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Article
Publication date: 13 November 2017

Samuel Salia, Javed Hussain, Ishmael Tingbani and Oluwaseun Kolade

Against the background of growing concerns that development interventions can sometimes be a zero sum game, the purpose of this paper is to examine the unintended consequences of…

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Abstract

Purpose

Against the background of growing concerns that development interventions can sometimes be a zero sum game, the purpose of this paper is to examine the unintended consequences of microfinance for women empowerment in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a participatory mixed-method approach including household questionnaire surveys, focus group discussions and key informant interviews to investigate the dynamics of microfinance effects on women in communities of different vulnerability status in Ghana.

Findings

The results of hierarchical regression, triadic closure and thematic analyses demonstrate that the economic benefits of microfinance for women is also directly associated with conflicts amongst spouses, girl child labour, polygyny and the neglect of perceived female domestic responsibilities due to women’s devotion to their enterprises.

Originality/value

In the light of limited empirical evidence on potentially negative impacts of women empowerment interventions in Africa, this paper fills a critical gap in knowledge that will enable NGOs, policy makers and other stakeholders to design and implement more effective interventions that mitigate undesirable consequences.

Details

International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, vol. 24 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2554

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Article
Publication date: 22 July 2024

Nurlan Orazalin, Collins G. Ntim and John Kalimilo Malagila

This study explores the relation between firm-level climate change risks, measured by carbon emissions and waste generation, and the level of biodiversity disclosures.

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Abstract

Purpose

This study explores the relation between firm-level climate change risks, measured by carbon emissions and waste generation, and the level of biodiversity disclosures.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on an international sample from 2009 to 2021, our study employs panel regression models to assess the effects of climate change risks on biodiversity disclosures. We also conduct a range of sensitivity analyses, including additional proxies, endogeneity tests, and alternative samples to examine the robustness of our inferences.

Findings

We find that firms with higher carbon emissions and waste generation levels tend to disclose extensive biodiversity information. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the disaggregated components of carbon (Scope 1 and 2) emissions and waste (hazardous and non-hazardous) generation volumes are positively associated with biodiversity disclosures. Our results also reveal that the effects of climate change risks on biodiversity disclosures are stronger for firms from environmentally sensitive industries. Finally, our results show that climate and biodiversity protection regulations appear to be effective in limiting legitimation efforts.

Originality/value

Consistent with legitimacy theory, our findings suggest that high carbon and waste emitting firms tend to utilize increased biodiversity disclosures as a legitimizing tool to conform to societal expectations and protect their legitimacy.

Details

Journal of Accounting Literature, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-4607

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Article
Publication date: 8 October 2018

Sydney Chikalipah

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the empirical relationship between microsavings and the financial performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Sub-Saharan Africa…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the empirical relationship between microsavings and the financial performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Design/methodology/approach

The approach in this paper is decidedly empirical, and employs data obtained from Microfinance Information eXchange (MIX). The data set consists of 350 microfinance MFIs domiciled in 36 Sub-Saharan African countries for the period covering 1998–2012.

Findings

The panel estimation results consistently show that there exists a negative and statistically significant relationship between microsavings and the financial performance of MFIs in SSA. This is perhaps surprising, albeit rational considering the exceedingly elevated operating expenses that ascend from mobilizing and managing microsavings, ceteris paribus, that could erode firm profitability. The paper draws policy implications from these important findings.

Research limitations/implications

Even though generalized method of moment estimation technique was employed and robustness checks, the issue of endogeneity cannot be eliminated entirely.

Practical implications

Microfinance industry is one of the fastest growing segments of the financial sector in SSA. The industry is increasingly becoming the core of financial inclusion in the region where two-thirds of the adult population lack access to formal financial services. Therefore, gaining an in-depth understanding of the role microsavings play in the financial performance of MFIs can contribute to the growth of the industry.

Originality/value

This study is timely considering the significant growth in the number of microsavings – there are currently twice as many microsavings accounts in SSA as there are microcredits. More importantly, based on 400 MFIs, that reported data to MIX in 2016, the total microsavings stood at about US$11bn against an aggregate loan portfolio of about US$10.5bn. The remarkable growth of microsavings in SSA, from less than US$100m in 2000 to US$11bn in 2016, is the main motivation of undertaking this study.

Details

Journal of Economic Studies, vol. 45 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3585

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