Upload
haduong
View
244
Download
1
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
A STUDY OF FINANCIAL LITERACY LEVEL AMONG COLLEGE
STUDENTS
*Dr. BHAVNA SHARMA ** REENU KUMARI
*Assistant Professor, BPS Mahila Vishwavidyalaya, Khanpur Kalan, Sonipat.
**Research Scholar, BPS Mahila Vishwavidyalaya, Khanpur Kalan, Sonipat.
ABSTRACT
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the level of financial literacy among college students
and impact of various demographic variables on financial literacy level.
Design/methodology/approach – The proposed models in this paper use fisher exact test to examine
the relationship between financial literacy and demographic variables. Financial literacy level has
been measured by means of a questionnaire comprising several items, including basic financial
literacy, advanced financial literacy and demographic variables. The sample consists of 150 college
students.
Findings – The paper reveals that financial literacy among college students appears to be low. The
results suggest that college student‟s gender, education level and majors have a significant impact on
the financial literacy level.
Research limitations/implications – The main limitation of the empirical study is the small size of
the sample. A larger sample would have given more reliable results and could have enabled a wider
range of analyzes.
Originality/value – The current study is the first to examine the level of financial literacy and
focusing on the link between financial literacy level and demographic variables within the specific
context of Haryana.
Paper type - Research paper
Keywords: Financial Literacy, Demographic factors, Cross tabulation, Fisher‟s exact test
1. INTRODUCTION
Consumers must confront complicated financial decisions at a young age in today‟s demanding
financial environment, and financial mistakes made early in life can be costly (Lusardi et. al, 2009).
The importance of financial literacy has been arising with the deregulation of the financial markets
and the easier access to credit as various financial institutions create cut throat competition in
financial markets for holding greater market share, introduction of various advanced financial
products, and the government‟s initiatives for people to take more responsibility towards financial
decisions and for their retirement incomes (Beal & Delpachitra, 2003; Abraham & Marcolin, 2006).
Financial literacy has been defined as the competence to undertake rational and informed judgments
pertaining to money management (Worthington, 2006). Financial literacy includes general
understanding on saving, investment, spending, budgeting and money management skills and not only
understanding of these concepts but to take rational and informed decisions relating to money matters.
Emmanuel, K., O. (2010) identify some of the key elements of financial literacy skills and knowledge
is:
Mathematical literacy and standard literacy such as basic numeracy and comprehension skills.
Financial knowledge about the nature and main features of basic financial products and the risk
associated with these financial products.
INTERCONTINENTAL JOURNAL OF FINANCE RESEARCH REVIEWISSN:2321-0354 - ONLINE ISSN:2347-1654 - PRINT - IMPACT FACTOR:4.236VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7, JULY 2017 UGC APPROVED JOURNAL -UGC JOURNAL SERIAL NO: 48817
An Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed, Online and Print International Research Journalwww.icmrr.org 111 [email protected]
Financial competence such as the understanding of the main features of basic financial services,
appreciating the importance of reading and maintaining them, and an appreciation of the
relationship between risk and return.
Financial ability to make pertinent personal life choices about financial issues, and confidence to
seek assistance and support when things go wrong.
So it is very difficult for a common man to deal in complex financial markets and to understand the
risk associated with financial products. Financial literacy affects financial decision making; ignorance
about basic financial concepts can be linked to the lack of retirement planning, lack of participation in
the stock market, and poor borrowing behaviour (Lusardi, A. (2008). Improving individual financial
skills has increasingly been paid attention among various groups including governments, bankers,
employers, policymakers, practioners, researchers and academics both in developed and the
developing countries. In India the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has undertaken a project titled
“project financial literacy” (2007) the main purpose of the project is to render information regarding
the central bank and general banking concepts such as financial products awareness (credit cards,
insurance, unit trust funds and employees provident fund etc) to various targeted groups, including
school and college going children, women rural and urban poor, defence personal and senior citizens.
The RBI released draft for national strategy on financial education and after that RBI came out with
the concept of financial literacy and credit counseling centers in 2009.
Previous studies have shown that large groups of population are financially illiterate; these
people were unable to manage their finance efficiently, and to plan adequately for their retirement.
