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1 – 8 of 8Women’s participation in the formal labour force has increased over the past three decades and continues to do so in Bangladesh. This paper aims to look at trends in that…
Abstract
Purpose
Women’s participation in the formal labour force has increased over the past three decades and continues to do so in Bangladesh. This paper aims to look at trends in that phenomenon and how it has been influenced by privatization in the economy and the social transitions that have occurred during this process.
Design/methodology/approach
The findings are based on a survey of women in large formal sector organizations in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study focuses on the adjustment of women in various ranks to work in different organizations – public, non-profits, and private – and makes comparisons among these workplaces. Seven individuals were interviewed and filled out questionnaires on work–life balance and job satisfaction.
Findings
Results show that although private organizations pay better, non-governmental institutions evoke a greater sense of employee commitment to organizational mission and public organizations provide women with a greater perception that their work is valued and respected. It is found that stated and implemented policies with respect to family-friendly work environments are variable.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size has some limitations that were addressed through interviews.
Practical implications
Each type of organization has its own set of advantages and setbacks with respect to work-life balance and job satisfaction, pointing to the need for concerted policies that could encourage women to choose and remain in their professions.
Originality/value
Work–life balance is a new concept in developing countries. As they go through the second phase of demographic transition, this is a key factor in stabilizing population growth. A comparison of the three types of organizations as workplaces for women has not been done. The phenomenon is not unique to Bangladesh and has lessons for many developing countries.
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A fundamental premise of economic theory is that of a homogenous subject. This unified and intentional subject also implicitly defines the welfare function that forms the…
Abstract
Purpose
A fundamental premise of economic theory is that of a homogenous subject. This unified and intentional subject also implicitly defines the welfare function that forms the foundation of economic development theory and policy today. Unfortunately, such a concept of agency is representative of mostly urban and majority populations and does not include indigenous communities who are peripheral in most developing nations. The concept of development presumes an attachment to modernization and deracination, paying little heed to conservation of natural resources that are of sacral value to tribal communities. This paper aims to show how economics neglects cultural and group differences and yet asserts a powerful influence on development policy. Institutional economists and anthropologists have contested this hegemony but at the same time have also been co‐opted into development management in several ways that are discussed below.
Design/methodology/approach
The case of indigenous communities in Bangladesh is investigated and their exclusion from development elucidated by citing the conflicts that tribal groups have had with majority populations and the state. This is compared to the situation of tribal communities in the state of Kerala in India.
Findings
It is concluded that a heterogeneous imaginary at the level of the nation state allows possibilities for indigenous voices to be represented in development policy formation and that such heterogeneity itself opens the channel for an alternative construction of development.
Research limitations/implications
The case studies may not be widely applicable to every context.
Practical implications
The universality of policy suggestions should be questioned if such policy is not representative of minorities within the context of a nation.
Originality/value
The point that methodological individualism and the grounding in economics of development theory leads it to avoid community concerns has not been addressed before. The paper also looks at a historical development of the discourse of development in a new way. Finally, the case of Bangladesh has not been discussed in this manner or compared to Kerala.
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Ephrem Negash Shebeshe and Dhiraj Sharma
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices on both competitive advantage (CA) and organizational performance (OP…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices on both competitive advantage (CA) and organizational performance (OP) in the manufacturing sector in Ethiopia.
Design/methodology/approach
Data for the study were collected from a sample of 221 manufacturing companies operating in the four manufacturing groups/sectors in Ethiopia. In addition, data analysis was performed using the partial least squares method, which is a variance-based Structural Equation Modeling approach in the Smart-PLS software version (SmartPLS 4.0).
Findings
Based on the statistical analysis of the collected data, it demonstrates that SSCM has a significant and positive impact on both competitive advantage and organizational performance. Furthermore, statistical findings offer proof of the clear connection between competitive advantage and organizational performance. Moreover, competitive advantage indirectly mediates the relationship between SSCM and OP.
Research limitations/implications
The primary limitation of this research is its reliance on a cross-sectional design. The generalizability of the findings obtained from the present study may be hindered. The variable under investigation in this research assessed organizational performance, a concept that is widely acknowledged to be extremely dynamic.
Practical implications
The study provides managers and researchers with valuable information on Sustainable Supply Chain Management strategies and how they influence competitive advantage and organizational performance in commercial and industrial environments.
Originality/value
This paper adds to the body of knowledge by providing new data and empirical insights into the relationship between SSCM practices and the performance of manufacturing companies in Ethiopia.
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Rashed Jahangir and Mehmet Bulut
This study aims to propose a model to elevate the financial empowerment of Muslim women by rejuvenating the practice of Mahr in society and facilitating the affordability of men…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to propose a model to elevate the financial empowerment of Muslim women by rejuvenating the practice of Mahr in society and facilitating the affordability of men to pay that Mahr amount.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach of this study is to offer a model through the interest-free savings-based finance concept. The model comprises four stages; each stage of the model is mathematically formulated and graphically explained to ensure clarity and coherence. To further investigate the issue, the authors use a convenient sampling method to ask a small sample size of respondents (women) from different countries about their financial contribution and empowerment in the family.
Findings
This model enables women to turn their exclusive financial right into a source of earning without borrowing from any source or paying interest on the principal amount. Besides, it encourages accelerating men’s obligation to pay the Mahr to the women immediately during the marriage ceremony by facilitating men’s affordability. Almost 45% of respondents state that a woman’s financial contribution exalts her decision-making power and strengthens her financial position in the family.
