The Big Five model in rural Southeast Asia: Validation, stability, and its role in household income*

Objective: We investigate the applicability of the Big Five model in rural Southeast Asia and thereby challenge recent concerns about the validity of the model in developing countries. Method: We use a novel data set on personality traits from rural Thailand and Vietnam (N = 3811 individuals). In our analysis, we (i) assess the factor structure of the data, (ii) test the internal consistency of the items, (iii) compare the traits across two consecutive survey waves, and (iv) employ regressions to demonstrate the economic relevance of the traits. Results: The results demonstrate a five-factor structure that fits the Big Five model. We observe changes in personality traits over time but Cohen's d coefficients only range between 0.06 and 0.21. The average rank-order stability, measured by the test–retest correlation of the Big Five between the two consecutive waves, lies at 0.21. Individual changes in personality traits over time relate to experienced shocks and appear to be largely independent of age, gender, and education. We further find that openness and emotional stability positively correlate with rural incomes. Conclusions: While there is skepticism, pertaining to the use of personality trait models in developing countries, our study demonstrates that their importance and usage cannot be rejected

Essays on decision-making in migration, labour market and consumption in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia has been experiencing unprecedented economic growth propelled by thriving production and service sectors, rapid urbanization, extensive digitalization, and a growing young population. However, issues such as regional disparities in economic and social indicators cannot be ignored. For instance, while urban areas enjoy new-found opportunities, their rural counterparts lag behind. Frequent natural disasters and natural resource degradation due to illegal logging and over exploitation have added further pressure on the rural poor. Additionally, the effects of the recent economic slowdown due to COVID-19 have also trickled to the rural areas. Forced unemployment of rural migrants in the cities, increased financial instability and weaker agricultural supply chains have aggravated their vulnerability to poverty. The region is at a crucial crossroad – facing challenges that need to be addressed, but also opportunities that herald a better future for individuals and the countries alike. Against this background, the overall objective of this thesis is to provide a better understanding of decision-making, especially amongst rural populations in Thailand and Vietnam. In particular, the thesis investigates (i) who is an internal migrant, (ii) how do environmental shocks impact migration decisions, (iii) what predicts the duration of stay of migrants in the city and their migration intensity, (iv) what are the determinants and motivations behind migrant remittances, (v) can the Big Five Model of personality traits be validated in rural Southeast Asia, (vi) what role do non-cognitive skills play in occupational outcomes, (vii) what determines internet usage amongst migrants, and, (viii) how are food consumption patterns changing in Vietnam and what are its environmental effects

Analisis Visualisasi Nabi Muhammad dalam Ilustrasi Buku Anak Islami di Indonesia Tahun 2012-2021

The development of the visualization of the Prophet Muhammad in Islamic children's illustration books published in Indonesia from 2012 to 2021 is interesting to analyze with various creative solutions from illustrators who continue to apply Islamic law in introducing these important Muslim figures from an early age. The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze by design the development of the visualization of the Prophet Muhammad in Islamic children's illustration books published in Indonesia from 2012 to 2021. The research method used is descriptive, with a qualitative approach. The data collected was analyzed, until finally it can be concluded that all illustrators visualize Him in illustrations of green, yellow, and white light with the word “Muhammad” in Arabic at the center.Perkembangan visualisasi Nabi Muhammad di buku ilustrasi anak Islami yang terbit di Indonesia dari tahun 2012-2021 menarik untuk di analisis dengan berbagai solusi kreatif dari ilustrator yang tetap menerapkan hukum Islam dalam mengenalkan tokoh penting Umat Muslim tersebut sejak usia dini. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengetahui dan menganalisis secara desain atas perkembangan visualisasi Nabi Muhammad dalam buku ilustrasi anak Islami yang terbit di Indonesia dari tahun 2012-2021. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah deskriptif, dengan jenis pendekatan kualitatif. Data yang terkumpul dianalisis dan ditelaah, hingga akhirnya mendapati kesimpulan bahwa hampir semua ilustrator memvisualisasikan Beliau ke dalam ilustrasi sederhana dari cahaya berwarna hijau, kuning, maupun putih dan pada bagian tengahnya dilengkapi dengan tulisan “Muhammad” dalam Bahasa Arab

Staying in the cities or returning home? An analysis of the rural-urban migration behavior in Vietnam

