title: Information communication technology and financial inclusion of innovative entrepreneurs

authors: Wellalage, Nirosha Hewa

subjects: Social Sciences

abstract: Financial inclusion (FI) constitutes an absolute priority for poverty alleviation and information communication technology (ICT) is an essential component of any FI strategy that aims to enable access to a wide range of financial products and services. This study explores entrepreneurs’ assessments of the role of ICT on their FI and its effect in Africa. Using data on 1436 entrepreneurs from the World Bank Enterprise Survey database and applying an inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) based on propensity scores, the results of our study show that ICT increases entrepreneurs’ FI. In particular, we find that average FI of entrepreneurs using ICT in their business is approximately 12% higher than their counterparts who do not use ICT. Further, separate treatments of email, website, and mobile phone, show that business website ownership has the highest impact on FI, followed by mobile phone and email. The results are robust through a series of robustness checks including the bivariate probit model, propensity score matching model, and alternative proxies for FI. Our findings confirm the significant role technological deepening plays in advancing FI in Africa and its potential for a wider applicability to other developing economies.

text: Information communication technology and financial inclusion of innovative entrepreneurs Financial inclusion (FI) constitutes an absolute priority for poverty alleviation and information communication technology (ICT) is an essential component of any FI strategy that aims to enable access to a wide range of financial products and services. This study explores entrepreneurs’ assessments of the role of ICT on their FI and its effect in Africa. Using data on 1436 entrepreneurs from the World Bank Enterprise Survey database and applying an inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) based on propensity scores, the results of our study show that ICT increases entrepreneurs’ FI. In particular, we find that average FI of entrepreneurs using ICT in their business is approximately 12% higher than their counterparts who do not use ICT. Further, separate treatments of email, website, and mobile phone, show that business website ownership has the highest impact on FI, followed by mobile phone and email. The results are robust through a series of robustness checks including the bivariate probit model, propensity score matching model, and alternative proxies for FI. Our findings confirm the significant role technological deepening plays in advancing FI in Africa and its potential for a wider applicability to other developing economies.

year: 2021-01-08

title: Exploring the landscapes of external supervision

authors: Flintoff, Vivianne

subjects: counselling supervision

abstract: External supervision offers health and social service practitioners opportunities for exploring their work, professional development, and associated relationships. Within a context outside of the workplace, the supervision relationship allegedly supports practice within the workplace. There is a range of understanding within the sectors about the relationship between supervisor and practitioner. This paper explores the potential of closer relationships between agency and supervisor and the subsequent possibilities for greater accountability of the supervision work. Reflecting on our own practice as supervisors both within agencies and external to agencies, this paper invites readers (supervisors and practitioners) to draw on their own supervision experiences. The intention is to critique, challenge, and support critical reflection upon current and potential supervision arrangements for practitioners who participate in supervision that is external to their agencies.

text: Exploring the landscapes of external supervision External supervision offers health and social service practitioners opportunities for exploring their work, professional development, and associated relationships. Within a context outside of the workplace, the supervision relationship allegedly supports practice within the workplace. There is a range of understanding within the sectors about the relationship between supervisor and practitioner. This paper explores the potential of closer relationships between agency and supervisor and the subsequent possibilities for greater accountability of the supervision work. Reflecting on our own practice as supervisors both within agencies and external to agencies, this paper invites readers (supervisors and practitioners) to draw on their own supervision experiences. The intention is to critique, challenge, and support critical reflection upon current and potential supervision arrangements for practitioners who participate in supervision that is external to their agencies.

year: 2010

title: Claiming spaces: Maori (indigenous persons) making the invalid valid

authors: Hickey, Huhana

subjects: Maori

abstract: Identity is a shifting paradigm because of the constant movement between identities throughout our lives, depending on the context within which we are identifying ourselves. Once we identify, we place ourselves within a certain construct. When positioning within identity labels, multiplicitous experiences of marginalisation need to be accounted for in clarifying identity frameworks. Barile (2000) asserts that it is the multiple minority status of persons of minority ethnic identity with disabilities that positions them into multiple minority discriminatory experiences with greater limitations and discrimination than those with a single minority status identity. Barile (2000) also asserts that it challenges ethnic minority people with disabilities who work collectively and as a group where they are forced to work as individuals, often in isolation from their ethnic and cultural communities.

text: Claiming spaces: Maori (indigenous persons) making the invalid valid Identity is a shifting paradigm because of the constant movement between identities throughout our lives, depending on the context within which we are identifying ourselves. Once we identify, we place ourselves within a certain construct. When positioning within identity labels, multiplicitous experiences of marginalisation need to be accounted for in clarifying identity frameworks. Barile (2000) asserts that it is the multiple minority status of persons of minority ethnic identity with disabilities that positions them into multiple minority discriminatory experiences with greater limitations and discrimination than those with a single minority status identity. Barile (2000) also asserts that it challenges ethnic minority people with disabilities who work collectively and as a group where they are forced to work as individuals, often in isolation from their ethnic and cultural communities.

year: 2008