{"title":"Making Sense of Sustainability: How Institutional Design Can Sustain Informal Savings and Credit Groups","authors":"Sarah Tan, M. Savani","doi":"10.1177/25166026221085085","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/25166026221085085","url":null,"abstract":"A majority of people in developing countries lack access to formal finance and rely on community-organised groups. These savings and credit associations (SCAs) face challenges in overcoming well-known collective action problems. SCA financial products can be understood as a common pool resource. Drawing on Ostrom’s (1990) design principles for self-governing local institutions, we investigate the conditions under which SCAs can achieve sustainability. Using a qualitative methodology, data were collected by examining administrative records and interviewing stakeholders from three SCAs in the Philippines. Our results indicate that adherence to the design principles is positively associated with SCA sustainability. We find that pre-existing social connections are not a necessary condition for initial adherence to the design principles but social capital may play an important role in sustainability overall. These findings contribute to our understanding of how governance design can boost the sustainability of informal groups and enhance financial inclusion among the poor.","PeriodicalId":179996,"journal":{"name":"The International Journal of Community and Social Development","volume":"309 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131817945","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Wassie Kebede and Alice K. Butterfield (Eds.), Incorporating Engaged Research in Social Development: Exemplars and Guidelines for Social Work and Human Services","authors":"M. Pawar","doi":"10.1177/25166026221079435","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/25166026221079435","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":179996,"journal":{"name":"The International Journal of Community and Social Development","volume":"8 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122473978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Total Quality Management in Local Governments of Kerala, India: Some Insights for Replication","authors":"J. Rajan, B. S K","doi":"10.1177/25166026221079159","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/25166026221079159","url":null,"abstract":"This article discusses the initiation and implementation of a total quality management (TQM) approach in local governments (LGs) in Kerala, India, with a view to promote its replication in similar contexts. Drawing on the secondary data and authors’ experiences of and reflections on conceptualising and implementing the TQM, it presents the initial process of TQM on pilot basis, the front office management (FOM) and scaling up of the FOM, and experience to implement TQM involving 14 steps in LGs. Their observations and reflections suggest that the TQM approach in LGs enhances citizens’ satisfaction and engagement. However, physical infrastructure aspect of the TQM is relatively easier to achieve than the soft aspects of the TQM. It argues that though TQM is important, it is a means and not an end. Continuous capacity building, simultaneous focus on hard and soft elements, presence of change agent and peer learning are necessary in LGs to ensure quality service delivery and citizen satisfaction. Experiences and insights shared in this article may be of help to enhance quality service delivery and citizen satisfaction in similar LG contexts and communities.","PeriodicalId":179996,"journal":{"name":"The International Journal of Community and Social Development","volume":"237 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115760406","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Union Budget 2021 and Economic Growth: Inclusion and Exclusion in Emerging India","authors":"Ajit Kumar","doi":"10.1177/25166026221079434","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/25166026221079434","url":null,"abstract":"This note contextualises the ‘choice’ India exercised in her Union Budget 2021. This budget stressed on privatisation and economic growth. As the Indian social structure evolved historically, it came to comprise several communities excluded from mainstream life. Independent India evolved a development trajectory that combined democratic structures with participative decision-making processes buttressed by constitutional provisions in the form of quotas/reservations in legislatures, education and jobs. This trajectory succeeded in forming an elite section from some of the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities and from them a techno-managerial elite has emerged who could professionally find a place in the expanding private sector. But the Indian development trajectory has failed in case of the Scheduled Tribes (STs)/indigenous peoples or First Nations category. This failure means that the historical mission of the Indian development trajectory is yet incomplete.","PeriodicalId":179996,"journal":{"name":"The International Journal of Community and Social Development","volume":"56 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121550394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Raj Yadav, Decolonised and Developmental Social Work: A Model from Nepal","authors":"M. Pawar","doi":"10.1177/25166026221079430","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/25166026221079430","url":null,"abstract":"This is another very interesting and thought-provoking book originating from the Global South, Nepali scholar, Raj Yadav, who obliged to arrange a copy of the book for review. This book is essentially based on the author’s doctoral research in Nepal. To ‘explore and document the features and principles of a distinctive Nepali social work practice approach’ (p. 12), the book sets the following objectives:","PeriodicalId":179996,"journal":{"name":"The International Journal of Community and Social Development","volume":"10 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132469030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Feminist NGOs: Building Resilience in Low-income Single Moms","authors":"L. Caragata","doi":"10.1177/25166026221079436","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/25166026221079436","url":null,"abstract":"This article discusses risk and protective factors impacting resilience through exploring how and why some mothers were able to achieve positive outcomes (economically, socially, as parents) in spite of adversity. By employing a qualitative research method and participatory action research, data were collected from 20 in-depth individual interviews, 3 focus groups with 18 participants and case profiles from the larger data set. The analysis counters the dominant individualism ideologies, which make the person solely responsible for their situation, and instead, argues that social structures can play important roles in building resilience and capacity. Practices of feminist NGOs reported in this study confirm this. The analysis has implications for changing practices in welfare bureaucracies and supporting feminist and similar NGOs.","PeriodicalId":179996,"journal":{"name":"The