alleviation strategy model in public policy perspective with pentahelix approach in West Seram Regency. This study was designed in quantitative form and used survey method. The informants of this study consisted of officers involved in poverty alleviation strategy in public policy perspective with pentahelix approach in West Seram Regency as many as 4 academics from social welfare science and public administration science as many as 4 people, poverty observer community as many as 2 people, government (Social Service 1 person and Bappeda 1 person) and information media as many as 2 people. The data analysis used is AHP analysis which is an analysis method used to determine the priority order of a plan. The results of the study concluded that (1) internal factors of poverty alleviation strategies in the perspective of public policy in West Seram Regency consist of strength and weakness variables, (2) external factors of poverty alleviation strategies in the perspective of public policy in West Seram Regency consist of opportunity and threat variables, (3) poverty alleviation strategies in the perspective of public policy in West Seram Regency are aggressive strategies, namely trying to improve internal conditions of weaknesses and external threats by utilizing a number of internal strengths and existing external opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refugee women entrepreneurship has been played a crucial role in economic development and poverty alleviation in both sending and receiving countries. Although their contribution to socioeconomic development in South Africa, they face various challenges including proper identity documents from the Department of Home Affairs, financial resources, and services to enter the labor market in SA. The purpose of this study is to explore the entrepreneurial skills of DR Congolese refugee women in Durban. This study used qualitative research methodology including both explanatory and descriptive theories during data collection. The study used in-depth interviews and questionnaires where ten Congolese refugee women informal traders between the age of 24 and 41 years were selected through snowball techniques from Congolese community in Durban. The results revealed that entrepreneurial activity has been considered as an approach of empowering refugee women and poverty alleviation in their receiving countries. The findings show that refugees are the most unlikely entrepreneurs as they lacked the resources to launch a new enterprise with no history of credit and lack of assets or security to bank loan. The study revealed the needs of UNHCR, NGOs and government's support in terms of sponsoring refugees' projects, especially business training and appropriate identity documents from the department of Home Affairs. The economic contributions of female refugee entrepreneurs from the Congo in South Africa could be substantial if supported by gender-responsive policies and the provision of formal identification documents, along with access to business training opportunities. This would enhance their well-being and contribute to the economic growth of Durban. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to describe and analyze the correlation of the SDGs components related to business strategy and performance of SMEs. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were conceptually used as basic variables in improving the business performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in order to reduce poverty alleviation. The type of this research is explanatory research. The number of samples in this study were 170 respondents of SMEs determined by structural equation model (SEM) as the method of analyzing data, which is operated by AMOS. The population is 295 SMEs. The result of this study shows that the greatest influence of performance of SMEs was business operational strategy of 6,365, and the smallest effect was on SDGs economic indicators to business operational strategy of 1,022. In this case, it can be stated that the sustainable development goals (SDGs) have a significant influence on the business operational strategy and business performance of SMEs. For small and medium entrepreneurs in Yogyakarta, seeing SDGs as a development goal will affect their operational business strategy, especially related to economic variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving farmers' digital skills is instrumental in reducing the risk of farmer households reverting to poverty and in fostering sustainable livelihood development. This study investigated the impact of digital skills on the relative vulnerability of farm households to poverty and explored the mediating role of social capital. Based on 2022 field survey data from 917 rural households in Yunnan Province, China, we employed a probit model to evaluate how digital skills influence the likelihood of poverty reversion among farm households. The findings indicated that enhancing digital skills significantly reduced households' vulnerability to poverty, thereby mitigating the risk of poverty recurrence. The heterogeneity analysis revealed that the impact of digital skills was more pronounced among low-income households. Among various digital skills, social digital skills exerted the strongest effect in reducing poverty vulnerability. Further analysis demonstrated that enhanced digital skills strengthened social capital, which subsequently reduced the risk of poverty reversion. To ensure sustainable poverty alleviation and prevent widespread poverty relapse, accelerating the development of digital skills among rural populations in western China is essential. This will create new development opportunities and contribute to long-term livelihood sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the potential of rabbits as a sustainable solution for poverty alleviation and food security in Burkina Faso, a country facing socio-economic and environmental challenges. In the context of limited resources and employment opportunities, rabbits offer advantages such as small size, short generation interval and high reproductive capacity. The research focuses on characterising the morphology of Burkina Faso’s local rabbit population, comparing it with two Italian breeds: a local medium-growing breed called Leprino di Viterbo (LV) and a fast-growing hybrid (a crossbred New Zealand × California, NZC). Utilising path analysis and principal component analysis, the study identifies key morphometric traits crucial for breeding programs and examines the influence of specific traits on body weight (BW) gain and heat stress resilience through ‘Transpiration Indexes.’ Findings highlight the importance of variables like chest girth (CG), abdominal girth (AG), rump width (RW) and nose to shoulders length (NSL) in influencing body weight (BW) and reveal significant size and shape differences among the breeds. The study suggests potential climate adaptation in Burkina Faso’s rabbit population, providing practical insights for breeding programs in resource-constrained regions. This research not only advances scientific understanding but also provides practical insights for breeding programs in resource-constrained regions, emphasising the importance of certain morphological traits for heat dissipation.

