Journal of Economic Insights and Research (JEIR)
The Journal of Economic Insights and Research (JEIR) is a scholarly publication dedicated to advancing the understanding of economic phenomena through high-quality, original research. The journal aims to promote scholarly articles by providing a platform for both empirical and theoretical contributions that offer additional insights into contemporary economic issues. By encouraging rigorous research and fostering academic discourse, the journal seeks to contribute to the broader field of economics and inform policy-making processes. The journal offers a prestigious platform for researchers to publish their work, gain recognition, and contribute to the academic community. It provides opportunities for networking, collaboration, and staying updated with the latest research trends and developments in economics. This journal adheres to the policies and ethical standards prescribed by the UGC-CARE. By disseminating high-quality research, the journal helps inform policymakers, educators, and the public about important economic issues. This can lead to better-informed decisions, improved economic policies, and a deeper understanding of the economic challenges and opportunities facing society Title Journal of Economic Insights and Research (JEIR) Frequency Quarterly ISSN 3107-9482(ONLINE) Publisher Eduschool Academic Research and Publishers Chief Editor Dr. Sinitha Xavier Copyright Eduschool Academic Research and Publishers Starting Year 2025 Subject Economics Language English Publication Format Online Phone No 0484-2929383 Email Id info@eduresearchpublication.com, ex_editor@eduresearchpublication.com Website www.eduresearchpublication.com Address Eduschool Academic Research and Publishers Airport Road, Nayathode Kavala, Angamaly -72, Kerala, India
Eduschool Academic Research and Publishers
The forthcoming issue of the Journal of Economic Insights and Research (JEIR) brings together a collection of rigorously researched and policy-relevant studies that address some of the most pressing economic transformations of our time. Spanning themes of technological disruption, financial systems, climate policy, monetary innovation, and labor market restructuring, this issue reflects the dynamic and interconnected nature of contemporary global economies. A central theme emerging from this volume is the profound restructuring of labor markets under technological change. The article on artificial intelligence and labor market transformation provides a nuanced, cross-country empirical assessment of AI adoption across OECD economies. By examining employment shifts, wage inequality, and the mediating role of active labor market policies, the study advances the understanding of skill-biased technological change in the era of generative AI. It highlights both productivity gains and distributional tensions, underscoring the necessity of coordinated policy responses in education, social protection, and workforce development.
Copyright (c) 2026 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
The Gig Economy and Labor Market Restructuring: Platform Work, Worker Classification, and the Future of Employment Relations
This study examines the growth, characteristics, and labor market implications of platform mediated gig work across 24 OECD countries from 2015 to 2025. Using administrative data, labor force surveys, and platform transaction records, we document that gig work has grown to represent 4.2% of total employment and 12.8% of labor income for participants. We find substantial heterogeneity in worker experiences: approximately 35% of gig workers use platforms as primary income sources with limited alternative opportunities, while 65% engage in platform work as supplementary income alongside traditional employment or education. Earnings analysis reveals that median hourly compensation after accounting for expenses and unpaid time averages $14.20, approximately 22% below comparable traditional employment, though top decile earners achieve premium wages. Worker classification reforms significantly affect platform labor markets: jurisdictions implementing employee classification requirements experience 18% reductions in platform labor supply but 31% increases in hourly compensation for remaining workers. Social protection gaps remain substantial, with only 23% of gig workers reporting access to employer provided health insurance and 12% participating in retirement savings programs. The findings suggest that gig economy expansion reflects both genuine labor market innovation enabling flexibility and cost shifting from firms to workers that policy intervention may appropriately address.
