Financial well-being of customer-to-customer co-creation experience: a comparative qualitative focus group study of savings/credit groups

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nkosinathi Sithole ◽  
Gillian Sullivan Mort ◽  
Clare D'Souza
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Experiences ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Financial Capability ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Sub Saharan

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the effects of the customer-to-customer co-creation experiences of savings/credit groups in the African context and how savings/credit groups influence financial capability and enhance financial well-being.Design/methodology/approachUsing purposive sampling, a study of a total of 18 focus groups was conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. Nine urban-based savings/credit groups were drawn from across South Africa and additional nine, rural-based savings/credit groups were studied in the Monduli district of Tanzania.FindingsFindings demonstrate that the African philosophy of Ubuntu, which promotes customer-to-customer interaction, is the cornerstone of the customer-to-customer co-creation experience. Ubuntu philosophical principles were found to influence the dialogue, access, risk and transparency model of co-creation and customer-dominant logic. The results show further that customer-to-customer co-creation experience positively influences the cognitive, financial, personal and social experiences of members. Specifically, it was found that cognitive and financial experiences positively influence financial satisfaction, financial self-esteem, financial self-efficacy and financial capability, all of which enhance financial well-being. In addition, personal and social experiences positively influence equality, self-confidence, entrepreneurial skills and motivation that in turn enhance social well-being.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has implications for many different stakeholders concerned with the financial inclusion of low-income consumers, particularly in the southern part of Africa.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore the effects of customer-to-customer co-creation experiences in traditional financial services settings in order to understand how these indigenous financial services influence the financial capability and financial well-being of co-creation members.

“It’s better I’m dead”: oppression and suicidal ideation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Reber
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Host Country ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Environmental Context ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Temporary Migrant ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
First Time

Purpose Anecdotal accounts of suicide among temporary low-wage migrant workers in the UAE are numerous, but unofficial and qualitative accounts remain unexplored. This study aims to examine how the socio-environmental context can lead some low-wage migrants, irrespective of their nationality or culture, to contemplate suicide for the first time after arriving in the host country. Design/methodology/approach The findings draw from ten months of qualitative fieldwork (2015–2016) and in-depth interviews conducted with 44 temporary migrant workers from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, earning in the lowest wage bracket in Dubai. The study used a non-probabilistic, purposive sampling approach to select participants. Three criteria drove eligibility: participants had to reside in the UAE, be non-national and earn Dh1500 (US$408) or less a month. Otherwise, diversity was sought in regard to nationality, occupation and employer. Findings Eight (18%) of the 44 study participants interviewed admitted to engaging in suicidal thoughts for the first time after arriving in the UAE. The findings suggest that for low-wage migrants working in certain socio-environmental contexts, the religious, gendered or other cultural or group characteristics or patterns that may be predictors of suicide in migrants’ country of origin may become secondary or possibly even irrelevant when one is forced to survive under conditions that by most objective standards would be deemed not only oppressive but extremely exploitative and abusive. Originality/value This study contributes to understandings of how the emotional and psychological well-being of temporary foreign low-wage migrant workers can be impacted by the socio-environmental context of the host country. It is a first step in understanding the intimate thoughts of low-wage migrant workers on the topic of suicidality, furthering our understanding of suicidal ideation and the factors that can contribute to it.

Turning on the township: financial inclusion in South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 420-446
Author(s):  
Louise Whittaker ◽  
Graunt Kruger
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Subject Position ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Strategic Actions ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Economic Engagement

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore practitioner and academic conceptualisations about what drives individuals (who are the target of financial inclusion efforts) to adopt and use financial services. It compares this with individual’s personal subjectivities to understand how the similarities and differences might contribute to problems in financial inclusion efforts. Design/methodology/approach To uncover such conceptualisations, a Foucauldian discourse analysis of three texts is conducted. Findings The analysis uncovers the ways in which financial subjects are produced. Important points of discontinuity are evident between texts, pointing to potential failures within financial inclusion constructs. Distilling aspects of continuity between texts shows up three kinds of subjects produced predicated on the site of economic engagement as owners of bodies, tangible property and intangible property. These subjects are shown to all share concerns with income and expense management. The analysis shows that subject positions and strategic actions (including the use of financial service providers) are mutually reinforcing, and that therefore financial subjects will engage only to the extent that the product or service enacts their subject position. With the financial subject as the starting point, it is possible to understand the use or rejection of particular financial products and services. Research limitations/implications Asset building is proposed as a field of activity not currently considered part of mainstream financial inclusion, questioning the terms on which individuals are to be financially “included”. Originality/value Approximately 2 billion people globally, and 66 per cent of adults in sub-Saharan Africa, are excluded from the formal financial system. While financial inclusion is considered beneficial, many projects face significant challenges. This suggests insufficient understanding of what drives individuals to adopt and use financial services. This paper makes a contribution by exploring the gap between academics, practitioners and individuals using a method that has not previously been applied in this field, and uncovering differences in understanding that have not previously been explored. The insights into financial inclusion in provided in this paper are original in the literature.

Off-grid solar model in Africa faces credit risks

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Capital Outlay ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Credit Risks ◽  
Revenue Streams ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Electricity Access

Subject Th off-grid solar sector in Africa. Significance Off-grid solar technologies are playing an important role in extending basic electricity access in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, suppliers have to sustain significant capital outlay to build viable revenue streams based on extending credit to low- and very low-income customers, which presents major difficulties in building stable business models. Impacts Providers will seek innovative financing mechanisms to mitigate credit risks. The growth of off-grid solar will increase demand for low energy, direct current appliances. Access to higher-tier electrification may be necessary to generate significant income or jobs.

scholarly journals Financial literacy and financial well-being of Australian consumers: a moderated mediation model of impulsivity and financial capability

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad S. Tahir ◽  
Abdullahi D. Ahmed ◽  
Daniel W. Richards
Keyword(s):  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Moderated Mediation ◽  
Mediation Model ◽  
Financial Capability ◽  
Moderator Variable ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Moderated Mediation Model

PurposeThis study aims to test a moderated mediation model for a twofold purpose. First, to examine the mediating role of financial capability (FC) in the association between financial literacy (FL) and financial well-being (FW). Second, to analyze if non-impulsive future-oriented behavior (NIB) moderates the associations of FL with FC and FL with FW.Design/methodology/approachThe authors use the PROCESS macros in IBM SPSS Statistics to test the moderated mediation model and analyze the 2016 wave of the Household, Income and Labor Dynamics in Australia Survey.FindingsThe empirical analysis shows that FC partially mediates the association between FL and FW. Furthermore, the moderated mediation analysis shows that NIB strengthens the associations of FL with FC and FL with FW. Specifically, the positive associations of FL with FC and FL with FW significantly increase for those consumers who score high on NIB.Practical implicationsThe findings have implications for the financial services industry. Professional financial planners can positively improve the ability of consumers to deal with their financial matters by highlighting the importance of FL and NIB.Social implicationsThe study findings suggest educating consumers to discourage impulsive behavior and encourage them to create financial plans as it will enhance their ability to conduct financial tasks efficiently, improving their FW.Originality/valueTo the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to assess a moderated mediation model, which examines the role of FC as a mediator variable and NIB as a moderator variable in the association between FL and FW.

scholarly journals Connecting with home, keeping in touch: physical and virtual mobility across stretched families in sub-Saharan Africa

Africa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 404-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gina Porter ◽  
Kate Hampshire ◽  
Albert Abane ◽  
Alister Munthali ◽  
Elsbeth Robson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Urban Neighbourhoods ◽  
Virtual Mobility ◽  
History Of ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
Sub Saharan