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

Abstract Many models depicting the spatial dimensions of poverty are based on cities in developed countries, raising questions about their appropriateness for urban spaces in developing countries. This study evaluates the spatial suitability of these models in understanding poverty distribution and informing alleviation efforts related to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). One in cities of developing nations. A grid sampling technique in ArcGIS 10.8 was used to select 1098 households across 56 wards in three mid-sized Nigerian cities. Household data were collected through structured questionnaires using GeoODK, and Maxar high-resolution imagery was used to assess urban building density. The Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) poverty indices and Pearson correlation were applied for analysis. Results showed that over 29 wards had a poverty incidence and gap index greater than 0.20, while poverty severity remained below 0.20 in most wards. High building density was more prevalent in the city’s interior. Significant correlations were found between the income poverty gap (p = 0.005, r = 0.367), poverty severity (p = 0.009, r = 0.346), and building density. The study concludes that these models are suitable for informing poverty alleviation policies in mid-sized cities of developing countries, especially Nigeria.

In Sri Lanka, poverty has been one of the most pressing social issues over the past decade. This research examines zakat fundraising strategies and analyzes zakat distribution patterns in Maruthamunai, Sri Lanka, where Muslims constitute the dominant ethnic group. The current role of zakat in Maruthamunai is crucial in alleviating poverty. Primary data for this study included annual fundraising and distribution reports from the Zakat Fund, covering the years 2019 to 2023. As part of this qualitative research, unstructured interviews were conducted with the president, general secretary, deputy president, assistant secretary, members, and prominent individuals in the region. Data analysis was conducted using coding and is presented descriptively through the maqasid sharia approach. The results of this study indicate that the distribution of zakat funds in Maruthamunai has been less effective due to several factors, including insufficient receipt of zakat funds and inadequately structured internal distribution policies. Policymakers should focus on prioritizing the primary level of welfare needs (mashlahah dharuriyyah). Within this framework, the maqasid sharia perspective emphasizes the development of human resources as a priority over material development. Therefore, despite the relatively high poverty rate, the objectives of preserving religion, safeguarding human life, ensuring generational continuity, protecting intellect, and promoting wealth circulation can still be effectively pursued.

IntroductionThe Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is among the largest U.S. social safety net programs. Although strong evidence exists regarding the benefits of WIC, take-up (i.e., participation among eligible individuals) has steadily declined in the past decade. This study addresses gaps in our knowledge regarding predictors of WIC take-up during this time.MethodsData were drawn from the 1998-2017 waves of the National Health Interview Study (NHIS), a serial cross-sectional study of the U.S.PopulationThe analytic sample included 23,645 children and 10,297 women eligible for WIC based on self-reported demographic characteristics. To investigate predictors of WIC take-up, we regressed self-reported WIC receipt on a range of individual-level predictors (e.g., age, nativity, income) and state- level predictors (e.g., unemployment rate, governor's political affiliation) using multivariable logistic regression. In secondary analyses, results were additionally stratified by race/ethnicity, time period, and age (for children).ResultsFor both women and children, older maternal age and higher educational attainment were associated with decreased take-up of WIC. Associations differed by race/ethnicity, time period, and state characteristics including caseload of other social programs (e.g., Medicaid).DiscussionOur study identifies groups that are less likely to take up WIC benefits for which they are eligible, thereby contributing important evidence to inform programs and policies to increase WIC participation among groups with lower take-up. As WIC evolves past the COVID-19 pandemic, special attention will be needed to ensure that resources to encourage and support the participation of racially and economically marginalized individuals are equitably distributed.

The basic financial-administrative document of the government, referred to as the budget, has now found an important and high-ranking position in light of new studies and evolving relationships of governance and regulation. Fewer institutions and public services can be found in the budget without appropriate representation and established rules and figures. In this context, the budget can play a key role in realizing the government's goals. Among these noble aims is poverty alleviation, which involves addressing the causes and factors of production, as well as the promotion of poverty, with the government's involvement. Pesharavi's writing sought to identify the potential capabilities and capacities for preparing and adjusting the poverty alleviation budget by employing a meta-analysis method and utilizing library resources within an interdisciplinary framework. This approach facilitates explanation and analysis. The findings of this research indicate that achieving poverty alleviation and expanding justice through budget tools and their associated rulings and figures requires strategies such as budget transparency, regionalism and localization, fair distribution, and the reduction of hidden subsidies. Additionally, he emphasized the creation and unification of poverty alleviation institutions. Although each of the strategies discussed in the research needs to be studied separately and in detail, it is also essential to consider the political and administrative geography of governments and the economic theories embedded in their legal and management systems when applying these strategies to the budgeting systems of each country.

