scholarly journals Corporate Governance and Financial Inclusion

Author(s):  
Daniel Makina

The paper focuses on a scantly researched phenomenon, namely, the extent to which financial inclusion is influenced by corporate governance practices. The question that normally arises is whether corporate governance practices are tailored to supporting the financial inclusion mandate. The other question is whether there are certain corporate governance practices that advance financial inclusion. This paper reviews extant empirical literature on these matters with a view of stimulating debate on the subject. Cognisant that institutions that advance financial inclusion are largely financial institutions, the starting point is relating to contemporary corporate governance practice in financial institutions. We know that financial institutions belong to a specific class of corporations whose failure affects society at large because of the financial services they provide. As a result, they are heavily regulated and their corporate governance structures are bound to differ from those of conventional firms. Similarly, we know that financial inclusion institutions are special types of financial institutions with mandates to provide financial services to underserved population segments which equally require special treatment. The scant literature available shows, albeit not conclusive, some evidence of a positive relationship between sound corporate governance and financial inclusion. However, more research on how corporate governance affects different dimensions of financial inclusion is recommended.

Author(s):  
Guler Aras

Corporate governance is a central issue in business and economics. However, governance in financial institutions is more complicated than in other fields because of the nature of financial services and instruments. Financial organizations are similar to other businesses in terms of their purposes of establishment, but confidence in management and complex risk structures are more important in financial organizations than in other businesses. In financial institutions, there are various areas in which problems arise that are related to corporate governance, including the agency problem and stakeholder protection. The importance of good governance for sound performance of financial institutions was reconfirmed during the 2008 financial crisis, raising the need to understand the agency problems and the efficiency of various corporate governance mechanisms in mitigating them. International organizations, such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Basel Committee, the International Finance Corporation, and the International Organization of Securities Commissions, have been working with regulators and policy makers to improve corporate governance practices both in nonfinancial and financial institutions. Corporate governance, especially in financial institutions, is essential in guaranteeing a sound financial system, capital markets, and sustainable economic growth. Governance weaknesses at financial institutions can result in the transmission of problems across the finance sector and the economy. Consequently, the effectiveness of governance mechanisms of financial institutions and capital markets after financial crises had significant importance in a period that witnessed an intensive discussion of corporate governance issues with new regulations and the related academic works.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2(J)) ◽  
pp. 88-95
Author(s):  
Banele Dlamini ◽  
Julius Tapera ◽  
Shynet Chivasa

This study, using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) Regression Model, investigated the extent to which good corporate governance practices can minimise or alleviate corporate failure in the Zimbabwean Financial Services Sector. The results of the study reflected that sound corporate governance has a positive effect on corporate success and can alleviate corporate failure. It is thus recommended that financial institutions continuously adhere to sound corporate governance practices to guarantee corporate success and alleviate the collapse of financial institutions as has been witnessed in the past. The findings of the study will assist policy makers, regulators and players in the financial services sector to adhere to sound corporate governance practices, given its impact on corporate success. Further research could be carried out with regards the implementation of sound corporate governance in parastatals, quasi-government institutions and private sector companies in other sectors other that the financial services sector and how it can be monitored or enforced.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
Banele Dlamini ◽  
Julius Tapera ◽  
Shynet Chivasa

This study, using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) Regression Model, investigated the extent to which good corporate governance practices can minimise or alleviate corporate failure in the Zimbabwean Financial Services Sector. The results of the study reflected that sound corporate governance has a positive effect on corporate success and can alleviate corporate failure. It is thus recommended that financial institutions continuously adhere to sound corporate governance practices to guarantee corporate success and alleviate the collapse of financial institutions as has been witnessed in the past. The findings of the study will assist policy makers, regulators and players in the financial services sector to adhere to sound corporate governance practices, given its impact on corporate success. Further research could be carried out with regards the implementation of sound corporate governance in parastatals, quasi-government institutions and private sector companies in other sectors other that the financial services sector and how it can be monitored or enforced.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Carolina Coletta ◽  
Roberto Arruda de Souza Lima

<p>This paper investigates the relationship between the board of directors' structure and firm performance and the value of Brazilian listed state-owned enterprises (SOEs), from 2002 to 2017, totaling 327 observations using an unbalanced panel data with fixed and random effects regressions. The evolution of corporate governance practices adopted by the boards is presented for this period, using a Board Structure Index (BSI). The results indicate a significant positive relation between the board's structure and firm performance, measured by ROE and ROA, and firm value, measured by Tobin's <em>q</em>. These findings are consistent with corporate governance literature, in the sense that the board's role of monitoring management reduces agency conflicts. The results also show an improvement in adopting corporate governance practice on Brazilian SOEs' boards over the last decade.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 168-182
Author(s):  
David Mhlanga ◽  
◽  
Steven Henry Dunga ◽  
Tankiso Moloi ◽  
◽  
...  