International Journal of Community and Social Development","volume":"38 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133374020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Political Economy of Dispossession and Economic Change: A Case of Rajarhat in West Bengal, India","authors":"A. Roy","doi":"10.1177/25166026221076630","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/25166026221076630","url":null,"abstract":"Land dispossession under the neoliberal capitalist development has become a focal point of debate across Indian states, particularly in West Bengal. Based on household surveys conducted in Rajarhat in West Bengal (India) in 2009 and 2016, this article illuminates how a large-scale dispossession of farmers from land for a neoliberal planned urban centre adjoining Kolkata Metropolis leads to a process of economic change and rural transformation, giving birth to diverse non-farm livelihood activities for the dispossessed households. While access to these new livelihood opportunities in the burgeoning urban economy turns out to be unequal, the dispossessed households broadly undergo upward economic mobility. It also argues that the benefits of speculative land value arising from neoliberalisation of spaces in the post-acquisition stage actuate the partially dispossessed households to sell off their remaining land and produce a basis for social differentiations and asset inequalities within the dispossessed households. To prevent these and similar outcomes, it calls for apt policies.","PeriodicalId":179996,"journal":{"name":"The International Journal of Community and Social Development","volume":"17 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-02-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129507068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"City-exit and Community-fit: Finding One’s ‘Place’ in Australia","authors":"Angela T. Ragusa","doi":"10.1177/25166026211070374","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/25166026211070374","url":null,"abstract":"Understanding what prompts ‘community-fit’ (subjective feeling of alignment with one’s residential community) is vital for retaining city-leavers voluntarily choosing to live outside major cities and for community well-being/prosperity. In Australia, city-exit is supported by decentralisation policy and media using imagery of gentrified rurality, wholesome communities, and affordability to assuage metropolitan congestion and address non-coastal rural-regional depopulation. This results in land development accompanied by population turnover as a few urbanites permanently relocate inland. By presenting a thematic analysis of interviews with city-leavers and government/industry professionals, this article identifies key factors affecting (dis)satisfaction with communities sought/left. Findings show community satisfaction is achieved through sociocultural-affirming social interactions, not property/amenity consumption. Hence, developing rural-regional marketing strategies that better articulate communities’ sociocultural dimensions may increase awareness of place-based values/characteristics pre-relocation to avoid poor community fit and cost. Finally, to support resident retention, inclusivity practices accompanying community change are advocated.","PeriodicalId":179996,"journal":{"name":"The International Journal of Community and Social Development","volume":"6 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114228723","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Quality of Life of Older People in Botswana","authors":"Magen Mhaka-Mutepfa, Tshegofatso Caroline Wright","doi":"10.1177/25166026211064693","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/25166026211064693","url":null,"abstract":"This article discusses social determinants of health that influence quality of life (QOL) of older people in Botswana and suggests appropriate interventions. A cross-sectional study stratified by district was used to collect information on the elderly (N = 378). Data were collected from: demographics, individual factors (e.g., self-esteem), health-related factors (e.g., self-perceived health), clinical variables (e.g., social dysfunction), environmental assets (e.g., leisure) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). The analyses showed that income earned, self-efficacy and self-esteem, access to health services, self-perceived health, and chronic disease condition were associated with QOL. Social dysfunction and environmental assets (leisure, secure and healthy physical environments) were also significantly associated with QOL The results confirm that QOL is compromised by specific key factors. Thus, eradicating poverty, provision of services and a comfortable environment, promoting positive emotions (e.g., self-efficacy), and changing perceptions about self-rated health and self-rated QOL may enhance QOL among older people. The study has implications for policy, practice and further research.","PeriodicalId":179996,"journal":{"name":"The International Journal of Community and Social Development","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"125800929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. M. Sadat al Sajib, S. M. Fakhrul Islam, M. K. N. Sohad
{"title":"Rohingya Influx and Socio-environmental Crisis in Southeastern Bangladesh","authors":"S. M. Sadat al Sajib, S. M. Fakhrul Islam, M. K. N. Sohad","doi":"10.1177/25166026211067604","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/25166026211067604","url":null,"abstract":"This article discusses the impact of Rohingya refugee settlements on the local environment and increasing social tensions between the refugees and local residents. Drawing on the qualitative field data from Rohingyas, local residents and various government and non-government organisations, it focuses on the root causes of the environmental loss. It also portrays the viewpoints of both Rohingyas and locals on the socio-environmental crisis. The study found that the massive Rohingya influx created a severe pressure on the local environment in Cox’s Bazar while most of the cultivable lands, hills and forestlands were occupied for their settlements. They have put the local wildlife and the entire ecosystem at risk, and disrupted the ecological habitations. Apart from endangering environment and biodiversity, the Rohingyas’ frequent access to natural resources has fuelled socio-economic tensions between the locals and the Rohingyas. However, there is a growing tendency of generalization in blaming the Rohingyas for socio-environmental crisis in all sphere due to their visible interactions with the environmental resources. The study argues that as the blaming approach does not help; the root causes should be redressed through the socio-economic and environment-friendly plans and policies to find a sustainable solution to the crisis.","PeriodicalId":179996,"journal":{"name":"The International Journal of Community and Social Development","volume":"49 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-01-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122745954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}