Inequality will deepen global health divide

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Income Inequality ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Wealth Inequality ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Potential Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Disadvantaged Groups ◽  
Quality Health

Subject Health and income inequality correlation. Significance Income and wealth inequality are rising. This has a profound impact on population health, as it is proven to cause lower life expectancy, higher child mortality rates, higher rates of non-communicable diseases and increased deaths from violence. The relationship between income inequality and poor health is persistent across both developing and developed countries, despite policy initiatives to tackle socio-economic differentiation. Impacts National economies could face lower potential growth due to the loss of labour force from unhealthy portions of the population. Disadvantaged groups will be excluded from high-quality health services, leading to higher levels of mortality and lower life expectancy. Social services are overburdened by patients in advanced stages of disease due to inadequate prevention among disadvantaged groups.

Working from home and long-term housing wealth inequality in large cities of advanced economies

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Tajaddini ◽  
Hassan F. Gholipour ◽  
Amir Arjomandi
Keyword(s):  
Wealth Inequality ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Housing Demand ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Housing Wealth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
Working From Home ◽  
Advanced Economies

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explain the potential long-term impacts of working from home on housing wealth inequality in large cities of advanced economies. Design/methodology/approach This study is descriptive research and It supports the arguments by providing some emerging evidence from property markets in developed countries. Findings The authors argue that due to the unique nature of the COVID-19 crisis, it will have a different and long-term impact on housing wealth inequality. Changes in the working arrangements of many professionals will change the housing demand dynamic across different suburbs and may lead to a reduction of the housing wealth gap in the long term. In this paper, the authors propose five mechanisms that may impact housing wealth inequality. Research limitations/implications Long-term data is required to test the proposed conceptual model in this study and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on housing wealth across and within suburbs of large cities. Practical implications Policymakers and regulators may benefit from the discussions and suggestions provided in this study and consider the proposed avenues on how new changes in the working environment (remote working) may result in a reduction of housing wealth inequality. Originality/value This study presents a new perspective about the potential long-term impacts of working from home that is posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on housing wealth inequality in large cities of developed economies.

scholarly journals Thresholds of income inequality that mitigate the role of gender inclusive education in promoting gender economic inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simplice Asongu ◽  
Nicholas Odhiambo
Keyword(s):  
Income Inequality ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Gini Coefficient ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Female Employment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Economic Participation ◽  
Sub Saharan

Purpose This study aims to provide the thresholds of inequality that should not be exceeded if gender inclusive education is to enhance gender inclusive formal economic participation in sub-Saharan Africa. Design/methodology/approach The empirical evidence is based on the generalised method of moments and data from 42 countries during the period 2004-2014. Findings The following findings are established. First, inclusive tertiary education unconditionally promotes gender economic inclusion, while the interaction between tertiary education and inequality is unfavourable to gender economic inclusion. Second, a Gini coefficient that nullifies the positive incidence of inclusive tertiary education on female labour force participation is 0.562. Second, the Gini coefficient and Palma ratio that crowd-out the negative unconditional effects of inclusive tertiary education on female unemployment are 0.547 and 6.118, respectively. Third, a 0.578 Gini coefficient, a 0.680 Atkinson index and a 6.557 Palma ratio are critical masses that wipe out the positive unconditional effects of inclusive tertiary education on female employment. The findings associated with lower levels of education are not significant. Practical implications As the main policy implication, income inequality should not be tolerated above the established thresholds for gender inclusive education to promote gender inclusive formal economic participation. Other implications are discussed in the light of sustainable development goals. Originality/value This study complements the existing literature by providing inequality thresholds that should not be exceeded for gender inclusive education to promote the involvement of women in the formal economic sector.

