Why Do Some Join and Others Don’t? A Behavioral Exploration of Voluntary Social Insurance in Developing Countries
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22006894 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Son-Tung Le (0000-0001-9236-4650, Vietnam Maritime University), Thanh Nam Nguyen (0009-0007-7261-3016, Vietnam Maritime University, corresponding author), Cong Xuong Dang (Vietnam Maritime University) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Publication date | 2025-10-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | SAGE Open (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2158-2440 • E-ISSN: 2158-2440 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/21582440251383689 |
| OpenAlex | W7115180622 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 51 |
Voluntary social insurance (VSI) is critical to extending social protection coverage to informal sector workers in developing countries like Vietnam, yet participation rates remain low. This study investigates the behavioral, social, and structural determinants influencing VSI participation, integrating the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and rational choice theory (RCT) into a comprehensive framework. Data were collected through a structured survey of 448 informal workers and analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results demonstrate that positive attitudes, supportive subjective norms, respected community figures, and community cohesion drive VSI participation, whereas financial incentives and flexible payment options alone do not. The study highlights the dominant role of internal motivations and social trust over purely economic considerations. Practical implications emphasize the need for communication strategies fostering positive perceptions, leveraging community leadership, and reinforcing institutional credibility. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers aiming to design more inclusive, resilient social protection systems tailored to transitional economies like Vietnam
Developing country · Incentive · Payment · Social insurance · Structural equation modeling · Survey data collection · Theory of planned behavior · Turnover · Healthcare Systems and Reforms · Microfinance and Financial Inclusion · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare
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| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |