Red flag behaviors in financial services frauds: a mixed-methods study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Namrata Sandhu
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Control Sample ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Red Flag

Purpose This study aims to enlist the red flag behaviors exhibited in financial services frauds. Design/methodology/approach A pluralistic mixed methodology was adopted in this study. Data collected via semi-structured interviews were coded, quantified and subjected to descriptive analysis to identify the most frequently exhibited red flag behaviors in financial services frauds. The relative risk of exhibition of the identified red flag behaviors was assessed by intuitively comparing the red flag behaviors identified in financial services frauds (experimental group, n = 24) with the red flag behaviors identified in a heterogeneous control sample of non-financial services frauds (control group, n = 28). Findings This study identifies six red flag behaviors likely to be more frequently exhibited in financial services frauds than in non-financial services frauds. Practical implications Results of this study can be used to develop a typical behavioral profile of a financial services fraud perpetrator. Active communication of this profile in fraud awareness training can help make fraud conspicuous in the financial services industry. Originality/value This study is unique because human behavior as a possible fraud indicator is an under-researched area. Further, this study examines first level of evidence and attempts an ex-post analysis of actual red flag behaviors exhibited in acknowledged fraud cases in which the perpetrator/perpetrators has/have been clearly identified.

Behavioral red flags of fraud: a gender-based ex post analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 1307-1322
Author(s):  
Namrata Sandhu
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Western Country ◽  
Employee Behavior ◽  
Red Flags ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Red Flag ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to attempt a gender-based ex post examination of behavioral red flags of fraud exhibited by fraud perpetrators. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative data collected from semi-structured interviews were triangulated, quantified and subjected to statistical analysis to calculate the relative risk of exhibition of a behavioral red flag of fraud by a male/female fraud perpetrator. Findings This study reports the percentage of fraud cases in which male and female fraud perpetrators display particular behavioral red flags. The study also enlists the behavioral red flags likely to be more frequently exhibited by female fraud perpetrators relative to male fraud perpetrators and vice-versa. Practical implications Use of the results of this study in anti-fraud training is likely to make organizational fraud more susceptible to observation. Originality/value This study is unique because it is one of the very few studies that examine employee behavior as a potential fraud signal, establish gender distinction in behavioral red flags of fraud, and assess this phenomenon in a country other than a Western country.

Building a digital marketing internship program for technology-based start-ups: an exploratory study of student experiences

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Russell Merz ◽  
Jamie Ward ◽  
Sufian Qrunfleh ◽  
Bud Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Student Experiences ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Interns ◽  
Internship Programs ◽  
Blog Posts

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe the role and characteristics of the summer internship program (Digital Summer Clinic) delivered by Eastern Michigan University. The authors report the results of an exploratory study of interns participating in the Digital Summer Clinic over a five-year time period. The study captures and analyzes the experiences of interns as expressed in structured interviews and blog posts.Design/methodology/approachThe study data were text from structured interviews and blog posts capturing the “voice” of the interns. A natural language processing (NLP) analysis of the text corpus, consisting of 43 interviews and blog posts, resulted in the identification of 242 unique stem-terms used by interns in describing the internship experiences. The authors used the JMP Pro 15.2 Text Explorer algorithm (It is defined as a suite of computer programs for statistical analysis developed by the JMP business unit of SAS Institute) to extract the terms that were subsequently transformed and analyzed with factor analysis and regression to address the research questions.FindingsThe factor analysis results found six dimensions or themes, defined by the stem-terms used by student interns, best described the internship experience. The authors then explored the relationship between the six themes and the umbrella term “internship” with multiple regression analysis. The regression findings suggest a hierarchy of effects with the theme “Introducing Professional Opportunities” being the theme most predictive of the umbrella term.Originality/valueThe methodology used within the paper is unique in several ways when compared to other research investigating internship programs. First, it uses NLP analysis for the qualitative analysis of text-based descriptions of student experiences over a five-year time horizon. Second, the data analysis uses transformed text to quantitatively determine the major dimensions or themes expressed by the interns about their experiences in the Summer Clinic program. Finally, the relative importance of the themes identified provided direction for future program development.