This paper added to the existing literature by exploring what college students know and do not know
as determined by a set of simple questions that assessed their financial literacy level.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Financial Literacy
The literature on financial literacy has not expanded substantially in most countries; financial literacy
initiatives are jointly efforts of governments, central bank, regulatory authority‟s financial institutions
and non-governmental organization (NGOs) in addition to international agencies such as OECD and
World Bank. Financial literacy has been studied from different aspects government entities and
private organistaions in developing and developed countries have conducted surveys to measure the
financial literacy of their population. A study conducted by the OECD (2005) analysed the financial
literacy in 12 countries including the USA, the UK, Australia and Japan etc. and the study found that
the financial literacy level is very low for most of the respondents in these countries.
Carolynne, & Richard, (2000) in the article „Conceptualising Financial Literacy‟ examined the nature
of the term financial literacy. The study points out the importance of financial literacy which is to be
encouraged in those who are not financially literate. The authors argued that financial awareness and
financial literacy are not synonymous and financial literacy is a complex phenomenon in need of an
adequate conceptualisation. These perceptions are exemplified by the existence of centers or bodies
dedicated to financial literacy all over the world. The authors search the current literature on financial
literacy and also the usance of the term „literacy‟. They state that the available definitions were found
to be lacking in giving a correct meaning.
ANZ Bank Study (2003) conducted a study with the title „ANZ Survey of Adult Financial Literacy in
Australia‟ it was Australia‟s first national survey on financial literacy was conducted on behalf of the
ANZ Bank by Ray Morgan Research. The study used a telephone survey of 3548 adults and an in-
depth survey of 202 adults and an interview for the study. The objective of the study was to test the
knowledge of respondents against an individual‟s needs and circumstances. The results of the survey
INTERCONTINENTAL JOURNAL OF FINANCE RESEARCH REVIEWISSN:2321-0354 - ONLINE ISSN:2347-1654 - PRINT - IMPACT FACTOR:4.236VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7, JULY 2017 UGC APPROVED JOURNAL -UGC JOURNAL SERIAL NO: 48817
An Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed, Online and Print International Research Journalwww.icmrr.org 112 [email protected]
indicated that whereas Australians overall were financially literate, only certain groups such as lower
income people, not working or in a unskilled work , people with lower saving levels were identified
financially illiterate. A strong correlation was found between financial literacy levels and socio
demographic factors.
Lusardi, M. (2006) study highlighted that the author developed a module on retirement planning and
financial literacy by using the data of health and retirement study conducted in 2004 in United States.
The module objective was to explore the hypothesis that poor planning may be a primary result of
financial illiteracy. For this purpose the module measured how workers make their saving decisions
and how they collect information for making these decisions. A sample of 1269 adults aged over 50
year was used for the study. And the finding indicated that there is a strong relationship between
financial knowledge and planning; in that those with financial knowledge were more likely to plan
and succeed in their retirement planning. The result also showed that overall financial literacy level is
low among older Americans and some particular groups are at risk. In addition to this the study also
found that the least literate are also the least likely to plan and save for retirement.
Lusardi, M. (2009) the study is developed to identify the link between financial literacy and
retirement planning by exploiting information about respondents financial knowledge acquired in
school before entering the labour market and certainly before starting to plan for retirement. The study
attempted to measure the financial literacy in two forms basic financial literacy and sophisticated
financial literacy. The study found that women showed much lower level of financial literacy than
men, where gender differences were statistically significant. The respondents were found to be
knowledgeable about the functioning of the stock market and risk diversification. The author used
multivariate analysis to link financial literacy with retirement planning holding other socioeconomic
factors constant. The result showed that financial knowledge is influential in retirement planning. The
overall finding of the study indicated that the impact of financial literacy index in the retirement
planning is positive and strongly influences retirement planning.
Seth, et. al. (2010) the study analysed the relationship between financial literacy and demographic
factors of respondents. The study indicated that the financial literacy of investors in Delhi and NCR
was different for different financial instruments. Around 96% of respondents have saving account in
the banks and only 30% had knowledge about National Savings Certificates Public Provident Fund. It
has also found that most of the people relied on the telecast in the TV channels. 98% of respondents
knew about life insurance but only 45% respondent‟s preferred life insurance as the most effective
financial instrument.
Navin, et, al. (2010) conducted a study entitled „Financial Inclusion in the Slums of Mumbai‟ the
study found that only one-third of the respondents had a savings bank account. Significantly, none of
the respondents had an account with any private sector bank. This poor percentage in the heart of the
financial capital of the nation and in areas surrounded by bank branches speaks of the poor state of
financial inclusion. It highlights the pressing need to step up efforts towards including the excluded.
