ICT-based information systems and organisational change in microfinance organisations

Mia, Mohammad Badruddozza (2013). ICT-based information systems and organisational change in microfinance organisations. PhD thesis The Open University.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21954/ou.ro.0000d59c

Abstract

Microfinance has been used as a means of alleviating poverty for many years. A large number of organisations implement microfinance, covering a significant proportion of the world population. This study looks into the information systems (IS) of microfinance following an interpretive epistemological philosophy, drawing on research approaches within the fields of IS and organisational studies. It is based on an in-depth comparative case study in six micro finance organisations with different features and characteristics, combined with a questionnaire survey covering fifty-eight microfinance organisations of Bangladesh.

Drawing on phenomena observed in microfinance this study analyses how lCT plays a role in shrinking organisational structure, enhancing the span of supervision and operational performance, and centralisation of delegation of authority. It identifies how key aspects of the context including financial, human resources, technological, regulatory, and national culture impact upon the IS of microfinance in Bangladesh, and block implementation of ICT -based IS . The findings on different positive and negative implications of the use of ICT on the personal, social and gender perspectives and job satisfaction of the human resources inform and add value to the existing body of knowledge.

With an aim to contribute to the field of ICT4D, this study examines the use of ICT in combating corruption in microfinance and argues that along with the use of ICT, an ethical ambiance and administrative reforms are required to prevent corruption more effectively. It also argues that the adoption of emerging mobile phone-based microfinance will radically change the conventional operational model and its IS, with profound implications for the material aspects, but that it can also be detrimental to the social performance of this development programme.