Causes and mitigation for declining productivity in the Australian mid-rise residential construction sector

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tillmann Böhme ◽  
Alberto Escribano ◽  
Emma Elizabeth Heffernan ◽  
Scott Beazley
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Residential Construction ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Construction Productivity ◽  
Productivity Losses ◽  
Design Changes ◽  
Stage Process

Purpose The construction industry is a significant driver of economic activity in many countries. However, there has been a lack of growth in productivity within the Australian construction sector over recent years. The purpose of this paper is to gain an in-depth understanding of the causes for declining productivity within the Australian mid-rise residential construction network. Design/methodology/approach Two in-depth case studies have been conducted with a builder and developer, both significant entities of the Australian mid-rise residential construction network. Case study data collection comprised a five-stage process including semi-structured interviews and archival information review. Findings Drivers for declining construction productivity were identified under the categories of: industry-, firm- and project-level productivity. The drivers include: incomplete documentation, design changes, inefficient project management, supply chain fragmentation, among others. Originality/value The contribution of this study is the identification and categorisation of major issues impacting sector productivity along the mid-rise residential construction supply chain. The research identified that the substructure and superstructure are the construction phases during which most productivity losses occur. Mitigations are discussed in terms of systemic sector productivity increases at an industry, firm and project levels.

Building blocks of financial inclusion through customer experience value at financial touchpoints in Southern Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nkosinathi Sithole ◽  
Gillian Sullivan Mort ◽  
Clare D'Souza
Keyword(s):  
Southern Africa ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Customer Experience ◽  
The Body ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Low Income Consumers

PurposeThis paper aims to examine customer experience value orchestrated by non-banks' financial touchpoints to understand how they enhance the financial inclusion of low-income consumers.Design/methodology/approachTwo independent but related studies were conducted using qualitative comparative analyses (QCA) research design with semi-structured interviews to compare and contrast customer experience value at two rural locations in Southern Africa. The interview transcripts were analysed using ATLAS.ti, which is a powerful operating system for analysing qualitative data.FindingsThe results indicate that non-banks in the two countries design financial services that include functional, economic, humanic, social and mechanic customer experience value dimensions.Research limitations/implicationsThe data for this study was collected from financial services customers of retailers and mobile phone network operators in only one research setting in each country. Further research could extend the comparative context for qualitative studies across similar markets. Other limitations are discussed in the paper.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the body of knowledge by highlighting the salient and germane dimensions and components found to be important in understanding financial inclusion using customer experience value. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that incorporates customer experience value dimensions in understanding the financial inclusion of low-income consumers at the base of the social and economic pyramid in emerging markets.

The promise of a four-day week? A critical appraisal of a management-led initiative

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Delaney ◽  
Catherine Casey
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Work Hours ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Services Sector ◽  
Measurement Monitoring ◽  
Critical Scrutiny

PurposeThis article critically investigates a management-led experiment to institute a four-day work week with stated intentions of improving productivity and worker wellbeing. The article analyses the framing and implementation of the reduced work hours (RWH) trial, the responses of employees and the outcomes and implications of the trial. It raises concerns regarding the managerial appropriation of employee aspirations for more autonomy over time and improved work life.Design/methodology/approachWe conducted a qualitative case study of a medium-sized company operating in the financial services sector in New Zealand. Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 45 employees.FindingsOur study finds that the promise of a four-day week attracted employee favour and individualised benefits. However, entrenched managerialist practices of performance measurement, monitoring and productivity pressures were intensified. Pro-social and collective interests evident in labour-led campaigns were absent. We urge greater critical scrutiny into seemingly advantageous “business case” initiatives for reduced work hours.Originality/valueLittle is known about what happens to concern for social and employee interests entailed in reduced working hours initiatives when a management-led initiative is implemented. Indeed, the majority of research focuses on the macro-level rather than interrogating the “black box” of firms. Our inquiry contributes to these debates by asking, how does a management-led RWH initiative affect employees?

scholarly journals The internationalization of African fintech firms: marketing strategies for successful intra-Africa expansion

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zara Hammerschlag ◽  
Geoff Bick ◽  
John Manuel Luiz
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Capital Investment ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Venture Capital Investment ◽  
Market Expansion ◽  
Strategy Adaptation

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore how African fintech firms adapt their marketing strategies for successful market expansion into new African countries.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory study is qualitative in nature and utilizes semi-structured interviews at 14 African fintech firms.FindingsThe study reveals that, during intra-Africa expansion, firms adapt their marketing strategies by working with local people, prioritizing customer education, creating personal relationships with customers, adapting their communication strategies and pricing strategies and using social media. The strategies that have been most effective involve including the community in the marketing process, prioritizing relationships, segmenting customers geographically, educating customers about products, using local distribution partners and having a flexible approach to strategy adaptation.Practical implicationsIt has been argued that technological innovation in Africa in areas such as financial services is a critical driver of its future development, because of the opportunity it presents to promote financial inclusion. Through an increase in venture capital investment on the continent, technological innovations in financial services have grown exponentially, and this study contributes to the understanding of the marketing strategies employed to gain market traction.Originality/valueThis study proposes that African fintech firms adopt a bottom-up, value proposition-driven marketing strategy to successfully navigate the environment. The proposed framework provides a lens through which to understand the components of successful strategy adaptation in Africa, against the backdrop of the unique market challenges inherent in this emerging market continent.

When benchmark rates change: the case of Islamic banks

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-214
Author(s):  
Simon Archer ◽  
Rifaat Ahmed Abdel Karim
Keyword(s):  
Monetary Policy ◽  
Interest Rate ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Interest Rate Risk ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Conventional Banks

Purpose This paper aims to examine the issue that arises in the context of benchmark rate (or interest rate) changes made for reasons of monetary policy in a jurisdiction with a significant presence of Islamic banks. Changes, especially increases, in the prevailing interest rate made by central banks raise issues of asset-liability management for banks, which typically have longer maturities on the asset side than on the liabilities side, resulting in exposure to interest rate risk for conventional banks, and what is known as rate of return (RoR) risk for Islamic banks, which for reasons of compliance with Islamic religious law (Shari’ah) do not use interest in their operations. Islamic banks use various financial instruments which reflect the cost of funds by means of contracts of sale on credit or of leasing or forms of partnership, which allow them to earn returns on their funds and to pay returns to customers who deposit funds with them. Design/methodology/approach The methodology of this study consisted of a descriptive analysis of the relevant characteristics of Islamic banks and their economic and regulatory environments, illustrated by a case study approach applied to two jurisdictions, namely, Sudan and Malaysia. Findings In jurisdictions where Islamic banks represent a significant share of the market for financial services, if the contracts used in Islamic financing allow for periodic adjustments of the profit rate or lease rental, this could result in a significant impediment to the full implementation of monetary policy and hence to the maintenance of financial stability. Originality/value This study is (to the best of authors’ knowledge) the first thorough analysis in the literature of the issues arising from the exposure of Islamic banks to RoR risk and has clear implications for regulatory and central bank policy.

Sustainable HRM: toward addressing diverse employee roles

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nataliya Podgorodnichenko ◽  
Adeel Akmal ◽  
Fiona Edgar ◽  
Andrè M. Everett
Keyword(s):  
Human Resource ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hr Practices ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Hr Managers ◽  
Levels Of Integration