The role of private banks in this area needs to be examined. Second, among those who did not have a
bank account, only 8% had ever tried opening a bank account but were unsuccessful. The remaining
had never approached a bank. Third, out of the respondents who did not have a bank account, only
one-fifth were saving privately. These are the persons who could be tapped by banks and brought
within the fold of the formal financial institutions. The vast number of the remaining (four-fifths)
respondents had either no savings or the desire to save.
Lusardi, A. (2011) conducted a study by using survey data from eight countries to document the level
of financial literacy around the world. The author used compound interest, inflation and risk
diversification questions in their survey for measuring financial literacy level of respondents. The
study found that financial literacy is very low around the world no matter of the financial markets
INTERCONTINENTAL JOURNAL OF FINANCE RESEARCH REVIEWISSN:2321-0354 - ONLINE ISSN:2347-1654 - PRINT - IMPACT FACTOR:4.236VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7, JULY 2017 UGC APPROVED JOURNAL -UGC JOURNAL SERIAL NO: 48817
An Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed, Online and Print International Research Journalwww.icmrr.org 113 [email protected]
development and type of financial services & products provided. The older population considers itself
well informed, but in reality they are less informed than average. Gender and education plays very
significant role in financial literacy level women are less financially literate than men and educated
people are more informed about financial matters. The author argued that financial literacy level
affects the retirement planning, saving and investment decisions.
Joseph, J. (2012) highlighted that a sample of 300 families of economically marginalized households
was taken for the study and descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used for data analysis.
The study found that overall financial literacy rate is excellent and 95.3 percent of population is
financial included. It is observed that financial literacy increases as there is increase in the general
level of literacy rate. Borrowing literacy is lower than other parameters of financial literacy. The
lower level of borrowing literacy makes the people to borrow makes them to have unproductive loans
or it may be at higher interest rate.
Mahdzan, & Tabiani, (2013) in their paper, tried to examine the influence of financial literacy on
individuals saving in the context of emerging market, Malaysia. The researcher conducted the survey
of 148 individuals by using convenience sampling technique in Malaysia. Using individual saving as
independent variable and financial literacy, saving regularity, gender, age, children, and experience as
dependent variables the study found that financial literacy is an important factor of individual saving.
And the study also found that there was a positive relationship between gender and the probability of
positive saving indicating that men have a higher probability of positive saving as opposed to women,
ceteris paribus, so it is important for policy makers to increase financial literacy of households by
implementing various financial education programs.
Bhushan, P. (2014) examined the awareness level and investment behavior of salaried individuals of
Himachal Pradesh towards financial products and also the relationship between financial literacy and
investment preferences for financial products. The author found that only 24.6% respondents had
invested in pension funds, which means most of the people do not plan for retirement which is not a
very healthy sign. Also 77.7% people had invested in life insurance which means that people are
aware about the importance of life insurance. Only 39.1% respondents invest in public provident fund.
Narula, S. (2015) in their study focused to identify and evaluate the financial literacy level of retail
investors of Delhi and analysed the impact of different demographic factors on financial literacy. And
also to understand the variation between personal investment decision of the investors of different
financial literacy level with respect to short, medium and long term. Through statistical measures such
as ANOVA, t-test and Friedman test, it was found that the investors had a medium level of knowledge
and skills in financial literacy. Significant difference was observed between financial literacy among
various age groups. The study also indicated that investment decisions were related to time period as
the preference of investors of same level of financial literacy was different in different time period.
2.2 Demographic variables
Demographic factors such as age, gender, education level, income levels and majors have been found
to influence the financial literacy level (Shaari, et al. 2013; Nga, H. et al. 2010; Chen & Volpe, 1998;
Aggarwal, M. & Gupta, M. 2014; Al- Tamimi et al. 2009). This study investigates the relationship
between gender, education level, education major (business/ non business) on financial literacy.
On the basis of review following hypothesis framed which is further tested in the form of sub
hypotheses:
H0: There is no significant impact of demographic variables on financial literacy level.