Central Bank Digital Currencies and Monetary Policy Transmission: Evidence from Global Pilot Programs and Early Implementations
This study examines the effects of Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) implementation on monetary policy transmission and financial inclusion using data from 23 pilot programs and 8 full scale implementations spanning 2020 to 2025. Employing synthetic control methods and event study analysis, we assess whether CBDCs enhance monetary policy effectiveness and expand access to financial services. Our findings indicate that retail CBDCs modestly improve interest rate pass through from policy rates to deposit rates, with transmission coefficients increasing by 12% in jurisdictions with active CBDC programs. Financial inclusion effects are substantial in emerging economies, where CBDC adoption is associated with a 7.3 percentage point increase in formal financial account ownership among previously unbanked populations. However, we find evidence of bank deposit outflows averaging 3.2% in the first year following CBDC introduction, raising concerns about financial stability and bank funding costs. Design features matter considerably: interest bearing CBDCs with holding limits demonstrate superior monetary transmission properties while mitigating disintermediation risks. The results suggest that CBDCs represent a potentially valuable addition to the monetary policy toolkit, though successful implementation requires careful attention to design choices balancing multiple policy objectives.
Carbon Pricing and Economic Performance: A Comparative Analysis of Emissions Trading Systems and Carbon Taxes Across Major Economies
This study conducts a comprehensive comparative analysis of carbon pricing mechanisms across 47 jurisdictions implementing either emissions trading systems or carbon taxes during the period 2015 to 2025. Employing synthetic control methods and difference in differences estimation, we assess the effectiveness of these instruments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while evaluating their economic consequences for output, employment, and competitiveness. Our findings indicate that carbon pricing at current levels achieves meaningful emissions reductions averaging 8.2% relative to counterfactual trajectories, with no statistically significant negative effects on aggregate GDP growth. Emissions trading systems demonstrate greater emissions reduction effectiveness (9.7% versus 6.4% for carbon taxes) but exhibit higher price volatility and administrative complexity. Carbon taxes provide more stable price signals and raise greater government revenue per ton of emissions reduced. Revenue recycling mechanisms significantly moderate economic impacts, with jurisdictions returning carbon revenues through dividend payments or tax reductions experiencing employment gains of 0.4% compared to those using revenues for general spending. The results support the economic viability of carbon pricing as a climate policy instrument while highlighting the importance of complementary policies addressing competitiveness concerns and distributional impacts.
The Debt Trap Paradox: How Financial Inclusion Exacerbates Poverty in Developing Economies
Prevailing development orthodoxy holds that expanding financial inclusion is a reliable pathway to poverty reduction. This paper challenges that assumption. Analyzing panel data from 38 developing countries over 2015–2024, we find that a 10% increase in formal financial inclusion is associated with a 1.8% increase in household debt distress and no statistically significant reduction in extreme poverty once we control for digital infrastructure quality, labor market conditions, and pre-existing informal financial networks. Our instrumental variable estimates suggest that the causal effect of financial inclusion on poverty is near zero and, in the poorest quartile of countries, marginally positive (i.e., poverty-increasing). We identify three mechanisms driving this paradox: consumer debt traps from unregulated digital lending, displacement of effective informal risk-sharing networks, and extraction of savings through high-fee formal financial products. These findings directly contradict the optimistic consensus-exemplified by studies reporting that financial inclusion reduces extreme poverty by over 2%-and call for a fundamental reorientation of development policy away from inclusion-first strategies toward regulation-first and capability-first frameworks.
Copyright (c) 2026 Shripathi Kalluraya (Author) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Artificial Intelligence and Labor Market Transformation: Employment Effects, Wage Inequality, and Policy Responses in the Era of Generative AI
This study examines the employment and wage effects of artificial intelligence adoption across 38 OECD countries from 2019 to 2025, a period encompassing the transformative emergence of generative AI technologies. Using a comprehensive AI Adoption Index constructed from enterprise investment data, patent filings, and workforce surveys, we employ instrumental variable estimation to identify causal labor market effects. Our findings indicate that a one standard deviation increase in AI adoption is associated with a 2.3% reduction in employment in routine cognitive occupations but a 1.8% increase in employment requiring complex problem solving and interpersonal skills. Wage effects exhibit substantial heterogeneity: workers in the top income quintile experience wage gains of 3.8%, while middle quintile workers face modest declines of 1.4%. We find that countries with robust active labor market policies and portable benefits systems demonstrate significantly smoother workforce transitions. The results suggest that AI represents a skill biased and task displacing technological change requiring coordinated policy responses encompassing education reform, social protection modernization, and strategic public investment in complementary human capital formation.
