2014 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
日本の零細企業への新たな融資制度構築～グラミン銀行モデルの応用
| Project/Area Number |
24530382
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| Research Institution | Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University |
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Principal Investigator |
BARAI Munim 立命館アジア太平洋大学, 国際経営学部, 教授 (50584017)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2012-04-01 – 2016-03-31
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| Keywords | Grameen Bank / MFIs / Focus Group Discussion / Institutional Structure / Group Lending / Microcredit / Informal Lenders / Micro Enterprise |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The plan for FY2014 of the research was to find a structure of a microfinance institution in Japan that should have a following of the `Grameen Bank` (GB) of Bangladesh at the core. This phase of research involved basically two methods - literature review and experience survey for structuring in the institution. Though there was plan to organize a Focus Group Discussion (FGD), it could not be done due to lack of suitable venue and logistic support. However, during the year I reviewed a wide number of books, journal articles and research papers on the Japanese Financial System and tried to assess the feasibility of a microfinance institution modeled on the `Grameen Bank`. Actually, from my research related activities on microfinance and experience survey, I have conceived of the idea that any restructuring of the GB Model to finance the micro-enterprises in Japan should be based on deeper consideration on many aspects, including ownership structure, capitalization of the lending bodies, mode of lending, areas of financing, rate of interest, etc.
During FY2014, along with Kyoto in Japan, I visited Bangladesh, Switzerland and South Korea for the field study and seminar presentations. My presence, preparation and presentation of the conference paper have contributed to the success of the conference and made me well versed on the functioning of the economic, trade and financial issues of Japan.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
An analysis of my level of progress indicates that I fell behind on some designated activities in AY2014.
The research proposal has the following broad questions to be answered: i. What is the size of the “gray zone” in the finance market of Japan that needs alternative sources of financing?; ii. How will a microfinance model designed after the “Grameen Bank model of microcredit” in Bangladesh work to cater to the financial needs of individuals and microenterprises and help technology diffusion and poverty reduction of the participants in the gray zone?; iii. What should be the institutional framework of the model for its ownership and implementation and monitoring of program?; iv. What are the impacts of any extra-pushed finance on the productivity and growth in the Japanese economy?
I have fairly covered number one, two and partially three. By conducting field visits and by organizing a round-table, I have fairly gained the idea for developing a model for Japan. To propose a microfinance model for Japan, I have also finished a survey of literature and done experience survey. Clearly, an institutional body of that form in Japan needs consideration on the following important factors: ownership and governing structure, financing or capitalization of microfinance institution, forms of lending, collateralization or not, fields of financing, rate of interest, etc. An Focus Group Discussion with a target group could have given me some guidelines in these areas besides the field survey. Failing to do that I fell behind of the target in the 3rd Year.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
I have a number of planned activities for my research for FY2014. They are as follows:
1. Conducting a field survey with a sample of 30-35 respondents including individuals, small businesses and microenterprises. The survey will be designed to get ideas from them on ownership structure, capitalization of the lending bodies, mode of lending, areas of financing, rate of interest, mode of repayments, security coverage of the financial organizations in the business, regulatory body, role and relationship of the government with the financial institutions, and so on.
2. Visiting USA to observe and understand the functioning of the Replica of Grameen Bank (GB). This forms a very important part of the research as this will give a fair idea on the GB replicas working in a developed country like the US. Designing a model for Japan can greatly be helped by understanding the functioning of the GB in the developed country. My research collaborator is expected to join me in the visit.
3. Attending few seminars/conferences in Japan and overseas to enhance my knowledge base on this area.
4. Writing a research report.
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| Causes of Carryover |
I wanted to organize a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and do a sample survey on a limited number of microenterprises in 2014. But due to the difficulty in getting a suitable venue and keynote speakers I couldn’t undertake FGD, even though I tried. The revision of my survey questionnaire was proposed to be done on the basis of the outcome of FGD. Because of this, I couldn’t finish the final report as well, so a small amount of fund remained unused.
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| Expenditure Plan for Carryover Budget |
A short list of actions requiring funds is given below:
1. Conducting a field survey with a sample of 30-35 respondents including individuals, small businesses and microenterprises, experts, academics and others. 2. Visiting USA to see the functioning of the Replica of Grameen Bank. 3. Attending at least one seminar/conference in Japan and one overseas. 4. Employing research assistant for helping the field survey. 5. Entering data. The data/information collected from the survey will then be inputted with the help of specially designed software. 6. Purchasing stationaries, books, journals and other budgeted materials.
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Research Products
(4 results)
