Search results

1 – 4 of 4
Article
Publication date: 4 July 2024

Zakaria Boulanouar

This study aims to investigate the reality of relationship banking (RB) in the small and medium enterprise (SME) context, specifically how banks organize activities, define SMEs…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the reality of relationship banking (RB) in the small and medium enterprise (SME) context, specifically how banks organize activities, define SMEs and manage the SME–banking relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Using qualitative methods, this study uses a case study approach, conducting in-depth interviews with relationship managers from major New Zealand banks. The data are analyzed using thematic analysis with a process- and mechanism-oriented lens.

Findings

The study identifies bank criteria for defining SMEs, considering factors such as business complexity, owner/manager ethnicity and business lending. Banks divide their activities into personal and business banking, with the latter further classified as micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses based on borrowing amounts. Three types of RB emerge, namely, micro-business (online/many-to-many) relationship model (RM), small-business RM (one-to-many) and medium-sized business (one-to-one) RM. This study presents a taxonomy of business banking relationship management models that capture the structure and dynamics of the three RB levels.

Research limitations/implications

Interviews may introduce biases or limited perspectives. Findings specific to New Zealand may not universally apply. Future research could explore different regions and assess the impact of these RB models on SMEs’ financial outcomes and satisfaction with banking services.

Practical implications

Findings assist banks in organizing activities and managing SME relationships. Taxonomy aids in categorizing companies and determining appropriate management models. Consequently, tailored services can be provided based on SME needs, offering customized financial packages.

Social implications

RB models prioritizing ethnicity consideration and personalized services contribute to enhanced financial inclusion for SMEs, thereby fostering broader socioeconomic growth and development, partly through the provision of tailored financial packages. Additionally, relationship managers specializing in specific industries can offer valuable insights and assistance to SMEs, fostering mutual trust and collaboration.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to hypothesize, investigate, identify and provide evidence for three RB levels in SMEs. The presented taxonomy contributes to the literature on the SME–bank relationship by providing a structured framework for effective SME relationship management. Insights can help banks develop strategies and practices for serving SMEs, ultimately contributing to their growth and success.

Details

Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1985-2517

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 July 2024

Rajesh Sharma and Pradip Kumar Kafle

This study aims to explore the linguistic and syntactic textual features of Central Bank of Nepal (Nepal Rastra Bank [NRB])’s monetary policy. Considering the recent literature…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the linguistic and syntactic textual features of Central Bank of Nepal (Nepal Rastra Bank [NRB])’s monetary policy. Considering the recent literature and methodological advancement in computational linguistic analysis, this study intends to explore the features of published monetary policy reports.

Design/methodology/approach

Text mining technique has been used on the monetary policy published by Central Bank of Nepal for the period between 2002/03 and 2021/22 to describe the textual features such as length, tone, degree of forward looking, use of numerical contents and readability. The raw text was tokenized using Python’s Natural Language Toolkit. Considering the LM dictionary, the frequency of tokens matching with dictionary is computed and divided by total number of words to normalize the obtained value.

Findings

This study found that NRB publishes lengthy monetary policies during economic contractions and vice versa. The tone of the policies are pessimistic most of the time. NRB’s policies are not sufficiently forward looking and complex to be comprehended by layman. Ergo, NRB shall form a team of communication experts to ensure publication of optimistic policies with appropriate linguistic features. Furthermore, publishing the minutes of monetary policy meetings will help enhance effective communication through transparency and proper functioning of expectations channel.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no similar study has been conducted to assess the textual features of monetary policy in Nepal. And this study will be helpful to gauge the status of central bank communication in the context of emerging and least developed countries.

Details

Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9342

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 June 2024

Rasaq Raimi and Andrew Phiri

The purpose of the study is to provide a bibliometric review of scientific articles published on “Income inequality in Africa” in order to understand the patterns of research on…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to provide a bibliometric review of scientific articles published on “Income inequality in Africa” in order to understand the patterns of research on the topic and identify agendas for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

We conduct a bibliometric analysis on 459 research publications between 1993 and 2023 using the biblioshiny function of bibliometrix package of R-studio to map out and analyze the bibliometric data.

Findings

The findings from our analysis can be summarized in five points. Firstly, African researchers are underrepresented on a global scale and yet are dominant at institutional and author levels. Secondly, most dominant research has not being published in top 100 tanked economic journals. Thirdly, there is underrepresentation of females and white males in research output. Fourthly, there are weak author collaborations on the topic and currently the authors with higher collaborative partnerships tend to have more research output and higher citations. Lastly, we find that authors who include simple terms such as “Income inequality”, “Africa”, “poverty” and “economic growth” as keywords in their studies tend to have higher visibility.

Originality/value

This is first study to perform a bibliometric analysis for research on “Income inequality in Africa”.

Details

Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1026-4116

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 February 2024

Granit Baca and Nail Reshidi

The primary purpose of this research is to conceptualise and validate the comprehensive framework for effectively measuring and managing employee-based brand equity (EBBE…

Abstract

Purpose

The primary purpose of this research is to conceptualise and validate the comprehensive framework for effectively measuring and managing employee-based brand equity (EBBE) benefits. The study endeavours to integrate professional and socio-emotional facets of employees' into the proposed model, lending it a more holistic approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focusses on the banking sector in Kosovo, employing structural equation modelling to analyse data from a sample of 325 employees.

Findings

Both professional and socio-emotional perspectives significantly influenced brand knowledge, positively impacting EBBE benefits such as employee satisfaction, retention and positive word of mouth (WOM). These findings provide empirical support for the theoretical assumptions concerning the role of professional and socio-emotional perspectives in building EBBE.

Research limitations/implications

Theoretically, this research could bridge marketing and organisational behaviour theories by highlighting employees' role in building brand equity. Moreover, it might expand the social identity theory within an organisational context, emphasising employees' identification with the brand as a crucial element.

Practical implications

The study offers practical implications for the banking industry and similar contexts, suggesting robust internal marketing strategies prioritising professional development and socio-emotional connectivity. Theoretically, this research could bridge marketing and organisational behaviour theories by highlighting employees' role in building brand equity. Moreover, it might expand the social identity theory within an organisational context, emphasising employees' identification with the brand as a crucial element.

Originality/value

The paper presents an original contribution to the field of brand equity research by proposing and validating a novel framework for EBBE that uniquely integrates both professional and socio-emotional dimensions of employees' experiences. This approach is particularly innovative within the context of the banking sector, offering new empirical insights.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

1 – 4 of 4