ANVESHAK-International Journal of Management

Zahir Uddin Arif ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Marketing, Faculty of Business Studies, Jagannath University Dhaka-1100, BD

Abstract

Purpose: This article aims to focus on the women empowerment and poverty reduction through active participation of women in micro-finance in the context of Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach :The study has been conducted mainly based on secondary data and information that has been collected and analyzed from published books, articles published in different journals, magazines and websites. Moreover, the primary data and information has been gathered through observations of the performance of microfinancing activities of various development organizations in Bangladesh.

Findings : The study explores the relationship between micro-finance and women empowerment in Bangladesh. Empowerment helps eradicate the conditions that cause powerlessness. Women's powerlessness and dependencies can be changed by involving them in socio-economic activities, motivating them to participate through action plans and suggestions, and encouraging them to accept responsibilities in their group activities. In Bangladesh, the process of women empowerment and poverty eradication has been initiated since the independence of the country. The social attitude in Bangladesh has also changed in favor of the women involvement in the business, profession and vocation with the help of micro-finance. Research limitations/implications- As earlier stated, the study does not include primary survey with representation of population for generalization. Therefore, further research is needed considering empirical evidences extensively through primary survey in near future.

Originality/value:The study attempts to gain insights into the women empowerment through micro-finance that contributes to the growth and development of the country as a whole by reducing poverty

Keywords

Women Empowerment, Poverty Reduction, Micro-finance

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Zahir Uddin Arif ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Marketing, Jagannath University, Dhaka–1100, BD

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to find out and evaluate the grievances and industrial relations among the workers and the management team in the ready-made garment industry of Bangladesh with special reference to Falcon Group Limited. The study has used both primary and secondary data and information. For gathering primary data and information, depth interviews have been conducted on 45 workers with 5-10 years' long working experiences selected from 9 operating sections of Falcon Group Limited through convenience sampling. Different published books, research articles published in different journals, periodicals and conference proceedings, working papers, newspapers, websites of different organizations and annual reports of Falcon Group Limited and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers&Exporters Association (BGMEA) have been reviewed and analyzed for collecting secondary data and information. The study has found out that conflicts among the workers and the management team occur over time as a vulnerable crisis in the ready-made garment industry of Bangladesh where as a member of this industry, Falcon Group Limited always tries to manage and overcome any unrest situation for maintaining harmonious and peaceful industrial relations like other few reputed garment manufacturing companies of the country. The study has also identified lack of educated and skilled workers, lack of safe and healthy working environment, lack of proper managerial knowledge, gender discrimination among workers, low wage rate, irregularities in payment of wages, lack of discussion opportunity with management, lack of compliance, long working hours, harassment, International conspiracy and political intervention, mistreatment with workers etc. as the major causes of grievances or labor unrest in this sector. Considering these causes, the study has also provided some policy recommendations to overcome the problems of labor unrest so that harmonious and peaceful industrial relations can be ensured in the garment sector. Therefore, the study will contribute in the garment sector as well as the economy of Bangladesh and add value to the policymakers of government and partner organizations, researchers, academicians, students and practitioners of the respective field of study.

Keywords

Conflict, Gender Discrimination, Grievance, Peaceful Industrial Relations, Labor Unrest, Low Wage, Ready-Made Garment Industry.

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Mohammad Mizenur Rahaman ¹, Zahir Uddin Arif ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Business Administration, School of Management and Business Administration, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet - 3114, BD
2 Department of Marketing, Jagannath University, Dhaka – 1100, Bangladesh; Founding President, Bangladesh Renaissance Foundation (BRF); Research Fellow, Center for Marketing Science (CMS), Dhaka, Bangladesh and The Indian Institute of Advance Research in Trade and Commerce (IIARTC), Meerut, U.P., IN

Abstract

Purpose: Given the critical mass of literature on Information Technology (IT) practices, the purpose of the study is to develop a conceptual framework for the development of IT infrastructure to improve practices of Management Information Systems (MIS) and also tries to identify the factors which are critical to develop an inclusive IT infrastructure in the customer-centric service organization and to assess the current IT infrastructure of the banking sector of Bangladesh. Design/ Methodology/Approach: The study used the qualitative method, in particular, comparative case study method in collecting necessary data. Data were collected from two banks- Agrani Bank Ltd. (ABL), a representative bank of Nationalized Commercial Banks (NCBs) and Mercantile Bank Ltd. (MBL), a representative bank of Private Commercial Banks (PCBs) that were selected on the basis of access among Information Systems (IS) using banks in the banking industry of Bangladesh. In both cases, same techniques (in-depth interview, observation, and document review) were used. All the collected data were organized and analyzed systematically. However, all the relevant theories were applied to explain the findings of the study. Findings: The study argues that there is an association among the commitment of corporate executives, strategic plan of the organization and organization’s capability for developing an inclusive IT infrastructure of the bank for better practices of MIS.This interfacing theme is missing in previous research. A comparative case study provides empirical evidence to support this argument. The study has found out mainly three factors that are critical in developing inclusive IT infrastructure for improved practices of MIS in a customer-centric service organization like a bank, and four types of outcomes that are unsatisfactory, natural or usual, reasonable, satisfactory or up to the mark. On the basis of this analysis, a theoretical framework of IT infrastructure for improved practices of MIS has been developed and one hypothesis has been put forward. Study Implications: The study has practical implications for the relevant customer-centric financial service organizations, consumers, policymakers, practitioners, academicians and research students of Bangladesh and other countries of the world. Originality/Value: The study has taken the context of the development of IT infrastructure for improved practices of MIS in the customer-centric service organization. No such studies have been undertaken in the past that assess the critical factors to develop an inclusive IT infrastructure for smooth practices of MIS which will increase the customer satisfaction and loyalty to that organization.

Keywords

Customer-Centric, IT Infrastructure, Service Organization, Technology, MIS.

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