PurposeThe purpose of this empirical study is to develop an understanding of how human resource (HR) managers employed by organizations with an explicit sustainability agenda view employees as stakeholders, and to explore how such views are operationalized in HR policies and practices.Design/methodology/approachAn interpretive approach using data from 35 semi-structured interviews was adopted for this study. Data were transcribed and analyzed using the Gioia methodology.FindingsComparison of approaches to sustainable human resource management (HRM) revealed three distinctive conceptualizations of employees with respect to the sustainability agenda – employees as a driving force for sustainability, employees as consumers of HR practices and employees as members of a community. Strong levels of integration between the HRM and sustainability agendas were only evidenced in those organizations where an attempt had been made to address all three roles simultaneously. Findings suggest that engagement with a sustainability agenda widens the remit of the HRM function, underscoring the importance of employees' roles as consumers of HR practices and as members of wider communities.Practical implicationsBy addressing the integration of HRM with a sustainability agenda, this article helps practitioners recognize diversity among employees' roles and the varying associated needs. Examples of policy and practice initiatives that effectively address these needs are provided.Originality/valueHRM has been widely criticized for overemphasizing shareholder value, thereby lacking in attention to the needs of other stakeholders, including employees. Findings from this study suggest the holistic approach advocated by a sustainability agenda can effectively quell these concerns.

scholarly journals Parental Attachment Patterns in Mothers of Children with Anxiety Disorder

Children ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Şaban Karayağız ◽  
Timuçin Aktan ◽  
Lider Zeynep Karayağız
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Attachment Style ◽  
Parental Attachment ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Control Group ◽  
P Value ◽  
City Hospital ◽  
Experimental Group

Anxiety disorder on of the most common illnesses in the context of psychiatry. Potential causes include genetic and environmental factors, as well as the parental attachment of the individuals. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between parental attachment style and anxiety disorders for a group of children and their parents. Study data were collected from the mothers (N = 40) of children with an anxiety disorder who visited a child psychiatry outpatient clinic at a city hospital and a private institution in Kayseri (Turkey) in 2018. For the control group, 40 mothers of children without any mental illness were also included in the study. The purposive sampling method was used in the selection of the participants for both groups (experimental and control). Sociodemographic data sheet and parental bonding instrument (PBI) were utilized as the data collection instruments. Then, data were analyzed based on the descriptive analysis methodology that included mean scores, standard deviation, p-value, t-experimental, two-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation experiments by using SPSS v.22. The findings revealed that the mothers of the participants with a college degree in the experimental group had fewer perceptions of protection (t = 2.38, p < 0.01), but more perception of care from their mothers than fathers (t =−2.28, p < 0.05). In addition, although the perceived care of parents was found lower than the participants in the control group, the participants in both groups evaluated their parents analogously for overprotection. Findings showed that the mothers in the experimental group predominantly described their parents as neglecting.

Loan repayment performance of clients of informal lending institutions

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Goodluck Charles ◽  
Neema Mori
Keyword(s):  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Absorption Capacity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Loan Repayment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Information Gap ◽  
Lending Institutions

Purpose The purpose of this article is to examine the effects that dynamic incentives and the borrowing histories of clients of informal lending institutions have on loan repayment performance, in particular, the extent to which multiple borrowing and progressive lending affect the repayment of loans. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a data set of 835 borrowers drawn from an informal lending institution in Tanzania. Descriptive analysis and econometric models are used to test the developed hypotheses. Findings Whereas clients with multiple loans are associated with poor loan repayment, progressive lending contributes to positive repayment outcomes. Multiple borrowers face increased debt levels and thereby an increased inability to meet their repayment obligations; in contrast, progressive lending by building up a lender–client relationship helps clients to obtain higher loans with a minimum amount of screening. Research limitations/implications This was a cross-sectional study based on a sample of individual clients drawn from a single institution. However, since the majority of clients had also taken out loans with other financial institutions, the sample is considered to be representative. Practical implications A client’s past repayment performance and multiple loan history must be assessed so that multiple borrowing can be prevented and credit absorption capacity can be gauged more accurately. The repeated nature of the interactions and the threat to cut off any future lending (if loans are not repaid) can be exploited to overcome any information deficit. Originality/value This study was conducted in a context in which the degree of information sharing was low and institutional access to clients’ credit histories was limited. It contributes knowledge on how lenders minimise the risk flowing from the ex ante information gap and moral hazards arising from the ex post information gap.

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