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Asset accumulation among low-income households in Taiwan

Chang, Ying-Chen
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1060182477

Abstract Details

1993, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Social Welfare.
This qualitative study advances the exploration of asset accumulation among low-income Taiwanese households. The informants were 55 low-income individuals and 9 middle-income individuals who were formerly low income. All informants participated in in-depth interviews that explored several topics: (1) the meaning of asset; (2) methods of asset accumulation; (3) purposes of asset accumulation; and (4) factors that influence asset accumulation among low-income Taiwanese households. While low-income informants report tangible assets, such as whei money, insurance, savings, and homes, they place greater importance on intangible assets, such as children and health. The researcher found that social welfare and social support systems can be treated as intangible assets for certain low-income welfare households. The findings strongly suggest that low-income subjects frequently use the post office or bank as savings institutions. Some low-income subjects also use piao-whei or life insurance as a method of saving. However, according to the criteria of profitability, security, liquidity, and human dignity, low-income households do not have a single efficient or effective method to accumulate tangible assets. The data suggest that most low-income parents consider their children to be the most valu able assets; therefore, their efforts are invested in their children's education. Most low-income subjects save for precautionary reasons because they do not have enough resources to handle an emergency or urgent medical fees. Saving for retirement and home purchase also are reported by some low-income subjects. Among the factors that influence asset accumulation, income associated with health and social support has a greater impact on low-income subjects. The findings also reveal that the social welfare system has both positive and negative impacts on asset accumulation among low-income households. In addition, policy implications for helping low-income households accumulate adequate tangible assets and directions for future research are proposed
Claudia Coulton (Advisor)
252 p.
Social Work
Asset accumulation; Taiwanese households, low-income

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Chang, Y.-C. (1993). Asset accumulation among low-income households in Taiwan [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1060182477

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Chang, Ying-Chen. Asset accumulation among low-income households in Taiwan. 1993. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1060182477.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Chang, Ying-Chen. "Asset accumulation among low-income households in Taiwan." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 1993. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1060182477

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1060182477
453
© 1993, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.