Social implications
The authors attempt to revitalize Mahr practice in Muslim society to accelerate the process of receiving a woman’s exclusive financial right and empower a family as a whole through the Mahr model.
Originality/value
Considering the model’s uniqueness, the developed and proposed Mahr model in this research is novel; to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no other study has been conducted and developed such a model using the Mahr concept.
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Farah Islam, Kashmala Qasim, Amal Qutub, Saamiyah Ali-Mohammed, Munira Abdulwasi, Yogendra Shakya, Michaela Hynie and Kwame McKenzie
The purpose of this study was to understand the unique mental health concerns and access barriers experienced by South Asian Muslim youth populations living in the Peel Region of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to understand the unique mental health concerns and access barriers experienced by South Asian Muslim youth populations living in the Peel Region of Toronto, Canada.
Design/methodology/approach
For this qualitative exploratory study, interviews (n = 15) were conducted with mental health professionals, educators and spiritual leaders (n = 11) who work with South Asian Muslim youth living in Peel Region, as well as with South Asian Muslim youth themselves (n = 4, aged 20–23). Interview transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Findings
Four primary themes emerged from the data: challenges and stressors, barriers, facilitators and hope and recovery. South Asian Muslim youth navigate a number of unique stressors related to the domains of culture, religion and family dynamics, as well as the impact of migration.
Practical implications
The findings stress the necessity of creating culturally safe, multilevel strategies to meet the nuanced challenges and diverse needs of South Asian Muslim youth communities.
Originality/value
This is one of the few papers to the knowledge that addresses the mental health needs and service access barriers of youth populations at the intersections of South Asian diasporic community belonging and Muslim faith in Canada.
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Roseline Misati, Jared Osoro, Maureen Odongo and Farida Abdul
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of digital financial innovation on financial depth and economic growth in Kenya.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of digital financial innovation on financial depth and economic growth in Kenya.
Design/methodology/approach
The study utilized autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model, which is preferable over other time series methods as the model allows application of co-integration tests to time series with different integration orders and is flexible to the sample size including small and finite.
Findings
The main findings of this paper are as follows: first, there is evidence of a positive relationship between digital financial innovation and financial depth with the strongest impact emanating from Internet usage and mobile financial services and the lowest impact from bank branches; second, the results reveal a significant positive impact of financial depth on economic growth consistent with the supply-leading finance theory.
Practical implications
The results of the study imply a need for investment in technology-enabling infrastructure for digital financial services (DFS) and a redesign of strategies to avoid further financial exclusion of low-income earners due to the unaffordability of digital devices and financial and digital illiteracy.
Originality/value
The study is original and important for policymakers as the study provides insights on the components of financial innovation that are growth-enhancing in Kenya, considering that some aspects of innovation can be growth-retarding as was demonstrated during the global financial crisis.
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Kartik Balkumar, Vidyadhar V. Gedam, Mudunuri Himateja, S.P. Anbuudayasankar, M.S. Narassima, K. Ganesh, M. Dwarakanath and Subramanian Pazhani
Over the last two decades, green supply chain management (GSCM) has enabled businesses to operate in an environmentally friendly manner. The present review examines 234 research…
Abstract
Purpose
Over the last two decades, green supply chain management (GSCM) has enabled businesses to operate in an environmentally friendly manner. The present review examines 234 research articles and proposes a methodical literature review on GSCM, focusing on the aspects of sustainable development.
Design/methodology/approach
The work examines conceptual, analytical, empirical and non-empirical research articles, analyzing at all levels of the organization, such as firm, dyad, supply chain and network. The objective of the review is to provide insights into the state and scope of existing research in the domain of GSCM, to identify the prevalence of GSCM and to consolidate the trend of future research. The literature review follows a systematic methodology for analyzing the literature.
Findings
The findings can support researchers in identifying research areas with significant impact and streamline research on GSCM in the future. Practitioners can utilize this structured classification to strategize their green initiatives in their firms.
Originality/value
The work contributes to providing literature that explores a detailed review in GSCM. The proposed literature review captures critical aspects in the domain of GSCM and offers future research directions.
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This study examines the antecedents and outcomes of using mobile fintech applications, including mobile banking, mobile payments, mobile transfer and mobile financial money…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the antecedents and outcomes of using mobile fintech applications, including mobile banking, mobile payments, mobile transfer and mobile financial money management tools.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper examines the antecedents (i.e. financial education and financial literacy) and outcomes (i.e. desirable financial behaviors and financial well-being) of the utilization of mobile fintech. Using data from the 2018 National Financial Capability Study and structural equation modeling techniques, this study provides empirical evidence to show significant direct and indirect relationships among these factors.
Findings
The structural equation modeling results revealed that financial education was positively associated with both financial literacy and mobile fintech utilization. Interestingly, financial literacy was negatively associated with mobile fintech utilization and served as a negative mediator between financial education and mobile fintech utilization, while it positively correlated with desirable financial behaviors, enhancing financial well-being. Utilization of mobile fintech was negatively associated with desirable financial behaviors and indirectly and negatively associated with financial well-being. The alternative model highlighted a direct and negative association between mobile fintech usage and financial well-being, and a direct positive association between financial literacy and financial well-being.
Originality/value
This study makes contributions to the literature on financial well-being by examining pathways of antecedents and outcomes of mobile fintech utilization. The findings provide new insights into the rapid evolution of mobile fintech innovations and provide important policy and practical implications.
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