Performance measurement in Islamic microfinance institutions: does it change social norms and values?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
A.K. Siti-Nabiha ◽  
A.Z. Siti-Nazariah
Keyword(s):  
Social Norms ◽  
Social Values ◽  
Social Goals ◽  
Religious Values ◽  
Institutional Work ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Measures ◽  
Norms And Values ◽  
Islamic Microfinance ◽  
Social Logic

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of financial performance measures on the social norms and values of an Islamic microfinance institution (IMFI), and the actions taken by the organisational members to maintain these values in their organisation. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study of an NGO-based IMFI in Malaysia was undertaken, with interviews conducted with officers and managers at various organisational levels of the IMFI. Insights gained from institutional work and institutional logic were used to theorise the findings. Findings The IMFI used mainly financial measures to manage its performance, which were interlinked with the commercialisation approach in the industry, and the top management’s focus on the financial sustainability of the organisation. The lack of social goals and the use of reward-based financial measures did not weaken the solidified social values at the operational level, due to the independence of the operational units, the compartmentalisation of profit-making activities and the institutional work of the operational managers. The operational managers acted as carriers of this social logic. Religious values formed the pillar of the permanence of social values in the IMFI. Originality/value This study provides insights into the internal practices of IMFIs, and the role of religious values in the permanence of social logic in the context of an NGO-based IMFI. The lack of measurable social goals, as well as their rewards, does not compromise the focus on poverty alleviation and community development in view of the intrinsic rewards and accountability of the operational managers.

Institutional work and implementation of a performance measurement and management system in a developing country

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
A.K. Siti-Nabiha ◽  
Teddy Jurnali
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Performance Measurement ◽  
Developing Country ◽  
Cultural Work ◽  
Institutional Work ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Managers ◽  
Norms And Values

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the actions and activities undertaken by public managers of a local government to institutionalise an externally mandated performance measurement and management (PMM) system in a developing country. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative case study of one of the best-ranked early adopters of PMM in a local government in Indonesia was undertaken, with interviews with public officers at various organisational levels, along with an extensive documentary review. An institutional work perspective was used to explain the types of work undertaken to institutionalise PMM at the organisation. Findings The PMM change was shown to be centralised and directed from the top and facilitated by other public officers. The Mayors’ instrumental and political view of PMM as a tool for efficiency and societal legitimacy enabled the adoption of PMM. The political and cultural work of the Mayor and the key officers involved constructing new rules pertaining to PMM, specifically in dealing with resource allocation and its associated sanctions and rewards, which encouraged more substantive implementation. The substantive implementation of PMM had a significant influence on the norms and values of the local government. Research limitations/implications The case organisation is the local government of a relatively medium-sized city. Therefore, it may be easier to achieve tighter control and coordination as compared to the local government of other larger cities. Originality/value The paper highlights the interrelated nature of institutional work in the creation and disruption of institutions. In addition, the three main types of institutional work, i.e. political, cultural and technical work, are not mutually exclusive. The paper also indicates the processes involved in the implementation of PMM, which unfolds from the establishment of a policy, its impact, and the role of the actors in the process.

PERBANDINGAN CERITA “MAHLIGAI KELOYANG” DAN “KOBA MALIN DEMAN”

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Sri Sabakti
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Social Values ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Moral Values ◽  
Religious Values ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Local Cultures

