Characterizing social networks and their effects on income diversification in rural Kerala, India

Files

IDL-56513.pdf (3.3 MB)

Date

2017

Authors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier

Abstract

Social context is an important determinant of income diversification. In India, caste and ethnicity provide the basis for multi-functional social networks. This paper considers the effects of intra-village social networks on household income diversification in one of the poorest and most ethnically diverse areas of Kerala, India. Using techniques adapted from spatial econometrics, findings show that average diversification of a household’s social network has a positive effect on its income diversification by a factor of 3.6. Results of the study suggest that social stratification in villages with higher levels of stratification are associated with lower levels of income diversification.

Description

Keywords

SOCIAL NETWORKS, INCOME DIVERSIFICATION, RURAL, NETWORK EFFECTS, NETWORK CENTRALITY, SOCIAL STRATIFICATION, INDIA, KERALA, SOUTH ASIA, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, KINSHIP, CONNECTIVITY, ETHNIC MINORITIES, INCOME GENERATION

Citation

Johny, J., Wichmann, B., & Swallow, B. M. (2017). Characterizing social networks and their effects on income diversification in rural Kerala, India. World Development, 94, 375-392. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2017.02.002

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10625/56513

DOI

Collections

IDRC Research Results / Résultats de recherches du CRDI
2010-2019 / Années 2010-2019
Research Results (CIFSRF) / Résultats de recherches (FCRSAI)