scholarly journals Microfinance Institutions through the Lens of Social Entrepreneurship: Sri Lankan Experience

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Uluwaduge ◽  
R. Senathiraja

The objectives of the study are to explore the perception of Microfinance Institutes (MFIs) on Social Entrepreneurship (SE) and to examine the application of Positive Theory of Social Entrepreneurship (PTSE) in the MFIs in Sri Lanka and to identify unique social entrepreneurial characteristics in MFIs in Sri Lanka. This is a qualitative study carried out through primary data collected mainly from in-depth semi-structured interviews with 5 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) representing 5 microfinance institutes in Sri Lanka who owned the largest microfinance loan portfolios. For the data analysis purpose thematic analysis method was used in the study. MFIs perceived the concept of social entrepreneurship as a social obligation parallel with profit making or as the obligation of the organization towards the society while achieving their commercial objectives. Application of the PTSE in the selected MFIs in Sri Lanka showed that four propositions on SE proposed in the theory can be observed to a considerable extent in the MFIs in Sri Lanka. Unique social entrepreneurial characteristics identified in the MFIs in Sri Lanka were adherence to the deep rooted values of MFIs, much flexible approach when dealing with microfinance clients, impact from other stakeholders on MFI to perform social entrepreneurial role, and the co-operative model of MFIs tended to promote SE. KeywordsSocial Entrepreneurship, Positive Theory of Social Entrepreneurship, Microfinance Institutes

Author(s):  
Chi Maher

This chapter provides an important perspective on how public policies impact small third sector social enterprises in UK regions. There is limited research that has explored the how government policies are impacting on small regional drug and alcohol social enterprises. The research employed a multiple case study design (Stake, 2006; Yin, 2009).of eight small drug and alcohol third sector social enterprise organisations based in three UK regions (The East Midlands, The South East (including London) and Yorkshire and Humber). Semi-structured interviews were conducted Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of these organisations to ascertain how government policy framework influences their service developments. The research finding contributes to the fairly limited empirical research investigating regional variations of third sector social enterprises. It advocates for changes in government regional funding polices help small third sector social enterprises to develop and sustain appropriate effective services where they are based – at the regional level.


This chapter provides important perspectives from key informants about their experiences of the impact of public policy on small social enterprises. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the 10 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), 8 HR managers, and 46 operational managers working in small third sector social enterprises in four UK regions to ascertain how government policy framework poses challenges and/or encourages small third sector social enterprises growth and success. There is clear evidence that changes in public policy have had some challenging effect on services development and in several regions, with core services, training and employment support and preventative services are showing a net deterioration.


Author(s):  
Hassan Bashir Ibrahim ◽  
Caren Ouma ◽  
Jeremiah N. Koshal

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of gender diversity on the financial performance of insurance firms in Kenya. The study analyzed data from the 55 insurance firms licensed by the Insurance Regularity Authority (IRA) in Kenya. Gender diversity was operationalized by the number of female directors serving on the boards of insurance firms operating in Kenya. Primary data was collected from a sample of 412 board directors, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Chief Finance Officers (CFOs), Audit Committee members (AUDIND) and Internal Auditorsusing a questionnaire instrument while secondary data was retrieved from audited financial reports of the year 2017. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Firm performance was measured by the two accounting-based measures Return On Assets (ROA) and Return On Equity (ROE). The findings from the regression analysis indicate that gender diversity significantly and positively affects the financial performance of insurance firms in Kenya.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meqbel Aliedan

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between experiential knowledge of foreign markets, institutional word of mouth (WOM) and small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs’) internationalization. Specifically, it aims to provide explanations of what and how cross-border experiential knowledge can be institutionally transmitted for SMEs’ internationalization purposes via WOM. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory approach was adopted within the phenomenological/qualitative research tradition. The data collection process was conducted through 23 semi-structured interviews with founders and chief executive officers of Saudi international SMEs. Findings The study’s findings confirm that SMEs seeking productive opportunities in the international market could improve their internationalization experience if they made proper use of institutional WOM as a catalyst for inter-firm learning. This concerns SMEs from emerging countries in particular as they are usually in a bid to legitimatize their presence in foreign markets. Originality/value The triadic relationship between experiential knowledge, institutional WOM and internationalization has not been previously researched. The current study, therefore, clearly adds value to the concept of WOM from three dimensions: institutionalization, cross-borderity and SMEs’ internationalization.


