Zibei Chen

Bio: Zibei Chen is an academic researcher from University of Southern Mississippi. The author has contributed to research in topics: Recession. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 18 citations.

Families' Financial Stress & Well-Being: The Importance of the Economy and Economic Environments.

Abstract: The Great Recession and the unfolding COVID-19 Pandemic Recession-two major disruptions to the economy that occurred just one decade apart-unequivocally confirm the importance of the economy and economic environments for understanding families' financial stress and well-being. However, recent published literature places too little emphasis on the economy and economic environments and instead focuses on explanations rooted within individuals and families. In this article, we review research on families' financial stress and well-being published in JFEI between 2010 and 2019, which analyzed data collected during the Great Recession and were subsequently published in the shadow of the economic downturn. We discuss the economy and economic environments as gaps in the literature and encourage future research to focus on these explanations of stress and well-being, especially in response to the pandemic recession.

Carceral capitalism: by Jackie Wang, South Pasadena, CA, Semiotext(e), 2018, 360 pp., £8.50 (paperback), ISBN 9781635900026

Abstract: Carceral Capitalism is a timely book that provides a nuanced and far-reaching analysis of the political economy of the US carceral state. The book incorporates multiple forms and genres – autobiographical (the author’s brother is incarcerated in Florida), poetry, academic essay – and draws on numerous disciplines and traditions – legal analysis, Marxism, political economy, biopolitics, black studies and political theory – in order to illuminate various dimensions of racial capitalism as understood through the predatory industrial prison complex. The essays collected in the book span a wide range of topics including, the political economy of fees and fines, juvenile delinquency, algorithmic policing, and cybernetic governance. The result is a beautifully curated book that, in the context of the hostile environment, the building of US-style “mega-prisons”, and the NHS migrant fee and debt regime, has pressing relevance to debates in Britain today. Below I focus on three key themes that arise throughout the essays.

Critical analysis of pandemic impact on AEC organizations: the COVID-19 case

Abstract: Purpose: This study aims to investigate the interrelationships between COVID-19 pandemic impact and architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) organizations. To achieve that aim, the objectives are to: identify the critical pandemic impact (CPI) of COVID-19 on AEC organizations;compare the CPI between the different organization characteristics;and analyze the interrelationships between the CPI. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic literature review of 519 articles and in-depth interviews with 40 AEC practitioners were carried out, yielding 12 COVID-19 impacts. Then, data on the 12 impact’s criticality were collected through a survey among AEC practitioners. In total, 127 valid responses were received and analyzed using mean ranking analysis, analysis of variance and Spearman’s correlation. The findings were also compared with pandemic impacts from prior works. Findings: Five CPI exist among the 12 impacts, namely, “reduced construction productivity,” “reduced foreign investment in the construction industry,” “reduced demand on construction-related works,” “disruption in the supply chain” and “reduced number of public projects.” “Reduced foreign investment in the construction industry” and “reduced demand on construction-related works” significantly impact small-medium enterprises than large enterprises. Also, “disruption in the supply chain” and “reduced construction productivity” are recurring impacts in all countries compared. Finally, moderate relationships exist between “reduced foreign investment in the construction industry” and “reduced demand on construction-related works” and “disruption in the supply chain” and “reduced construction productivity.” Originality/value: The findings can be used to prioritize available resources in developing short-term responses for COVID-19. Also, action plans can be developed to mitigate the CPI from recurring. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Race for profit: how banks and the real estate industry undermined black homeownership: by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina Press, 2019, 349 pp., US$30 (hardcover)

Abstract: In clinical fashion, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor’s book Race for Profit examines the implementation and impact of late 1960s and early 1970s federal housing policy changes that responded to the urban c...

Factors Associated with Financial Security, Food Security and Quality of Daily Lives of Residents in Nigeria during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract: An online survey was conducted to identify factors associated with financial insecurity, food insecurity and poor quality of daily lives of adults in Nigeria during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The associations between the outcome (experience of financial loss, changes in food intake and impact of the pandemic on daily lives) and the explanatory (age, sex, education level, anxiety, depression, HIV status) variables were determined using logistic regression analysis. Of the 4439 respondents, 2487 (56.0%) were financially insecure, 907 (20.4%) decreased food intake and 4029 (90.8%) had their daily life negatively impacted. Males (AOR:0.84), people who felt depressed (AOR:0.62) and people living with HIV -PLHIV- (AOR:0.70) had significantly lower odds of financial insecurity. Older respondents (AOR:1.01) had significantly higher odds of financial insecurity. Those depressed (AOR:0.62) and PLHIV (AOR:0.55) had significantly lower odds of reporting decreased food intake. Respondents who felt anxious (AOR:0.07), depressed (AOR: 0.48) and who were PLHIV (AOR:0.68) had significantly lower odds of reporting a negative impact of the pandemic on their daily lives. We concluded the study findings may reflect a complex relationship between financial insecurity, food insecurity, poor quality of life, mental health, and socioeconomic status of adults living in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic.