Efficiency in intrahousehold resource allocation
This paper examines the allocation of productive resources within rural households of poor countries. Building upon the existing literature, it provides a consistent framework from which to study productive efficiency and intrahousehold equity. The topics discussed include returns to scale and house...
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| Format: | Artículo preliminar |
| Language: | Inglés |
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International Food Policy Research Institute
1998
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/161219 |
| _version_ | 1855513250031992832 |
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| author | Fafchamps, Marcel |
| author_browse | Fafchamps, Marcel |
| author_facet | Fafchamps, Marcel |
| author_sort | Fafchamps, Marcel |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | This paper examines the allocation of productive resources within rural households of poor countries. Building upon the existing literature, it provides a consistent framework from which to study productive efficiency and intrahousehold equity. The topics discussed include returns to scale and household centralization; specialization and gender casting; separate spheres and commitment failure; labor market cartelization and discrimination; and the provision of home public goods in the presence of free riding. We show that intrahousehold productive inefficiency should not arise unless household members are prevented from entering into enforceable side contracts. Our analysis predicts that intrahousehold inefficiency increases with factors that exacerbate commitment failure such as short time horizon, low assets, unequal stakes in the household, and poor external enforcement. Patrimonial laws and customs regarding inheritance and divorce can be understood as efforts to mitigate commitment failure within the household. |
| format | Artículo preliminar |
| id | CGSpace161219 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 1998 |
| publishDateRange | 1998 |
| publishDateSort | 1998 |
| publisher | International Food Policy Research Institute |
| publisherStr | International Food Policy Research Institute |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1612192025-11-06T05:01:51Z Efficiency in intrahousehold resource allocation Fafchamps, Marcel resource allocation household budget rural poor gender property rights child care This paper examines the allocation of productive resources within rural households of poor countries. Building upon the existing literature, it provides a consistent framework from which to study productive efficiency and intrahousehold equity. The topics discussed include returns to scale and household centralization; specialization and gender casting; separate spheres and commitment failure; labor market cartelization and discrimination; and the provision of home public goods in the presence of free riding. We show that intrahousehold productive inefficiency should not arise unless household members are prevented from entering into enforceable side contracts. Our analysis predicts that intrahousehold inefficiency increases with factors that exacerbate commitment failure such as short time horizon, low assets, unequal stakes in the household, and poor external enforcement. Patrimonial laws and customs regarding inheritance and divorce can be understood as efforts to mitigate commitment failure within the household. 1998 2024-11-21T09:54:14Z 2024-11-21T09:54:14Z Working Paper https://hdl.handle.net/10568/161219 en Open Access application/pdf International Food Policy Research Institute Fafchamps, Marcel. 1998. Efficiency in intrahousehold resource allocation. FCND Discussion Paper 55. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/161219 |
| spellingShingle | resource allocation household budget rural poor gender property rights child care Fafchamps, Marcel Efficiency in intrahousehold resource allocation |
| title | Efficiency in intrahousehold resource allocation |
| title_full | Efficiency in intrahousehold resource allocation |
| title_fullStr | Efficiency in intrahousehold resource allocation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Efficiency in intrahousehold resource allocation |
| title_short | Efficiency in intrahousehold resource allocation |
| title_sort | efficiency in intrahousehold resource allocation |
| topic | resource allocation household budget rural poor gender property rights child care |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/161219 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT fafchampsmarcel efficiencyinintrahouseholdresourceallocation |