Microfinance in the South - from money processing to community building
by Muhammad Adeel; Bernhard Nett; Volker Wulf
International Journal of Services Technology and Management (IJSTM), Vol. 19, No. 1/2/3, 2013

Abstract: This paper compares the results of two ethnographic studies on microfinance institutions (MFIs) of the South, the Grameen Bank (GB), Bangladesh, and the Khushhali Bank (KB), Pakistan. Information and communication technology (ICT) is considered to play a major supportive role for innovation in both MFIs which, nevertheless, approach them very differently. When discussing with KB management, GB was often mentioned as a best-practice example. Nevertheless, GB's focus on the field level is not followed in innovation strategies. Restricting 'microfinance technology' to the automation of payment-data management falls behind GB's understanding of microfinance as an ongoing recombination of financial, educational, community-building and empowering activities. The paper contributes to a better understanding of the specifics of work practices in MFI in developing countries - a domain which has not yet been thoroughly studied. The comparative analysis additionally reveals the impact of customer relationships on cooperative work and technological needs within banking organisations.

Online publication date: Wed, 30-Apr-2014

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