INTERCONTINENTAL JOURNAL OF FINANCE RESEARCH REVIEWISSN:2321-0354 - ONLINE ISSN:2347-1654 - PRINT - IMPACT FACTOR:4.236VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7, JULY 2017 UGC APPROVED JOURNAL -UGC JOURNAL SERIAL NO: 48817
An Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed, Online and Print International Research Journalwww.icmrr.org 114 [email protected]
Gender
Females have often been found to possess less financial literacy and awareness level compared to
males (Chen, & Volpe, 1998; Nga, H. et al. 2010; Bhushan, P. & Medury, Y. 2013). Chen, & Volpe,
(2002) found that men scores high on general concepts of finance, savings & borrowing, insurance
and investment compared to women. Females have more difficulty to cope up with economic and
financial market and product development than do males (Lusardi, A. 2011).
H0a. There is no significant difference between male and female financial literacy level.
Education level
More educated people are more informed, yet education is far from a perfect proxy for literacy
(Lusardi, A. 2011). Financial literacy level is positively related with the level of education and
participants with a highest educational degree have a higher level of personal financial literacy level
(Shaari, et al. 2013; Al- Tamimi et al. 2009; Bhushan, P. & Medury, Y. 2013).
H0b. There is no significant difference between financial literacy levels on the basis of education
level.
Majors (Business and non-business)
Chen & Volpe (1998, 2002) identified that business college students have higher personal financial
literacy compared to non business college students. Commerce students are better in comparison to
non commerce students with regard to financial literacy level (Aggarwal, M. & Gupta, M. 2014).
Accounting and finance majors youths have higher general financial awareness compared to
marketing and general majors (Nga, H. et al. 2010).
H0c. There is no significant difference between financial literacy level on the basis of
major/discipline.
3. PROBLEM STATEMENT AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE STUDY
Indian economy is entering into second phase of financial sector reforms; as a result it will be
incorporated with world economy at a greater rapidity and will face increasing risk of adverse impact
of world economic crisis. This requires knowledge about the financial markets, advanced financial
products & services and also proper attitude as well as behavioral skills. These activities need
budgeting, planning and involve savings and investments, in this situation adequate level of financial
literacy is requisite for financial safety and security required for the individuals. It effects day to day
money management as well as long term requirement like buying home, children education, and
secure retirement. Lower level of financial literacy and ineffective money management skills can also
result in behavior that makes consumers more susceptible to a financial emergency. India is having
the largest young population in the world (UN report, 2014). For the economic development of a
country adequate level of financial literacy should be possessed by youth population. Keeping this in
view, the present study measures the financial literacy level of college students.
Following conceptual framework is adopted for the study on the basis of “How ordinary consumers
make complex economic decisions: Financial literacy and Retirement readiness” by Lurardi, &
Mitchell (2009).
INTERCONTINENTAL JOURNAL OF FINANCE RESEARCH REVIEWISSN:2321-0354 - ONLINE ISSN:2347-1654 - PRINT - IMPACT FACTOR:4.236VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7, JULY 2017 UGC APPROVED JOURNAL -UGC JOURNAL SERIAL NO: 48817
An Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed, Online and Print International Research Journalwww.icmrr.org 115 [email protected]
Basic financial literacy
Figure. 1
4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
4.1 Objectives of the study
i. To measure the financial literacy level of college students.
ii. To identify the impact of various demographic factors like gender, education level and majors
on the financial literacy level.
iii. To give suggestions for improving financial literacy.
4.2 Research Design: This study is descriptive in nature and survey method is employed.
4.3 Source of Data: Data required for the study is obtained from both secondary and primary sources.
Questionnaire was prepared for measuring financial literacy level by a series of questions based on
“How ordinary consumers make complex economic decisions: Financial literacy and Retirement
readiness” by Lurardi, & Mitchell (2009). A total of 13 questions were asked to test basic and
advanced financial literacy level.
4.4 Sample Description: The sampling unit is 150 students in the age group of 18 to 25 belonging to
different faculties of Science, Arts and Commerce students of a private and government higher
education institution in Haryana. Hypothesis testing was conducted through Fisher‟s Exact test.