The Journal of Economics Insights and Research is pleased to present its upcoming issue, which brings together a diverse set of empirical investigations addressing some of the most pressing economic challenges facing developing and emerging economies today. The articles in this volume are grounded in rigorous data analysis, innovative econometric approaches, and policy-oriented perspectives, reflecting JEIR’s mission to advance evidence-based economic scholarship for global development.
Copyright (c) 2025 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Digital Financial Services and Economic Resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Mobile Money Adoption
This paper examines the relationship between digital financial services adoption and economic resilience across 28 Sub-Saharan African countries from 2010 to 2023. Using panel data analysis and difference-in-differences estimation exploiting staggered mobile money rollouts, we find that a 10 percentage point increase in mobile money adoption enhances household resilience to economic shocks by 18%, measured through consumption volatility and asset retention following adverse events. The effects are strongest in rural areas and among female-headed households, suggesting that digital financial services disproportionately benefit economically vulnerable populations. These findings have important implications for financial inclusion policies and development strategies in resource-constrained environments.
Gender Inequality and Economic Development: Evidence from Property Rights Reforms in India
This paper examines the causal relationship between women's property rights and economic development using staggered adoption of inheritance reforms across Indian states (1976-2005) as natural experiments. Exploiting within-state variation in reform timing and intensity, we find that equalizing daughters' inheritance rights increased women's educational attainment by 0.9 years, reduced child marriage by 26%, increased female labor force participation by 7.2 percentage points, and accelerated district-level GDP growth by 0.8% annually. The reforms generated these effects through increased bargaining power, human capital investment, entrepreneurship, and productivity gains. Our estimates suggest that eliminating gender gaps in property rights could increase Indian GDP by 12-18%, representing $420-630 billion in annual output.
Climate Change Impacts on Agricultural Productivity and Rural-Urban Migration in India
This paper examines how climate change-induced agricultural shocks affect migration decisions in India using district-level panel data from 640 districts across 28 states (2005-2024). Combining climate data with household surveys and migration records, we implement an instrumental variables approach where climate anomalies serve as exogenous productivity shocks. We find that each 1°C temperature increase above optimal growing season temperatures reduces agricultural yields by 8.7% and increases rural-urban migration by 4.2%. Rainfall variability intensifies these effects. Approximately 24 million people migrated due to climate-induced agricultural stress during our study period. We project that under moderate climate scenarios, climate-induced migration could reach 45-55 million in India by 2050, with significant implications for urban infrastructure, labor markets, and poverty dynamics.
Agricultural Productivity and Structural Transformation in India
This study examines the relationship between agricultural productivity growth and structural economic transformation across Indian states from 2000 to 2024. Using shift-share analysis and dynamic panel estimation, we find that agricultural productivity growth averaged 2.8% annually at the national level but varied substantially across states, ranging from 1.2% in Bihar to 5.4% in Gujarat. States achieving higher agricultural productivity growth experienced accelerated structural transformation with manufacturing and services sectors growing 2.3 times faster than in low-productivity states. We identify irrigation infrastructure, agricultural research investment, land tenure security, and market connectivity as primary determinants of productivity growth.
Financial Inclusion and Poverty Reduction in Developing Economies
This paper examines the relationship between financial inclusion and poverty reduction across 45 developing countries from 2015 to 2024. Using panel data analysis and instrumental variable estimation, we find that a 10% increase in financial inclusion correlates with a 2.3% reduction in extreme poverty rates. The effects are strongest when combined with digital infrastructure and financial literacy programs.
