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Volume 7 - Number 1 | March

Financial inclusion using corporate social responsibility: a socio-economic demand–supply analysis

Munshi Naser Ibne Afzal, Md Abu Nayeem Sadi, and Shamim Ahmad Siddiqui

28/03/2023 85 0 0
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CSR Bangladesh Deprived community Financial inclusion

Abstract:

Purpose
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) aims at upholding socio-economic condition of deprived communities prevailing in society as well as bringing profitability for corporate companies themselves. This study investigates to what extent the CSR initiatives of financial institutions in Bangladesh have been able to reach out to deprived communities and support various dimensions of financial inclusion (FI) in the country.

Design/methodology/approach
In this study, both supply-side and demand-side data are included and discussed rigorously as tools to cross-check the result. Both qualitative and quantitative data are incorporated, and graphs and tables are used to represent the critical information better. A triangulation of in-depth interviews with secondary data is used to ensure rigor and trustworthiness. The triangulation approach works as a method to verify secondary data by interviewees in this study.

Findings
The result shows a positive geographical and demographical penetration of CSR activities, but it does not necessarily bring FI in all cases. This study identifies some key issues that prevail in the current context of Bangladesh, such as usage, distance, quality and cost of financial products.

Originality/value
This study makes use of both supply-side and demand-side information and thus explain the reasons behind the involuntary exclusion of financial services.

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Further reading

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