foresight ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Romeo V. Turcan ◽  
Bernadett Deák

Purpose Fintech is an “untilled field” in which the relation between Fintechs and incumbents is yet to be understood. This paper aims to explore this relationship and advance its theoretical and practical understanding. It further contributes toward Fintech paradigm and research domain emergence that both to date remain yet elusive. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopted a multiple-case study strategy for the purpose of theory building. Seven players from the Fintech ecosystem in Quebec (Canada) were selected, representing financial institutions, Fintech start-ups and Quebec’s financial cluster. Primary data was collected via in-depth interviews with ten respondents at the level of vice presidents, Managers, directors, chief executive officers and founders, and unobtrusive data – in the form of running records, mass-media news reports, presentations and proceedings from Fintech events. Data analysis was informed by grounded theory methods and techniques. Findings Grounded in data, this paper puts forward a typology of “comfort zoning” and its four types: nimbling, imperiling, cocooning and discomforting. Research limitations/implications Following the tenets of the grounded theory, four criteria are used to evaluate the emergent theory: fit, relevance, workability and modifiability. It is expected the interpretation and adoption of comfort zoning typology will be challenged, modified and enhanced by Fintech researchers and practitioners. Practical implications The comfort zoning typology would aid practitioners in their efforts to define and refine the domain of Fintech, problematize it and eventually enhance the relationship between Fintechs. Originality/value This paper fulfills an identified need to explore the relationship between Fintechs and incumbents and advance the theoretical and practical understanding of this relationship.


2020 ◽  
pp. 19-27
Author(s):  
Nikodemus Angula ◽  

The study focused on the effects of the board members’ remuneration on the performance of public enterprises in Namibia. The main objective of this study was to investigate the inter relationship between board members’ remuneration and the performance of the public enterprises in Namibia. The study used quantitative methods as a research strategy. The research study used secondary data from the Ministry of public enterprises database and primary data was gathered through structured questionnaires that were distributed to different public enterprises’ Chief executive officers in Namibia. The study focused on board members’ remuneration as representatives of the board members for each of the 97 state-owned enterprises in Namibia. The researcher used Excel to do the regression analysis. The researcher tested for correlation between a firm’s performance and annual salary and sitting allowance and miscellaneous allowance. Public enterprises are divided into four tiers. The researcher made use of the average revenue for each tier to represent the firm’s performance. A total of 75% of the respondents do not agree that there is a relationship between the board members’ remuneration and the firms’ performance, and 17% agree that there is a relationship between the board members’ remuneration and the firms’ performance. The study recommended that the MPE/Pes should implement motivational strategies to improve board members’ performance hence improving the firm’s performance.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Farnbach ◽  
Julaine Allan ◽  
Raechel Wallace ◽  
Alexandra Aiken ◽  
Anthony Shakeshaft