It is with great pleasure that we present the forthcoming issue of the Journal of Economics Insights and Research (JEIR), which brings together a diverse range of scholarly contributions examining critical intersections of environment, industry, migration, and rural transformation within the Indian economy. The articles featured in this issue reflect both pressing contemporary challenges and long-term structural shifts, providing empirical insights and conceptual reflections that are invaluable to researchers, policymakers, and practitioners alike.
Rural Economic Transformation in South Karnataka: An Analysis of Agricultural Diversification, Income Distribution, and Livelihood Patterns (2010-2023)
This study examines the rural economic transformation in South Karnataka, focusing on the districts of Bangalore Rural, Ramanagara, Mandya, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Hassan, and Chikmagalur from 2010-2023. Using comprehensive primary and secondary data, the research analyzes agricultural diversification patterns, income distribution changes, and evolving livelihood strategies among rural households. The study employs econometric analysis including Gini coefficient calculations, diversification indices, and regression modeling to assess economic transformation. Findings reveal significant shifts from traditional crops to high-value agriculture, with coffee and horticulture showing robust growth rates of 4.2% and 5.8% annually respectively. However, income inequality has widened with the Gini coefficient increasing from 0.42 to 0.51 during the study period. Non-farm employment has grown substantially, contributing 38% of total rural household income by 2023, up from 22% in 2010. The research provides evidence-based recommendations for inclusive rural development strategies that can address growing inequality while maintaining agricultural competitiveness.
Return Migration and Remittance Use in Reshaping Kerala's Rural Economy: An Analysis of Economic Transformation and Rural Development Patterns (1998-2023)
This study examines the association between return migration, remittance utilization, and Kerala's rural economic transformation from 1998 to 2023, utilizing data from nine rounds of the Kerala Migration Survey (KMS). Findings reveal that remittances increased from ₹13,652 crores in 1998 to ₹216,893 crores in 2023, representing 23.2% of the state's Net State Domestic Product (NSDP). Return migration reached 1.79 million individuals by 2023, with 38.3% increase from 2018, coinciding with COVID-19 economic disruptions. Remittance utilization patterns have shifted from consumption-oriented spending to productive investments, with 15.8% allocated to housing renovation, 14% to loan repayment, and 10% to education. Rural households with migration experience exhibit superior asset ownership, with emigrant households showing 39.7% motor car ownership compared to 23.7% among non-migrant households. The agricultural sector has transformed from traditional farming toward cash crop cultivation and service sector activities. These findings highlight the complex nature of migration-led development, offering economic benefits while creating challenges for sustainable rural development and agricultural productivity.
The Indian paint industry has experienced significant growth and transformation, propelled by urban sprawl and industrialisation, growing disposable revenue, real estate expansion, and infrastructural growth and expansion. This sector includes both decorative and industrial paint segments, catering to the needs of residential, commercial, automotive, construction, packaging, and manufacturing industries. Leading domestic and international paint companies compete on quality, variety, innovation, and eco-friendliness, introducing low-VOC paints to address environmental concerns. Regulatory compliance, digital integration for marketing and distribution, and a shift toward sustainable practices are shaping the industry's landscape.The purpose of this research is to assess the present situation of the paint industry in India and to draw conclusions about its role in the country's economy. The research focuses on three main objectives: To begin, we will examine the competitive landscape, major trends, and market dynamics to get a feel for the paint industry as a whole. The second objective of the research is to put a number on the industry's impact on the Indian economy in terms of things like export potential, job creation, and income. The study concludes by illuminating the paint industry's critical function in the building and automotive sectors. By delving into the industry's effects on form, function, and security, it highlights the industry's influence on these areas. With these goals met, the study sheds light on the many ways in which India's paint industry contributes to the country's economy and industry.
