The Ability to Create Household Wealth: An Alternative Perspective and Conceptual Framework

Abstract

This thesis reviews the theories and evidence on households’ financial decision-making. It further relates these to a household’s ability to create wealth against the background of changing retirement systems. The work’s main contribution to the existing literature of household finance is a conceptual framework pertaining to the ability to create household wealth. In addition, the work introduces a study questionnaire to validate parts of the developed conceptual framework. Behavioral biases, early-life and adverse event experiences, socioeconomic status, and cultural heritage are given particular consideration in the conceptual framework and study questionnaire. Overall, the work aims to introduce a stimulating and forward-looking alternative perspective on the ability to create household wealth. It provides an appropriate conceptual framework for such perspective and a platform for future research in this area. Lastly, it aims to assist policy makers, who are focused on managing household wealth disparities more effectively in the future.