Many folklores have same motives, but different in development adjust to the community that support the story. Differences in the development of the story in folklore shows the influences of local cultures to the storyteller. The differences cause various versions of folklore. It is also seen in folklore Mahligai Keloyang from Indragiri Hulu Regency and Koba Malin Deman from Rokan Hulu Regency. Therefore, this study aimed to find the similarities and the differences of the two folklores. The analysis of the similarities and differences of The legend Mahligai Keloyang and Koba Malin Deman applied dynamic structuralism theory, the theory which does not only emphasizes the intrinsic elements, but also pay attention to extrinsic elements in literature. Due to the fact that the study was also intended to compare two folklores, the research method used is descriptive comparative method. Based on the analysis of the structure of the story, it is found that there are similarities and differences in the stories Mahligai Keloyang and Koba Malin Deman which includes elements of the theme, the characters, the settings, and the plots. Based on the analysis of the cultural values in the folklores, some similarities and differences of religious values, moral values, and social values are found.AbstrakBanyak cerita rakyat yang mempunyai motif yang sama, tetapi berbeda pengembangannya disesuaikan dengan masyarakat pendukung cerita tersebut. Perbedaan pengembangan cerita dalam cerita rakyat memperlihatkan adanya pengaruh budaya lokal kepada si pencerita. Perbedaan itulah yang menimbulkan berbagai versi cerita rakyat. Hal ini juga terlihat dalam cerita rakyat “Mahligai Keloyang” dari Kabupaten Indragiri Hulu dan “Koba Malin Deman” dari Kabupaten Rokan Hulu. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menemukan persamaan dan perbedaan kedua cerita rakyat tersebut. Analisis terhadap persamaan dan perbedaan cerita legenda “Mahligai Keloyang” dan “Koba Malin Deman” dilakukan dengan menggunakan teori strukturalisme dinamik, yaitu teori yang tidak hanya menekankan pada unsur-unsur intrinsik, tetapi juga memerhatikan unsur ekstrinsik dalam karya sastra. Karena penelitian ini juga bermaksud membandingkan dua cerita rakyat, metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode deskriptif komparatif. Berdasarkan analisis struktur cerita didapati bahwa persamaan dan perbedaan yang terdapat dalam cerita “Mahligai Keloyang” dan “Koba Malin Deman” meliputi unsur tema, tokoh, latar, dan alur. Mealui analisis nilai budaya pada kedua cerita rakyat tersebut diperoleh persamaan dan perbedaan tentang nilai agama, nilai moral, dan nilai sosial.

Parental leave length, social norms, and female labor market re-entry frictions

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 600-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vojtech Bartoš ◽  
Barbara Pertold-Gebicka
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Job Search ◽  
Social Norm ◽  
Parental Leave ◽  
Human Resource Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Job Applicant ◽  
Employment Gaps ◽  
The Difference

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the role of employers in creating employment gaps among women returning to the labor market after parental leaves of different durations. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a controlled correspondence field experiment that orthogonally manipulates parental leave length and the quality of fictitious female job candidates. The experiment is complemented with a survey among human resource managers. Findings High-quality candidates receive more interview invitations when applying after a short parental leave, while low-quality (LQ) candidates receive more interview invitations when applying after a typical three years long parental leave. Survey results suggest that the difference in invitations between short and typical leave treatments is driven by a social norm that mothers should stay home with children younger than three. Productivity gains from employing a LQ job applicant with a shorter career break might not be high enough to outweigh the adverse social norm effect. Social implications The presented results point toward the strong effect of prevailing social norms on job search prospects of women returning to the labor market after parental leave. Originality/value A correspondence experiment has not been used before to study the relationship between time spent on leave and the labor market prospects of mothers. It also extends research on social norms to the domain of hiring decisions.

Collaboration strategies for a transition economy: measuring culture in Albania

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narasimha Rao Vajjhala ◽  
Kenneth David Strang
Keyword(s):  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
National Culture ◽  
Transition Economy ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Five Factor Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Foreign Government ◽  
Norms And Values ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Private Corporations

Purpose – The researchers in this study reviewed the literature to locate the most relevant multicultural theories, factors, and instruments in order to measure Albania's national culture. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – An innovative combination of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was used to fit the multicultural construct to the sample data and then estimate the national culture (n=73). The multicultural indexes were calculated for five generally accepted national culture factors to compare with the benchmarks published in the literature. Findings – The multicultural indexes were calculated for five generally accepted national culture factors to compare with the benchmarks published in the literature. An asymmetric plot was created for critical comparison of Albania with five other theoretically selected countries, using the indexes for PDi, ICi, MFi, UAi, and LTi. Albania was found to be most similar to its Balkan and Turkish neighbors, as compared with Asian or Western cultures such as that of the USA. Research limitations/implications – The researchers discussed the implications of knowing Albania's national culture profile with reference to how other countries might collaborate and transact with this emerging transition economy. Practical implications – From a business standpoint, the multicultural indexes for Albania provide general indicators of the national beliefs, norms and values, which foreign organizations may compare to their own cultural profile when interacting with professionals in this country. The best use for such indexes is for benchmarking and comparison. Foreign government, private corporations, or nonprofit organizations may compare their own culture profile with that of Albania to be aware of the similarities and differences. Originality/value – Albanian national culture was estimated for the first time in the literature, using a five-factor model adapted from the work of Hofstede.

Three strikes and you are out?