Abstract Background The ambitious expansion of social health insurance in China has played a crucial role in preventing and alleviating poverty caused by illness. However, there is no government-sponsored health insurance program specifically for younger children and inequities are more pronounced in healthcare utilization, medical expenditure, and satisfaction in some households with severely ill children. This study assessed the effectiveness of child health insurance in terms of alleviating poverty caused by illness. Methods Data were collected from two rounds of follow-up surveys using the China Family Panel Studies 2016 and 2018 child questionnaires to investigate the relationship between child health insurance and household medical impoverishment (MI). Impoverishing health expenditure (IHE) and catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) were measured to quantify “poverty due to illness” in terms of absolute and relative poverty, respectively. Propensity score matching with the difference-in-differences (PSM-DID) method, robustness tests, and heterogeneity analysis were conducted to address endogeneity issues. Results Social health insurance for children significantly reduced household impoverishment due to illness. Under the shock of illness, the incidences of IHE and CHE were significantly lower in households with insured children. The poverty alleviation mechanism transmitted by children enrolled in social health insurance was primarily driven by hospitalization reimbursements and the proportion of out-of-pocket medical payments among the total medical expenditure for children. Conclusions Children’s possession of social health insurance significantly reduced the likelihood of household poverty due to illness. The poverty-reducing effect of social medical insurance is most significant in rural areas, low-income families, no-left-behind children, and infants. Targeted poverty alleviation strategies for marginalized groups and areas would ensure the equity and efficiency of health system reforms, contributing to the goal of universal health insurance coverage in China.

Abstract To synergize climate mitigation with poverty alleviation, China has implemented photovoltaic poverty alleviation (PVPA) projects since 2014, with Anhui Province being among the initial pilot regions. However, further exploration is needed to determine the extent to which this policy can improve the economic status of poverty-stricken areas. This study aims to evaluate the effects of PVPA projects in Anhui Province from a macroscopic perspective and via the panel data from 11 poverty-stricken counties, including 5 pilot counties, between 2011 and 2018. By employing the differences-in-differences (DID) model and synthetic control method (SCM) model, this study calculated the treatment effects of the PVPA policy. The analysis revealed that the policy did not significantly increase rural residential income at the county level. The insignificant treatment effects reflect a weak policy implementation. The PVPA policy tries to synergize the energy-climate-poverty nexus, requiring the coordination of various stakeholders and departments. Meanwhile, governance theory highlights the multivariate character of policy and considers the role of multiple social actors. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the governance factors when the policy implementation is weak. Further investigation of the PVPA projects reveals that the main governance challenges include insufficient motivation, information asymmetry, conflicts of interest, renewable energy curtailment, and the absence of proper maintenance and benefit distribution mechanisms. Considering the principles of good governance, recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of the PVPA policy are proposed.

Purpose – This study aims to examine the effect of structural transformation on poverty alleviation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries with a higher share of services as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP). The study specifically focuses on the value-added share as a percentage of GDP in the agricultural, manufacturing, industrial, and service sectors using time series data from 1988 to 2019. Design/methodology/approach – The study utilizes the autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) bound test framework for estimation, based on the conclusions drawn from the augmented Dickey-Fuller and Phillips–Perron unit root tests, which provide evidence of a mixed order of integration. Findings – The result reveals that agriculture value-added (AVA), manufacturing value-added (MVA), industrial value-added (IVA), and services value-added (SVA) have a positive and significant impact on poverty alleviation in both the short and long run. However, the agriculture sector is found to be more effective in reducing poverty compared to the other sectors examined in this study. Additionally, this study challenges the notion that SSA countries have undergone an immature structural transformation. Instead, it reveals a pattern of stagnant structural transformation, as indicated by the lack of growth in the industrial and manufacturing value-added shares of GDP. Practical implications – To enhance productivity and reduce poverty, SSA economies should adopt a development strategy that prioritizes heavy manufacturing and industrial sectors, leading to a transition from the agricultural to the secondary and tertiary sectors. Originality/value – The study contributes to the emerging literature on structural transformation by investigating which sector is more efficient in reducing poverty in SSA countries, using the value-added share as a percentage of GDP for agricultural, manufacturing, industrial, and service sectors. The study also aims to determine if SSA countries have experienced immature structural transformation due to the growing share in the service sector.

