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Converting Asset Holdings into Livelihood: An Empirical Study on the Role of Household Agency in South Africa

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  • Anderson, Bret

Abstract

This paper analyzes the complexities of converting assets into livelihood and the role that agency constraints play. Drawing inspiration from the capabilities approach and using household data from South Africa, linkages between assets and agency are identified by decomposing asset endowments’ impact on future livelihood. By employing a method of path analysis akin to early heritability of traits studies, theoretical asset-based studies of chronic poverty are bridged with capabilities literatures. The interaction between assets and agency is shown to be as important as asset-to-asset complementarities. The results have wide ranging policy implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Anderson, Bret, 2012. "Converting Asset Holdings into Livelihood: An Empirical Study on the Role of Household Agency in South Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(7), pages 1394-1406.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:40:y:2012:i:7:p:1394-1406
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2012.03.015
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    Cited by:

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    2. Yannan Zhao & Jie Fan & Bo Liang & Lu Zhang, 2019. "Evaluation of Sustainable Livelihoods in the Context of Disaster Vulnerability: A Case Study of Shenzha County in Tibet, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-16, May.
    3. Hui Xiao & Jianxiu Xiao & Fangting Xie, 2022. "Impact Assessment of Farmland Lease-Out on Rural Households’ Livelihood Capital and Livelihood Strategy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-22, August.
    4. Amy Diedrich & Jessica Blythe & Elizabeth Petersen & Epsi Euriga & Anna Fatchiya & Takahiro Shimada & Clive Jones, 2019. "Socio-Economic Drivers of Adoption of Small-Scale Aquaculture in Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-15, March.
    5. Baffour-Kyei, Vasco & Mensah, Amos & Owusu, Victor & Horlu, Godwin S.A.K., 2021. "Artisanal small-scale mining and livelihood assets in rural southern Ghana," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    6. Donovan, Jason & Poole, Nigel, 2014. "Changing asset endowments and smallholder participation in higher value markets: Evidence from certified coffee producers in Nicaragua," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 1-13.
    7. Parizeau, Kate, 2015. "When Assets are Vulnerabilities: An Assessment of Informal Recyclers’ Livelihood Strategies in Buenos Aires, Argentina," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 161-173.
    8. Donovan, Jason & Poole, Nigel, 2016. "Changing asset endowments and smallholder participation in higher-value markets: Evidence from certified-coffee producers in Nicaragua," IFPRI book chapters, in: Devaux, André & Torero, Maximo & Donovan, Jason & Horton, Douglas E. (ed.), Innovation for inclusive value-chain development: Successes and challenges, chapter 3, pages 93-126, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    9. Liu, Moucheng & Yang, Lun & Bai, Yanying & Min, Qingwen, 2018. "The impacts of farmers’ livelihood endowments on their participation in eco-compensation policies: Globally important agricultural heritage systems case studies from China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 231-239.

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