5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
5.1 The profile of the study’s respondents
Table: 1
Characteristics Frequencies Percentage (%)
Gender
Male 67 44.7
Female 83 55.3
Education level
Graduation 74 49.3
Post graduation 76 50.7
Majors / Discipline
Business 86 57.3
Non business 64 42.7
Source: compiled from primary data
Basic financial
literacy:-
a) Simple interest
b) Compound
interest
c) Inflation
d) Time value of
money
e) Purchasing
power of money
Advanced financial
literacy:-
a) Stock market
functioning
b) Knowledge of mutual
funds
c) Interest rate and bond
price link
d) Safer: company stock
and Mutual fund
e) Riskier: stocks and
bonds
f) Long period returns
g) Highest fluctuation
security
h) Risk diversification
Overall
Financial
Literacy
INTERCONTINENTAL JOURNAL OF FINANCE RESEARCH REVIEWISSN:2321-0354 - ONLINE ISSN:2347-1654 - PRINT - IMPACT FACTOR:4.236VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7, JULY 2017 UGC APPROVED JOURNAL -UGC JOURNAL SERIAL NO: 48817
An Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed, Online and Print International Research Journalwww.icmrr.org 116 [email protected]
Table 1 gives the summary of the demographic characteristics of the respondents. From a total of 150
respondents, 44.7% of them were male and 55.3% of female. In terms of education level 49.3% were
graduates and 50.7% of them were post graduates. Majority of the respondents i.e. 57.3% in our
sample were from business discipline followed by 42.7% from non business discipline.
5.2 Financial literacy level
Table: 2 Descriptive Summary
Financial literacy questions Correct
Answers
(%)
Incorrect
Answers
(%)
Q1- Simple Interest 88.0 12.0
Q2- Compound interest 36.0 64.0
Q3- Inflation rate 68.0 32.0
Q4- Time value of money 54.0 46.0
Q5- Purchasing power 70.0 30.0
Q6- Stock market functioning 47.3 52.7
Q7- Knowledge of Mutual Fund 33.3 66.7
Q8- Interest Rate / Bond Prices Link 38.7 61.3
Q9- Safer 44.0 56.0
Q10- Riskier 62.7 37.3
Q11- Long Period Returns 42.7 57.3
Q12- Highest fluctuation 58.7 41.3
Q13- Risk diversification 46.7 53.3
Source: compiled from primary data
As Table 2 summarizes how participants answered financial literacy measurement questions. The
highest score recorded (88%) relates to the question about the simple interest calculation. And lowest
score recorded (33.3%) pertains to the knowledge of mutual funds and followed by (36%) compound
interest and (38.7%) relates to the interest rate and bond prices linkage. More than 50% of the
respondents have no knowledge about stock market and its functions, safety of stocks highest return
security and risk diversification questions. General knowledge of respondents risk diversification
(46.7%), highest return security (42.7%), stock market functioning (47.3%) and safety of stocks (44.0)
topics can be considered as low. Only 4 out of 13 statements have more than 60% correct answers.
This suggests that the respondent‟s financial literacy level is low.
INTERCONTINENTAL JOURNAL OF FINANCE RESEARCH REVIEWISSN:2321-0354 - ONLINE ISSN:2347-1654 - PRINT - IMPACT FACTOR:4.236VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7, JULY 2017 UGC APPROVED JOURNAL -UGC JOURNAL SERIAL NO: 48817
An Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed, Online and Print International Research Journalwww.icmrr.org 117 [email protected]
5.3 Effect of demographic variables on financial literacy
Table: 3 Fisher’s Exact test and Cross tabulation between the financial literacy level and
Gender
Financial literacy statements Male
(correct
answer %)
Female
(correct
answer
% )
Fisher’s Exact test
Q1- Simple Interest 80.6 94.0 Value
10.220
df
3
Exact Sig.(2-
sided)
.007
Q2- Compound interest 16.4 51.8 46.336 4 .001
Q3- Inflation rate 49.3 83.1 28.996 4 .001
Q4- Time value of money 52.2 55.4 5.277 4 .250
Q5- Purchasing power 71.6 68.7 2.936 4 .620
Q6- Stock market functioning 40.3 53.0 9.771 5 .063
Q7- Knowledge of Mutual Fund 29.9 36.1 8.129 5 .133
Q8- Interest Rate / Bond Prices Link 16.4 56.6 44.710 4 .001
Q9- Safer 28.4 39.8 6.084 3 .075
Q10- Riskier 47.8 74.7 12.645 3 .003
Q11- Long Period Returns 29.9 53.0 21.400 4 .001
Q12- Highest fluctuation 49.3 66.3 5.127 4 .252
Q13- Risk diversification 37.3 54.2 22.641 4 .003
Source: Created by authors
Cross tabulation results (Table: 3) show that 12 out of 13 financial literacy measurement statements
have more percentage of female respondents correct answers in comparison to male respondents. The
results of cross tabulation shows that male‟s financial literacy level is low.
