1,720,958 research outputs found
Cracking the Financing Gap: How Informal Traders in Zimbabwe are Bridging the Banking Divide
No full textIn Zimbabwe, informal traders face significant barriers in accessing formal financial services, hindering their ability to grow and sustain their businesses. However, these traders are finding innovative ways to bridge the banking gap by leveraging alternative financial services. The paper investigates alternative financial services leveraged by informal traders in Zimbabwe. Quantitative results reveal that majority of informal traders in Zimbabwe are financially excluded and rely heavily on informal financial services such as mukando/revolving funds, chimbadzo/interest bearing informal loans, personal savings, trade credit, business angels, burial society group loans and loans from friends and relatives. Quantitative results further revealed that informal traders in Zimbabwe leverage private strong rooms, mukando/revolving funds and cryptocurrencies for savings and investments. Furthermore, qualitative results revealed that informal traders in Zimbabwe also save and invest through the gaba scheme and informal deposit taking financial institutions. Based on research findings, the study concludes that informal traders in Zimbabwe are financially excluded and rely on informal financial services. This underscores the necessity for a collaborative and multi-faceted approach among policymakers, stakeholders, and industry experts to effectively integrate the informal sector into the formal financial system. The research recommends the introduction of customised financial products, simplification of loan and bank account application procedures, introduction of AI augmented bank accounts, consultative meetings between policy makers and representatives of informal traders and introduction of mobile banking vehicles with automated teller machines
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
Exploring the nexus between digital financial inclusion and financial stability: a systematic review of the literature
No full textThe rapid pace of technological advancement has driven the widespread adoption of digital infrastructure in the financial sector, significantly promoting digital financial inclusion. In pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, digital infrastructure is bridging financial gaps for marginalised communities. Nevertheless, concerns arise across the globe regarding potential challenges accompanying financial service digitilisation. This systematic review comprehensively examines the relationship between digital financial inclusion and financial stability by synthesizing existing research findings. The current research employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework for accessing articles from Scopus databases. Inclusion criteria comprised peer-reviewed articles published in English between 2017 and 2024 inclusive. The literature survey findings indicated that 41.4% of studies reported negative effects of digital financial inclusion on financial stability, while 17.9% yielded mixed results. Although digital financial technology has been instrumental in promoting digital financial inclusion, majority of studies reviewed highlight potential negative implications for financial stability. The study reveals regulatory framework challenges, severe competition in the financial sector, systemic and cybersecurity vulnerabilities and financial literacy gaps as significant challenges arising from digital financial inclusion. Although digital financial inclusion significantly contributes to the economy, its effectiveness hinges on addressing regulatory, security and literacy concerns. In line with the above findings and conclusions, this study recommends the strengthening of the regulatory frameworks to safeguard financial stability. Policymakers, financial institutions and stakeholders should prioritize digital financial inclusion while establishing robust regulatory frameworks that balance expansion with effective risk management
Dispelling the Myths Behind First-author Citation Counts
Full text linkWe conducted a full-scale evaluative citation analysis study of scholars in the XML research field to explore just how different from each other author rankings resulting from different citation counting methods actually are, and to demonstrate the capability of emerging data and tools on the Web in supporting more realistic citation counting methods. Our results contest some common arguments for the continued
use of first-author citation counts in the evaluation of scholars, such as high correlations between author rankings by first-author citation counts and other citation
counting methods, and high costs of using more realistic citation counting methods that are not well-supported by the ISI databases. It is argued that increasingly available digital full text research papers make it possible for citation analysis studies to go beyond what the ISI databases have directly supported and to employ more
sophisticated methods
Exploring the Potential of Islamic Finance in Bridging the Financial Inclusion Gap: A Systematic Review of Literature: Exploring the Potential of Islamic Finance in Bridging the Financial Inclusion Gap
No full textFinancial exclusion remains widespread and continues to constrain the livelihoods of low-income groups and other marginalised communities worldwide. Islamic finance has expanded rapidly in both Muslim-majority and non-Muslim countries as an alternative means of accessing capital and financial services that comply with the prohibition of riba (interest) and broader Sharīʿah principles. By incorporating fairness, risk-sharing, and contractual discipline into financial transactions, Islamic finance aims to foster a more stable and inclusive economic order. This article presents a systematic review of the literature on the contribution of Islamic finance to bridging the financial inclusion gap, with a particular focus on its effectiveness, constraints, and emerging opportunities. Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, a structured search of the Scopus database identified 78 peer-reviewed articles published between 2013 and 2024, of which 29 met the inclusion criteria. The evidence suggests that Islamic banking, microfinance, social finance instruments, and Sharīʿah-compliant fintech can expand access to finance for both Muslims and non-Muslims seeking interest-free products, particularly in underserved market segments. Profit- and loss-sharing contracts, asset-backed modes of financing, and redistributive tools such as zakat and Islamic insurance (takaful) are highlighted as key mechanisms. At the same time, the review documents challenges, including low levels of Islamic financial literacy, regulatory and institutional constraints, uneven geographic penetration, and the phenomenon of financial migration, whereby customers shift from conventional to Sharīʿah-compliant institutions without necessarily increasing overall inclusion. The review concludes that, if appropriately supported by policymakers through enabling regulation, consumer protection, and investment in digital infrastructure, Islamic finance can complement conventional finance in reducing financial exclusion and advancing inclusive and socially just economic development. Future research should deepen comparative analyses across regions and products, and explore how Islamic finance can better serve women, youth, and micro-entrepreneurs facing multidimensional exclusion and inequality
Cryptocurrency integration: A blessing or a curse for economic development and stability?
Full text linkPurpose: To systematically review and synthesize existing empirical evidence on the multifaceted impacts of cryptocurrency integration on economic development and stability, aiming to determine whether its proliferation is predominantly beneficial or detrimental to sustainable economic systems. Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The Scopus database was searched for empirical articles published between 2010 and 2024, focusing on keywords related to cryptocurrencies, economic development, economic growth, financial stability, financial risks, and financial inclusion. A multi-stage filtering process led to the inclusion of 21 relevant research articles. Results: The review reveals a predominant consensus (52.4% of reviewed articles) that cryptocurrency integration has a negative impact on economic growth and stability, primarily due to volatility, systemic risks, and its use in illicit activities. While some studies highlight potential for financial inclusion (e.g., SME financing) and as a hedge in specific contexts, the broader findings point to significant challenges for monetary policy, regulatory oversight, and conventional banking paradigms. The theoretical contribution: This study consolidates fragmented research into a coherent overview, highlighting the complex and often contradictory effects of cryptocurrencies. It contributes to understanding the challenges digital currencies pose to traditional economic theories and models of financial stability, particularly within the context of achieving sustainable development. Practical implications: The findings urge policymakers to develop robust, globally coordinated regulatory frameworks to mitigate systemic risks, combat financial crime, and protect consumers. Financial institutions must adapt their risk management strategies to accommodate digital assets. The study also highlights the importance of public financial literacy programs regarding cryptocurrency risks and advocates for considering the impacts of cryptocurrency in broader economic and sustainable development planning.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities; SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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