Magister Commercii (Industrial Psychology) - MCom(IPS) / Within the past two decades, gender equity has been a major issue in the workplace. Legislation has since been implemented to redress inequalities of the past, which have allowed women to move away from their traditional roles of being child bearers. Although legislation has been implemented by government, the gender equity issue remains a problem since women are still underrepresented in senior management positions. The aim of the study was to understand the experiences of women in top, senior and management positions within the financial services industry in the Western Cape. The gender composition of senior management positons has an impact on the financial performance of an organisation (Campbell, 2007). Thus the importance of female participation in the senior positions. This issue has attracted a growing amount of research, but for the purposes of this research study, the researcher has focused on one industry. The industry chosen for this study was the financial services industry in the Western Cape. Furthermore, a non-probability sampling design was used, based on the method of purposive sampling. Seven participants, namely, women within the financial services industry were selected to participate in the study. For data collection, in-depth interviews were held with each participants. The study design was qualitative in nature and therefore the thematic approach was used to analyse the data. Research has shown that there are various challenges that women within the financial services industry experience. From myths about women in corporate, to stereotyping women with that of the traditional roles of women. The current research findings also indicate that women experience many challenges while trying to move up the corporate ladder within the financial services industry. The findings derived from this study indicate that the financial services industry is a male dominant industry, with respect to senior management roles. This makes it difficult for women to participate in those decision making roles. This research is beneficial to organisations within the financial services industry. This way, the research study may allow organisations within the financial services industry to improve the current issues around gender equity in their respective organisations. The study limitations have also been discussed as well as the recommendations for future studies.

Prior research defines brand orientation as an approach in which the processes of the organization revolve around the creation, development and protection of brand identity in an ongoing interaction with target customers with the aim of achieving lasting competitive advantages in the form of brands (Urde, 1999). This research paper examines how marketing managers perceive corporate brand orientation with a Financial services company, namely Standard Bank Group Limited (Standard Bank) and what influence cross-functional integration has in enhancing the level of brand orientation. The study design was non-experimental and convenience sampling used. The data was collected within the Group and South African marketing functions of Standard Bank both of which are located within South Africa. The survey was delivered to 131 respondents across 30 marketing functions with the unit of analysis being each employee within their respective teams. The research results indicate that cross-functional integration variables of compensation, multifunctional training and cross-functional teams have a positive influence on brand orientation. The findings from this research can contribute to the body of knowledge within the domain of building corporate brand orientation within the financial services industry, specifically with regards to implications for marketing leadership in terms of improving the performance of the marketing department. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Financial services provided by FinTech companies Abstract The diploma thesis focusing on Financial Services provided by FinTech companies aims to provide a comprehensive legal overview of modern issues in the financial market. The financial market has undergone a significant shift in the last decade, especially thanks to new innovative solutions, that are made possible by the rapid technological development of the 20th and 21st century. FinTech companies are often startups which, unlike the traditional financial institutions, have not been and today are still not bound by the pitfalls and strict conditions of the regulatory environment, when creating their business model and their products. FinTech companies little by little began to benefit from these regulatory gaps and gradually brought new types of financial services to financial market customers, which in certain situations may pose a very dangerous risk to the financial market and its stability. The diploma thesis is divided into three chapters and tries to give a comprehensive description of how technologies have influenced the world of finance throughout history, what legislation currently affects FinTech and what approach is taken by individual states and the European Union. The first chapter focuses primarily on the complete foundations of...

The thesis empirically examines how microfinance products are designed and implemented, and the implications for clients’ households and sources of livelihood. The study argues that the design of products and implementation that reflect the livelihood needs and poverty context of clients is one of the effective ways to reduce poverty. It investigates the microfinance operations of three financial institutions: Sinapi Aba Trust (SAT), St Joseph’s Cooperative Credit Union (CCU) and Sonzele Rural Bank (SRB) in Jirapa, a municipality in Northern Ghana. The study deployed a mixed-methods approach to collect data from six rural and urban communities. Data was sought from secondary sources, 20 interviews, 10 focus group discussions and 120 questionnaires. The research adopted the Sustainable Livelihoods and the Making Markets Work for the Poor approaches as a guide in the framework of analysis. The study, using qualitative and quantitative analytical tools found that product designs of SAT and SRB did not reflect the needs and poverty context of the majority of their clients. Clients of SAT and SRB were found to be less involved in the product design processes, suggesting a top-down institutional approach that seldom incorporated the needs of the poor. The method of group formation has a substantial implication on members’ poverty outcomes. Groups involving only females had a significant and positive relationship with members’ household and business outcomes, while members of male-only groups had a negative relationship with their household outcomes. The thesis concludes that accessible interest on loans and incentives to encourage savings would make microfinance markets work more sustainably for the rural poor. The findings challenge a reconsideration of the design of microfinance products to integrate financial technology as an efficient approach to deliver financial services, especially in rural areas.

