Microfinance has become one of the most promising tools for development and poverty alleviation over the past two decades. Millions of borrowers around the globe have utilized microcredit to start or expand their small businesses and raise their household income. One poverty-induced problem microfinance could potentially alleviate is child labor. Despite international legislation prohibiting it, child labor continues to deprive millions of children of their right to education. Without education, there is little hope for a country to increase productivity and wealth in the future. A number of scholars have highlighted a negative correlation between credit rationing and child labor. However, there are no studies that examine whether or not children are less likely to work in households that participate in microfinance programs. In some circumstances, microcredit may increase household income and induce parents to withdraw their children from work while in others, raising the household income level may lead children to work more. In low-income countries with numerous microfinance institutions, many children work despite their parents’ access to credit. In order to examine this paradoxical phenomenon, this thesis presents a number of econometric models which analyze both child labor and credit at the household level. Though these models are vital in explaining the relevant trends, a purely economic analysis fails to capture the political and cultural factors that also engender child labor. To illustrate this complex relationship between economics and mores, this thesis highlights the impact of microfinance on child labor in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is an ideal country for this study because microfinance and child labor are both endemic. Finally, conclusions drawn from this analysis inform policy recommendations to amplify the effectiveness of microfinance on diminishing child labor.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2008. / Title from title screen (site viewed Feb. 17, 2009). PDF text: vi, 199 p. : ill. ; 6 Mb. UMI publication number: AAT 3325855. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

abstract: Welfare recipients must engage in a specified number of hours of work-based activities. Work-based activities include providing childcare for others, enrolling to obtain a GED, participating in job clubs, and working for pay. Welfare recipients may choose to get a GED or participate in job clubs to improve their chances of finding employment. As some states require participation in job clubs to receive welfare benefits, this study examined the likelihood of job club participation by low-income females in states where job club participation is optional, not mandatory. Using data from a sample of 3,642 low-income mothers participating in the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), I explored the relationship between educational attainment and the probability of attending job club or searches in the past month. Sociodemographic and state-level characteristics were used to control for other factors in logistic regression models. Results show that low-income women with higher educational attainment were more likely to attend a job club. Other significant factors were marital status, metropolitan residence, number of children, number of family members, and state poverty rate. Policy implications suggest that attendees already have the necessary skills to obtain a job and time limits and enrollment caps may hinder the changes of the targeted population. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.A. Sociology 2011

This thesis readdresses the notion 'Tong Fang' through the lens of supply- side perspective. As a conceptually 'new' object which has raised widespread concerns since the early 2010s, Tong Fang has only been narrowly examined as the mainstream discussions predominantly confine their very concerns to simply the relationship between the material housing structure and the relevant dwellers. The wider socio-political implications are ignored as the social relations, forces and processes that are indispensable in comprehending the existence of Tong Fang are utterly unaddressed. In particular, the underlying reasons of why such housing structure, represented by its tininess, excessive rental charge and other infer ior environment qualities, could be rampantly produced in Hong Kong is still unsatisfactorily addressed. To explore these overlooked aspects, this study alternatively analyses the production of Tong Fang in Hong Kong and essentially articulates the spatial form to the corresponding processes. Harvey's theory 'Class Monopoly Rent' is employed as the major conceptual tool to analyze the contemporary production of Tong Fang in which the lucrative profitability, resulted from the circumstance which Tong Fang has been constituted as almost the only private affordable dwelling in the housing market structure in recent decades, appears to be the fundamental drive. Through viewing how the potential of CMR has been generated and how it has been appropriated through Tong Fang construction, the necessitated processes and relations are able to be disclosed. Moreover, Harvey's another contribution 'Relational Space' is also invoked to substantiate the exploration of the concrete social processes and relations lying behind Tong Fang as spatial products. All in all, by scrutinizing the production of Tong Fang in Hong Kong, this thesis is expected to enrich our understanding to this contemporary urban blight.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, previously ‘food stamps’), is the nation’s largest federal entitlement nutritional assistance program which assists individuals and households living below the federal poverty level in order to reduce the amount of money they spend on food. With the conversion of food stamps coupons to Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), vendors at farmers markets are unable to accept SNAP benefits due to lack of necessary technology adoption. The number of farmers markets has increased 39 percent since 2010 yet only 21 percent of the nation’s farmers markets are equipped to accept EBT (USDA AMS, 2015a). The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to apply the theory of Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) to explain EBT technology adoption at mid-west farmers markets (Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin). This study intended to identify the socio-demographic characteristics and levels of communication of farmers market managers, market compatibilities, and perceived EBT attributes that might influence EBT adoption at farmers markets. A survey was administered electronically to market managers of three mid-west states to collect the necessary information to answer the research objectives. A total of 181 managers completed the survey. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify effects of several variables on EBT adoption. Analysis of Variance and Chi-square test were utilized to compare the states and adopter groups. Results of logistic regression showed significant effects of specific variables on EBT adoption. Market managers’ level of communication (Farmers Market Association membership and having partnerships with other organizations), market characteristics (availability of public transports to the market and number of SNAP recipients living in the area), and market managers’ perceptions of EBT attributes (perceived usefulness, ability to try-out, and acceptability) were statistically significant predictors of EBT adoption. For market managers and organizers who are seeking resources and considering EBT adoption assessment of compatibility and level of communication prior to adoption should be considered. In conclusion, the theory of DOI was able to explain effects of market characteristics, market managers’ level of communication, and perceived attributes of EBT on its adoption among the respondents of mid-west farmers markets. Findings of the study can be useful for policymakers in navigating through financial, human, organizational, and political constraints to develop a reachable goal in providing EBT to farmers markets across the nation. Improving the rate of EBT adoption will ultimately have a positive impact on the health of low-income population and sustainability of local agriculture.

Orientador: Doris C. C. K. Kowaltowski / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Civil, Arquitetura e Urbanismo / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-05T13:51:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Watrin_VanessadaRosa_M.pdf: 5056574 bytes, checksum: 9c3e492b4f0de5a03e722ddb3715f321 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2003 / Resumo: A presente pesquisa se concentra na área da habitação de interesse social e busca trazer contribuições para o conforto térmico de moradias autoconstruídas, a partir da experiência da arquitetura tradicional. O objetivo principal é investigar o que é considerado como tradição e qual é a noção de conforto térmico, em relação à moradia, que os autoconstrutores da cidade de Campinas-SP possuem. A arquitetura autoconstruída é uma forma de moradia muito presente na população de baixa renda e já chega a ser o modo predominante de se morar no Brasil, por isso a qualidade de vida que estas moradias proporcionam à população é de extrema importância. Como as condições climáticas locais não são rigorosas, não encontramos nas casas autoconstruídas uma presença sistemática de elementos arquitetônicos tradicionais positivos, demonstrando que a população de autoconstrutores não tem uma preocupação com, ou não prioriza as questões climáticas. Contudo, é de nosso interesse que o conhecimento acumulado pela arquitetura tradicional seja transmitido para os autoconstrutores, já que a arquitetura vernacular tradicional é internacionalmente conhecida por ter uma