Do government expenditure reduce income inequality: evidence from developing and developed countries

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noor Zahirah Mohd Sidek
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Income Inequality ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Government Expenditure ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Developing And Developed Countries

Purpose This paper aims to re-examine the impact of government expenditure on income inequality. Existing studies provide mixed results on whether government expenditure reduces or increases income inequality. In this paper, government expenditure is viewed as a tool for redistribution, hence, its impact on inequality is examined. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 122 countries with 91 and 31 countries categorized as developing and developed countries is used. The dynamic panel threshold regression is used to examine the impact of government expenditure on income inequality and to estimate the turning point of the negative or positive effects. Findings The major findings suggest that, in general, government expenditure does reduce income inequality. Results from developed countries support the inversed U-shaped Kuznet curve where higher government expenditure initially led to more inequality but would eventually bring about a positive effect after a certain threshold level. For developing countries, education and development expenditure were the driving forces towards lower income inequality. Practical implications Several policy implications can be derived from this paper. First, government expenditure is a useful tool to alleviate the problem of income inequality. More integration with the global economy via trading activities is also an important channel to help reduce income inequality. Finally, better institutional quality provides an effective ecosystem in promoting better redistribution of income via government expenditure. Originality/value This paper presents a maiden attempt to estimate a threshold value or when government expenditure starts to reduce or increase income inequality. The sample is segregated into developed and developing countries to further control the effect of government size and the level of development of a country.

scholarly journals The impact of monetary systems on income inequity and wealth distribution

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1161-1183
Author(s):  
Anwar Hasan Abdullah Othman ◽  
Syed Musa Alhabshi ◽  
Salina Kassim ◽  
Adam Abdullah ◽  
Razali Haron
Keyword(s):  
Income Inequality ◽  
Social Welfare ◽  
Gold Standard ◽  
Wealth Distribution ◽  
Wealth Inequality ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fiat Money ◽  
Monetary System ◽  
Monetary Systems ◽  
Econometric Approach

PurposeThis study uses the autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) econometric approach to investigate empirically the effects of cryptocurrencies, the gold standard and traditional fiat money on global income inequality measured based on the Gini coefficient, and various ratios of income inequality distribution such as top 1 per cent, top 10 per cent, top 40 per cent and top 50 per cent.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses the ARDL econometric approach.FindingsThe findings indicated that cryptocurrency and gold standard monetary systems contributed significantly to reducing global inequality of income and wealth distribution. Conversely, the traditional fiat money system contributes positively to global income and wealth inequality while also contributing significantly to their fluctuation.Practical implicationsThis suggests that the fiat monetary system results in the coercive redistribution of income and wealth if governments pursue a social welfare policy. They must resolve this conflict between the current fiat monetary system and social policy by opting for an alternative monetary system such as cryptocurrency or gold standard. These alternative monetary systems offer the promise of resolving the income and wealth inequality associated with the traditional monetary system which are accompanied with the channels of inflation, lack of financial inclusion and debt creation, and to offer a more sustainable financial system.Originality/valueThe study recommends that monetary policy must be revisited to account for its direct effect on income and wealth redistribution to achieve social welfare goals.

The plebeians rehearse the uprising

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 50-54
Author(s):  
Peter Buell Hirsch
Keyword(s):  
Income Inequality ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Investment Strategy ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Employee Relations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Employee ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of rising concerns about income inequality on the reputation of large global employers. In an era in which middle class incomes have stagnated for several decades, the continuing decline of labor unions seems paradoxical. The paper suggests that the impassivity of the workforces of the developed countries may be coming to an end and that thoughtful employers can and should be doing more to address the needs of their employees from both a benefits and job satisfaction perspective. Otherwise, they may face renewed repetitional threats that could translate into regulatory penalties. Design/methodology/approach – The paper cites evidence of an increasing concern about income inequality in the developed economies and examines best practices in employee relations from a number of leading corporations to suggest ways in which companies can manage new repetitional threats relating to the way they manage their employees. Findings – The paper provides insights into three strategies that well-managed companies can adopt with respect to their employee relations: they can become leader brands, consistently pursuing employee benefits strategies at the cutting edge; they can develop a distinctive employee investment strategy; or they can create workplaces focused from innovation from the bottom up. Research limitations/implications – Due to the anecdotal nature of the evidence adduced to suggest best practices in employee relations, further research needs to be done to examine the question presented in a more empirical fashion. Practical implications – The employee relations strategies described can be deployed by any corporation seeking to create a new employee compact with its employees to safeguard its reputation and be perceived as a builder, rather than despoiler, of communities. Social implications – Concerns about income inequality and its negative impact on the social fabric are being voiced by leading voices in the business community. If the strategies recommended in the paper are adopted broadly, this could have a significant impact on the regeneration of struggling communities. Originality/value – Although substantial attention has been devoted to the subject of income inequality from an economic perspective, there is very little in the literature that addresses income inequality from the viewpoint of its impact on corporate reputation and the threat of future anti-business government action.

