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1 – 10 of over 7000Shreya Lahiri and Shreya Biswas
The study aims to empirically analyze whether financial literacy can improve the financial behavior of individuals in the context of emerging markets like India.
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to empirically analyze whether financial literacy can improve the financial behavior of individuals in the context of emerging markets like India.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use the nationally representative Financial Inclusion Insights survey conducted in India during 2018 for the analysis. The authors consider the financial literacy score based on the standard financial literacy quiz that includes understanding basic numeracy, interest rates, inflation and diversification concepts to study its effect on payment attitude, savings attitude and risk management behavior proxied by insurance uptake. Using an instrumental variable approach, the authors account for the possible endogeneity associated with the financial literacy variable.
Findings
The authors find that less than 9% of individuals have correctly answered questions capturing all four aspects of financial literacy. The analysis suggests that improvements in financial literacy scores indeed increases the likelihood of exhibiting superior financial behavior. The results are robust to alternative definitions of financial literacy, outcome variables and inclusion of additional controls. The authors find that financial literacy increases financial planning, and this, in turn, possibly improves financial behavior. The effects are prominent for those residing in the urban area and having confidence in their financial skills.
Originality/value
This is among the few studies that provide insights regarding how improvements in financial literacy can improve financial behavior in an emerging economy context. Moreover, this study highlights financial planning as a possible channel through which financial literacy affects financial behavior. Further, the heterogeneous effects based on the area of residence and own ability underscore the need for complementary policies.
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Ronald Kuntze, Chen (Ken) Wu, Barbara Ross Wooldridge and Yun-Oh Whang
The purpose of this paper is to develop and test through an experiment, an innovative online video teaching module that significantly improves financial literacy in college of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop and test through an experiment, an innovative online video teaching module that significantly improves financial literacy in college of business students. Specific business major financial literacy levels are also tested.
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 244 college of business students were given a financial literacy test. Half of the students were exposed to the “treatment” (watched a video module), while other half were not. The videos comprised 67 min of micro-lectures that students could download, free of charge, at their own convenience. The researchers analyzed the impact of a previous personal finance course on students’ financial literacy levels and tested across four business majors.
Findings
The video intervention was the most successful at increasing financial literacy, surprisingly more so than having taken a past personal finance course. Interaction effects were not significant. Four college majors were tested with a shorter, improved financial literacy measure – finding, to our surprise that non-quantitative business majors (particularly marketing students) are not less financially literate than other majors. Supporting past research, the authors found that female and African-American college students performed significantly lower on the test.
Originality/value
The research adds value to the literature by developing and testing a modern, novel teaching innovation to improve financial literacy in young adults. Using an experimental setting, the authors showed that the innovation was more effective than the commonly proscribed personal finance course. This is one of the few studies to measure financial literacy levels for specific college of business majors.
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Hussein A. Hassan Al‐Tamimi and Al Anood Bin Kalli
The purpose of this paper is to assess the financial literacy of the UAE individual investors who invest in the local financial markets. In addition, it examines the relationship…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the financial literacy of the UAE individual investors who invest in the local financial markets. In addition, it examines the relationship between financial literacy and the influence of the factors that affect the investment decision.
Design/methodology/approach
A modified questionnaire has been developed divided into three parts. The first part covers demographic variables. The second part identifies 37 factors affecting the investment decision of the UAE investors. The third part is devoted to financial literacy using exam‐type questions of true or false and includes 18 questions. A convenient sample of 290 of UAE national investors is used.
Findings
The results indicate that the financial literacy of UAE investors is far from the needed level. The financial literacy level is found to be affected by income level, education level, and workplace activity. High‐income respondents hold high educational degrees, and those who work in the field of finance/banking or investment had as expected a higher financial literacy level than others. Whereas, financial illiteracy exists regardless of the age of the respondents. A significant difference in the level of financial literacy was found as well between the respondents according to their gender. Specifically, women have a lower level of financial literacy than men. Finally, the results indicate that there is a significant relationship between financial literacy and investment decisions. The most influencing factor that affects the investment decision is religious reasons and the least affecting factor is rumors.
