South Asian Journal of Social Studies and Economics

Capturing Change in Everyday Life: The Evolution of Time-Use Studies in India (1998–2024)

Trishala Rai, Sanchari Roy Mukherjee — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Time-use research has changed the empirical understanding of work, care and everyday life in India by recording activities that conventional labour statistics often classify incompletely or omit. This critical narrative review traces the evolution of Indian time-use studies from the six-state pilot survey of 1998–99 to the first all-India survey in 2019 and the second national survey in 2024, while examining the parallel development of academic uses of these data. The review synthesises methodological literature, official survey documentation and peer-reviewed research on labour, unpaid domestic and care work, social reproduction, class and caste, child time allocation, nutrition, leisure, time poverty and survey measurement. Three changes define the field. First, time use moved from a methodological demonstration concerned with making hidden work visible to a recurring component of national statistical infrastructure. Second, international changes in the definition of work and the adoption of the International Classification of Activities for Time-Use Statistics strengthened conceptual comparability between paid, own-use and unpaid forms of work, although they did not eliminate measurement error. Third, the availability of nationally representative microdata after 2019 produced a rapid expansion of empirical research, but much of that literature remains cross-sectional and repeatedly analyses the same survey, so publication volume should not be mistaken for independent replication. Comparisons between 1998–99 and 2019 are informative only after restriction to the six common states and careful harmonisation; comparisons between 2019 and 2024 are stronger because survey architecture is more closely aligned, but they still require attention to interviewing mode, activity coding, simultaneous activities and respondent type. The review argues that the next phase should prioritise bridge studies across survey rounds, explicit treatment of proxy reporting, improved measurement of supervisory care and fragmented tasks, reproducible harmonisation, and longitudinal or linked designs capable of distinguishing behavioural change from measurement change. India now has a credible platform for monitoring the temporal organisation of social and economic life, but its analytical value depends on preserving methodological continuity while testing where continuity itself produces bias.

Addressing the Sustainable Co-Management Strategy of Tourism Business and Government to Secure Tourist and Community Health-Safety against HMPV Respiratory

Chhanda Biswas, Akash Das, Manika Devi Tanchangya — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Public health concerns involving respiratory infectious diseases can disrupt tourism operations, destination management, local economies, and community well-being. This study explored sustainable co-management strategies through which tourism businesses and government authorities can strengthen tourist and community health and safety in relation to human metapneumovirus (HMPV)-related respiratory health concerns. An exploratory qualitative design was employed, using semi-structured interviews with 20 purposively selected participants representing tourism businesses, government, public health, academia, and related stakeholder groups. Data were collected through face-to-face and online interviews in January and March 2026 and analysed thematically with support from NVivo. The analysis identified four interrelated themes: shared responsibility for tourist and host safety, compliance with health and safety guidelines, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and tourism resilience through sustainable co-management. Participants emphasised the importance of clear institutional roles, routine health and safety practices, timely communication, coordinated decision-making, preparedness, community participation, and collaboration between public and private stakeholders. The findings indicate that integrating health and safety considerations into routine tourism management may support preparedness and resilience while protecting visitors and host communities. However, the findings represent context-specific stakeholder perspectives rather than statistically generalisable evidence. The study provides a qualitative basis for further research on collaborative tourism governance, health-risk preparedness, and sustainable co-management in response to respiratory infectious-disease concerns.

A Multidimensional Analysis of the Influence of Religion, Culture, and Rural–urban Characteristics on Tourism Development and Local Economic Conditions: An Empirical Investigation

Tarakeswara Rao Ippili, Gangu Naidu Mandala — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Tourism has become an important enabler of regional development, as it improves employment, supports the preservation of culture and the polypod growth of families, and enhances the regional economic environment. The present study examines the multidimensional effects of religion, culture, and rural–urban characteristics across the districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh on tourism development and the economic status of the districts. The study adopted a descriptive and empirical research design, with primary data collected through questionnaires administered to respondents. The questionnaire contained 10 questions rated on a five-point Likert scale, and 300 respondents were selected. To ensure adequate representation of rural and urban tourism stakeholders, a multistage stratified sampling technique was used. The data were analysed using SPSS and SmartPLS, and the PLS–SEM method was applied to assess the reliability and validity of the study constructs and the structural relationships among them. The results indicated that religion, culture, and rural–urban characteristics had significant positive influences on tourism development, and that tourism development significantly influenced local economic conditions. In addition, religion, culture, and rural–urban characteristics had direct positive influences on local economic conditions. The measurement model demonstrated good reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity, while the structural model demonstrated satisfactory explanatory power, predictive relevance, and model fit. Overall, the findings emphasise the importance of preserving religious heritage, developing cultural resources, and upgrading the infrastructure of the rural–urban tourism system to support sustainable tourism development and local well-being. The study provides theoretical and practical implications for policymakers seeking to design integrated local and tourism-specific policies for sustainable regional development.

