Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/229223 
Year of Publication: 
2019
Series/Report no.: 
WIDER Working Paper No. 2019/120
Publisher: 
The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), Helsinki
Abstract: 
We review the literature on pathways through which social networks may influence social mobility in developing countries. We find that social networks support members in tangible ways-via access to opportunities for migration, credit, trading relationships, information on jobs, and new technologies-as well as in intangible ways, such as shaping their beliefs, hopes, and aspirations, through role models and peers. Nevertheless, networks can disadvantage non-members, typically the poor and marginalized. Recent evidence suggests a range of policy tools that could help mitigate disadvantages faced by excluded groups: temporary incentives to encourage experimentation into new regions, occupations, or technologies, and role models-real and virtual-to mitigate psychosocial challenges faced by marginalized groups. Targeting large fractions of marginalized groups simultaneously could increase the effectiveness of such policies by leveraging the influence of existing social networks.
Subjects: 
Global
Global
Soziale Ausgrenzung
Social exclusion
JEL: 
D9
Z1
O15
R23
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
ISBN: 
978-92-9256-756-9
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
324.81 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.