Briefing Notes

Given that Human Resource Management (HRM) is designed to act as a support function, what exactly does “being strategic” entail? The human resource function assumes a different role depending on the stage of the organisation’s evolution: growth phase; product diversification phase, and steady state.

There is growing recognition that effectively managing agents is key to the success of e-banking and indeed m-banking systems. There is growing literature on the functioning of agent networks and strategies to get the best out of them. This note examines some of the international experience using the “8Ps of marketing” as a framework – focusing on the first 3Ps: Product, Price and Process.

The note examines why the take-up of m-banking services has often been slower than anticipated, and highlights the importance of financial education programmes.

Using 3rd party agents to service customers provides a potentially low cost distribution channel for financial service providers. Noting the two basic models being followed - branchless banking servicing and mobile commerce provider models - this note examines the key factors that affect the willingness of the agents to provide m-banking services.