The work experiences of loan officers in Microfinance: Is it different for women loan officers? Evidence from Zambia

Siwale, Juliana (2013) The work experiences of loan officers in Microfinance: Is it different for women loan officers? Evidence from Zambia. In: 2013 British Academy of Management Conference, 10 - 12 September 2013, Liverpool, UK.

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Item Type:Conference or Workshop contribution (Paper)
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Abstract

This study seeks to highlight the challenges faced by organisations whose remit it is to
provide microfinance support to the poor. In doing so, it focuses on loan officers – the agents
of delivery on the ground. Based on an intersectional analysis of gender, class and context,
the research shows how these interact to influence loan officers’ day by day experiences and
make the job unattractive to particular groups. It is set in the context of two Zambian
microfinance institutions seeking to reduce poverty through sustainable lending, using a
group-based methodology. The study draws out the dirty, emotional, stressful, gendered,
culturally complex and relentless nature of their work on the ground, to argue for a better
understanding of grassroots level work and support for loan officers. More specifically,
findings show that gender appears to be important as social and cultural norms emerge as
major pressure points to female loan officers than their male counterparts- making them less
suitable for microfinance work, which traditionally targeted poor women.

Additional Information:British Academy of Management Conference 2013 - Managing to Make a Difference
Keywords:Microfinance, Female loan officers, Intersectionality, Grassroots work
Subjects:N Business and Administrative studies > N100 Business studies
N Business and Administrative studies > N200 Management studies
Divisions:Lincoln International Business School
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ID Code:11932
Deposited On:19 Sep 2013 08:21

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