Simple interest – Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 10.220 (Sig. value < 0.05)
Compound interest - Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 46.336 (Sig. value < 0.05)
Inflation – Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 28.996 (Sig. value < 0.05)
Interest rate / bond price linkage - Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 44.710 (Sig. value < 0.05)
Risk associated with securities – Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 12.645 (Sig. value < 0.05)
Long period returns – Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 21.400 (Sig. value < 0.05)
Risk diversification – Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 22.641 (Sig. value < 0.05)
More than half of the statements have Fisher‟s exact test p- value (Sig. value < 0.05) indicated that
there is significant difference in financial literacy level of respondents on the basis of gender.
INTERCONTINENTAL JOURNAL OF FINANCE RESEARCH REVIEWISSN:2321-0354 - ONLINE ISSN:2347-1654 - PRINT - IMPACT FACTOR:4.236VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7, JULY 2017 UGC APPROVED JOURNAL -UGC JOURNAL SERIAL NO: 48817
An Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed, Online and Print International Research Journalwww.icmrr.org 118 [email protected]
Table: 4 Chi-square test (Fisher’s exact test) and Cross tabulation between the Financial
literacy level and Education level
Financial literacy statements Graduatio
n (correct
answer %)
Post
graduat
ion
(correc
t
answer
% )
Chi-square value
(Fisher’s Exact test)
Q1- Simple Interest 86.5 89.5 Value
2.572
df
3
Exact
Sig.(2-
sided)
.470
Q2- Compound interest 23.0 48.7 12.723 4 .008
Q3- Inflation rate 58.1 77.6 9.412 4 .034
Q4- Time value of money 51.4 55.6 6.518 4 .147
Q5- Purchasing power 74..3 65.8 3.268 4 .542
Q6- Stock market functioning 36.5 57.9 34.441 5 .001
Q7- Knowledge of Mutual Fund 41.9 25.0 16.604 5 .003
Q8- Interest Rate / Bond Prices Link 43.2 34.2 5.719 4 .217
Q9- Safer 43.2 44.7 12.052 3 .004
Q10- Riskier 54.1 71.1 14.949 3 .001
Q11- Long Period Returns 41.9 43.4 10.809 4 .020
Q12- Highest fluctuation 44.6 72.4 15.155 4 .003
Q13- Risk diversification 45.9 47.4 3.117 4 .533
Source: Created by authors
As Table 4 summarize the Cross tabulation and Fisher‟s exact test results for measuring the
association between education level and financial literacy level. Cross tabulation results show that 10
out of 13 financial literacy measurement statements have more percentage of post graduate
respondents correct answers in comparison to graduate respondents. The results indicated that post
graduate college students are more financial literate in comparison to graduate students.
Compound interest - Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 12.723(Sig. value < 0.05)
Inflation – Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 9.412 (Sig. value < 0.05)
Stock market functioning - Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 34.441 (Sig. value < 0.05)
Knowledge of mutual funds- Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 16.604 (Sig. value < 0.05)
Safety of stocks- Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 12.052(Sig. value < 0.05)
Risk associated with securities- Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 14.949 (Sig. value < 0.05)
Long period return security- Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 10.809 (Sig. value < 0.05)
Highest fluctuated security- Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 15.155 (Sig. value < 0.05)
8 out of 13 financial literacy statements have Fisher‟s exact test p- value (Sig. value < 0.05) indicated
that there is significant association between financial literacy level and education level. Our results
prove that null hypothesis is rejected and post graduate students are more financially literate in
comparison to graduate students.
INTERCONTINENTAL JOURNAL OF FINANCE RESEARCH REVIEWISSN:2321-0354 - ONLINE ISSN:2347-1654 - PRINT - IMPACT FACTOR:4.236VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7, JULY 2017 UGC APPROVED JOURNAL -UGC JOURNAL SERIAL NO: 48817
An Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed, Online and Print International Research Journalwww.icmrr.org 119 [email protected]
Table: 5 Chi-square test (Fisher’s Exact test) and Cross tabulation between the Financial
literacy level and Majors/ Discipline
Financial literacy statements Business
(correct
answer %)
Non
business
(correct
answer %
)
Chi-square value (Fisher’s
Exact test)
Q1- Simple Interest 91.9 82.8 Value
4.175
df
3
Exact
Sig.(2-
sided)
.232
Q2- Compound interest 39.5 31.3 4.561 4 .310
Q3- Inflation rate 61.6 76.6 4.339 4 .339
Q4- Time value of money 47.7 62.5 4.274 4 .336
Q5- Purchasing power 66.3 75.0 3.678 4 .441
Q6- Stock market functioning 54.7 37.5 38.102 5 .001
Q7- Knowledge of Mutual Fund 44.2 18.8 39.131 5 .001
Q8- Interest Rate / Bond Prices Link 39.5 37.5 4.549 4 .336
Q9- Safer 52.3 32.8 9.849 3 .012
Q10- Riskier 69.8 53.1 13.885 3 .001
Q11- Long Period Returns 55.8 25.0 23.180 4 .001
Q12- Highest fluctuation 68.6 45.3 13.462 4 .005
Q13- Risk diversification 55.8 34.4 17.318 4 .001
Source: Created by authors
Table 5 depicts the Cross tabulation and Fisher‟s exact test results for measuring the association
between education level and financial literacy level. Cross tabulation results show that 10 out of 13
financial literacy measurement statements have more percentage of business stream respondents
correct answers in comparison to non business stream respondents. The results indicated that business
students have more knowledge about financial concepts in comparison to non business students.