Income inequality and shadow economy: a nonparametric and semiparametric analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wai Weng Yap ◽  
Tamat Sarmidi ◽  
Abu Hassan Shaari ◽  
Fathin Faizah Said
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Income Inequality ◽  
Shadow Economy ◽  
Semiparametric Regression ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Oecd Countries ◽  
Nonlinear Relationship ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Semiparametric Analysis ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nonlinear relationship between shadow economy and income inequality and determine whether the size of shadow economy can influence the level of income inequality. Design/methodology/approach Both parametric (panel OLS) and nonparametric/semiparametric regression suggested by Robinson (1988) will be used to capture the dynamic nonlinear relationship between these variables using unbalanced panel data of 154 countries from 2000 to 2007. Additionally, the relationship between income inequality and shadow economy on both developed and developing countries will be analyzed and compared. Findings First, semiparametric analysis and nonparametric analysis are significantly different than parametric analysis and better in nonlinear analysis between income inequality and shadow economy. Second, income inequality and shadow economy resemble an inverted-N relationship. Third, the relationship between income inequality and shadow economy is different in developed countries (OECD countries) and developing countries, where OECD countries have similar inverted-N relationship as before. However, for developing countries, income inequality and shadow economy show an inverted-U relationship, similar to the original Kuznets hypothesis. Practical implications This study suggests that there is a possible trade-off between income inequality and shadow economy and helps policy makers in solving both problems effectively. Originality/value Despite the growing importance of income inequality and shadow economy, literature linking the two variables is scarce. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no literature that nonlinearly links these two variables. Furthermore, the dynamics of the relationship between these two variables in developed countries and developing countries will be explored as well.

Mean reversion in corporate leverage: evidence from India

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 1183-1198
Author(s):  
Gaurav S. Chauhan ◽  
Pradip Banerjee
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Simulated Data ◽  
Mean Reversion ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Debt Ratio ◽  
Testing Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financing Behavior

Purpose Recent papers on target capital structure show that debt ratio seems to vary widely in space and time, implying that the functional specifications of target debt ratios are of little empirical use. Further, target behavior cannot be adjudged correctly using debt ratios, as they could revert due to mechanical reasons. The purpose of this paper is to develop an alternative testing strategy to test the target capital structure. Design/methodology/approach The authors make use of a major “shock” to the debt ratios as an event and think of a subsequent reversion as a movement toward a mean or target debt ratio. By doing this, the authors no longer need to identify target debt ratios as a function of firm-specific variables or any other rigid functional form. Findings Similar to the broad empirical evidence in developed economies, there is no perceptible and systematic mean reversion by Indian firms. However, unlike developed countries, proportionate usage of debt to finance firms’ marginal financing deficits is extensive; equity is used rather sparingly. Research limitations/implications The trade-off theory could be convincingly refuted at least for the emerging market of India. The paper here stimulated further research on finding reasons for specific financing behavior of emerging market firms. Practical implications The results show that the firms’ financing choices are not only depending on their own firm’s specific variables but also on the financial markets in which they operate. Originality/value This study attempts to assess mean reversion in debt ratios in a unique but reassuring manner. The results are confirmed by extensive calibration of the testing strategy using simulated data sets.

scholarly journals Multimorbidity, Disadvantage, and Trends in Disability-Free Life Expectancy: The CFAS Studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 641-641
Author(s):  
Andrew Kingston ◽  
Holly Bennett ◽  
Louise Robinson ◽  
Lynne Corner ◽  
Carol Brayne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Longitudinal Data ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Disadvantaged Groups ◽  
Disability Free Life Expectancy ◽  
Reported Health

