Public education expenditure and income inequality in Vietnam: The moderating role of institutional quality
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Received March 4, 2026;Accepted April 24, 2026;Published May 8, 2026
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Author(s)Vo Van HungLink to ORCID Index: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4222-1245
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Pham Thai BinhLink to ORCID Index: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6387-4608
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DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.21511/pmf.15(2).2026.03
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Article InfoVolume 15 2026, Issue #2, pp. 27-47
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Type of the article: Research Article
Abstract
Income inequality remains a major challenge for inclusive development, particularly in emerging economies where fiscal policy plays a central role in redistributing income opportunities. This study examines how public education expenditure affects income inequality across Vietnam’s 63 provinces over the period 2011–2024 and whether institutional quality moderates this relationship under spatial dependence. Using panel and spatial econometric approaches, with the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) as the primary specification, the analysis captures both within-province effects and interprovincial spillovers. The results show that public education expenditure is positively associated with income inequality in the short- to medium-term. A 1% increase in education spending raises the Gini coefficient by approximately 0.067-0.157 percentage points within provinces, with larger spillover effects observed across neighboring provinces. However, institutional quality significantly mitigates this effect. Interaction variables based on the Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) and the Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI) are negative and statistically significant, indicating that stronger institutional quality dampens the inequality-increasing effect of education expenditure. The findings also confirm that spatial dependence is pronounced, and education spending generates meaningful spillovers, indicating that inequality outcomes in one province are partly shaped by spending patterns in neighboring provinces. Overall, the findings suggest that expanding education budgets alone is unlikely to deliver equitable outcomes without parallel reforms that strengthen transparency, accountability, and performance-based allocation, alongside regional coordination to manage spatial externalities.
Acknowledgments
This study is funded by the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Vietnam.
- Keywords
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JEL Classification (Paper profile tab)I24, D63, C33, H52
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References66
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Tables9
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Figures6
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- Figure 1. Conceptual framework
- Figure 2. Vietnam’s public education expenditure progress
- Figure 3. Vietnam’s inequality progress (GINI)
- Figure B1. Moran’s I scatterplot for GINI (50 km)
- Figure B2. Moran’s I scatterplot for GINI (100 km)
- Figure B3. Moran’s I scatterplot for GINI (150 km)
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- Table 1. Descriptive statistics
- Table 2. Moran’s I at different distance thresholds (Global)
- Table 3. Local Moran’s I results
- Table 4. Baseline panel regressions
- Table 5. Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) estimations
- Table 6. Direct, indirect, and total marginal effects
- Table A1. Spatial autoregressive (SAR) estimations
- Table A2. Spatial Durbin model (SDM) estimations with inverse distance matrix (Wi)
- Table A3. Selection of spatial models using AIC and robust LM tests
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Conceptualization
Vo Van Hung
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Data curation
Vo Van Hung
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Formal Analysis
Vo Van Hung
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Methodology
Vo Van Hung, Pham Thai Binh
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Software
Vo Van Hung
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Visualization
Vo Van Hung
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Writing – original draft
Vo Van Hung
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Writing – review & editing
Vo Van Hung, Pham Thai Binh
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Funding acquisition
Pham Thai Binh
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Supervision
Pham Thai Binh
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Validation
Pham Thai Binh
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Conceptualization
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Impact on poverty and income inequality in Malaysia’s economic growth
Rabiul Islam
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Ahmad Bashawir Abdul Ghani ,
Irwanshah Zainal Abidin ,
Jeya Malar Rayaiappan
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.21511/ppm.15(1).2017.05
Problems and Perspectives in Management Volume 15, 2017 Issue #1 pp. 55-62 Views: 14684 Downloads: 6534 TO CITE АНОТАЦІЯPoverty and income inequality are extreme issues that still exist in Malaysia. Any rise in poverty and income inequality definitely affect economic growth. There are many great efforts taken by the government of Malaysia to eradicate poverty and to reduce the gap of income inequality which occurs since 1970’s. The incidence of poverty and income inequality is higher in rural areas compared to urban areas. This paper is mainly to study the level of poverty and income inequality in Malaysia together with government intervention to develop Malaysia’s economic growth. The research is focused among the working people at Ipoh, Perak. In this paper, questionnaire forms are being distributed to get information regarding the issue of poverty and income inequality. It also looks into the strategies taken by the government of Malaysia to eradicate poverty and income inequality. Few recommendations are given in terms of education policy, financial aid and assistance from government and non-government organization (NGO) to upgrade the standard and quality of living among the poor and lower-income group of people.
