Overcoming Geographic Penalties of Inequality: The Effects of Distance-Demolishing Technologies on Household Well-Being in Vietnam

Geographic isolation and spatial inequality are growing issues for most countries. However, distance-demolishing technologies have been proposed as a solution of overcoming geographic barriers associated with geographic penalties. This research uses the rapid and widespread adoption of inexpensive m...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Asian journal of social science 2018-01, Vol.46 (3), p.260-280
Main Authors: Sanders, Scott R., Muir, Jonathan A., Brown, Ralph B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case studies
Female headed households
Fines & penalties
Households
Income
Inequality
Motorcycles
Ownership
Panel data
Rural areas
Standard of living
Well being
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Summary:Geographic isolation and spatial inequality are growing issues for most countries. However, distance-demolishing technologies have been proposed as a solution of overcoming geographic barriers associated with geographic penalties. This research uses the rapid and widespread adoption of inexpensive motorcycles in Vietnam as a case study of how distance-demolishing technologies can improve household well-being. Utilising panel data from the 2004, 2006 and 2008 Vietnamese Household Living Standard Surveys, this research uses propensity score matching to isolate the effect that the introduction of a motorcycle has on household income. Our results show that new motorcycle ownership reduces spatial isolation penalties and significantly improves household well-being in Vietnam. In addition, marginalised populations, such as female-headed households and rural households, receive relatively larger returns from a new motorcycle. Our findings suggest that distance-demolishing technologies can contribute to the reduction of spatial inequality by helping households overcome both geographic and social barriers.
ISSN:1568-4849
2212-3857
DOI:10.1163/15685314-04603003