Journal of Innovation in Business and Economics
Vol. 10 No. 01 (2026): Journal of Innovation in Business and Economics

Empowering women in the informal economy: Productivity drivers and constraints in Kediri regency

Dewi Mariya Ulfa (Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia)
Wildan Syafitri (Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia)
Nurul Badriyah (Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia)
Fajrin Intan Safitri (Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
28 Jul 2026

Abstract

The informal sector plays an important role in employment absorption in Kediri Regency, with women making substantial contributions despite facing various structural and socio-economic challenges. This study aims to analyze the determinants of productivity among informal sector workers in Kediri Regency, with particular attention to women’s position within the informal economy. The study employs a quantitative approach using secondary data from the 2023 National Socioeconomic Survey (SUSENAS), comprising 3,524 informal sector workers. Although women constitute the primary focus of the study, male workers are included as a comparison group to assess whether productivity differences are associated with gender or with other socioeconomic characteristics. To estimate the probability of workers being categorized as productive, the analysis applies a Complementary Log-Log (Cloglog) regression model. The results indicate that age, educational attainment, and working hours significantly influence worker productivity. Workers with higher levels of education, greater age, and longer working hours are more likely to be categorized as productive. In contrast, gender, marital status, occupation type, internet use, micro-enterprise ownership, and social security participation do not exhibit statistically significant effects on productivity. These findings suggest that productivity in the informal sector is primarily driven by human capital characteristics and labor input rather than demographic differences alone. However, the insignificant effects of internet use and social protection should be interpreted cautiously, as they may reflect contextual and measurement limitations rather than the absence of economic relevance. The study highlights the importance of strengthening educational opportunities, skills development, and productive employment opportunities to enhance productivity and support women’s economic empowerment in the informal sector

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jibe

Publisher

Subject

Economics, Econometrics & Finance

Description

The Journal of Innovation in Business and Economics (JIBE) is published by the Department of Economics and Business at University of Muhammadiyah Malang in 2017. Previously this journal was known as Jurnal Media Ekonomi that was initially published in 2000. In 2011 until 2016, this journal was ...