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Short video marketing factors influencing the purchase intention of Generation Z in Vietnam
Thi Thuy An Ngo
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Phu Quach
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Thanh Vinh Nguyen
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Anh Duy Nguyen
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Thi Minh Nguyet Nguyen
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.21511/im.19(3).2023.04
Innovative Marketing Volume 19, 2023 Issue #3 pp. 34-50 Views: 8650 Downloads: 2461 TO CITE АНОТАЦІЯIn the digital age and technological advancements, short video platforms have become essential tools for online sales and marketing. In addition, shopping through short video marketing has gained significant attention, especially among Generation Z, as it brings unique and novel shopping experiences. The primary goal of this study is to explore the factors of short video marketing that influence the purchase intentions of Generation Z consumers in Vietnam. To conduct this study, a quantitative approach was employed, utilizing a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire administered online through a non-probability sampling method. The sample comprised 350 respondents aged between 16 and 26 from Vietnam, representing Generation Z, who made purchases through short video marketing. The relationships among various variables were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The study’s results demonstrated a positive, significant, and direct relationship between all factors of short video marketing, including interesting content, perceived usefulness, scenario-based experience, user interaction, perceived enjoyment, and involvement of celebrities and consumer brand attitude. Among these factors, perceived usefulness is the most influential factor on customer brand attitude. In addition, the study revealed that consumer brand attitude, acting as a mediating variable, had a positive and significant impact on consumers’ purchase intentions. Based on the findings, the study suggested strategies for businesses to enhance the quality and content on short video platforms, thereby improving the effectiveness of their marketing strategies.
Acknowledgment
The authors express a sincere gratitude to all the participants who generously took part in this research study. -
The effects of social media live streaming commerce on Vietnamese Generation Z consumers’ purchase intention
Thi Thuy An Ngo
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Chi Thanh Bui
,
Huynh Khanh Long Chau
,
Nguyen Phuc Nguyen Tran
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.21511/im.19(4).2023.22
Innovative Marketing Volume 19, 2023 Issue #4 pp. 269-283 Views: 5657 Downloads: 4107 TO CITE АНОТАЦІЯSocial media live streaming commerce is an emerging and effective online shopping channel that integrates live streaming and e-commerce through social media platforms. This trend has gained significant attention, particularly from Generation Z, who are drawn to the interactive and entertaining aspects of shopping through live streaming. This study investigates factors affecting the purchase intention of Vietnamese Generation Z consumers in live streaming commerce on social media platforms, assessing the impact of six factors: entertainment, information quality, interactivity, perceived risk, peer customer evaluations and recommendations, and streamers. Using a non-probability sampling, an online survey was conducted among 344 consumers who possess prior experience with social media live streaming commerce. Data analysis used a partial least squares structural equation modeling technique. The findings revealed that increased entertainment, higher information quality, enhanced interactivity, positive peer customer evaluations and recommendations, and a more attractive and expert streamer positively impact purchase intention. Notably, streamers exhibited the most robust influence, while information quality demonstrated the weakest effect among the influencing factors. Conversely, perceived risk did not significantly hinder purchase intention, suggesting Generation Z consumers’ confidence in online transactions and their willingness to take risks for entertainment and interactivity in live streaming commerce. In light of these results, businesses are advised to elevate consumer purchase intentions by prioritizing aspects related to entertainment, information quality, interactivity, and peer customer evaluations. Prudent selection of streamers is highlighted as a pivotal strategy for organizations to effectively shape customer purchasing intentions.
Acknowledgment
The researchers express sincere gratitude to all the participants who generously participated in this study.