No / The article offers information on expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the financial services industry. Topics include Financial institutions see in it more opportunities for efficiency generation, improved profitability, and opportunities for differentiation for the building of competitive advantages; and develop, to improve reporting, and compliance processes.

No / Several studies have shown that financial inclusion impacts poverty and income inequality and higher levels of financial inclusion lead to lower poverty and income inequality and promotes inclusive economic growth. However, the gender gap in access and usage of financial services remains pervasive across all the countries in South Asia. Patriarchal societies, low involvement of women in decision making, low empowerment of women, no voice in the family matters are some of the factors influencing women’s financial access in the region. Although literature has developed on access to financial services in general, there is not much academic work available on access to digital financial services for women. Gender Bias and Digital Financial Services in South Asia: Obstacles and Opportunities on the Road to Equal Access examines access to financial services to women in general in South Asia and specifically their access to digital financial services.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In an increasingly competitive and cost conscious business environment, the Chief information officer and business leaders are seeking to extract greater value from their technologies. At the same time, business employees are more technically proficient than they have ever been, largely on the back of emerging trends such as the consumerisation of Information and communications technology. The convergence of this need to extract greater value from technology, and an increasingly technology savvy employee is the trend known as user empowerment. User empowerment implies the transfer of responsibilities and activities traditionally performed within the Information and communications technology function of a business to the business operations function. In this report, the implementation of a user empowerment program is explored via a case study at Maitland Group South Africa, a financial services firm based in Cape Town, South Africa. Through this study, user empowerment is shown to have significant benefits to the business operations, improving the job satisfaction experienced by business employees who felt they were able to add additional value to the daily operations. In addition, user empowerment is shown to decrease risk, increase operational agility, increase efficiency and improve quality, thereby resulting in an improved customer experience. The experience at Maitland Group South Africa as explored through the case study survey is aligned to this, with the business having achieved all of these benefits. The business has also experienced some negative impacts, especially in the first few months following the implementation of the program, resulting from a weak understanding and appreciation of Information and communications technology governance amongst business users. The concept of user empowerment is challenging to the Information and communications technology function, especially those who have traditionally favoured a centrally run command and control type model. The aversion the traditional Information and communications technology leader might have to user empowerment is realised if sufficient understanding of the software development lifecycle and associated governance processes are not transferred to business operations. In those instances where end-users are empowered to perform activities traditionally performed within Information and communications technology, without the appropriate understanding of best practice and good governance procedures, the overall risk to the business can be increased by empowering users. This risk is driven by poorly designed process, usually on the back of poor testing and weak supporting documentation. Overall though, if properly and appropriately executed, the benefits to the business of user empowerment far exceeds the possible negative consequences.