Originality/value
The current study is considered the first of its kind conducted on the UAE. To the best of our knowledge, no such studies have been conducted regarding measuring financial literacy in the UAE or the relation between financial literacy level and the factors that influence the investment decisions.
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Stephen Korutaro Nkundabanyanga, Denis Kasozi, Irene Nalukenge and Venancio Tauringana
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between commercial bank lending terms, financial literacy and access to formal credit by small and medium enterprises…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between commercial bank lending terms, financial literacy and access to formal credit by small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Design/methodology/approach
In this cross-sectional study, the authors surveyed 384 business owners or managers of SMEs in Uganda. The authors applied confirmatory factor analysis to reduce the number of factors and identify the important elements that capture commercial lending terms, financial literacy and access to formal credit. The authors put forward and tested two hypotheses relating to the significance of the relationship between perceived commercial bank lending terms, financial literacy and access to formal credit using structural equation modelling with analysis of moment structures 18.
Findings
The results suggest a positive and significant relationship between perceived commercial bank lending terms, financial literacy and access to formal credit. Moreover, the ANOVA results serendipitously show that access to formal credit varies with type of business and turnover. However, collateral and loan repayment periods are not observed variables for commercial bank lending terms. The most significant observed variable for commercial bank lending terms is interest rates. This, together with financial literacy, explains 31 per cent of the variances in access to formal credit by SMEs in Uganda.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited to the SME firms registered and operating in Kampala, Uganda and it is possible that the results are only applicable to these firms in Uganda. Nevertheless, the findings have implications to commercial banks wishing to improve the turnover of their micro-lending schemes.
Practical implications
Efforts by the stakeholders to improve financial literacy of SMEs owners and managers must be matched with favourable interest rates if access to formal credit is to be enhanced.
Social implications
The findings also have implications for governments aiming at improving access to finance to overcome income inequality problems, and also improve their growth.
Originality/value
The results provide initial evidence of the aggregate explanatory power of interest rates and financial literacy for the criterion variable, access to formal credit by SMEs.
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This study aims to provide evidence on the importance of parental financial heads in the family in promoting students' financial literacy levels and budgeting habits.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to provide evidence on the importance of parental financial heads in the family in promoting students' financial literacy levels and budgeting habits.
Design/methodology/approach
Using survey data on 730 college students in Vietnam, this study investigated the relationship between parental financial heads, students' financial literacy and budgeting habits. Multiple regression and logit function are the primary approaches in the study.
Findings
This study found a positive association between parental head roles and students' financial literacy and budgeting habits after controlling for demographics. Students whose parents are primarily responsible for financial decisions in the family perform higher in financial literacy and make a budget more frequently. The results are robust to alternative approaches.
Practical implications
This study’s results help parents, especially mothers who are often more vulnerable in the family, better understand the important role of being the financial deciders in the family and how this can increase their children's financial literacy and help their children manage money more effectively.
Originality/value
This is the first study to address the importance of parents' head roles in enhancing students' financial literacy and budgeting behaviour.
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Shulin Xu, Syed Tauseef Ali, Zhen Yang and Yunfeng Li
China's New Rural Pension Program (NRPP) has been implemented for a decade, but the factors that facilitate rural residents' participation have received little attention. This…
Abstract
Purpose
China's New Rural Pension Program (NRPP) has been implemented for a decade, but the factors that facilitate rural residents' participation have received little attention. This study aims to investigate whether financial literacy has an influence on rural residents' behavior of participation in the NRPP. In particular, this study further verifies if high financial literacy is important and whether financial education can enhance the impact of financial literacy on current, long-term and dynamic pension decisions of rural households.
Design/methodology/approach
This study investigates the impact of financial literacy on rural residents' participation in China's NRPP using the China Household Financial Survey (CHFS) Data of 2015 and 2017. This study constructs an analytical framework for current, long-term and dynamic impacts and comprehensively analyzes the value of financial literacy in the decision making of the NRPP. This study uses the instrumental variable method to solve the possible endogeneity problem. In addition, the authors also demonstrate the positive role of high financial literacy in household pension decisions. Further analysis reveals gender and regional heterogeneity in the impact of financial literacy on pension decisions. The moderating effect model explores whether financial education has a significant moderating effect on financial literacy and pension decision making of the NRPP.
Findings
Financial literacy can improve the participation behavior of households in rural areas (dynamic effect) and promote their current and long-term participation in the NRPP, choosing a higher pension contribution level in the NRPP. However, financial literacy has no significant effect on the change in the contribution amount of the NRPP. Further research finds that high financial literacy has comparative advantages in household pension decision making in rural areas. There are gender and regional differences in the impact of financial literacy on pension decisions. In addition, effective financial literacy education enhances the current, long-term and dynamic impacts of residents' financial literacy on NRPP participation and pension contributions.
Practical implications
This study comprehensively considers the impact of financial literacy on pension decision making behavior from three aspects: current, long-term and dynamic, making up for the dearth in the existing literature that only focuses on the impact of financial literacy on current financial behaviors and bridging the gap between the theoretical framework and experimental results. Our study proposes new policy implications: (1) Governments and financial institutions should pay attention to financial literacy and education levels in rural areas and carry out financial education and training programs to increase social welfare levels by increasing rural residents' participation and pension contribution. (2) The community can strengthen the policy advocacy of the NRPP and make people develop a stronger sense of trust toward it. The government can also subsidize individual accounts through financial support.
Originality/value
This study comprehensively considers the impact of financial literacy on pension decision-making behavior from three aspects: current, long-term and dynamic, making up for the dearth in the existing literature that only focuses on the impact of financial literacy on current financial behaviors and bridging the gap between the theoretical framework and experimental results. Our study proposes new policy implications: (1) Governments and financial institutions should pay attention to financial literacy and education levels in rural areas and carry out financial education and training programs to increase social welfare levels by increasing rural residents' participation and pension contribution. (2) The community can strengthen the policy advocacy of the NRPP and make people develop a stronger sense of trust toward it. The government can also subsidize individual accounts through financial support.
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Vera Intanie Dewi and Leo Indra Wardhana
This study investigates the relationship between financial literacy, that is, financial knowledge and financial skills, and market discipline, with financial behavior as the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the relationship between financial literacy, that is, financial knowledge and financial skills, and market discipline, with financial behavior as the mediating variable. The study uses data from Indonesian depositors in commercial banks to estimate the relationship between the variables.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applied an explanatory method with a quantitative approach by surveying 343 Indonesian commercial bank depositors, in both public and private banks. The responses were collected using the purposive sampling technique. This study applied structural equation modeling (SEM) using AMOS software to analyze the data and then to estimate the relationships between financial literacy and market discipline.
Findings
This study shows that financial knowledge, financial skills, and financial behavior can improve market discipline. This study also provides empirical evidence that financial behavior has a mediation effect on the relationship between financial skills and financial knowledge to the market discipline.
Research limitations/implications
The results show that all financial literacy latent variables have a significant positive effect on market discipline. Financial behavior has a mediation effect on the relationship of financial skills and financial knowledge with market discipline. Depositors with good knowledge of financial products and services, who are skillful in managing their money and who demonstrate good financial behavior can effectively discipline the market. They will punish imprudent banking by actions such as the withdrawal of their funds. Financial literacy significantly enhances market discipline.
Practical implications
This study provides recommendations for regulators, practitioners, academics, and depositors, that is, the actors in the financial industry, on the need to empower consumers with financial literacy, while also promoting market discipline to recognize the importance of these two aspects for the sustainability of financial stability.
Originality/value
This study provides empirical evidence for the market discipline literature, using a behavioral approach, namely, the action of withdrawal of funds. The study then estimates the relationship between financial literacy, that is, financial knowledge and financial skills, and market discipline, with financial behavior as the mediating variable.