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 417-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Carriger
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Market Valuation ◽  
Financial Health ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Financial Measures ◽  
Significant Negative Impact ◽  
Three Strikes ◽  
Underlying Disorder ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Much has been written in both the management and finance literatures about the impact of downsizing on the financial health and market valuation of companies. However, surprisingly little attention has been paid to the frequency of downsizing and the impact of frequent downsizings. The purpose of this paper is to look at trends in downsizing, asking the question are companies that downsize once more likely to downsize again. The paper also looks at the impact of frequent downsizing, asking the question are frequent downsizers differentially impacted compared to less frequent downsizers. Design/methodology/approach Companies that appeared on the Fortune 500 in 2014 and were also on the list in 2008 were assessed for the impact of repeat downsizings on financial measures (profitability, efficiency, debt, and revenue) and market valuation. A trend analysis was conducted to assess the trend in downsizing and repeated downsizing from 2008 through 2014. A series of univariate analysis of variances were conducted to assess the impact of repeated downsizings on the financial and market valuation indicators. Findings Findings indicate that companies that downsize between 2008 and 2009 were more likely to downsize again in future years. And this repeat downsizing happened at a higher rate than would be expected by the percentage of companies that initially downsized. Findings also indicate that multiple downsizings had a significantly negative impact on the company’s financial performance as measured by two profitability ratios (return on assets and return on investment) and a borderline significant negative impact on the company’s market valuation as measured by stock equity, regardless of industry or initial financial health of the company. Originality/value Two competing theories were considered and the evidence found here support both. However, the “band-aid solution” theory, that downsizing may function as a band-aid addressing the symptoms that lead to the downsizing but not the underlying disorder or cause may be a more parsimonious explanation for the results here. It is hoped that these findings will inform both scholars and practitioners, giving both a clearer picture of the impact of multiple downsizings on corporate performance.

Nepalese English (Nenglish): Diverse and expanded assortment of Standard English

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (01) ◽  
pp. 39-49
Author(s):  
Nani Babu Ghimire
Keyword(s):  
Social Norms ◽  
Qualitative Analysis ◽  
Word Order ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Literature ◽  
Standard English ◽  
Literal Translation ◽  
Norms And Values ◽  
Written Form

Nepalese English is a new version of Standard English which is developed due to the effect of the Worlds Englishes. When the English language is expanded, the consequence has been seen in the use of English according to the socio-cultural context of the countries. The use of English either in spoken or written form is also seen differently from the Standard English in Nepal. To uncover this change in the use of English in Nepal, I studied two fictions (novels) written by two Nepalese literary figures in English based on qualitative analysis of the authors’ practice in the use of Nepalese English in writing fiction and found that there is the influence of Nepalese socio-cultural, socio-political, social norms and values in English literature. The finding also illustrated that Nepalese words (characters, location, kinship and taboos terms) are making their entries, complete sentences in Nepali are written, English suffixes are being attached to Nepalese words and vice versa, the word order of English is changed in Nepalese English (Nenglish), the literal translation of Nepalese proverbs are being introduced in English literature. The practice of writing English literature using Nepalese English is being extended to create its own features in English language which leads to develop Nepalese English as a separate variety in the field of language study.

The quality of user experiences for mobile recommendation systems: an end-user perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Woon Kian Chong ◽  
Zhuang Ma
Keyword(s):  
Social Norms ◽  
User Experience ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Recommendation Systems ◽  
User Involvement ◽  
Sample Population ◽  
User Experiences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Involvement Theory

PurposeThis paper attempts to identify key factors (i.e., personalization, privacy awareness and social norms) that affect user experiences (UXs) of mobile recommendation systems according to the user involvement theory (push-based and pull-based) and their relationships.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on an online survey with students from an international business school located in southwestern China. The sample population for the study included randomly selected 600 university students who are active mobile phone users. A total of 470 questionnaires were returned; 456 were valid (14 were invalid due to the incompleteness of their responses), providing a response rate of 65%.FindingsSocial norms have the largest impact on user experience quality, followed by personalization and privacy awareness. User involvement in mobile recommendation systems has mediating effects on the above relationships, with larger effects on pull-based systems than on push-based systems.Originality/valueThis study provides an integrated framework for researchers to measure the effects of social, personal and risk factors on the quality of user experience. The results enrich the literature on user involvement, mobile recommendation systems and UX. The findings provide significant implications for both retailers and developers of mobile recommendation systems.

