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    Micro-finance : sustainable development or economic band-aid? : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Development Studies, Massey University
    (Massey University, 2004) Alexander, Nicholas B
    The simple question which this thesis set out to answer is whether a Micro-Finance intervention, either in isolation or as part of a wider programme, is capable of facilitating a development process which can be truly effective in alleviating the poverty of the very poor. Essentially it seeks to clarify whether there is a place for Micro-Finance in initiating and sustaining an effective process of community development. The hypothesis has been tested through a 'Rapid Impact Assessment' carried out within two urban poor communities in Manila, Philippines. The evidence gathered is simply the actual thoughts and feelings of the 'poor' community members. I have tried to accept their responses with respect and to avoid any sort of ethnocentric second guessing as to supposed underlying cause. It is only they who can truly attest to the impact of the programmes, and it is only by accepting their spoken responses as genuine and valid that I believe that I can forge a body of analysis and discussion which may in some way genuinely add value to the community (urban poor communities surveyed) and to the academic sector of 'development'. The key lens through which the analysis of the impact of these programmes has been viewed is that of the relationship between micro-finance/ economic capital and social capital. The evidence obtained from the research, suggests that what I have termed 'higher level' indicators of social capital (generosity, self-sacrifice) can - and do - manifest when the physical, material and 'lower level' social foundations (including personal confidence, collective solidarity, household and community status) are provided by micro-finance programmes. It also appears clear from the evidence of this research that a key element of these higher level social capital indicators is the 'willingness to make sacrifices and to commit to the needs of the wider family and the wider community'. The question however still remains, however, as to whether the micro-finance programmes are in some way indirectly responsible for leading them down this path towards improved social capital. It would appear reasonable to assume from the previous discussion that certain lower level aspects of social capital (such as the focus on the values of trust and discipline) may be the glue that, to a certain extent, bonds individuals to the community, and - in turn - to higher level aspects of social capital. However, this point, given the constraints of the research, cannot be fully validated. What is clear is that the micro-finance programmes surveyed in this thesis have facilitated the economic and social platform necessary that the people are able to choose, and confidently act upon, a design for their own development.
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    Urban consumption spaces and practices of women in low-income urban settlements : a case study in Khlong Toey, Bangkok : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2015) Finlayson, Jennifer
    Consumption related research focuses strongly on the experiences of the Anglo-American middle classes, and less is known about what consumption spaces and practices represent to those living in developing countries. Low-income urban women in developing countries seem particularly invisible, and more especially so rural-urban migrant women. Using a qualitative approach, this thesis explored the role and significance of urban consumption spaces and practices in the everyday lives of low-income women living in Khlong Toey, Bangkok. Findings show that consumption practices represent more than provisioning, they are a way that women meet the families’ basic needs and demonstrate their care and strong connections for both their rural and urban families. Consumption practices contribute to the role that women have in making consumption related household decisions and active engagement in consumption promotes improving autonomy. The adoption of urban consumption practices affects both the women’s sense of belonging and their perception of fitting in to their urban environment. Furthermore, the adoption of urban ways by the women, including new ideals, behaviours and material goods are also exported back to their rural villages, subsequently improving women’s families’ social status and blurring traditional lines of social delineation that exist between rural and urban society. Consumption practices enable women to invest in their families’ futures. This thesis demonstrates that it is not only through women’s production that development outcomes are enabled, but through consumption as well. This is significant, as framed within development discourses, consumption contributes to women gaining autonomy within gender development; and consumption practices demonstrate provisioning and maintaining familial commitment within urban and rural livelihoods.