by Yeung Oi Yung, Betty, Lee Wing Kin. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1990. / Bibliography: leaves 218-222. / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.v / LIST OF APPENDICES --- p.viii / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.ix / Chapter PART A --- "INTRODUCTION, OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY" / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION / The evolution process --- p.1 / The Third Wave --- p.2 / The local market place --- p.4 / The quest for knowledgeable practitioners --- p.5 / Chapter II. --- OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY / Decision making objectives --- p.7 / Research objectives --- p.9 / Organization of research content --- p.10 / Methodology --- p.12 / Chapter PART B --- RESULTS / Chapter III. --- ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS FOR DIRECT MARKETING / The world environment in the view of famous marketers --- p.23 / Demographic changes in Hong Kong relating to demassification --- p.25 / Communication and transportation --- p.38 / Interpretation --- p.43 / Chapter IV. --- CHARACTERISTICS OF DIRECT MARKETING AND FEATURES OF FINANCIAL SERVICES / Introduction --- p.45 / Accountability --- p.47 / One-to-one marketing --- p.49 / Scientific orientation --- p.52 / Myths of direct marketing --- p.58 / Comparison with general advertising --- p.61 / Financial services industry --- p.65 / Direct marketing activities in Hong Kong --- p.69 / Chapter V. --- DIRECT MARKETING AS A TOTAL MARKETING CONCEPT / Introduction --- p.74 / Marketing mix and direct marketing --- p.75 / Marketing objective of the graduate card program --- p.76 / Product --- p.77 / Price --- p.78 / Place --- p.79 / Promotion --- p.80 / Evaluation of results --- p.82 / Interpretation --- p.83 / Chapter VI. --- APPLICATION OF DIRECT MARKETING IN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY / Introduction --- p.85 / Discussion and analysis --- p.89 / Interview reports --- p.98 / Interpretation --- p.100 / Chapter VII. --- SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR DIRECT MARKETING / Introduction --- p.104 / Interview reports --- p.108 / Times Direct Marketing --- p.109 / Direct Force --- p.115 / Ad-Post --- p.119 / Nat Alan Direct --- p.124 / H K Cable Communications Ltd --- p.130 / Interpretation --- p.138 / Chapter VIII. --- CONSUMERS ' ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOURS TOWARDS DIRECT MARKETING A CONSUMER SURVEY ON DIRECT MAIL / Introduction --- p.142 / Design of the survey instrument --- p.144 / Observation of results by overall sample --- p.148 / Observation of results by demographic segments and their interactions --- p.166 / Utilization of mail order service for financial services --- p.186 / Comparison between nominal variables and among batches --- p.189 / Cable television --- p.194 / Interpretation --- p.197 / Chapter PART C --- CONCLUSION / Chapter IX. --- LIMITATIONS / Limitations --- p.200 / Environmental factors (ch.3) --- p.201 / Characteristics of direct marketing and features of financial services (ch. 4) --- p.201 / Direct marketing as a total marketing concept (ch. 5) --- p.202 / Application of direct marketing in the financial services industry (ch. 6) --- p.202 / Supportive services for direct marketing (ch.7) --- p.203 / Consumer survey on direct mail (ch. 8) --- p.204 / Chapter X. --- CONCLUSION / Concluding remarks --- p.207 / Recommendations --- p.211 / Summary of Research --- p.216 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.218 / APPENDICES --- p.Appendices 1 to9

This research focused on the relationship between self-esteem and career anchors in the context of career development. The objectives of the study were twofold. The first was to establish the relationship between individuals’ self-esteem (as measured by the Culture Free Self-Esteem Inventory) and career anchors (as measured by the Career Orientations Inventory); and the second was to determine if self-esteem significantly predict career anchors. An online survey was administered to a non-probability, convenience sample (n = 77) of full-time individuals, employed adults at managerial and general staff levels, in the South African financial services industry. The sample consisted of predominantly married (58.4%), white (44.2%), females (57.1%) between the ages 35 and 44 years (32.5%). The Culture Free Self-Esteem Inventory for Adults (CFSEI 2-AD) and Career Orientations Inventory (COI) were used to gather data. Correlational analysis showed an association between the variables of CFSEI 2-AD and COI. A multiple regression analysis supported that self-esteem predict career anchors. Recommendations were suggested for use by human resource professionals to inform the career development of employees in the South African financial service industry. / Human Resource Management / M. Com. (Human Resource Management)

Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africans earning less than Rl 440 per month (18 million adults) and less than R2 880 per month (29 million adults) are regarded as poor and relatively poor respectively. Of the relatively poor, 78% are unbanked, i.e. do not have access to a formal bank account, while 86% of the poor are unbanked. These figures show clearly that commercial banks do not meet the financial needs of many people, especially the poor for savings, credit, transmission and insurance services. Therefore the importance of those institutions that do not form part of the formal financial sector and provide micro savings and micro credit services, generally referred to as micro finance, to the poor at the local level on a sustainable basis. The objective of this research is twofold. Firstly, a review of the literature on micro finance in general to establish the financial needs of the poor, the constraints formal financial institutions face in providing micro financial services and to identify best practice regarding the provision of financial services to the poor in order to be in the position to form an opinion on institutional success. Secondly, to analyse a specific South African micro finance initiative, Financial Services Cooperatives (FSCs), to identify how FSCs relate to the international best practice and to establish whether they are successful in addressing the financial needs of the poor. A FSC is a financial institution through which micro finance services (savings, credit, transmission and insurance) are extended to unbanked households in a rural village. It utilises a community's rules, customs, relationships, knowledge, solidarity and resources combined with formal financial methods and concepts. The FSC is initiated, owned, financed and managed by the villagers themselves. FSCs are registered cooperatives under the Cooperative Act of 1981 and may accept deposits from their members in terms of an exemption from the Bank Act of 1990. Currently, FSCs experience problems in providing credit, transmission and insurance services, preventing them from intermediating between borrowers and savers. After reviewing the above-mentioned international best practice the conclusion reached with regard to FSCs includes the following: FSCs only provide savings services and therefore do not intermediate between borrowers and savers as required for a financial institution. This in tum prevents them from being sustainable. FSCs' failure can be ascribed to the restrictive legislation, unsuccessful regulation and supervision. New legislation is currently under review that will change the landscape for micro finance and specifically for FSCs. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrikaners wat minder as Rl 440 per maand (18 miljoen volwassenes) en minder as R2 880 per maand verdien (29 miljoen volwassenes) word onderskeidelik as arm and relatief arm bestempel. Agt-en-sewentig persent van dié wat relatief arm is, het nie toegang tot 'n formele bankrekening nie, terwyl 86% van dié wat arm is, geen toegang het nie. Hierdie syfers toon duidelik dat kommersiële banke nie aan die finansiële behoeftes, met betrekking tot spaar-, krediet-, transmissie- en versekeringsdienste van baie mense voldoen nie, veral nie die armes nie. Daarom dat instellings wat nie deel vorm van die formele finansiële sektor nie en mikrobesparings en mikro-krediet, algemeen bekend as mikro-finansies, in 'n plaaslike gebied en op 'n volhoubare basis verleen, belangrik is. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is tweeledig: Eerstens, bied dit 'n oorsig oor die mikro-finansiering literatuur ten einde die finansiële behoeftes van die armes te ondersoek en die beperkings wat formele finansiële instellings ondervind om mikro-finansiële dienste te verskaf, aan te stip. Beste praktyk rakende die voorsiening van finansiële dienste aan die armes word geïdentifiseer, om sodoende in 'n posisie te wees om 'n opinie te kan vorm oor institusionele suksesfaktore. Tweedens, om a spesifieke Suid-Afrikaanse mikro-finansiële inisiatief, Finanical Services Cooperatives (FSCs) te ondersoek, ten einde vas te stel hoe hierdie inisiatief vergelyk met internasionale beste praktyk en hoe suksesvol dit is in die voorsiening van finansiële dienste aan die armes. 'n FSC is 'n finansiële instelling waardeur mikro-finansiële dienste (spaar-, krediet-, transmissie- en versekeringsdienste) verskaf word aan diegene in 'n plattelandse nedersetting wat nie toegang tot formele bankdienste het me. FSCs maak gebruik van 'n gemeenskap se reëls, gebruike, verhoudings, kennis, solidariteit en hulpbronne en kombineer dit met formele finansiële metodes en konsepte. Dit is 'n inisiatief van die gemeenskap en word deur die inwoners van die nedersetting besit, finansier en bestuur. FSCs is geregistreerde koëperasies in terme van die Ko-operatiewe Wet van 1981, en mag ook deposito's van hulle lede aanvaar op grand van 'n vrystelling van die Bankwet van 1990. Tans ondervind FSCs probleme in die verskaffing van krediet-, transmissieen versekeringsdienste wat hulle verhoed om as tussenganger tussen leners en spaarders op te tree. Na die oorweging van die internasionale beste-praktyk, kan die volgende gevolgtrekking rakende FSCs gemaak word: FSCs tree nie op as tussenganger tussen leners en spaarders nie, soos vereis word van 'n finansiële instelling nie. Dit beperk gevolglik volhoubaarheid. Die mislukking kan toegeskryf word aan beperkte wetgewing, onsuksesvolle regulering en supervisie. Nuwe wetgewing is tans onder oorweging wat die landskap vir mikro finansiering en veral vir FSCs sal verander.