consciência profunda do clima e por garantir níveis satisfatórios de qualidade ambiental às construções / Abstract: The current research concentrates on low-income housing and tries to contribute knowledge on self-built houses and their thermal comfort, based on traditional architecture of the region. The main goal was to determine what self-builders consider to be tradition; how they relate this concept to house building and whether traditional methods contribute toward comfort. The self-built house can be said to be the most common solution to the housing deficit of lowincome families in Brazil. Results of the study showed that no systematic presence of positive traditional architectural elements was found in self-built houses. The local non-rigorous climate conditions also do not stimulate specific building techniques and designs. The simple self-built house of today was identified as the traditional house, demonstrating a lack of knowledge related to the historical development of the house in Brazil. The study found, on the whole, that good building practice is not transmitted from generation to generation, simple traditional construction techniques persist. For traditional positive elements to regain their place in house design consciousness must be stimulated amongst the self-builder population through technical aid and examples. This quest is based on the accumulated knowledge on traditional architecture and the well-known environmental comfort qualities of vernacular architecture worldwide / Mestrado / Edificações / Mestre em Engenharia Civil

A migração acentuada para áreas urbanas e o rápido crescimento da população nas últimas décadas criaram forte demanda por habitações no Brasil e, como conseqüência, o aparecimento de graves problemas urbanos, com o aumento das necessidades habitacionais da população, principalmente no segmento de baixa renda. Uma das razões do não-atendimento dessa demanda é a dificuldade de acesso da população a habitações adequadas no setor formal. O presente trabalho fará uma análise da adequação dos programas de financiamento habitacional voltados à população de baixa renda, à luz das necessidades e limitações dessa população, visando a dar subsídios à elaboração e estruturação de programas de financiamento habitacional que possam melhorar o acesso da população de baixa renda a habitações adequadas. O texto inicialmente preocupa-se em discutir as características da população de baixa renda, como suas necessidades habitacionais, orçamento familiar e capacidade de pagar o preço da menor habitação adequada. Posteriormente, apresenta e analisa os principais programas de financiamento habitacional voltados à população de baixa renda no Brasil, discutindo seus objetivos, fontes de recursos e principais características. Por fim, o trabalho discute a adequação desses financiamentos às necessidades da população de baixa renda, seja quanto à sua capacidade de pagamento, seja quanto ao volume de recursos necessários para atender à sua demanda para aquisição de habitações adequadas, mostrando onde existem desajustes que interferem no acesso dessa população a habitações adequadas no setor formal e sugerindo realinhamentos na estruturação dos programas e no volume de recursos ofertados. / The accentuated migration to urban areas and the rapid population growth in the last decades have created strong demand for housing in Brazil and, as consequence, the appearance of serious urban problems, with an increase in the number of housing necessities, mainly in the segment of the low-income population. One of the reasons for the existence of non-attended demand is the low-income population difficulty in accessing adequate housing units in the formal market. The present dissertation will analyze the adequacy of the housing finance programs directed to low-income households, in the light of their necessities and limitations, aiming to give subsidies for the development and structuration of housing finance programs that could improve the access of the low-income population to adequate housing units. The dissertation initially discusses the characteristics of the low-income population, such as their housing necessities, familiar budget and capacity to pay the price for the smallest adequate housing unit. Later, it presents and analyzes the main housing finance programs directed to the low-income population in Brazil, discussing their objectives, sources of funds and main characteristics. Finally, the dissertation discusses the adequacy of these housing finance programs to meet the necessities of the low-income population, both in relation to their payment capacity and to the volume of resources to attend their demand for purchasing adequate housing units, showing where it is disadjusted in a way that interferes in the access of this population to adequate housing units in the formal market and suggesting realignments in the structuration of these programs and in the volume of the offered resources.

