Search results for "VDP::Social science: 200::Economics"
showing 10 items of 470 documents
Microfinance and women empowerment : to what extent has access to loans led to a change in gender responsibilities at the household level: a case stu…
2014
Master thesis in development management - University of Agder 2014 Microfinance has been recognized internationally as a great strategy in promoting women’s empowerment. Currently development practitioners, international donors, policy makers, Governments, and Non-governmental organizations have introduced microfinance programs to reach out with financial services to the low-income earners, especially women. This is based on the conception that women have better repayment records and also if credit is placed in women’s hands, it leads to improvement in the wellbeing of entire household. This study therefore aimed at assessing the extent to which access to loans by women can lead to a change…
The influence of international ownership on the performance of microfinance institutions
2016
Master thesis Business Administration - University of Agder 2016 The microfinance industry is experiencing rapid growth and financing this growth is a legitimate concern. During the past decade, international commercial funding in the form of international equity and debt has played a remarkable role in this regard. Until now, microfinance research that focus on the performance implications of international funding of MFIs is inadequate even though microfinance literature is voluminous. Our study focuses on the presence of international shareholders in microfinance institutions. Using data from 148 Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) in 51 countries, we empirically determine MFI characteristic…
Place affect interventions during and after the COVID-19 pandemic
2021
The COVID-19 health and economic crisis has also brought a rise in people being unable to cope with their existing medical conditions and other issues such as domestic violence, drugs, and alcohol among others. Suicidal tendencies have been on the rise. Feelings of isolation causing emotional distress in place-confined settings have put additional pressure on the healthcare systems demanding that we find additional and complementary means of support for those in need. This is important not only in the current pandemic but also in the post-pandemic world. The goal is to collectively contribute and address the recurring calls for actions to maintain global well-being and public health. An imp…
The importance of social networks in the Norwegian firewood industry
2013
Accepted version of an article from journal of Biomass and Bioenergy This study examines the relationship between social network size, innovation and firm performance among firewood producers in Norway. Moreover, it investigates how this relationship is affected both by the structure and variations in networks and by firm size and age. A questionnaire-based survey was sent to managers of firms (including one-person firms) in the firewood industry in Norway. A total of 645 usable replies were received, and the theoretical model was tested using structural equation modeling. The findings show that social network size has a positive effect on firm performance via innovation by firewood produce…
A new aid modality for Africa
2013
Preprint of an article published in the Journal of Economic Policy Reform with the title:“Stimulating economic growth in the least developed countries: Direct cash transfers for the retired via mobile phones,” The result of current aid policies is that only a small percentage of foreign aid reaches the poorest of the poor in the least developed countries. Current trends of urbanisation and self-reliance place elderly people in an increasingly difficult situation. This paper aims to stimulate debate by introducing an alternative mechanism for foreign aid. With the help of an economic model, we demonstrate how direct cash transfers to elderly people can spur economic growth. Targeting all eld…
Motivations for business start-up: are there any differences between disabled and non-disabled people?
2014
Masteroppgave i økonomi og administrasjon – Universitetet i Agder 2014 This master‟s thesis seeks to investigate whether motivations for business start-up between persons with and without disabilities differ. The motivation for this study is that, disabled entrepreneurs may have unique reasons which need the attention of all stakeholders who advocate for equal human rights. The study uses a unique sample of 273 from Ecuadorian micro-bank. The findings indicate that persons without disabilities are more materialistic than persons with disabilities. Materialism relates to opportunity-driven entrepreneurship where individuals start business as a result of available market opportunities. The re…
Model based design of electro-hydraulic motion control systems for offshore pipe handling equipment
2014
Doktorgradsavhandling i mekatronikk, Universitetet i Agder, 2014 Despite the fact that hydraulics, in general, is considered a mature technology, design of hydraulic systems still offers a number of challenges for both component suppliers and manufacturers of hydraulically actuated machines such as offshore pipe handling equipment. This type of equipment is characterized by high price, high level of system complexity and low production numbers. It requires a great level of skill and experience to develop the equipment and the focus on production and development costs is constantly increasing. Therefore design engineers continuously have to improve their procedures for decision making regard…
Do Powerful CEOs Determine Microfinance Performance?
2012
Authors version of an article published in Journal of Management Studies. The definitive version is available from Wiley at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6486.2012.01046.x Recently, microfinance has been coming under public and media attacks. The microcredit crisis following from microfinance-induced suicides in 2010 in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh indicates that weak corporate governance and imprudent risk taking have far-reaching consequences. Yet, analyses of corporate governance mechanisms among microfinance institutions (MFIs) remain underdeveloped. As a response, this study examines the impact of CEO power on MFI risk taking by deriving explicit predictions of this effect fr…
Determinants of revisit intentions : The main determinants of revisit intentions to Norwegian skiing resorts
2016
Master thesis Business Administration - University of Agder 2016 What are the repurchase intentions of winter tourists in Norway in 2016? What makes them satisfied and what are their motivations? This thesis aims to clarify these themes. Existing theories and models of repurchase intentions in travel and tourism, as well as interview data from visitors, will be used to identify the main determinants of revisit intentions. The inspiration for this study came from the vision of the cluster Arena Usus. The Arena Usus network consists of 100 companies within the travel-, experience- and culture business in the south of Norway and they focus on repurchase within travel and tourism and its value.…
Gender and entrepreneurial intentions
2014
Author's version of a chapter in the book: L. Kelley (Ed.), Entrepreneurial women : new management and leadership models. The paper identifies commonalities and differences between women and men in terms of eleven key factors’ impact on the formation of entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) among Norwegian students. The analysis is based on a sample of 1,782 Norwegian students from a variety of faculties and degree programs. A path analysis methodological approach is used, while being based on multiple regressions so as to gradually refine model complexities. Findings show that common to both sexes are the effects of entrepreneurial experience, social norms, self-efficacy, and age. The direct ef…