AbstractThere is a long history of migration among low-income families in sub-Saharan Africa, in which (usually young, often male) members leave home to seek their fortune in what are perceived to be more favourable locations. While the physical and virtual mobility practices of such stretched families are often complex and contingent, maintaining contact with distantly located close kin is frequently of crucial importance for the maintenance of emotional (and possibly material) well-being, both for those who have left home and for those who remain. This article explores the ways in which these connections are being reshaped by increasing access to mobile phones in three sub-Saharan countries – Ghana, Malawi and South Africa – drawing on interdisciplinary, mixed-methods research from twenty-four sites, ranging from poor urban neighbourhoods to remote rural hamlets. Stories collected from both ends of stretched families present a world in which the connectivities now offered by the mobile phone bring a different kind of closeness and knowing, as instant sociality introduces a potential substitute for letters, cassettes and face-to-face visits, while the rapid resource mobilization opportunities identified by those still at home impose increasing pressures on migrant kin.

scholarly journals What do we know about maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity audits in sub-Saharan Africa? A scoping literature review

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 192-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adelaide Lusambili ◽  
Joyline Jepkosgei ◽  
Jacinta Nzinga ◽  
Mike English
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Aggregated Data ◽  
Organizational Barriers ◽  
Scoping Literature Review ◽  
Sub Saharan

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide a situational overview of the facility-based maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality audits (MPMMAs) in SSA, their current efficacy at reducing mortality and morbidity rates related to childbirth.Design/methodology/approachThis is a scoping literature review based on the synthesis of secondary literature.FindingsNot all countries in SSA conduct MPMMAs. Countries where MPMMAs are conducted have not instituted standard practice, MPMMAs are not done on a national scale, and there is no clear best practice for MPMMAs. In addition, auditing process of pediatrics and maternal deaths is flawed by human and organizational barriers. Thus, the aggregated data collected from MPMMAs are not adequate enough to identify and correct systemic flaws in SSA childbirth-related health care.Research limitations/implicationsThere are a few published literature on the topic in sub-Saharan Africa.Practical implicationsThis review exposes serious gaps in literature and practice. It provides a platform upon which practitioners and policy makers must begin to discuss ways of embedding mortality audits in SSA in their health systems as well as health strategies.Social implicationsThe findings of this paper can inform policy in sub-Saharan Africa that could lead toward better outcomes in health and well-being.Originality/valueThe paper is original.

scholarly journals Risk factors of intrauterine fetal death: a case control study at the maternity of Yaoundé Central Hospital

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 2149
Author(s):  
Romaric Joel Tetsiguia Momo ◽  
Jeanne Hortence Fouedjio ◽  
Florent Ymélé Fouelifack ◽  
Robinson Enow Mbu
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Fetal Death ◽  
Resistive Index ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Intrauterine Fetal Death ◽  
Poor Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Weekly Assessment

Background: Intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) is the death before the beginning of the work of the fetus from the 28th week of pregnancy or a fetus of weight greater than or equal to 1000g. It occurs in 98% in poor countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for IUFD in low-income countries.Methods: All the women with preeclampsia from 30 weeks onwards were enrolled in the study. The umblical artery (UA) Systolic-diastolic (S/D) ratio >2 standard deviation (SD) or UA-pulsatility index (PI) and UA-resistive index (RI) >2 SD were taken as abnormal. The middle cerebral artery (MCA) was visualised and cerebroumblical PI ratio calculated. MCA-RI<2SD was taken as abnormal.Results: Independent risk factors for IUFD are age over 30 years (ORa = 2.1, P = 0.052), (ORa = 2.4497, p = 0.01), household occupation (ORa = 2.0097, p = 0.0282), hypertension disorders (ORa = 2.11, p = 0.0176), antepartal haemorrhage (ORa = 3.9635, p = 0.000), multiparity (ORa = 13.3089, p = 0.0056).Conclusions: The main risk factors for IUFD identified in our study are maternal age greater than 30 years, hypertension, antepartal haemorrhage, multiparity, and the household profession. Any pregnant woman who has one of these factors should be follow-up closely during pregnancy with a weekly assessment of fetal well-being by the 28th week.

scholarly journals Drivers of Financial Access

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (74) ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne Deléchat ◽  
Lama Kiyasseh ◽  
Margaux MacDonald ◽  
Rui Xu
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Financial Access ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Macroprudential Policies ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Emerging And Developing Countries

