The work experiences of loan officers in microfinance: is it different for women loan officers? Evidence from Zambia

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Siwale, J ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6315-0896, 2013. The work experiences of loan officers in microfinance: is it different for women loan officers? Evidence from Zambia. In: 27th Annual British Academy of Management Conference, Liverpool, 10-12 September 2013, Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, 10-12 September 2013.

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Abstract

This study seeks to highlight the challenges faced by organisations whose remit it is to provide microfinance support to the poor. In doing so, it focuses on loan officers – the agents of delivery on the ground. Based on an intersectional analysis of gender, class and context, the research shows how these interact to influence loan officers’ day by day experiences and make the job unattractive to particular groups. It is set in the context of two Zambian microfinance institutions seeking to reduce poverty through sustainable lending, using a group-based methodology. The study draws out the dirty, emotional, stressful, gendered, culturally complex and relentless nature of their work on the ground, to argue for a better understanding of grassroots level work and support for loan officers. More specifically, findings show that gender appears to be important as social and cultural norms emerge as major pressure points to female loan officers than their male counterparts - making them less suitable for microfinance work, which traditionally targeted poor women.

Item Type:	Conference contribution
Creators:	Siwale, J.
Date:	September 2013
Divisions:	Schools > Nottingham Business School
Record created by:	Jonathan Gallacher
Date Added:	01 May 2018 12:29
Last Modified:	02 May 2018 08:19
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/33403