The study sought to investigate the impact of financial inclusion on poverty reduction in Zimbabwe among the smallholder farmers. It is alleged that financial inclusion can help in achieving seven of the seventeen sustainable development goals (SDGs), which include poverty eradication in all its forms everywhere, ending hunger, achieving food security, ensuring improved nutrition as well as promoting sustainable agriculture and many others. Using the simple regression method, the study discovered that financial inclusion has a strong impact on poverty reduction among smallholder farmers. The study went on to discover that, for the government to tackle poverty especially among the smallholder farmers, it is important to ensure that farmers do participate in the financial sector through saving, borrowing and taking out insurance among other services. So, it is important for the government of Zimbabwe to fully implement policies that encourage financial inclusion such as making sure that farmers find it easy to access financial institutions and encouraging financial institutions to review transaction costs like bank account opening charges periodically, implementing financial education programs among the farmers because these variables are important in influencing farmers to participate or preventing them from using financial services.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 109-123
Author(s):  
John Gartchie Gatsi

This article examines the relationship between remittances and financial inclusion in Ghana. The data for the study was extracted from the results of an analytical review of the living standards survey indicators in Ghana. The methodological tools of the study are represented by a regression equation based on the use of the Force Entry Method to test the functioning of variables in the model. The study empirically confirms and theoretically proves that domestic remittances have a positive and significant impact on access to financial services, while international remittances affect the likelihood of opening a bank account, but do not have any significant impact on applying for a loan and lending to remittance households. It is substantiated that domestic and international money transfers have a significant positive impact on the opening of bank accounts, even when forging collateral. Based on the results of calculations, the paper substantiates the conclusion that remittances contribute to increasing the availability of financial services in Ghana. It was noted that domestic remittances have a greater potential to improve financial inclusion in Ghana than international remittances. The paper emphasizes that the provision of collateral is an important lever for lending to households. Remittances will have very little impact on financial inclusion when financial institutions require collateral to facilitate the application and grant. According to the results of the study, the following recommendation were provideds: development of a strategy to improve domestic remittances to increase indicators of financial inclusion and economic development; improving the conditions for remittances, especially domestic remittances, in order to ensure their flexibility and deepen financial integration; use of domestic remittances as collateral for household loans. Keywords: collateral, financial inclusion, financial institutions, Ghana, remittances, loan application, migration.


Author(s):  
Yuvraj Sharma

In today's switching economy, customers' needs are changing and they are demanding more transparency, higher involvement, and clear communication in day-to-day banking processes. The rationale behind carrying out the present research is to identify the role of customer analytics in the new digital customer journey in terms of enhancing their engagement, loyalty, and satisfaction. The present research emphasizes opportunities that would accrue to financial institutions after demonetization and collecting large amount of demographics, customer transaction, and account-related data. Primary data was collected from 300 customers through a structured questionnaire to know their perceptions about the role of customer analytics and digital technologies to build their confidence and capability to use financial services. This study brings out the customer analytics trends and identifies the reasons due to which banks are struggling to keep pace with the increasing demand of both digital savvy and traditional consumers.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 420-446
Author(s):  
Louise Whittaker ◽  
Graunt Kruger

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-22
Author(s):  
Ankita Das ◽  
Debabrata Das

With the advent of technology, banking and financial services have widened their scope. India achieved FinTech adoption rate of 87 percent as against the global average of 64 percent mostly contributed by FinTech startups aiming for providing access to financial services even in the remotest areas. Realizing the potential of FinTech to contribute toward financial inclusion and stability, the Governments have taken requisite steps toward digital transformation and promote FinTech ventures. In order to meet the customers’ needs, collaborative moves with FinTech firms have been initiated by financial institutions as well. This article aims to investigate the relationship between different demographic profiles, the adoption of FinTech services, the perception, user pattern, and constraints faced by the bank customers in using FinTech services. The results based on survey of 215 respondents reveal significant association between usage of FinTech services and different demographic profiles. However, the awareness and use of such services is found more among millennials and generation Z as compared with generation X and baby boomers. While the FinTech companies gained the popularity in payment space, it is observed that misconception is an important factor that hinders the growth of technology-based services among respondents.


Author(s):  
Ebraheem Saleem Salem Alzoubi ◽  
Mohamad Hisyam Selamat

This research study seeks to come up with a conceptual framework that investigates the different mechanisms of corporate governance and its effects on earning management (EM). This is to help build a conceptual framework of governance practices and its mechanisms, which mainly consists of board of directors and audit committee. To build the conceptual framework, the background of governance practices and EM theory served as a good starting point. The current research study is based on the complete assessment of present literatures, the two mechanisms of governance practices and EM. This paper serves as a guide to senior management, who seeks to improve their company’s financial reporting quality (FRQ) through the execution of governance practices, in which the governance practices support their company’s FRQ efforts. Furthermore, the conceptual framework serves as a benchmark for practitioners to execute their governance practices more effectively and efficiently in their own respective firms. This paper seeks to close the gap on the existing literature, by giving guidance to the senior management of governance practices companies that aspires to discover the competency of EM. By developing a deeper understanding of the relationship between corporate governance practices and EM, senior management can thus focus their efforts on the practices that ensure the firms’ ability to establish a competitive FRQ.


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