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NGOs as agencies for small enterprise development
01.09.1991
The importance of NGOs in grass-roots development is now widely recognized. This article attempts to define the types of NGO, to explore their role in entrepreneurship development and to characterize the main features of successful NGOs in promoting enterprises. This model is then tested against five well-known Bangladeshi NGOs and suggestions are made as to how the model might enable both managers and those who finance NGOs to make their operations more effective. -
Supporting small business membership organizations
01.06.1995
Small Business Membership Organizations (SBMOs) have been of increasing interest to donors because of their potential to deliver services according to the needs of small businesses and in a way that is useful to their members. The following article, based on a survey of SBMOs in Africa and South Asia, reveals that SBMOs often lose this responsiveness as they grow too large and bureaucratic. Donor finance itself has sometimes contributed to this loss of direction. The article outlines the findings of the survey, suggests how donors can identify the most useful SBMOs, and points to ways of supporting them without overwhelming them. -
Taking Stock
01.12.1998
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Information systems for microfinancial services
01.03.1999
There is a growing awareness of the significance of information to microfinance institutions. Poor information systems have an impact on every aspect of an institution's performance, from operational effectiveness to strategic management. A world-wide survey has been carried out of the information systems currently in use by microfinance institutions, with the aim of discovering whether there were packages available, not yet widely known in the market, which might offer solutions for other institutions. The results so far tend to confirm a number of weaknesses in the sector. Many institutions do not appear to have a strong understanding of information technology and have relatively poor information systems as a consequence. The market for products aimed specifically at microfinance is generally weak, contributing to the problem. No previously unknown packages have been identified at this stage, though a few products merit further investigation. It is suggested that stakeholders in the sector need to look at mechanisms for strengthening this market as a means of improving information systems in microfinance institutions. -
Microenterprise and small business leasing - lessons from Pakistan
01.09.1999
Although not well known in poorer countries, evidence from Network Leasing Corporation in Pakistan and from elsewhere suggests that leasing may well have a significant part to play in enabling micro and small enterprises (MSEs) to buy equipment which would otherwise be unavailable to them. Experience so far suggests that leasing is particularly useful for small and larger microenterprises, but the potential for reaching subsistence enterprises is still to be explored and remains untested. This article seeks to answer four questions: What is MSE leasing? Why is MSE leasing of particular interest? What is the experience of Network Leasing Corporation? What is the further potential for MSE leasing? -
From the Chair
01.06.2000
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From the Chair
01.09.2000
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From the Chair
01.12.2000
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From the Chair
01.03.2001
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From the Chair
01.06.2001