O aumento do poder aquisitivo das famílias de baixa renda no Brasil transformou esse público em um mercado atraente para as empresas de vários segmentos. Percebeu-se, contudo, que não está ainda refletida em conhecimento, na área de marketing, a relevância tanto econômica como social dessa parcela da população brasileira, uma vez que se verificou que há escassez de informações e de estudos sobre o tema. Nesse contexto, o objetivo nesta tese é investigar a preferência pela marca no processo de decisão de compra de mães de famílias de baixa renda no segmento alimentar. Para sua consecução, na fundamentação teórica, foram abordadas especificamente as teorias sobre o comportamento do consumidor, a marca e o valor. Além disso, apresentaram-se as características do consumidor de baixa renda brasileiro. A pesquisa de campo foi realizada em duas fases. Na primeira, que constitui um estudo qualitativo e exploratório, foram realizadas entrevistas em profundidade com as mães, a fim de se verificarem os fatores que elas levam em consideração na hora da compra dos produtos achocolatado em pó; bebida láctea; biscoito recheado; cereal de milho açucarado; petit suisse e snacks (salgadinho de milho e batatinha frita ondulada). Os fatores encontrados nas entrevistas em profundidade com as mães de famílias de baixa renda foram: para achocolatado em pó: marca, preço, nutrição (com vitaminas e minerais ou sem vitaminas e minerais) e embalagem (tampa de rosquear ou tampa de puxar); para bebida láctea: marca, preço, nutrição (com vitaminas e minerais ou sem vitaminas e minerais) e presença de ilustração ou não; para biscoito recheado: marca, preço, nutrição (com vitaminas e minerais ou sem vitaminas e minerais) e presença de figurinha ou não; para cereal de milho açucarado: marca, preço, nutrição (com vitaminas e minerais ou sem vitaminas e minerais) e presença de brinde ou não; para petit suisse: marca, preço, nutrição (com vitaminas e minerais ou sem vitaminas e minerais) e presença de ilustração ou não; para batatinha frita ondulada: marca, preço, nutrição (com gordura trans ou sem gordura trans) e sabor (natural, churrasco e cebola e salsa) e, por fim, para salgadinho de milho: marca, preço, nutrição (com gordura trans ou sem gordura trans) e presença de brinde ou não. O processo analítico foi baseado na análise textual interpretativa e na técnica de templates. Na segunda fase da pesquisa de campo, um estudo quantitativo e exploratório, foram realizadas entrevistas cujo roteiro foi elaborado com base nos resultados da primeira fase. Buscou-se investigar a importância da marca durante o processo de decisão de compra, verificando-se se a preferência pela marca ocorria para todos os produtos ou apenas para alguns específicos. Utilizou-se sobre essas avaliações o método da análise conjunta separadamente para cada produto. As análises obtidas mostraram que as mães de famílias de baixa renda compram todos os produtos investigados pela marca. Realizada a análise conjunta, procedeu-se à análise de agrupamentos com o objetivo de reunir em grupos as mães com preferências semelhantes e de analisar a composição de tais grupos quanto às variáveis auxiliares inseridas no questionário. Para alguns dos produtos, foram construídos três clusters, enquanto, para outros, quatro. Com isso, verificou-se que as mães de família de baixa renda não são todas iguais, ou seja, as empresas devem elaborar estratégias de marketing específicas para cada tipo de mãe. No entanto, em razão de a amostra ser nãoprobabilística e das técnicas adotadas, não foram realizadas inferências para toda a população brasileira. / The growing purchasing power of low-income families in Brazil has made this segment an attractive market for companies in a range of areas. The economic and social relevance of this section of Brazils population still doesnt appear to be reflected in marketing knowledge, however, since there is little information available and few studies on the subject. As such, the aim of this thesis is to investigate brand preference among mothers of low-income families when deciding what food products to buy. To this end, our theoretical foundation involved the specific examination of consumer behavior, brand and price theories. We also considered the characteristics of low-income Brazilian consumers. Our field research was conducted in two phases. In the first a qualitative, exploratory study we conducted in-depth interviews with mothers to establish which factors came into play when purchasing powered-chocolate drinks; milk-based drinks; filled cookies; sugar-coated corn flakes; processed cheese, and snack foods (corn chips and potato chips). The factors identified in the in-depth interviews were: for powered-chocolate drinks: brand, price, nutrition (with or without vitamins and minerals), and packaging (screw-on or pull-off lids); for milk-based drinks: brand, price, nutrition (with or without vitamins and minerals), and illustrations; for filled cookies: brand, price, nutrition (with or without vitamins and minerals), and collectors cards; for sugarcoated corn flakes: brand, price, nutrition (with or without vitamins and minerals), and surprise at the bottom of the box; for processed cheese: brand, price, nutrition (with or without vitamins and minerals), and illustrations; for corn chips: brand, price, nutrition (with or without trans fatty acids), and surprise at the bottom of the packet; and, finally, for potato chips: brand, price, nutrition (with or without trans fatty acids), and flavor (natural, barbecue, and parsley and onion). The interviews were then given interpretative textual and template analyses. In the second phase of field research a quantitative, exploratory study we conducted interviews following a script developed from the results of the first phase. We sought to investigate brand importance when deciding which product to buy in order to determine if brand preference influenced the purchase of all products or only specific items. To assess these interviews a conjoint analysis was carried out for each individual product. The results obtained showed that mothers of low-income families bought all of the products studied according to brand. After the conjoint analysis, we conducted a cluster analysis in order to group mothers with similar preferences and analyze the composition of these groups with respect to the auxiliary variables included in the questionnaire. For some products, three clusters were established, while for others there were four. This revealed that the mothers of low-income families are not all alike; in other words, companies need to develop specific marketing strategies for each type of mother. However, because the sample was not probabilistic and the techniques were adopted, inferences were not made for the entire Brazilian population.