This article explores the challenges facing the modern energy market in the context of the accelerated energy transition. It concludes that neither the objectives nor the preparation for the energy transition have been aligned with the actual needs and demands of humanity. The current goals of the energy transition are ideologically driven and unrealistic, prompting countries and companies to reconsider their previously established timelines for achieving carbon neutrality, while investors are growing increasingly disillusioned with the «green» transition. Despite trillions of dollars in investments, alternative energy sources have failed to replace traditional fuels or ensure reliable energy supply. Concurrently, the demand for electricity will continue to rise with the advancement of artificial intelligence and the expansion of data processing centers.The article highlights that in Europe, the emphasis on the «green» energy transition has led to economic downturns, while in developing countries, the implementation of the energy transition has manifested as «green» neocolonialism, characterized by resource extraction. Lobbying for an accelerated energy transition represents one form of market share competition. Another form includes unlawful sanctions and technological restrictions imposed by the United States on several countries, and the use of the dollar as an economic weapon, which has compelled developing nations to embark on dedollarization processes.The article concludes that energy development must be linked to ensuring energy security, combating poverty, and addressing the interests of the majority. Therefore, hydrocarbons will continue to be a critical component of the energy sector.

Background: The ambitious expansion of social health insurance in China has played a crucial role in preventing and alleviating poverty caused by illness. However, there is no government-sponsored health insurance program specifically for younger children and inequities are more pronounced in healthcare utilization, medical expenditure, and satisfaction in some households with severely ill children. This study assessed the effectiveness of child health insurance in terms of alleviating poverty caused by illness. Methods: Data were collected from two rounds of follow-up surveys using the China Family Panel Studies 2016 and 2018 child questionnaires to investigate the relationship between child health insurance and household medical impoverishment (MI). Impoverishing health expenditure (IHE) and catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) were measured to quantify “poverty due to illness” in terms of absolute and relative poverty, respectively. Propensity score matching with the difference-in-differences (PSM-DID) method, robustness tests, and heterogeneity analysis were conducted to address endogeneity issues. Results: Social health insurance for children significantly reduced household impoverishment due to illness. Under the shock of illness, the incidences of IHE and CHE were significantly lower in households with insured children. The poverty alleviation mechanism transmitted by children enrolled in social health insurance was primarily driven by hospitalization reimbursements and the proportion of out-of-pocket medical payments among the total medical expenditure for children. Conclusions: Children’s possession of social health insurance significantly reduced the likelihood of household poverty due to illness. The poverty-reducing effect of social medical insurance is most significant in rural areas, low-income families, no-left-behind children, and infants. Targeted poverty alleviation strategies for marginalized groups and areas would ensure the equity and efficiency of health system reforms, contributing to the goal of universal health insurance coverage in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, the battle to end poverty has now undergone a transformation from quantitative to qualitative poverty alleviation. This shift has been reflected mainly in the form of achievements in rural and regional poverty alleviation, and of poverty alleviation achievements driven by institutional changes. President Xi Jinping's important discussions on poverty alleviation have played a key role in the adapting of Marxist anti-poverty theory to the Chinese context, and provide scientific guidance for China in its momentous struggle to consign poverty to the past. The institutional advantages of socialism provide a strong guarantee of success for China's poverty alleviation, and the country's great achievements in this endeavor also reflect the institutional advantages possessed by China since the reform and opening up. After eliminating absolute poverty, China needs to establish a long-term mechanism to address relative poverty and to consolidate and expand its achievements in the poverty alleviation field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xi Jinping's statements on poverty alleviation form an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. These statements embody a series of systematic concepts regarding poverty alleviation, constructed around a scientifically rigorous theoretical system which, while drawing extensively on the lessons of past Chinese practice, also possesses distinct 21st-century characteristics. At the same time, the statements condense contemporary China's extremely rich recent experience of fulfilling the tasks of poverty alleviation. These concepts and theoretical achievements, along with the basic experience they encapsulate, reveal the scientific laws of poverty alleviation, and have greatly enriched and developed Marxist anti-poverty theory. As the latest theoretical advances in the field of poverty alleviation, and as the theoretical expression and enhancement of the path to poverty alleviation with Chinese characteristics, their success may be attributed to socialism with Chinese characteristics. Consequently, Xi Jinping's statements on poverty alleviation, along with the practical achievements related to them, have momentous status and possess far-reaching significance for the history of the development of the Chinese nation, the history of the development of world socialism, and the history of human anti-poverty efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystem restoration is a necessity for addressing socio‐ecological challenges by improving ecosystem resilience and alleviating poverty through local community involvement. Here, we review a community‐based, large‐scale ecosystem restoration program, Working for Ecosystems, implemented by eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa, between 2007 and 2022. For this study, we interrogated monthly and annual reports generated by the program between 2011 and 2021 to describe how the program worked to suppress invasive alien plants (IAPs) and provided employment opportunities to marginalized groups (women, youth, military veterans, and people living with disabilities). Annual budget was positively correlated with the area cleared