Value Engineering Techniques and Financial Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Eldoret City, Kenya

Cleophas Nyaenya Ondieki, Singo'ei Dickson, Nelima Mary — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Manufacturing firms face the challenge of controlling production costs while maintaining product quality, functionality, and customer value. Value engineering provides a systematic approach to examining product functions, specifications, materials, and production alternatives to achieve the required performance at an optimal cost. This study examined the effect of value engineering techniques on the financial performance of manufacturing firms in Eldoret City, Kenya. The study adopted an explanatory research design involving 25 registered manufacturing firms. The target population comprised 250 employees, from whom a sample of 154 respondents was determined. A total of 114 usable questionnaires were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression were employed. Value engineering techniques recorded a composite mean of 4.05 and a standard deviation of 0.82, indicating a relatively high level of application. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive and statistically significant relationship between value engineering and firm performance (r = .655, p < .001). Regression analysis established that value engineering techniques had a positive and statistically significant effect on firm performance (β = .199, p = .001). The overall model explained 74.5% of the variation in firm performance. The study concludes that value engineering is an important strategic cost-management technique capable of improving manufacturing-firm performance when applied systematically without compromising product functionality. Manufacturing firms should integrate value engineering into product development, procurement, production, and financial decision-making.

Financial Integration, Structural Asymmetries, and Livelihood Resilience: Empirical Evidence from a Macro-Micro Analysis of Odisha, India

Rupak Kumar Tung, Padmalaya Nanda — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Despite macroeconomic expansion, Odisha exhibits a stark economic divide between its coastal hubs and tribal interior blocks, with this vulnerability frequently worsened by recurring severe climate shocks.

Objectives: This study quantifies the growth elasticity of financial inclusion on district economic output, evaluates its efficacy in mitigating household inequality, and isolates the causal impact of gender-led banking networks.

Methodology: A mixed macro-micro framework is utilised. Macro-level trends are modelled using a two-way District Fixed-Effects regression tracking 30 districts over 15 years (N = 450). Micro-level dynamics are analysed using a primary field survey of N = 860 households, evaluated through simultaneous quantile regressions and an Instrumental Variable Two-Stage Least Squares (IV-2SLS) model using block-level Bank Mitra density as an external instrument.

Findings: The macro panel indicates a positive growth elasticity, showing that a 0.1-unit improvement in the multidimensional Index of Financial Inclusion drives a 2.37% expansion in real Gross District Domestic Product (β = 0.2370, p < 0.001). Quantile estimates indicate that financial empowerment forms a progressive safety floor, yielding a robust income buffer (β = 0.4628, p < 0.001) for the poorest households (τ = 0.10) that directly dampens climate-shock damage (β = -0.3124, p < 0.001). The second-stage IV-2SLS model confirms that a 1-unit increase in the endogeneity-corrected female financial empowerment index (FinEmp) drives a 0.8017-standard-deviation increase in formal household savings (p < 0.001), supported by a strong Cragg-Donald F-statistic of 598.23.

Conclusion: Expanding gender-led intermediary banking networks such as Mission Shakti provides state planners with a statistically supported pathway to compress the rural-urban Gini coefficient and build climate-resilient economic growth.

Family Attitudes towards Women's Employment and Work–life Balance among Frontline Working Women in Sylhet City, Bangladesh: A Cross-sectional Study

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Women working in frontline sectors struggle to balance professional and family responsibilities, especially in places where traditional gender roles are still strong. However, there is limited evidence on family attitudes towards women’s employment and work–life balance in Bangladesh. This study investigated factors related to women’s reported perceptions of positive family attitudes towards their employment and evaluated their work–life balance in Sylhet city. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 working women in banking, nursing, and university teaching, with 40 respondents purposively selected from each sector. Data were collected from October to December 2025 through face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used in the analysis. Significant associations were identified between women’s perceptions of positive family attitudes towards their employment and age, educational level, family type, working environment, salary, financial contribution to the family, cultural barriers, and childcare management. Older age was associated with lower odds of reporting a positive family attitude (OR = 0.95), whereas higher education (graduate or higher) was associated with higher odds (OR = 3.15). The likelihood of reporting a positive family attitude was lower among those from joint families than those from nuclear families (OR = 0.39), while a positive working environment was associated with higher odds (OR = 2.31). Rigid traditional cultural rules were associated with lower odds of reporting a positive family attitude (OR = 0.30). Emotional exhaustion had the highest mean score (3.56 ± 1.24), whereas perceived supervisory consideration had the lowest mean score (2.29 ± 1.20) for work–family balance. More than half of the respondents reported working extra hours (51.6%), that job-related stress affected household and family responsibilities (53.4%), and that it was difficult to take leave during personal or family crises (52.5%). Overall, the findings indicate that family and workplace circumstances are important for women's employment experiences and work–family balance. Supportive family settings, flexible work options, reasonable workloads, adequate leave arrangements, and access to childcare can contribute to more positive conditions for women in frontline sectors.

