Leveraging cash transfer receipts for entrepreneurial wealth creation in emerging economies: a systematic review and emerging research agenda

Despite evidence that cash transfer receipts provide socio-economic benefits, their use as seed capital for creation of entrepreneurial wealth in resource-constrained contexts remains poorly understood. This study analyzes existing literature to examine conditions and mechanisms through which cash transfers act as enablers for sustainable entrepreneurial wealth by focusing on the role of business skills, social networks, and institutions. It develops a conceptual framework explaining pathways from cash transfers to entrepreneurial wealth. The study employs PRISMA-guided systematic literature review using a qualitative approach. It analyzed thirty-two sources from an initial pool of 457 research papers retrieved through structured keyword searches from selected academic databases. Data collection entailed screening titles and abstracts focusing on studies that examined impact of cash transfer on entrepreneurial wealth. Cash transfers, when targeted to recipients with entrepreneurial resourcefulness and complemented by capacity-building activities, are associated with increased business start-up and income generation rather than guaranteed entrepreneurial wealth creation, reflecting strong consensus on liquidity relief but conditional effects on sustainability. The impact is context-dependent, relying on market infrastructure, supportive policies, and institutional support. The capacity of cash transfers to generate entrepreneurial wealth hinges on alignment with enabling environment. This research advances understanding by framing cash transfers as catalysts for economic empowerment by linking them to ecosystem strengthening and targeted capacity building. By linking cash transfers to pathways for sustainable entrepreneurial wealth, this study extends existing literature and provides insights for designing cash transfer programs that foster entrepreneurial wealth in resource constrained communities.