Business Commons^™

Explaining Financial Inclusion: A Critical Realist Theory On The Role Of Financial Literacy, Bryan Bernabe, Jyro B. Triviño

Leadership and Strategy Faculty Publications

The impact of financial inclusion on social groups' economic divide is explored in this study, which introduces a critical realist theory underscoring the crucial role of financial literacy elements—behavior, attitude, knowledge, and skills—in promoting financial inclusivity. Initially framing a positivist explanatory theory inspired by Jaccard & Jaccoby's work and existing literature, the study then refines this into a critical realist causal theory using Sayer's established principles. This shift toward a critical realist approach allows for a more comprehensive and sophisticated theoretical evolution. By delving into fundamental causal mechanisms and considering the impact of social structures and context, the critical realist …