Abstract This paper investigates the migration behavior of rural-urban migrants within Vietnam. It focuses on the length and intensity of migration and its respective determinants. The analysis uses panel data of 2200 rural households and data from a migrant tracking survey of 299 migrants from Vietnam. The findings show that migrants coming from rural households that faced a higher number of idiosyncratic shocks increase their stays in the cities, while those from households that experienced covariate shocks such as floods, droughts, or economic shocks shorten the lengths of their stays in the cities. An increased length of migration is also observed among migrants and households with higher human capital. Furthermore, a decreased income gap between rural and urban provinces due to the higher economic growth in the cities increases the duration of migration. With respect to the migration intensity, migrants intend to return sooner when they face shocks in the cities and the living conditions at their original places improve. JEL Classification: D13, J28, J61, O15, O18, Z1

Changing consumption patterns-drivers and the environmental impact

Economic growth coupled with population increase and globalization have engendered structural changes in consumption patterns around the world. Contingent on their composition, these changes can be demanding on natural resources and pose unsustainable challenges for the environment. The paper aims to provide a general framework to assess the link between changing consumption patterns and their environmental impact by focusing on the rising beef demand in Vietnam. It draws from secondary literature and data to find that the increased beef demand in Vietnam is mostly met domestically, but there is a major dependency on imports. Within Vietnam, the rising demand has contributed substantially to the carbon footprint and land use and raised waste disposal concerns. To understand the impact of Vietnamese beef demand at the global level, the paper looks at Australia. Carbon footprint and land use are estimated to provide a perspective on the plausible scale of environmental damage that can be ensued in the future. Changes in consumption patterns are an integral part of our world and will play a significant role in determining the sustainable future of our planet. Therefore, it is important to attain a better understanding of the theme and its possible impact on the environment

Changing Livelihoods in Rural Cambodia: Evidence from panel household data in Stung Treng

Analysis of livelihood strategies can aid to understand and resolve problems associated with vulnerability to poverty and food security. This paper aims to identify and describe the changes in rural livelihood activities by using household data for 2013 and 2014 collected in Stung Treng, Cambodia. We use the same variables and estimate different clusters for both the years. The paper concludes that despite the lag of only one year, there are noticeable changes in livelihood strategies. Firstly, we find a group of transition farmers in 2014 that is composed of households that are witnessing a shift towards commercialization. They invest and consume more than subsistence farmers. Secondly, there is a greater diversification in activities amongst the groups. Most households practice multiple activities. Lastly, with regards to self-employment, there has been a shift from agriculture and the production sector to services and crafts. All of the above changes can be deemed as positive as there is a gradual movement away from more vulnerable sectors. Accordingly, households that participate in livelihood activities related to agriculture and natural resource extraction are most affected by shocks and face the highest vulnerability to poverty. The paper additionally highlights some concerns such as a decline in availability of extracted products such as the fish stock which are expected to negatively impact on these more vulnerable rural households in the medium and longer term. Furthermore, the state of education is dismal and needs attention. Therefore, policy makers need to consider these issues while addressing rural poverty

Innovations to Overcome the Increasingly Complex Problems of Hunger

Hunger has become ever more complex, and therefore efforts to sustainably eradicate hunger and malnutrition depend on policies and programs that match these complexities. Innovations are critical for progress. However, they require increased public and private investments as well. Key elements of inclusive policies and partnerships are agricultural development in the hunger-affected rural areas and communities to improve productivity will remain a Major part of solutions. Farmers’ own innovation capacities need strengthening. Investment in Food and agricultural research and development (R&D) is an important tool for broad-based innovation, for instance, related to improved seeds. Digital technology is a game changer for food and nutrition security. Innovations for improved market functioning and avoidance of price shocks require information and early warning systems, as well as better preparedness with improved trade and food reserves policies. The environmental and climate change aspects of agricultural and land and water use change need more attention for sustainable hunger reduction. More attention to innovative social protection and direct nutrition intervention programs is needed, including addressing the micronutrient deficiencies in rural and urban areas. Hunger in complex emergencies needs to bring together development policy with diplomacy and security policy. Innovation initiatives like any development Investments must follow principles of good governance, achieving investment at low transaction costs, sound financial practices, and avoidance of diversions of funds