This study explored the use of location-based marketing to minimize the effect of poverty penalty often experienced by the low-income consumers. Poverty penalty is a phenomenon that explains why the low-income consumer pay relatively more than middle- an upper-income consumers. The low-income consumer is normally situated in areas that are far from retailers, thus has to incur a considerable amount on transport costs, which in effect leads to an increased cost to acquire goods and services, and means that this consumer is restricted by location. Location-based marketing is the use of location to broadcast marketing information to the consumer relevant to their location and preferences. Low-income consumers can use this location-specific information to optimize their location by taking advantage of the goods and services around them to save on further travel costs. The study was a quantitative survey that asked low-income consumers about their perceptions on what location-based marketing could offer them. The key findings of the study were that consumers value personalisation of the content, access to information would lead to access to more goods and services, and finally that access to information optimise the location of the consumer and lead to reduced transport costs. The study contributed academically by establishing that for the low-income consumer, mobile marketing needs to be focused at optimising the current location, and not transacting anywhere and anytime as the existing literature suggests. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / lmgibs2014 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Doctor of Philosophy / Curriculum and Instruction Programs / Charles Heerman / Educators have realized that low-income students have a higher probability of lower achievement than students from a higher SES background and that these low-income students may very well continue into the cycle of poverty. The purpose of this study was to refine our understanding of the relationships between low-income student status and low income academic achievement in Kansas high schools. This study explored high school low income, low reading, low mathematics, low science achievement correlations among three metropolitan locations and four sizes of high schools. The dependent variables were the school building rates of low income and the school building rates of low achievement. The independent variables were school location and school size. The data was retrieved from the Kansas State Board of Education website. The three metropolitan areas studied were the Wichita, the Topeka-Lawrence and the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Areas. The four sizes of high schools studied were the 6A-, 5A-, 4A-, and 3A-sized high schools. There were seven research questions in this study. All the research questions were non-directional except for research question #2. Correlation coefficients, standard deviation scores, range scores, frequency scores, intercorrelations, coefficient of determinations, partial correlations and ANCOVA scores were used to analyze the data. The major conclusions for each research questions were: (1) the unsatisfactory + basic scores of all three low achievement areas (reading, mathematics and science) were the most consistent representation of low achievement. (2) in the three metropolitan areas, where income differences were greater, low income and low achievement correlations were greater. Where income differences were smaller, low income and low achievement correlations were smaller. (3) smaller schools did not have the better school results. (4) the low reading, mathematics and science correlations had different magnitudes depending on the group. Either low mathematics or low science achievement produced the largest correlations with low income in all seven groups. (5) the smaller standard deviation and range scores may have contributed to the smaller correlations in metropolitan area 2 and the 4A-sized high schools. Findings in the frequency distributions have reinforced the standard deviation and range results. (6) low mathematics and low science achievement were as important as low reading achievement. (7) the lowachievement rates (adjusted for low-income rates) did not differ much across the subject areas when the seven subgroups were considered. The idea of building smaller schools was not supported by the findings.