The purpose of this study is to map different understandings of the formalization of the informal financial sector in the developing world. Utilizing a qualitative approach and interview methodology, this study focuses on the case of South Africa and maps different perceptions about the formalization process by operators in the informal economic sector, which are in turn contrasted with the perceptions of experts and policymakers in the field. The issue at hand is a deeper understanding of how and why different groups perceive formalization in different ways. Some of the main findings of this study confirm that there are different understandings of formalization that can be found amongst different groups in South Africa, that the overall positive understanding of formalization efforts are greater than the negative ones, and that formalization efforts are formulated more inclusive than informal operators believe they are. The theoretical contribution of this study is to state that moral arguments play a bigger role in individuals economical decision-making processes than the economy itself shapes individuals' moral behavior. In addition, the findings are of relevance for the design and implementation of financial inclusion policies in the developing world.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:umu-187488 |
| Date | January 2021 |
| Creators | Bäckman Kartal, Helin |
| Publisher | Umeå universitet, Statsvetenskapliga institutionen |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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