Microcredit, women and empowerment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Microcredit, women and empowerment - Essay Example While other micro credit programs are usually subsidized by the government Grameen bank microcredit programs does not reduce interest rates but instead charges lower administrative costs (Hashemi, Ruler & Riley, 1996). In definition microcredit is an element of micro finance, which is to provide minimal amounts as loans to individuals who are not able to generate income for themselves and are considered as poor by the definition of that particular economy (Rahman, 1999). Microcredit is the provision of small amounted loans i.e. micro loans to poor people of any country. Such loans help those individuals to generate income for themselves and to live a better life. The role that microcredit plays in the empowerment of women is dependent on many different factors. The most important factor is the managerial control imparted by the program towards the women involved (Goetz & Sen Gupta, 1994). The index developed by Goetz & Sen, Gupta, 1994 shows two extremes sides of the index. On one end according to them are women who have no control over the administrative process of acquiring the loan. Moreover they were not part of the activities which were funded by using the loan. On the other side are women who were part of the entire process (Goetz & Sen Gupta, 1994). They should not only be part of the economic activities which result from the loan but should also be involved in marketing of the produce. According to the study carried out by Goetz and Sen Gupta, married women had very little control over the loans taken by them. This loss of control can have very negative implications for women. If the men are willing to take responsibility of the repayment of the loan it creates no problems for the female involved but totally negates the concepts of microcredit (Goetz & Sen Gupta, 1994). Two other situations can also arise. The members may be partially willing but unable to pay back the loan. In this case women are left to sell household items in order to

Market Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Market Research - Essay Example One of the weaknesses of Macdonald which is experienced in the industry is the increasing concern on ethics. Offering mobile catering would capture the market potential for the increasing change in the socio-economic structure of the society in which some people may require services in funerals and weddings. This kind of data constitute oral interview as an aspect of primary data. It is evident that various events nowadays require caterers who offer mobile services within the event venue and this is the unexploited demand gap that has not been filled in this industry (Wiid & Diggines, 2009) . The target market in this case is the working class who is involved in employment and has little time to organize and provide local manpower to offer catering services in weddings and funerals. Critical evaluation of the three questions below can boost the progress of market research. It is important to underscore the aspect of competition in any market and catering industry is not exceptional. Survival in such a market would therefore require strategic planning in which mobile catering will have to contend with lest they are pushed out by the other firms in the . Mobile catering falls in catering and accommodation industry and has several competitors. Direct Sales Model is therefore critical as far as the success of the firm is concerned. Mobile catering requires face to face interaction with customers which is equally healthy in terms of determining the demand gap in the market (Wiid & Diggines,2009). This business model has been preferred in the industry as it promotes long term relationship between the firm and the clients. It is critical to note the significance of a sound Mission/ Vision Statement and Value Proposition in enhancing the chances of better performance of the