Internal Labour Migration and Economic Sustainability in India
Purpose: Economic sustainability denotes practices that foster enduring the growth of the economy while preserving the societal, ecological, and cultural dimensions of community life. Kerala has experienced a significant influx of migrant laborers from diverse regions of India in the past several years. Kerala presents an appealing marketplace for external workers due to elevated wages, abundant possibilities for work, and a deficiency of resident workers. This article's objective is to examine the labor market in Kerala and the effects of temporary migrant workers on the economic health of the state. Additionally, we examined how migration raises the societal and financial situation of migrants and how domestic labor flow can lead to financial stability. Design/Methodology/Approach: This research, which relies on secondary sources of information, used descriptive research methods. Public and private organizations' websites, as well as scholarly publications, daily newspapers, and journals publications, are sources of secondary data. Originality/Value: The study will facilitate the evaluation of the socio-economic advancement of migrant workers resulting from migration by examining the liquidity of migrant workers, workforce participation rate, labor population ratio, and the rate of pay. Findings: Recruiting migrants helps to regulate the workforce availability in these fields and avert ambiguities resulting from manufacturing and unoccupied positions. When it comes to industries that require labor, the monetary advantages of migration are especially noticeable. Migrants also fix marketplace breakdowns caused by ambiguity regarding manufacturing output. The study concludes that businesses are more likely to hire migrant workers to fill untrained open positions when they experience manufacturing hours lost due to job delays and halts.
Indian Construction Sector: Post COVID Scenario
The COVID-19 outbreak has had a devastating effect on India's construction industry, causing many problems and setbacks. Examining the industry from multiple angles, including social, economic, and environmental concerns, this paper seeks to assess the post-COVID situation in India's construction industry. The study examines the immediate and future consequences of the global outbreak on India's construction industry by conducting an in-depth review of the literature. It delves into the difficulties encountered by construction companies as a result of shutdown restrictions, interruptions in the supply network, scarcity of workers, and budgetary restrictions. This research also delves into what the construction industry in India can expect from the post-COVID age in terms of developments and possibilities. Sustainable and resilient building practices are becoming more important, and this article looks at how digital technologies like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and remote collaboration tools are being used. The results of this study add to our knowledge of the situation in the construction industry of India after COVID. It helps researchers, professionals in the field, and lawmakers understand the opportunities and threats posed by the dynamic construction industry. In the wake of the COVID-19 global outbreak, India's construction industry has an opportunity to help the country achieve its sustainable development goals, create jobs, and boost the economy by adjusting to new circumstances.
Conservation of Kerala Mangroves: Economic and Environmental Relations
Purpose: Research is the systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. This study aims to analyze mangrove forests' socio-economic and ecological systems and their linkages for their conservation and identify important mangrove ecosystem values. Methodology: This investigation aims to utilize a Descriptive Research design, relying on secondary information sources. The secondary data is obtained from books, journals, newspapers, articles, and government websites. Findings: Extreme scientific information is lacking regarding the utilization of mangroves as a natural nursery for migrating fishes and other species. An absolutely necessary research.It's clear that native inhabitants have relied on mangrove ecosystems for a number of products made from animals and plants, and that this practice continues today. Preserving and managing the remaining mangrove stretches in the manner that guarantees their ability to produce, is essential if these activities are to continue. Further research might investigate the usefulness and significance of managing numerous purposes as a means to boost efficiency.There is a dearth of research that provides foundational understanding of mangrove settlements, including their demographics, economic status, and how they use resources. This makes it harder to put a strategy in place to protect this ecological system effectively. Because of this, thorough investigation into mangrove communities is required, as these people rely on the mangrove for their survival.The valuation of goods and services offered by this ecological system is necessary for greater preservation of mangroves because of the numerous advantages they offer. Conserving them to the fullest extent possible is important because of the many ways in which they contribute to society, including economically, ecologically, scientifically, and culturally both for the current and subsequent generations. Therefore, in order to inform public discussions and incorporate these values into policy and decision-making processes, further data regarding the values of mangroves and the interplay with one another is required. In order to comprehend its significance, it is necessary to compare the expenses and advantages of preservation of mangroves with those associated with other potential uses. It is possible to conduct research into the monetary worth of mangrove advantages and the expenses associated with replacing the ecological services provided by forests of mangroves.