Polarised narratives and complex realities in Tanzania’s Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor

This article assesses the controversy surrounding a high-profile agricultural investment initiative, the Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT), which aims to modernise, commercialise, and transform Tanzania’s agricultural sector. Drawing on a review of SAGCOT literature and findings from consultations with SAGCOT stakeholders and intended beneficiaries, the article outlines the polarised narratives of “opportunity” and “risk” informing SAGCOT debates, and presents research findings that challenge these narratives. The findings suggest that agricultural investments are rarely as glamorous or as gloomy in practice as the polarised narratives around SAGCOT suggest, and illustrate the challenges involved in directing agricultural investments in ways that balance multiple interests and objectives in practice.     

An exploration of the financial practices of tribal communities in Jhabua,India

Tribal communities of India have been facing financial challenges for many years, and these have increased alongside commercialisation led by industrialisation. The major reason for this is that tribal communities are neglected by the state, which has had a negative impact on their livelihoods and financial status. The state has made some attempts to promote these communities, but these have been unsuccessful. Against this background, this article explores the financial practices of tribal communities in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh, India and presents a microfinance model which could be suitable in the Jhabua context.     

Explaining national preferences on the new European banking policy framework: the case of Lithuania

Utilising the Lithuanian case, this article analyses what determines a country’s position on the transfer of national competency over banking policy to the EU level. In contrast to dominant explanations in scholarly literature, this article argues that Lithuania’s support for the banking union can be explained by the general pro-European orientation of the political system in the context of ambiguous aggregate economic costs and the benefits of the new institutional framework. In 2013, the EU Presidency also positively affected Lithuania’s stance. Finally, the decision about when to join the banking union was subordinated to the process of euro accession.     

Economy

正China Sees a Big Leap in Mobile Payments Last year 125 million Chinese made payments by mobile phones,an increase of 126 percent over the previous year,and the volume of payments rose by 707 percent.Users who pay by smartphone now outnumber those who pay by other means like bank cards and the Internet,according to the 2014 China Internet Financial Development Report,published in August by the Internet Society of China(ISC)and Finance World,a Xinhua News Agency magazine.     

Public Sector Change,Organisational Culture and Financial Information: A Study of Local Government

Local government has undergone substantial change in Victoria, but the reforms have not necessarily resulted in improved financial management practices. This article examines the organisational culture of a sample of local governments, the critical events which have impacted on them, and their use of accounting, budgetary and financial (ABF) information. We find that despite the change process, organisational culture is not focused on competitive practices, although compulsory competitive tendering remains the most influential event. Consistent with the aims of reform, the quality and use of ABF information has improved over the last decade. This article will be of interest to those in government wishing to implement change programs aimed at increasing financial resource use efficiency.     

The struggle to empower trade union members: insights from Zambia

Empowerment is under-researched in labour and trade unions, not least in sub-Saharan Africa. Based on workplace observations and interviews with union members and staff in agriculture, commerce, and industry, this article shares insights from two trade unions in Zambia. Findings show that the extent of empowerment differs between members and that empowerment is constrained by employer influence, privatisation, lack of government labour law enforcement, and union resources. Using an integrated approach, the article discusses differences in perceptions of empowerment, how external intentions clash with local structures, and offers suggestions which may help to improve union empowerment methods and programmes.     

Utilisation of maternal health services in Ethiopia: a key informant research project

This article explores the application of key informant research to examine barriers and facilitators to maternal health services in rural and pastoralist Ethiopia. The key informants were health extension workers (HEWs) who assist women with birth preparedness and facilitate timely referral to health centres for birth. While women encounter many barriers to giving birth in health facilities, where HEWs are supported by their communities and health centre staff, they can effectively encourage women to travel to health centres to give birth with skilled birth attendants rather than at home with unskilled relatives or traditional birth attendants.     

Community-supported models for girls’ education in Pakistan: the transformational processes of engagement

This article presents the case for promoting girls’ education in the contexts of geographic isolation, social conservatism, fragility, and severe financial hardship, with localised services delivered through community supported initiatives, contextualised approaches, and flexible strategies. To examine the significance of using localised approaches for improving girls’ access to education, the article explores three case studies from Pakistan in three different contexts. These cases highlight lessons learnt for establishing responsive and flexible girls’ education initiatives which are relevant in the cultural, social, financial, and political contexts of the girls and their communities.     

坚持特色发挥优势促进参政议政

各民主党派不可能对事关国计民生的所有问题都提出建设性的意见.各民主党派的人员构成、业务领域和特色优势均不同,在参政议政过程中,应充分发挥所从事的领域和专业方面的优势和特长,着力在本领域、本行业如何发展变革上多作文章.要保持自身的特色,将自身的特色与经济社会的发展紧密结合起来,提出有价值的意见、建议,从而形成有专业特色的...