Does financial inclusion promote sustainable livelihood development? Mediating effect of microentrepreneurship
Journal of Financial Economic Policy
ISSN: 1757-6385
Article publication date: 28 August 2023
Issue publication date: 11 October 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the impact of financial inclusion in promoting sustainable livelihood among indigenous women entrepreneurs. Moreover, the study has also examined the mediating role of microentrepreneurship between financial inclusion and sustainable livelihood.
Design/methodology/approach
Structure equation modeling has been used to analyze the mediating effect of microentrepreneurship between financial inclusion and sustainable livelihood development. In total, 598 samples of indigenous women across the Sundargarh and Mayurbhanj districts in Odisha are used for the statistical data analysis in the study.
Findings
The results showed that financial inclusion has direct and indirect effect on promoting sustainable livelihood among indigenous women. The results also highlighted that microentrepreneurship significantly mediates the relationship between financial inclusion and sustainable livelihood.
Practical implications
The Government of India should formulate policies on financial inclusion by reviewing the findings of this study. In addition, to increase the base of microenterprises and the achievement of sustainable livelihood in rural regions, more focus should be given toward the promotion of inclusive finance among indigenous women in India.
Originality/value
The present idea has not been discussed or explored earlier among the indigenous communities in the Indian context. So, the study will benefit the marginalized groups of women in promoting their livelihood sustainably.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the journal’s Editor-in-Chief Prof Franklin Mixon, editorial team and anonymous reviewers for their invaluable suggestions and comments on this paper. This paper is financially supported by the National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC), A Govt. of India Undertaking, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
Citation
Mahato, J. and Jha, M.K. (2023), "Does financial inclusion promote sustainable livelihood development? Mediating effect of microentrepreneurship", Journal of Financial Economic Policy, Vol. 15 No. 4/5, pp. 485-499. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFEP-05-2023-0134
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited