Abstract

Repayment rate of microfinance credit in the city of Addis Ababa has decreased consid- erably and averaged around 69 percent of the total loans due per year. This study is an attempt to identify some of the main factors that influence microfinance level loan repayment perform- ance of the informal sector. Data for the study was collected through a structured interview, questionnaire and informal discussion in the ten sub-cities of Addis Ababa. The collected data was analyzed using a multinomial logit technique to ascertain those factors constraining re- payment performance of microfinance credit.

Results of the study indicate that better repayment performance is strongly and directly associated with educational level of the borrower. Insufficiency of the loan granted and un- planned engagements in the business activity do also reduce repayment performance. Govern- ment owned and not-for-profit non- governmental microfinance institutions were found out to face relatively larger non-repayment due to credit attitude of borrowers towards the loan, as if it were  grant, instead of a liability at the time of difficulty.

Abstract

Following introduction  in  the United States  (US) defense strategic  systems,  the Internet, later on, gained popularity among leading organizations by providing them with an opportu- nity to apply their marketing and advertising strategies all over the ‘virtual’ marketplace. With the ability to  cut down geographic channels and shrinking the  pathways, the Internet  as  a dream market, is now taking shape, and is responsible for the new phenomena of rising intan- gible assets in the new economy.

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In Ethiopia too, many prestigious organizations have designed their own web pages, and are  trying their best to boost the sales in this challenging environment. However, it is well known that not many have succeeded in their venture, locally, or internationally. Perhaps they forgot to understand and read the consumer fully, while limiting up to the information on de- sired taste and product quality. However, it is equally important to consider other factors influ- encing buying behaviour of an  online shopper such  as, his/her perceptions regarding the Internet as a medium for purchase, mental readiness, and the ability to cope with the new en- vironment.

 This paper discusses how the emergence of the Internet has changed traditional marketing worldwide,  by changing its  four P’s. Additionally,  an  attempt is  made on reading customer perceptions regarding  online buying process through a study conducted  among executives

(Internet users) from corporate and government sector in Ethiopia.

Respondents reported that facilities like custom designing and availability of wide variety of goods on one screen make online buying very attractive. Further, they believe that online buy- ing is undesirable since it cuts you off socially by keeping away from physical markets.

Abstract

 Culture as the collective programming of the mind which distinguishes the members of one human group from another has impact over the organization employees’ performance. Em- ployees may exhibit individualistic and/or collectivist behavior in their day-to-day work setting. Highly individualistic cultures believe that the   individual is the most important unit. They encourage People taking care of themselves, making decisions based on individual needs, and

"I’  mentality  is given much value.  Highly collectivistic  cultures,  on the other hand, believe group is the most important unit.  They encourage: Primary loyalty to group, Decision-making based on what is best for the group, Dependence on organization and institutions (Expectation that organization / institution / group will take  care of individual), and  "We"  mentality  is given much value. In this study a comparison is made between the academic and administra- tive employees of UUC as to their behavior by making use of 32-scale questionnaires which were developed by Triandis et al. The research findings show the academic staff of UUC tends to exhibit individualistic behavior where as the administrative staff of UUC tends to exhibit collectivistic behavior.