Economic Welfare

In order to improve the quality of women's personal, professional and family lives while addressing financial concerns, it is essential to consider the improvement of women's working conditions from multiple perspectives. In this regard, the research objective was to investigate the impact of working background conditions on the economic welfare of women employed in handicrafts in less developed rural areas. The statistical population includes all female workers in less developed rural areas of Iran in 2025 who are employed in handicrafts sector. The sampling method used was random cluster with a total of 380 samples selected according to Morgan's table. In order to collect the required data, a questionnaire prepared by the researcher was used, which included two sections to assess economic welfare and working background conditions. The results of the study systematically show that the dimensions of "unbiased behavior in work”, "balance between work and life”, and "social support" have the most significant impact on the economic welfare of women engaged in handicrafts. The findings of this study underscore the necessity of implementing targeted support policies to enhance equitable organizational practices, fortify work-life balance, and broaden social support networks as pivotal strategies for enhancing the economic welfare of rural women.

Understanding the impact of financialization on the economy is crucial for policymakers seeking to design strategies that enhance social welfare. This study examines the effect of financialization on economic welfare in Iran from 1990 to 2023, employing a threshold regression approach to account for nonlinear dynamics. The results reveal a threshold level of institutional quality at 57%. Across both, i.e., low and high institutional quality regimes, financialization exerts a negative and significant influence on economic welfare. However, once institutional quality surpasses the threshold, the adverse impact of financialization intensifies markedly. Findings highlight the paradoxical role of institutional quality, showing that greater financialization consistently undermines welfare in Iran, with stronger institutions amplifying rather than mitigating its negative effects. It means that in environments with higher institutional quality, advanced financial instruments and capital markets develop; however, access to financial development is usually asymmetrical. Consequently, wealthy individuals and large corporations benefit the most, while low-income households receive minimal benefits and may even suffer from asset inflation or consumer debt. Thus, strong institutions do not necessarily prioritize public welfare. Policymakers may regulate to develop financial markets in a way that prioritizes the financial sector’s profitability over social interests. This mechanism can lead to financial sector growth occurring faster than the real economy’s capacity, ultimately undermining welfare.