Slum‐Based <scp>CAV</scp> Networks: Networking in Unyielding Poverty Situations

ABSTRACT Over a billion of the world's population reside in slums. However, the configurations of their social and structural ties in these environments remain unsubstantiated. Drawing on a psychosociological rational choice perspective, we introduce theoretical explanations distinguishing slum dwellers' behavior, actions, and attitudes in community asset voucher (CAV) networks. Regression and equation modeling results, based on 19,892 slum dwellers' CAV transactions, reveal intersecting socio‐economic dynamics suggesting that twenty‐five percent (25%) of these dwellers are entrepreneurially‐minded. They leverage CAVs for consumption and enterprise purposes. They also time when to transact in their slum‐based CAV networks. Their central position indicates that they influence CAV transactions. But seventy‐five percent (75%) of these dwellers are passive. They accept that they cannot change their seemingly unyielding poverty situation; hence, they only receive and use CAVs for consumption purposes. This stark contrast in behavior and attitude carries academic, economic, and social ramifications.