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Exposure to large-scale farms increases smallholders’ competitive behavior and closes the gender gap

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  • Khadjavi, Menusch
  • Sipangule, Kacana
  • Thiele, Rainer

Abstract

We investigate how exposure to large-scale farms affects smallholders’ competitive behavior. Based on lab-in-the-field experimental measures covering more than 900 smallholders and 400 children in Zambia, we find that smallholders who are traditionally dependent on subsistence agriculture behave more competitively when they are located close to large-scale farms. This effect is especially pronounced for female smallholders and closes the gender gap associated with competitiveness. This result replicates for their children. We identify female employment and shifting intra-household tasks as a possible mechanism. Our results provide new insights for understanding how changes in societal arrangements like market integration influence economic behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Khadjavi, Menusch & Sipangule, Kacana & Thiele, Rainer, 2024. "Exposure to large-scale farms increases smallholders’ competitive behavior and closes the gender gap," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:176:y:2024:i:c:s0305750x23003376
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2023.106519
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Market integration; Competitive behavior; Large-scale farms; Smallholders; Endogenous preferences; Lab-in-the-field experiment; Zambia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • P11 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Planning, Coordination, and Reform
    • P14 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Property Rights
    • Q15 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment

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