Abstract The combined contribution of multi-morbidity and socio-economic position (SEP) to trends in disability free life expectancy (DFLE) is unknown. We use longitudinal data from the Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies (CFAS I: 1991; CFAS II: 2011), with two year follow up. Disability was defined as difficulty in activities of daily living, and SEP as area-level deprivation. Multi-morbidity was constructed from nine self-reported health conditions and categorised as 0-1, 2-3, 4+ diseases. In 1991 and 2011, shorter total and disability-free years were associated with greater multi-morbidity. Between 1991 and 2011, gains in life expectancy and DFLE were observed at all levels of multi-morbidity, the greatest gain in DFLE being 4 years for men with 0-1 diseases. As multi-morbidity is more prevalent in more disadvantaged groups, further analyses will investigate whether SEP differences remain at all levels of multi-morbidity.

A dyadic perspective of socially responsible mechanisms for retailer-manufacturer relationship in an apparel industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 242-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aswini Yadlapalli ◽  
Shams Rahman ◽  
Helen Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Factor ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Dyadic Relationship ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Relational Mechanism

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify and prioritise social responsible mechanisms in apparel supply chains to extend social responsibility from large retailers in developed countries to producers in developing nations. Design/methodology/approach A framework that consists of supplier qualification and supplier relational mechanisms as two socially responsible mechanisms, with five factors and 18 dimensions is proposed. To prioritise the dimensions, analytic hierarchy process is employed by using a case study methodology of a major Australian retailer sourcing from Bangladesh manufacturers. Findings Results indicate that at the mechanism level, both retailer and manufacturers perceive qualification of manufacturer as by far the most critical element compared to the relational mechanism. However, substantial differences exist at the factor level; namely, that the social factor is critical for the retailer, whereas the economic factor is critical for the manufacturer. Within the relational mechanism, evaluation helps retailers to enforce social responsibility, while manufacturers believe collaboration helps. Research limitations/implications The major limitation of this study is the generalisation of the findings. The results obtained by focusing on a particular context in the Australian retail sector importing from Bangladesh, may not be applicable to other nations. Practical implications By highlighting the difference of opinion, this study assists managers in developing guidelines to better understand the socially responsible mechanisms in the retailer-manufacturer dyadic relationship and to propose strategies to address the differences. Originality/value This study advances the literature on inter-organisational relationship to retailer-manufacturer dyad for the implementation of social responsibility by including supplier qualification along with supplier relational mechanism.

Integrated quality environmental management implementation in food processing SMEs

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 740-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Ali Raza Shah ◽  
Khairur Rijal Jamaludin ◽  
Hayati Habibah Abdul Talib ◽  
Sha’ri Mohd Yusof
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Management ◽  
Food Processing ◽  
Success Factors ◽  
Process Management ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Operational Performance ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the critical success factors (CSFs) of integrated quality environmental management (IQEM) and analyze their impact on operational performance (OP) and environmental performance (EP) in food processing Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on collecting data using a survey questionnaire through snowball sampling technique. A total of 302 food processing SMEs operating in Punjab, Pakistan, responded to the survey. SPSS version-23 and SmartPLS-3 were used for data analysis. Findings The literature review identified leadership (LS), employee management (EM), strategic planning (SP), information management (IM), process management (PM), supplier management (SM) and customer focus (CF) as CSFs of IQEM. The results of this study found a significant relationship of all identified CSFs with operational performance in food processing SMEs whereas EM, IM, PM and SM were insignificant with the EP in the food processing SMEs. Research limitations/implications Although this study has collected data from one province, the Punjab province, it still relevant in identifying the CSFs for IQEM implementation within food processing SMEs to improve performance. Originality/value Despite the wide spread of integrated systems practices in the developed countries, little attention has been placed to implement and assess the IQEM initiatives by organizations in the developing countries. Thus, this study identified CSFs of IQEM based on empirical studies and analyzed their impact on OP and EP of food processing SMEs.

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