Like businesses everywhere, small businesses in impoverished nations also depend on loans—often very small loans, or microfinancing—to get off the ground. Whether it’s operating a vegetable stand, selling goat milk, or offering other merchandise, a little financial jolt from the bank helps kick-start the business.
Research
It’s what is on the inside that counts
Many companies focus on benevolent practices, humanitarian aid, or community service. But a strong corporate social responsibility record does not necessarily translate into better brand perception.
FDIC should help make small loans feasible for big banks
As finance professors, we have studied payday loans, banking, and small credit generally for years. We offer these thoughts on the FDIC’s request for information on small-dollar lending.
Brokering a Research Partnership
Brokering a Research Partnership
Fake News
Harbert College researcher says algorithms hold key to fighting fake news.
Many Happy Returns
Extended product return time policies attract more customers and cultivates customer trust.
Does More Monitoring Mean More Fraud
We’d like to think that strong governance can deter fraud and other acts of malfeasance, but it doesn’t always work that way.
Accounting alum, MAcc Students Reach Out to Those Less Fortunate
Thomas Stallings, a 2016 School of Accountancy graduate, serves underprivileged children in a small village in Zambia. He teaches business studies to ninth-graders and works as controller for Lifesong, a mission-oriented organization. The Montgomery native passed up a job offer at a Birmingham accounting firm for the opportunity to serve others.
Cheaters Never Prosper
David Cicero’s research into “the whys of corporate misbehavior” is yielding interesting insights into business practices and the ethical aspects of the decisions behind them.
The Best Shipping Move for Retailers is…
Is it better for retailers to ship their customers’ online orders from a nearby brick-and-mortar store or from a more distant distribution center?