Research
The Role of Microfinance in Integrating Rural Women into Formal Banking System
The inclusion of rural women in the formal banking sector is not considered as a final goal in itself for this study, but it is a necessary condition for the transition of rural women from a state of poverty and destitution to a status of sufficiency. This study aimed to measure the ability of microfinance projects borrowed by rural women from the Gadarif Microfinance institution (GMI) during the study period (2014-2020) with the objective of integrating them into the official banking system. For this purpose, a mixed approach was used in data collection and analysis, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study concluded that aforesaid microfinance projects did not contribute to the integration of rural women into the formal banking sector in Gadaref State - Sudan. This result attributed to many factors namely, the macroeconomic factors related to economic stability and other factors related to banking policies, whether at the level of financial institutions or financial decision-makers, beside other cultural and social factors related to rural women and their local communities.
Impact of Exchange and Communications Technology on Firm Performance: The Mediation Effect of Supply Chain Capabilities
Network-enabled enterprise systems called inter-organizational systems use (IOS) go beyond the walls of an organization, allowing partners in the supply chain to collaborate better by exchanging business information in real time. As a result, the study (Case Study: Sudan Food Industry) examined the Mediating Role of Supply Chain Management Capabilities on the Relationship between Inter-Organizational System Use on Firm Performance, with the purposeful participation of (450) participants, to whom the questionnaire was addressed. The information was then gathered from the supply chain and production management at the Sudanese food processing industry. The data was then coded using SPSS and AMOS 26. After ensuring normality, validity, and reliability, a descriptive analysis was conducted and variable correlation was examined. Path analysis was formerly used to test hypotheses. The findings of the study reveal IOS have a positive and significant impact on SCM capabilities. also, SCM capabilities mediating the relationship between IOS and Performance.