Stock market functioning - Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 38.102 (Sig. value < 0.05)
Knowledge of mutual funds- Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 39.131 (Sig. value < 0.05)
Safety of stocks- Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 9.849 (Sig. value < 0.05)
Risk associated with securities- Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 13.885 (Sig. value < 0.05)
Long period return security- Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 23.180 (Sig. value < 0.05)
Highest fluctuated security- Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 13.462 (Sig. value < 0.05)
Risk diversification- Fisher‟s exact test statistics of 17.318 (Sig. value < 0.05)
It is found that more than half of financial literacy statements have Fisher‟s exact test p- value (Sig.
value < 0.05) indicated that there is significant difference in financial literacy level on the basis of
majors and discipline. Therefore, we can reject our null hypothesis and business students are better in
comparison to non business students with regards to financial literacy level.
6. FINDINGS AND SUGGESTIONS
The results of the study strongly indicated that financial literacy level of college students is
very low. As a subsidiary finding, demographic factors such as gender, education level and
type of majors have positive impact on financial literacy level of the college students [Shaari,
INTERCONTINENTAL JOURNAL OF FINANCE RESEARCH REVIEWISSN:2321-0354 - ONLINE ISSN:2347-1654 - PRINT - IMPACT FACTOR:4.236VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7, JULY 2017 UGC APPROVED JOURNAL -UGC JOURNAL SERIAL NO: 48817
An Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed, Online and Print International Research Journalwww.icmrr.org 120 [email protected]
et al. 2013; Nga, H. et al. 2010; Chen & Volpe, 1998; Aggarwal, M. & Gupta, M. 2014; Al-
Tamimi et al. 2009].
Consistent to previous studies, business discipline students were found to have higher
financial literacy level. [Aggarwal, M. & Gupta, M. 2014; Nga, H. et al. 2010]
Financial Education should be provided at secondary and senior secondary level of education
and courses for managing personal finance can be offered to students in colleges. And these
courses should be made compulsory for all disciplines.
Campaigns for spreading awareness about financial literacy concepts and banking concepts
need to be intensified. This can be done through innovative dissemination channels including
films, documentaries, pamphlets and road shows.
Parents can also influence the behaviour of their children by developing the habits of savings,
planning, budgeting, consumer awareness etc.
Websites can be launched which offer free financial information to youth and these websites
must be reliable and committed to educate the youth on a wide range of financial and banking
concepts.
Government should support financial literacy programs and schemes in urban as well as rural
areas it was found that government supported projects and programs help common improving
their financial literacy.
Global guidelines and standards for financial literacy initiatives and consumer protection
frameworks in financial markets should be formulated.
In addition, the study implies that there is room for joint efforts of private and public
institutions of higher learning, financial institutions and the ministry of higher education to work
together in developing a comprehensive curriculum which is currently non-exists for improving
financial literacy and awareness level of students. Thus it becomes the need of the hour that
government as well as policy makers take necessary steps to improve the level of financial literacy
among population.
REFERENCES
1. Hussein A Hassan Al- Tamimi, Al Anood Bin Kalli (2009), “Financial literacy and
investment decisions of UAE investors”, The Journal of Risk Finance, Vol. 10, No. 5, pp.
500-516.
2. Beal D J and Delpachitra S (2003), “Financial literacy among Australian university students”,
Economic Papers, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 65-78.
3. Bhushan P and Medury Y (2013), “Financial literacy and its determinants”, International
Journal of Engineering, Business and Enterprise Applications, Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 155-160.