Digital Financial Inclusion and Rural Household Income in China: The Mediating Role of Economic Development and Regional Heterogeneity—Evidence from Provincial Panel Data

Wenhui Du — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the impact of digital financial inclusion on rural household income using panel data from 31 Chinese provinces (2011–2023). Employing a two-way fixed effects model, mediating effect analysis with bootstrap testing, and regional heterogeneity analysis, we find that digital financial inclusion significantly promotes rural income through the mediating channel of economic development, with the indirect effect accounting for 47.6% of the total effect. The income-enhancing effect exhibits pronounced regional heterogeneity: the western region shows the strongest effect, while the eastern region shows no significant effect. Robustness checks show a significant positive coefficient during normal economic periods and a larger, though statistically insignificant, point estimate in non-municipality provinces. Theoretically, this study integrates financial inclusion theory with endogenous growth theory and identifies economic development as a macro-level mediating mechanism. It also refines the financial late-mover advantage hypothesis by conditioning the marginal income effect on the level of traditional financial development rather than agricultural specialisation. Practically, the findings provide targeted policy guidance for developing countries, particularly in South Asia, on leveraging digital financial inclusion for inclusive rural development.

Human Capital Efficiency, Board Audit Committee Expertise and Financial Reporting Quality: Evidence from Listed Firms on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya

Philemon Kemboi Kitum, Stephen Chelogoi, Daniel Kirui — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

In emerging markets such as Kenya, the efficient utilisation of human resources directly influences the integrity of corporate reporting. This study investigated the effect of human capital efficiency (HCE) on the financial reporting quality (FRQ) of firms listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), and further examined the moderating role of board audit committee expertise (BACE) on this relationship. The study was anchored in the human capital theory and adopted an explanatory panel research design using secondary data extracted from the audited annual reports of 195 listed firms over the period 2020 to 2024, yielding a balanced panel of 195 firm-year observations. The human capital components were measured using Pulic’s Value Added Human Coefficient (VAIC) model, BACE was measured as the proportion of financially literate audit committee members, and FRQ was operationalised inversely through discretionary accruals estimated using the Modified Jones Model. Data were analysed by means of descriptive statistics, diagnostic tests, correlation analysis, and hierarchical panel multiple regressions, with the random-effects GLS estimator selected on the basis of the Hausman test; the full model explained approximately 99.1% of the variation in FRQ. The findings revealed that HCE (β = 0.267, p < .05) had a positive and statistically significant effect on financial reporting quality; BACE exerted a positive and significant direct effect on FRQ (β = 0.130, p < .05) and significantly moderated the effect of human capital efficiency (β = −0.492, p = .008). The study concludes that knowledge-based resources substantially enhance reporting integrity among NSE-listed firms and that audit committee expertise operates both as a direct governance safeguard and as a selective moderator, complementing relational capital while partially substituting for human capital and capital employed. The study recommends that managers prioritise human capital development, codify organisational knowledge, and leverage relational networks; that boards calibrate audit committee expertise to the firm’s resource profile, concentrating expert oversight where relational intensity is high; and that regulators, notably the Capital Markets Authority and the NSE, strengthen audit committee financial expertise requirements and develop human capital measurement and disclosure guidelines.

Factors Influencing Consumers' Buying Behaviour towards Traditional Handicrafts in Sri Lanka: Evidence from the Colombo District

Keethana Thayanithi, Thisarani Dharmarathne, Minusha Weerakkody — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Traditional handicrafts contribute to cultural continuity, artisan livelihoods and tourism-related value creation, yet empirical evidence on the determinants of consumer purchasing in Sri Lanka remains limited. This study examined the associations of personal attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control with buying behaviour towards traditional handicrafts among adults in the Colombo District. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used. A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed using convenience sampling to 400 individuals, yielding 384 usable responses. The analytical framework was based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Exploratory factor analysis, reliability analysis, Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression were conducted in IBM SPSS Statistics. Personal attitude was positively associated with buying behaviour (beta = .114, p = .037), and perceived behavioural control showed the strongest positive association among the included predictors (beta = .204, p < .001). Subjective norms had a small positive but non-significant regression coefficient (beta = .054, p = .306). The regression model was statistically significant and explained 8.7% of the variance in buying behaviour (R = .295, R-squared = .087; adjusted R-squared = .080). These findings indicate that, within this Colombo-based convenience sample, favourable evaluations of handicrafts and consumers' perceived ability to access and purchase them were more informative than perceived social influence. The modest explanatory power of the model indicates that product attributes, knowledge, authenticity, price, innovation and other determinants should be examined in future research. The results support cautious, evidence-based strategies that improve access, information and perceived value without implying causal or nationwide effects.