of IAPs and effort (person‐days in the field). The program successfully incorporated marginalized groups, but military veterans and people living with disabilities remained in smaller numbers and were not well quantified. Participants were encouraged to constitute companies—Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises—that were then subcontracted to the program or could progress to other endeavors, allowing other community members to enter the program. A steady increase in the implementation budget emphasized the need for a long‐term plan to ensure accountability and sustainability of restoration and socio‐ecological systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic development and industrialization are usually associated with severe environmental pollution. Differently, China's poverty alleviation programs did not compromise its environment for the sake of economic development. China has lifted hundreds of poverty-stricken counties out of absolute poverty following the implementation of various poverty alleviation policies. We take a staggered difference-in-difference approach within a quasi-experiment to examine the effects of "poverty hat" removal on air pollution. Using panel data of poverty-stricken counties in China for the period 2013–2018, we identify the causal effects on PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 concentration reduction. Our results suggest that removing the poverty hat prompted the counties to reduce their air pollution. By studying the mining, photovoltaic, and tourism industries, we find that removing the poverty hat has improved air quality by increasing carbon sequestration and reducing resource depletion. • Uses a staggered DID to examine poverty hat removal and air pollution. • Identifies the causal effects on pollutant reduction. • Checks the channels of resource depletion. • Tests the poverty-environment trade-off at the county level. • Finds evidence through the mining, photovoltaic, and tourism industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an evaluation conducted in Indonesia to assess the impact of the Family Hope Program (PKH) on poverty alleviation and its alignment with policy theories. A mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis and qualitative interviews, was employed to measure the welfare-improving effects of PKH and validate the survey results. The analysis indicates that PKH reduces poverty in Aceh Province, Indonesia. However, several barriers hinder its widespread implementation, including limited program coverage, low population awareness, and the need for improved communication and coordination. The report suggests researching alternative approaches to enhance the effectiveness of PKH's poverty reduction programs. Potential recommendations include expanding the program's scope to reach more beneficiaries, fostering better communication and coordination among stakeholders, and providing comprehensive education about the program's benefits to the community. The study's findings make a valuable contribution to the existing research on poverty alleviation programs and offer insights that can inform policymakers and practitioners about improving the effectiveness of PKH in combating poverty in Aceh, Indonesia and beyond. The study's findings align with the Rational Choice Theory, suggesting that families in the Aceh Province, Indonesia, have made rational decisions to participate in the Family Hope Program due to the perceived benefits, including educational support. The results also support policy feedback theory, indicating that the program's positive impact on poverty alleviation may create a feedback loop, leading to sustained poverty reduction. Additionally, Social Capital Theory highlights the potential role of social connections and community engagement in maximizing the program's benefits and fostering long-term poverty reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's persistent battle against poverty has evolved through comprehensive strategies to build a more equitable society. This study examines the nuanced challenges faced by policy-excluded groups and individuals on the verge of poverty and sheds light on the unintended consequences of existing anti-poverty policies. Drawing on Amartya Sen's capability approach, the study highlights the critical role of instrumental freedoms in poverty alleviation, emphasizing the need to move beyond traditional income-based measurements. The analysis reveals that policy marginalization is intricately linked to policy design, resulting in the exclusion of distinct population segments. By adopting a multi-dimensional perspective encompassing health, education, and overall human capabilities, the study uncovers a substantial proportion of excluded households experiencing multi-dimensional poverty. The findings underscore the limitations of solely assessing poverty through income levels, urging policymakers to consider these dimensions holistically. Furthermore, the study provides valuable insights for policy formulation and management. It calls for a critical examination of public policies to mitigate their exclusionary effects, particularly in vital anti-poverty systems. Emphasizing the interdependence of economic conditions, social opportunities, political freedoms, protective security, and transparency guarantees, the study advocates for policies that address these dimensions collectively, recognizing their integral role in creating equal social opportunities and developing instrumental freedoms. Overall, this research enriches our understanding of poverty and policy marginalization, offering a theoretical foundation and practical implications for the development and implementation of more inclusive and effective anti-poverty strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many developing countries, poor households face multiple shocks that disrupt their consumption patterns and lead to an increased welfare loss. Consequently, households adopt coping mechanisms that negatively impact their overall well-being. While social safety nets have been implemented to protect vulnerable households, it is essential to assess their overall effectiveness, both in terms of their impact and their potential to replace the harmful coping strategies adopted by households. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to examine the impact of cash transfers provided by the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) on the consumption patterns of households in Pakistan, with a particular emphasis on how these transfers provide consumption insurance to ultra-poor families encountered with idiosyncratic and covariate shocks. The study analyzes both food and non-food expenditure to gain insights into the effectiveness of the program in providing economic security to vulnerable households. Using three rounds of the BISP survey (2011–2013–2016), the empirical analysis is done by employing regression discontinuity design (RDD), difference-in-difference (DID) technique, and ordinary least squares method. Using the DID approach, we find that from 2011 to 2016 the overall food and non-food consumption of BISP beneficiaries have increased considerably and these results are highly significant as well. However, the estimates for RDD are not significant for the years 2013 and 2016. We also observed households' consumption behavior in the presence of shocks and found that in the wake of idiosyncratic shocks, poor households can protect their consumption through informal transfer mechanisms by securing loans from family, friends, and landlords. However, this mechanism collapses when households encounter covariate shocks. Furthermore, BISP cash transfers are primarily effective in mitigating the impact of employment loss, loss of livestock, and the rise in food prices and remain inadequate in providing insurance against major other shocks encountered by the targeted poor households. The results indicate that BISP has the potential to substitute informal coping strategies used by the poor, it requires substantial transfers to offer comprehensive consumption insurance to the poorest of the poor in Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines how executive motivation and firm capability jointly influence corporate contribution to poverty alleviation. Using a sample of Chinese listed firms, we find that firms whose executives possess political connections or experienced poverty in childhood contribute more to poverty alleviation. Moreover, better-performing firms with politically connected executives make even more contributions, whereas firm performance does not affect the relationship between executives' childhood poverty experience and corporate contribution. We also document that the strength of political connections and the type of childhood poverty experience matter. Moreover, executive background and firm performance only affect corporations' cash contributions but do not influence their material contributions. Overall, our study reveals that corporate contribution to poverty alleviation is affected by both strategic and altruistic motives of executives and is subject to the influence of firm performance especially when executives are driven by political motives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pivot of the legislature in addressing structural violence in a democratic polity is its responsibility of enacting legislation for good governance, representing citizens’ interests in the public policy formulation process and performing oversight functions for equitable distribution and access to public goods and services. In Nigeria, the elimination of poverty has remained a major focus of every successive government, however, more than half of its populace still live in poverty and continue to battle with challenges emanating from inequality in societal structures. This study applies a systematic literature review to gather data and analyse the legislature’s impact on poverty alleviation in Nigeria’s fourth republic. The study reveals the extent of the capacity of the Nigerian legislative institutions to push for the development of the nation the socio-political dynamic of the country impeding legislative oversight of the implementation of government policies and programmes and the implication of accountable and transparent governance in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's targeted poverty alleviation strategy has achieved remarkable success. However, there remain considerable theoretical and empirical disagreements on whether and how agricultural development in China affects farmers' poverty alleviation and income increase. This study constructed a two-sector theoretical model to analyze the specific mechanisms through which agricultural development affects farmers' poverty alleviation and income increase in the process of industrialization and urbanization. Based on this, the study used provincial panel data from 1994 to 2021 in China, matched with CFPS microdata from 2010 to 2020. The focus was on analyzing the income increase and poverty alleviation effects brought by agricultural development to farmers, while further testing the specific mechanisms and heterogeneity of the impact of agricultural development on farmers' poverty alleviation and income increase. The results indicated that: (1) Agricultural development not only directly affected farmers' agricultural and non-agricultural income but also acted on them through the mediating transmission channels, including agricultural production effects, cost of living effects, and non-agricultural employment effects. Additionally, agricultural development contributed to reducing the incidence and depth of poverty among rural residents, although it had no significant impact on poverty intensity. (2) Overall, agricultural development accounted for 54.94% of the increase in agricultural income and 45.06% of the increase in non-agricultural income. (3) 23.36% of the poverty alleviation and income increase effects of agricultural development came from the increase in agricultural income through agricultural development, while 76.64% stemmed from the spillover effect of agricultural development resulting in an increase in non-agricultural income. In major grain-producing areas, however, agricultural development contributed over 40% to farmers' poverty alleviation and income increase through enhancements in agricultural income. This article provides theoretical and empirical support for the orderly connection between poverty alleviation and rural revitalization in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poverty is a bad inhalation process in the economic breath system, especially at the rural level in Bangladesh. The one house one farm project was initiated to alleviate poverty in Bangladesh as an initiative of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The project focuses on rural households generating income through family farming with e-financial inclusion or online banking opportunities. The study focuses on the fundamental understanding and reasons for the One House One Farm project. The study follows a generic qualitative method with secondary data sources, including the website of The Project, newspaper articles, and journal articles, to indicate what, how, and why questions. With some beneficiaries' statements, an ethnographic study is conducted as another data collection source. The study introduces a thematic mode of analysis that covers the explanation of the pattern of the One House One Farm project and gives a general idea about the background. The study finds that the One House One Farm project was a primary and better initiative for alleviating or eradicating poverty in Bangladesh, which helps to focus on achieving Sustainable Development Goal- 01. Besides the main target of alleviating or eradicating poverty in Bangladesh, this project helped rural households create a basement for generating income and being free from dependency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are fundamental to national economic