This study analyzes the drivers of the use of formal vs. informal financial services in emerging and developing countries using the 2017 Global FINDEX data. In particular, we investigate whether individuals’ choice of financial services correlates with macro-financial and macro-structural policies and conditions, in addition to individual and country characteristics. We start our analysis on middle and low-income countries, and then zoom in on sub-Saharan Africa, currently the region that most relies on informal financial services, and which has the largest uptake of mobile banking. We find robust evidence of an association between macroprudential policies and individuals’ choice of financial access after controlling for personal and country-level characteristics. In particular, macroprudential policies aimed at controlling credit supply seem to be associated with greater resort to informal financial services compared with formal, bank-based access. This highlights the importance for central bankers and financial sector regulators to consider the potential spillovers of monetary policy and financial stability measures on financial inclusion.

A critical assessment of work and family life of female entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwame Adom ◽  
Irene Tiwaa Asare-Yeboa ◽  
Daniel M. Quaye ◽  
Abena Oforiwaa Ampomah
Keyword(s):  
Family Life ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Work And Family ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Family Responsibilities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sub Saharan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to critically evaluate how work and family lives of female entrepreneurs in emerging Sub-Saharan countries including Ghana influence their business performance, with focus on criteria such as income, number of outlets, and number of employees the entrepreneur controls. Design/methodology/approach A phenomenological qualitative approach to research was adopted for this study to help the researcher gain deeper understanding of experiences of Ghanaian female entrepreneurs with respect to their work and family life and its influence on business performance. With a purposive sampling technique, 25 active women entrepreneurs with family responsibilities were sampled for the study. A multiple case study strategy, in-depth face-to-face interviews, and participant observation were used to solicit responses from participants included in the study. Findings The study revealed that a majority of female entrepreneurs involved in the study believe that their roles and responsibilities to their families have a negative impact on both the income they generate from their business and their willingness to expand their outlets. However, it has a positive impact on their willingness to employ additional employees in their businesses. As a consequence, this study reveals that quality family life is essential to these female entrepreneurs and they are willing to put the well-being of their families first, even at the expense of their business growth. Research limitations/implications The study focused solely on the work and family life of women entrepreneurs and its influence on their business performance in Ghana. However, there exist other critical issues that affect women entrepreneurs in the Sub-Saharan region that can be explored to provide more insight on this subject or in different contexts. Originality/value As a first of its kind in the Ghanaian context, little is known in extant literature until now with regard to work and family life of female entrepreneurs and its influence on their business performance. This study therefore seeks to bridge this gap.

scholarly journals Entrepreneurs’ personal values and CSR orientations: evidence from SMEs in Zambia

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 545-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Progress Choongo ◽  
Leo Jasper Paas ◽  
Enno Masurel ◽  
Elco van Burg ◽  
John Lungu
Keyword(s):  
Personal Values ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Self Transcendence ◽  
Significant Positive Influence

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between entrepreneurs’ personal values and corporate social responsibility (CSR) orientations among small- and medium-sized enterprises in a developing country, Zambia. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through questionnaires. Two linear regression models were used to test the hypotheses. Findings Self-transcendence values have a significant positive influence on socially oriented CSR but do not influence environmentally oriented CSR. Self-enhancement values do not affect social and environmental CSR orientations. Conservation values have a marginally positive influence on environmentally oriented CSR but no influence on socially oriented CSR. Finally, openness to change has a significant positive influence on environmentally orientated CSR but no influence on socially oriented CSR. Research limitations/implications The limitations of this study relates to the sector from which the sample was drawn, other predictors of CSR orientations, use of cross-sectional data, and the replication of this study to validate its findings. Practical implications The findings inform policy-makers, scholars, educators, and regulators on the importance of aligning personal values with environmental and social concerns, thereby influencing entrepreneurs’ CSR orientations for the well-being of society and the natural environment. Originality/value This paper shows the influence of personal values on CSR orientations among entrepreneurs in a hardly researched Sub-Saharan Africa country.

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