Journal of Economics and Business Issues

Surviving the Streets: An Empirical Study on the Livelihood Challenges of Street Vendors in Paramathi Velur Taluk

Saravanan R — 2026-07-31

Abstract
Street vending, a cornerstone of the informal economy, provides livelihood opportunities to marginalized populations, yet these workers face precarious conditions and systemic challenges. This study examines the socio-economic status, occupational challenges, and coping mechanisms of street vendors in Paramathi Velur Taluk, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu. Employing a mixed-methods approach, data were gathered through structured interviews with 150 street vendors and analyzed using statistical and thematic tools. The study reveals systemic issues such as legal marginalization, economic vulnerability, and lack of basic amenities. This article proposes actionable policy recommendations to enhance the livelihoods of street vendors and ensure their socio-economic integration into the broader economy.

Keywords: street vending, informal economy, livelihood challenges, socio-economic analysis, Tamil Nadu

Risk-Related Expenditure Pressure and Urban–Rural Consumption Structure in China Provincial Evidence

Nuoheng Du — 2026-07-31

This paper examines how household risk tolerance may affect effective demand and innovation incentives in China. It argues that low-asset households are more likely to adopt stability-seeking consumption and career choices when medical, employment, education, and asset risks are difficult to absorb. This behavior may weaken development-oriented consumption and reduce market signals for innovation-oriented products and services. Using provincial urban-rural consumption data from the China Statistical Yearbook for 2015-2024, the paper analyzes the relationship between medical and health care expenditure shares and education, culture, and recreation expenditure shares. The descriptive results show that rural medical expenditure shares are higher than urban shares in 89.0% of province-year observations, while rural education, culture, and recreation shares are lower than urban shares in 67.1%. A two-way fixed-effects model indicates that a one-percentage-point increase in the rural-urban medical expenditure share gap is associated with a 0.216-percentage-point decline in the rural-urban education, culture, and recreation share gap. The findings suggest a structural tension between risk-related expenditure pressure and development-oriented consumption space.

Analysis of the Determinants of Financial Inclusion in WAEMU Countries An Approach Based on a Fixed Effects Model

Papa Mamadou Sy — 2026-07-31

This research aims to analyze the determinants of financial inclusion in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) over the period 2012–2022. Using a panel-data, fixed-effects econometric approach, it identifies the key factors that promote or hinder access to financial services in this region. The results show that the geographical accessibility of services and the adaptation of products to the needs of the population are essential drivers of financial inclusion. Furthermore, the high cost of credit limits access to financing for vulnerable populations. These observations call for an integrated policy that combines infrastructure deployment, the development of digital solutions, and regulations governing financial costs to promote sustainable and equitable financial inclusion within WAEMU.

From Organizational Culture to Competitive Performance Integrating Market Orientation, Dynamic Capabilities, and Organizational Learning

Abozar Mohammadi — 2026-07-31

Organizations increasingly operate in environments characterized by rapid technological change, intense competition, and evolving customer expectations. In response, scholars have emphasized the importance of intangible organizational resources and capabilities that enable firms to achieve and sustain superior performance. While prior studies have independently examined the roles of organizational culture, market orientation, organizational learning, and dynamic capabilities, limited attention has been devoted to understanding how these factors interact within an integrated framework to drive multidimensional competitive performance, including operational effectiveness, innovation capability, market responsiveness, and strategic success. This conceptual paper addresses this gap by proposing a sequential framework that links organizational culture to competitive performance through the development of market orientation, organizational learning, and dynamic capabilities. The proposed framework advances existing literature by integrating four major streams of research into a coherent model and offering eight propositions for future empirical testing. The paper contributes to theory by clarifying the mechanisms through which intangible organizational resources translate into competitive outcomes and provides practical guidance for managers seeking to enhance organizational adaptability, innovation, and long-term performance in dynamic business environments.

Does FinTech Promote or Hinder Climate Action? Evidence from Asian Countries

Serkan Eryılmaz — 2026-07-31

This study examines the effects of FinTech (FIN), institutional quality (IQ), and renewable energy consumption (REC) on climate action (SDG13) in five major Asian economies (China, India, Indonesia, South Korea, and Japan) over the period 2012–2024. Given the growing role of digital finance in sustainable development, the study investigates whether FinTech acts as a driver or a barrier to climate action. The empirical analysis employs the Augmented Mean Group (AMG) estimator, and the findings are validated using the Common Correlated Effects Mean Group (CCEMG) estimator. The results reveal that the impact of FIN on SDG13 is heterogeneous across countries. FIN significantly hinders progress toward SDG13 in China and India, while it promotes SDG13 in South Korea and Japan. No significant effect is found for Indonesia. In contrast, REC consistently enhances climate action across all countries. IQ also exerts a positive and significant effect in all countries except Japan. Overall, the findings suggest that FIN alone is insufficient to advance climate action, its environmental benefits depend on the quality of institutions and the transition toward renewable energy.