development through poverty alleviation and employment creation. However, credit constraints severely challenge small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) performance. Therefore, this study aims to establish the link between credit constraints and the financial performance of SMEs. The paper further examines whether the differences in performance between constrained and unconstrained firms can contribute to poverty reduction. To this end, the endogenous switching regression was applied to the cross-sectional data from a firm-level survey involving 520 SMEs from Cameroon. The paper considered four credit constraint categories: risk, quantity, price, and transaction cost. Results reveal that 74% of SMEs are credit constrained, and the majority (43%) are quantity constrained. Interestingly, risk and price-constrained SMEs are mainly more profitable than unconstrained SMEs, while quantity and transaction-cost-constrained SMEs are less profitable than their counterparts. Consequently, the impact on poverty reduction is equally varied. The scholarly and policy implications of the study are that alleviating credit constraints among SMEs does not always augment the profitability of the SMEs and contributes towards poverty eradication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This interdisciplinary paper blends knowledge from computer science and economics in proposing a complex dynamic system subpopulation model for a blockchain form of local complementary currency, generic to the Grassroots Economics Foundation's Community Inclusion Currency (CIC) implemented in Kenya. Our contribution to the emerging economics literature is five-fold: (i) we take a novel meso-economic approach to elicit utility from actual transactions data and reveal an 'optimal' disaggregation number of typical community subgroups; (ii) we relate the local CIC functioning to a nation-wide currency board monetary regime to argue that such a credible CIC implementation ensures trust in the CIC and makes it a valuable market-based channel to alleviate poverty, in addition to humanitarian or government aid channels. However, (iii) we also find evidence in our data that substitutes for real-world money such as CICs are perceived as inferior, and hence CIC systems can only be transitional. Then, (iv) we reveal that, for a poor population, saving dominates as a use of a cluster's CIC balance, accounting for 47%, followed by purchase of food and water, 25%. Despite these dominant patterns, (v) we uncover a considerable heterogeneity in CIC spending behavior. Our contribution to the related computer-science and Tokenomics literature is two-fold: (i) we provide an open-source scaffold for modeling CIC viability and net flows; (ii) to simulate a subpopulation mixing process, we employ a network-based dynamical system modeling approach that is better grounded in economic principles and monetary theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poverty is always associated with poor green infrastructure. Indonesia has a significant poverty rate and low green infrastructure investment. Therefore, this study uses fuzzy clustering with area weighting (FGWC-HHOP) and 2018 Potential Village Census (PODES) data to analyze green infrastructure risk and poverty in Indonesia. The first cluster, which is mainly urban, is vulnerable, while the second cluster has poor air quality and green infrastructure. Future government policies should encourage sustainable development, especially green infrastructure, to reduce social vulnerability. Consider green infrastructure and social vulnerability when planning urban expansion and poverty alleviation in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India's goal of becoming a USD 7 trillion economy by 2030 and a developed country by 2047 has made it pertinent to closely investigate its efforts towards mitigation of poverty particularly in the deliberation of its remarkable economic growth path. Against this background, this paper aims to probe into India's journey in battling poverty and inequality. The paper aims to identify vital lessons learned and evaluate how India's experiences could be relevant to other developing nations by analysing strategies adopted by India. This paper makes an attempt to bring to the forefront India's successes, challenges, lessons learned and policy implications that have emerged through an in-depth study of India's initiatives towards poverty reduction, institutional mechanisms and policy frameworks. Further, the paper seeks to highlight how India could contribute towards global efforts in the eradication of poverty and promotion of equality. The methodology that this paper adopts includes a systematic review approach in which various sources including scholarly literature, policy papers and reports are comprehensively reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bambara groundnut (BGN), a legume in the Fabaceae family, is typically cultivated on a small scale by female subsistence farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite being the largest exporter of BGN in southern Africa, Zimbabwe considers BGN a supplementary crop. Although components of BGN have been previously studied, this study involved active participation from local farmers, leading to a more community-driven understanding of perceptions and practices surrounding this legume. This study was conducted in the Syringavale community in Marula, situated in the Matabeleland South province of Zimbabwe and consisted of fifty Black African respondents [females (86%) and males (14%)]. The primary aim was to collect indigenous information on consumer perceptions, agricultural and processing practices, cultural beliefs and superstitions, and the overall significance of BGN in the community. Simple random sampling was used to select fifty households, from a list of sixty BGN-cultivating households, in the study area, followed by judgmental sampling to choose one respondent per selected household. Then after, a mixed-methods approach was applied, with structured questionnaire administered first, followed by in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was employed to systematically identify and categorise themes, sub-themes and patterns within qualitative responses. Bambara groundnut was cultivated at household level, mostly by married women over the age of 40 and held dietary, agricultural, medicinal and traditional significance. Different components of the BGN crop, such as the seeds, leaves, flowers, roots and pods were reported to serve as food, fodder, medicine, maturity indicators and compost. Boiling, soaking, roasting, baking, cracking and frying were the cooking methods used in the community, with boiling being the most common method used by 100% of respondents. Respondents (100%) showed a preference for the mature green seed over the dry seed due to the significant time and energy consumption associated with cooking the latter. Some respondents (52%) sold their BGN produce in the open market, at home, to wholesalers, as well as in petty batter. Urbanisation, heavy rains and cultural beliefs were cited as major hindrances to BGN production. The prioritisation of BGN in terms of land allocation was recommended considering its nutritional and economic value as well as its potential contribution to the alleviation of poverty and malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the determinants of transition in economic growth among inclusive growth (IG) and non-inclusive growth (NIG) in farming households in Nigeria using secondary data from General Household Surveys for 2010, 2013 and 2016. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) and Markov chain. The result shows that mean age of the rural households were 41.8, 43.7, and 46.9 years for 2010, 2013 and 2016 respectively. Majority (65.0%, 65.4% and 65.5%) were male while 64.3%, 63.1% and 63.4% were married in 2010, 2013 and 2016 respectively. Markov probability transition matrix revealed that rural households (29.9%) remained in NIG in both periods 2010-2013 and 2013-2016 while 70.1% with NIG in period 2010-2013 moved out in 2013-2016. Rural households (46.6%) that are inclusive in period 2010-2013 transitioned into NIG in period 2013-2016. In the long run, rural households (40.2%) remained in NIG while 59.8% exited. It was concluded that with equitable resources, rural households have the probability to be inclusive and reduced non-inclusive growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research seeks to find out the economic empowerment of women living in the Nagpur city sl- ums by engaging with the Self-Help Groups(SHG). Since the women in these disadvantaged societies still struggle to overcome some socio-economic barriers, SHGs are now accepted means of empowering women to improve their livelihood. As part of this research, quantitative questionnaires are used alongside qualitative interview to assess the role of SHGs in improving women's income earning capacities, skills acquisition, and access to finances. The study also shows that women's economic status is probably improved through formation of SHGs because; they are able to access credit facilities, engage in any type of business and bargain for better prices. Further, socio-cultural benefits for the formation of SHGs as identified in the study are that it builds up the confidence levels of the women, empowers the women in decision-making, strengthens the social obligations and group unity of the females. The findings highlight the need to improve policy support and organizational environment for the development of SHGs and their scale. Finally, this research establishes that SHGs act as a useful means through which economic enfranchisement might be achieved; the present study's findings could therefore be useful to policymakers, development workers and community mobilisers who are interested in the upliftment of women living in urban slums. [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.)

Can the backward endowments of rural areas support digital village construction to attain the expected results? If the answer is yes, what are the mechanisms involved? Answering these questions is related to common prosperity. Counties are China's frontline commanders, and the urban–rural income gap is a suitable entry point for observing the urban–rural digital divide; however, there is limited research assessing the effectiveness of digital village construction from the perspective of the urban–rural income gap at the county level. In addition, counties lifted out of poverty, as counties with worse initial endowments and as counties that should be most concerned with common wealth, are more typical for examining the effectiveness of digital rural construction; however, there are few studies on counties lifted out of poverty. Based on cross-sectional data from 865 counties in China in 2020, this study empirically analyzes the impact of digital village construction on the urban–rural income gap using an OLS model. This study also conducts mechanism tests and poverty benefit tests in addition to heterogeneity and robustness tests. The findings indicate that the development of digital villages lowers the income difference between urban and rural areas, and that the shift in the industrial structure is a key driver of this effect. Different construction dimensions have varying degrees of impact, with digital infrastructure and the digitalization of the economy having the most significant impact, the digitalization of countryside governance coming second, and the digitalization of countryside life having the most negligible impact. The impact is more pronounced in the central-eastern region of China and counties that have just been lifted out of poverty than in the western region and counties that have never been in poverty. The government will benefit greatly from this study's understanding of the main themes, areas, and scope of digital rural construction, which will help to expand and further integrate the outcomes of reducing poverty and fostering shared prosperity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Management Research: The Journal of the IberoAmerican Academy of Management is the property of Emerald Publishing Limited 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.)

This research examined factors that help microfinance achieve sustained poverty reduction based on a systematic literature review (SLR). A search was conducted on the SCOPUS database up to December 2023. After analyzing hundreds of documents, a subset of 30 articles was subject to in-depth analysis, exploring factors and corresponding measurement indicators for sustainable poverty reduction in microfinance contexts. This article emphasizes that sustained poverty reduction is a gradual process requiring ongoing efforts from both Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) and governments. Two key success factors are empowering borrowers and ensuring the microfinance programs themselves are profitable. When implemented in an integrated and coordinated manner, these factors can empower individuals to escape poverty by fostering self-employment and income generation, ultimately reducing dependence on external support. Additionally, the study highlights the role of personality traits in influencing long-term entrepreneurial success. The findings provide valuable tools for MFIs and policymakers. MFIs gain a practical framework to guide their interventions towards sustained poverty reduction. Policymakers can leverage the identified factors and indicators when designing and implementing microfinance policies with a long-term focus on poverty alleviation. This study breaks new ground by presenting an operational framework that categorizes and integrates two critical factor groups: empowerment and beneficiary profitability. Furthermore, it links these factors to corresponding measurement indicators within a unified framework, enabling a more holistic assessment of poverty reduction efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]