Abstract Background To improve Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s access to, and experience of, healthcare services, including Alcohol and other Drug (AoD) treatment services, principles and frameworks have been developed to optimise cultural responsiveness. Implementing those principles in practice, however, can be difficult to achieve. This study has five aims: i) to describe a five-step process developed to operationalise improvements in culturally responsive practice in AoD services; ii) to evaluate the fidelity of implementation for this five-step process; iii) to identify barriers and enablers to implementation; iv) to assess the feasibility and acceptability of this approach; and v) to describe iterative adaptation of implementation processes based on participant feedback.Methods Participating services were 15 non-Aboriginal AoD services in New South Wales, Australia. Implementation records were used to assess the implementation fidelity of the project. Structured interviews with chief executive officers or senior management were conducted, and interview data were thematically analysed to identify project acceptability, and the key enablers of, and barriers to, project implementation. Quantitative descriptive analyses were performed on the post-implementation workshop survey data, and responses to the free text questions were thematically analysed. Results A high level of implementation fidelity was achieved. Key enablers were the timing of the introduction of the five-step process, the active interest of staff across a range of seniority and the availability of resources and staff time to identify and implement activities. Key barriers included addressing the unique needs of a range of treatment sub-groups, difficulty adapting activities to different service delivery models, limited time to implement change in this evaluation (three months) and the varied skill level across staff. The project was rated as being highly acceptable and relevant to services, with planned changes perceived to be achievable and important by CEOs/managers and staff. Based on staff feedback after the project was implemented at the initial services, several improvements to processes were made.Conclusion The operationalisation of the five-step process developed to improve cultural responsiveness was feasible and acceptable and may be readily applicable to improving the cultural responsiveness of a wide variety of health and human services.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwaku Appiah-Adu ◽  
George Kofi Amoako

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how market leaders use marketing strategies to maintain strong performance in their respective sectors within different economic contexts in an emerging developing economy. Design/methodology/approach – Case studies of three consistent, high performing market leaders based on the Ghana Club 100 rankings over the past decade are conducted. This involves structured interviews with chief executive officers (CEOs) and chief marketing officers (CMOs) of the organisations studied. Findings – The findings indicate that irrespective of the country of origin of the firm, or the economic context in a developing country, effective marketing strategies can be used to enhance the performance of organisations in their respective sectors. Originality/value – The approach used in this paper enables the authors to address the effectiveness of the marketing strategies across the past three decades covering the periods of pre-, during and post-economic reforms, and to examine the influence of different types of ownership (local, mixed foreign/local ownership and a multinational) on the execution of marketing strategies in a developing economy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 560-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wahid Omar Abuazza ◽  
Dessalegn Getie Mihret ◽  
Kieran James ◽  
Peter Best

Purpose – The aim of this exploratory study is to examine the perceptions of stakeholders regarding the scope of internal audit (IA) work in Libyan state-owned enterprises. Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with chief executive officers, IA directors, administrative affairs managers, financial affairs managers and external auditors, which were supplemented with a review of relevant documentary evidence. Findings – The results of the study show that the scope of IA in Libyan organizations may not be sufficiently wide ranging to be considered as a value-adding service. The scope of the IA function may need to be expanded to cover a broader range of organizational functions if internal auditors are to offer value-adding services to their stakeholders. Practical implications – The IA profession has received scant attention in the literature, especially in the context of developing countries such as Libya. Therefore, such settings offer the potential to enhance the understanding of IA practices. As a study on a developing economy, it enhances understanding of the IA profession’s global configuration beyond the predominantly market-driven, industrialized Western economies. Originality/value – In contrast to most previous studies, this study covers a broad range of IA stakeholders’ views on the role of internal auditors. This coverage enabled an in-depth investigation of the factors affecting IA scope and understanding of stakeholder perceptions on the IA function.


Author(s):  
Hassan Bashir Ibrahim ◽  
Caren Ouma ◽  
Jeremiah O. Koshal

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of audit committee independence (ACI) on the financial performance of insurance firms in Kenya. The study analyzed data from the 55 insurance firms licensed by the Insurance Regularity Authority (IRA) in Kenya. ACI was operationalized by the number of independent directors serving on the boards of insurance firms operating in Kenya. Primary data was collected from a sample of 412 board directors, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Chief Finance Officers (CFOs), Audit Committee members (AUDIND) and Internal Auditors (INAUD) using a questionnaire instrument while secondary data was retrieved from audited financial reports of the year 2017. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Firm performance was measured by the two accounting-based measures Return On Assets (ROA) and Return On Equity (ROE). The findings from the regression analysis indicate that audit committee independence significantly and positively affects the financial performance of insurance firms in Kenya.


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