4. Bhushan P (2014), “Relationship between financial literacy and investment behaviour of
salaried individuals”, Journal of Business Management & Social Science Research, Vol. 3,
No. 5, pp. 82-87.
5. Carolynne L J and Richard M (2000), “Conceptualising financial literacy” Business School
Research Paper Series, Loughborough University.
6. Chen H and Volpe R (1998), “An analysis of personal financial literacy among college
students”, Financial Service Review, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 107-128.
7. Chen H and Volpe R (2002), “Gender differences in personal financial literacy among college
students”, Financial Service Review, Vol. 11, pp. 289-307.
8. Emmanuel Kojo Oseifuah (2010), “Financial literacy and youth entrepreneurship in South
Africa”, African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, Vol. 1, Iss. 2, pp. 164 – 182.
INTERCONTINENTAL JOURNAL OF FINANCE RESEARCH REVIEWISSN:2321-0354 - ONLINE ISSN:2347-1654 - PRINT - IMPACT FACTOR:4.236VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7, JULY 2017 UGC APPROVED JOURNAL -UGC JOURNAL SERIAL NO: 48817
An Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed, Online and Print International Research Journalwww.icmrr.org 121 [email protected]
9. Joseph J (2012), “Financial literacy of economically marginalized people of Kerala”,
Unpublished data, School of Gandhian Thought and Development Studies, Mahatma Gandhi
University Kerala.
10. Lusardi A and Mitchell O S (2011), “Financial literacy around the world: An overview”,
National Bureau of Economic Research, Working paper no. 17107.
11. Lusardi A, Mitchell O S and Curto Vilsa (2009) “Financial literacy among the young:
Evidence and implication for consumer policy”, National Bureau of Economic Research,
Working paper no. 15352.
12. Lusardi A (2008), “Financial literacy: An essential tool for informed consumer choice?”,
National Bureau of Economic Research, Working Paper No. 14084.
13. Lusardi M and Mitchell O S (2006), “Financial literacy and planning: Implications for
retirement wellbeing”, Michigan Retirement Centre, Working paper 2005-108.
14. Lusardi M and Mitchell O S (2009), “How ordinary consumers make complex economic
decisions: Financial literacy and retirement readiness”, National Bureau of Economic
Research, Working paper no. 15350.
15. Mahdzan N S and Tabiani S (2013), “The impact of financial literacy on individual saving:
An exploratory study in Malaysian context”, Transformations in Business and Economics,
Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 41-55.
16. Navin B and Arnav C (2010), “Financial inclusion in the slums of Mumbai”, Economic and
Political Weekly, October 16, 2010, Vol. 45 No. 42.
17. Joyce K H Nga, Lisa H L Yong and Rathakrishnan D Sellappan (2010), “A study of financial
awareness among youths”, Young Consumers, Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 277-290.
18. Narula S (2015), “Financial literacy and personal investment decisions of retail investors in
Delhi”, International Journal of Science, Technology & Management, Vol. 4, No. 1, 33-42.
19. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (2005), “Improving financial
literacy: Analysis of issues and policies”, Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development, Paris: OECD Publications, ISBN 92-64-01257.
20. Pallavi S, Patel G and Krishnan K K (2010), “Financial literacy & investment decisions of
Indian investors: A case of Delhi & NCR”, Birla Institute of Management Technology,
Greater Noida, India.
21. Roy Morgan Research (2003), “ANZ Survey of adult financial literacy in Australia”, ANZ
Banking Group, Melbourne, Roy Morgan Research, pp. 1-77.
22. Shaari A N, Hasan A N, Mohamed H M and Sabri J A (2013), “Financial literacy: A study
among the university student”, Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research Business,
Vol. 5, No. (2), pp. 279-294.
23. Worthington A C (2006), “Predicting financial literacy in Australia”, Financial Services
Review, Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 59-79.
24. www.google.com
25. www.rbi.org.in
INTERCONTINENTAL JOURNAL OF FINANCE RESEARCH REVIEWISSN:2321-0354 - ONLINE ISSN:2347-1654 - PRINT - IMPACT FACTOR:4.236VOLUME 5, ISSUE 7, JULY 2017 UGC APPROVED JOURNAL -UGC JOURNAL SERIAL NO: 48817
An Open Access, Peer Reviewed, Refereed, Online and Print International Research Journalwww.icmrr.org 122 [email protected]