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Alhassan Abdul-Wakeel Karakara, Joshua Sebu and Isaac Dasmani
Personal financial stress-free living is desired by many, which dwells on sound financial literacy (including financial behaviour, financial knowledge and financial attitude)…
Abstract
Purpose
Personal financial stress-free living is desired by many, which dwells on sound financial literacy (including financial behaviour, financial knowledge and financial attitude). Many individuals do not make optimal savings and investment decisions. The realisation that these choices may well lead to low living standards has also increased economic anxiety, especially in Sub-Sahara African countries, including Ghana. Thus, this study underscores the link between financial literacy and financial distress in Ghana. It establishes whether persons that are financially literate escape financial distress in their life.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper engages nationally representative survey data and adopts a positivist research approach with logistic regression analysis to establish the likelihood of financial literate persons experiencing financial distress.
Findings
This study establishes that financially literate individuals are 2.4% less likely to experience financial distress. Socioeconomic characteristics greatly influence the probability of one experiencing financial hardship. It submits that policy can be directed towards improving financial habits (financial literacy) to enhance individuals' financial behaviour to lessen personal financial distress.
Originality/value
Not much attention has been paid to whether financial literacy has a nexus with financial distress. Few studies (not on Sub-Saharan Africa) that have looked at this are done, neglecting a sensitivity analysis of socioeconomic characteristics in establishing the relations. However, this current study dwells on econometric analysis to establish the margin or extend to which a financially literate person may or may not escape financial distress given his/her socioeconomic characteristics.
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Lufthia Sevriana, Erie Febrian, Mokhamad Anwar and Yudi Ahmad Faisal
In Indonesia, the Islamic Economics and Finance Sector is growing rapidly, but the literature on Islamic financial literacy is still minimal. This study aims to show research…
Abstract
Purpose
In Indonesia, the Islamic Economics and Finance Sector is growing rapidly, but the literature on Islamic financial literacy is still minimal. This study aims to show research opportunities with the theme of Islamic financial literacy, especially inclusive Islamic financial planning through bibliometric analysis of Scopus and connected papers.
Design/methodology/approach
A comma separated value (CSV) file containing more than 2,000 references meta data was used for analysis on Vos Viewer in the period of 1963–2020. The grouping of network visualization maps is done using six keywords, namely, “Financial Literacy,” “Financial Inclusion,” “Islamic Financial Literacy,” “Financial Planning,” “Personal Finance” and “Household Finance.”
Findings
The findings complement the keywords that are generally used as references in the formation of theories regarding inclusive Islamic financial planning. After combining the “ris” file from the connected paper, the most used terms are financial knowledge, financial education, financial behavior, financial decision-making process, financial inclusion, risk sharing and financial discourse.
Originality/value
The proportion which planned to be applied in Indonesia will differentiate the inclusive Islamic financial planning framework from what has been done before. This study outlines the basis of the relevant literature review in the theme of Islamic financial literacy research, especially inclusive Islamic financial planning.
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Samet Hacilar, Ayhan Kapusuzoglu and Nildag Basak Ceylan
The main purpose of this study is to measure financial literacy of individual pension system customers in Ankara and to find out factors affecting financial literacy while…
Abstract
The main purpose of this study is to measure financial literacy of individual pension system customers in Ankara and to find out factors affecting financial literacy while acquiring additional information on financial decisions of individual pension system customers. The results show that the self-financial knowledge evaluation of individual pension system customers and their financial literacy are not compatible. Besides, the financial literacy levels of the customers who make their investment themselves and customers who leave investment decision to the individual pension system company are found not to be statistically significant although self-investors believe they have higher financial knowledge. In addition to this, the effects of financial literacy level in terms of renewable energy investments are also evaluated. Individuals with an increasing level of financial literacy may turn to renewable energy sources and investments because of their low-cost and high-return potential.
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