Determinants of the efficiency of Microfinance Borrowers and non-borrowers: Evidence from Pakistan

This study explores, whether micro finance is being efficiently used or not. As it has been observed that most of the micro finance is used for the non productive purpose. Where as the purpose of lending this credit is to finance the borrowers so that they could enhance their output and inputs. Data Envelopment Analysis was used in this study to find the efficiency scores of the borrowers. There after, Tobit regression was used in the second stage to explore the determinants of the efficiency. A total of 122 traders of micro level including 43 borrowers and 79 non-borrowers were interviewed to fill the questionnaires. While comparing microfinance borrowers with non-borrowers, it was found that microfinance borrowers were significantly more efficient than the small scale borrowers. Average Propensity to Consume (APC) is one of the major factors that has a negative impact on the efficiency. Education was found to have a positive impact on the technical efficiency of the traders. People are generally quite reluctant to take the loan from microfinance institutions due to insufficient amount offered, high interest rate and return of loan in monthly installments. That make the loan less efficient. Therefore it has been recommended the microfinance institutions to overcome these problems. Key Words: Efficiency, Microfinance, Data Envelopment Analysis, Tobit Model.

Institutional Credit and the Profit Efficiency of Micro and Small Scale Traders: Evidence from Faisalabad

In a country like Pakistan, where the people generally have shortage of capital due to low savings as a consequence of low income, financial institutions play an important part to finance the working capital requirements of the business. Data Envelopment Analysis was used in this study to find the efficiency scores of the borrowers. There after, Tobit regression was used in the second stage to explore the determinants of the efficiency. A total of 85 traders of micro and small scale were interviewed to fill the questionnaires. Mean Technical Efficiency was recorded at 0.78. Average Propensity to Consume (APC), Interest Rate (IR) and Number of times credit was taken (NTC) were found to have a negative impact on the Variable Returns to Scale Technical Efficiency (VRSTE). Micro level traders were more efficient than Small scale traders. Traders working in a rented shop were significantly more efficient than those who were running their business in an owned shop. Traders who utilized the loan for actual purpose were more efficient than those who partially or bulk amount of loan utilized for non productive purpose. Therefore it is recommended the financial institutions to work on screening policy and training workshops. Key Words: Efficiency, Institutional Credit, Data Envelopment Analysis, Tobit Mode

The impact of staff training and development on teachers’ productivity

Training and Development has always been a driving force for enhancing the teachers’ productivity and performance. A training and development program provided by the employer is a sincere effort to provide opportunities to the employees to be acquainted with the variety of skills, information, attitude and conduct. With the ever-growing needs of modern education system, the education industry has to become more techno savvy, dynamic and updated. There is always requirement of skillful and talented manpower to take up this education industry to the heights of international standards. The primary objective of this research paper is to investigate the impact of staff training and development on their productivity and performance in classroom teaching and in their administrative work as well. It can also be viewed as on their overall productivity. The data collected was through structured questionnaire. 58 teachers were interviewed through the questionnaire. Statistical Software (SPSS Version 16) was used for analyzing the data. The study concludes that there exist positive and strong relations between training and development and productivity of the teachers of Kurdistan. The study further concluded stating positive correlation between productivity and other independent factors like Skills, Expertise, Morale, Enhancement, Potential, Job Knowledge and Proficiency. Technical/Technology training is the most suitable training program for the teachers of this region.&nbsp