“Can I go or should I stay?” A theoretical framework of social lock-in during unsatisfactory service encounters

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarten Volkers
Keyword(s):  
Social Norms ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Sunk Costs ◽  
Service Encounter ◽  
Service Encounters ◽  
Intention To Stay ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Quantitative Evidence ◽  
Decision To Stay ◽  
Lock In

PurposeThis article demonstrates that the type of service setting and the first interaction with an employee influences the customers' intention to stay or leave during an unsatisfactory service encounter, and that these effects are mediated by social lock-in, which describes the perception of a customer that exiting a service encounter early violates social norms.Design/methodology/approachThe hypotheses are tested with two scenario-based experiments using a collective (theater) and high-contact service (restaurant) (N = 1143; 1485).FindingsThe results suggest that social lock-in and the intention to stay are higher in a closed as opposed to an open setting and that the type of setting is, in fact, more important for the decision to stay than sunk costs. Moreover, customers are more likely to stay after an interaction with an employee.Research limitations/implicationsThis article contributes to the research aimed at explaining customers' decisions to stay or leave during an unsatisfactory service encounter. In doing so, the study highlights the constraining power of social norms in service encounters, which contributes to the research on the relationship between the social context and customers' behavior.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that service providers can manage servicescape cues and employee behavior to influence customers' social lock-in perceptions and their decision to stay on or to leave early.Originality/valueThis is the first study to provide quantitative evidence for social lock-in and its determinants in service encounters.

Financial and social efficiency analysis of Islamic microfinance institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marwa Fersi ◽  
Mouna Bougelbène
Keyword(s):  
Capital Structure ◽  
Credit Risk ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Microfinance Institutions ◽  
Social Efficiency ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Islamic Microfinance ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to investigate the impact of credit risk-taking on financial and social efficiency and examine the relationship between credit risk, capital structure and efficiency in the context of Islamic microfinance institutions (MFIs) compared to their conventional counterparts.Design/methodology/approachThe stochastic frontier approach was used to estimate the financial and social efficiency scores, in a first step. In a second step, the impact of risk-taking on efficiency was evaluated. The authors also took into account the moderating role of capital structure in this effect using the fixed and random effects generalized least squares (GLS) with a first-order autoregressive disturbance. The used dataset covers 326 conventional MFIs and 57 Islamic MFIs in six different regions of the world over the period of 2005–2015.FindingsThe overall average efficiency scores are less than 50%, where CMFIs could have produced their outputs using 48% of their actual inputs. IMFIs record the lowest financial (cost) efficiency that is equal to 28% on average. The estimation results also reveal a negative impact of nonperforming loan on financial and social efficiency. Finally, the moderating effect of leverage funding on the relationship between credit risk-taking and financial efficiency was confirmed in CMFIs. However, leverage seems to moderate the effect of risk-taking behavior on social efficiency for IMFIs.Originality/valueThis paper makes an initial attempt to evaluate the effect of risk-taking decision and its implication on efficiency and MFIs' sustainability. Besides, it takes into consideration the role played by the mode of governance through the ownership structure. In addition, this research study sheds light on the importance of the financial support for the development and sustainability of these institutions, which in return, contributes to a sustainable economic development.

What makes up intentions to purchase the pioneer? A theory of reasoned action approach in India and the USA

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 734-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarek Mady
Keyword(s):  
Social Norms ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Theory Of Reasoned Action ◽  
Reasoned Action ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to extend the research paradigm focusing on behaviorally-based first-mover advantages (FMA) by applying the widely-accepted Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and offers insights into differences between a mature market (USA) and an emerging market (EM) (India) regarding how intentions to purchase the pioneer are formed. Design/methodology/approach Utilizing samples of 208 USA and 194 Indian consumers, hypotheses examining the underlying beliefs, attitudes, social norms and purchasing intentions regarding pioneer brands are developed and tested using structural equation modeling. Findings Insights from the study suggest the TRA provides a means for assessing behaviorally-based FMAs across cultures, even as manifestations of purchase intentions differ significantly. According to the TRA and findings of this study, intentions are a function of overall attitudes and social norms. In the USA, individual attitudes were found to play a more significant role than social norms in formulating purchase intention. In India, social norms played a more dominant role in intention formation. Originality/value The study represents one of the first empirical attempts to shed light on the extent of behaviorally-based FMAs in an EM and how manifestations of intention to purchase the pioneer differ from mature markets. The study expands the behavioral paradigm of analysis to include one of the most sought-after EMs today (India) and provides one of the first empirical studies to utilize the TRA in addressing behaviorally-based FMAs.

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