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The qualitative research methodology in social sciences research has facilitated discursive study of human experiences. The new paradigm research in social sciences says that issues of ontology and epistemology are folded into one another besides methodology and axiology are folded into one another (Lincoln & Guba, 2000). On that basis human association between a researcher and participant should have the possibility to assist blooming, curing, or self-growth for both. Positive outcomes such as healing and self-growth, of humanizing research relationship have been noticed in several cases (Kumar, 2010). With this background this study investigates the experiences of bank branch managers about financial inclusion initiatives using phenomenology on discussions with branch managers serving in different areas of Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh state in India. This study is part of a major research project funded by Indian Council of Social Science Research that investigates financial inclusion with respect to government initiatives in the said area.
In order to provide a context of the study it is appropriate to comment briefly on the relationship of financial inclusion and commercial banks in India, which prompted the study. Financial Inclusion is to grant access to financial products and financial services at an affordable cost to the most underprivileged individual in the society (Aduda & Kalunda, 2012) (Ravikumar, 2014). It is placed importantly as an enabler of many Sustainable Development Goals by United Nations such as SDG1, on poverty eradication; SDG 2 on food security and sustainable agriculture; SDG 3 on promoting health and well-being; SDG 5 on gender equality; SDG 8 on promoting economic growth ; SDG 9 on industry, innovation, and infrastructure; and SDG 10 on reducing inequality. There is academic evidence that financial inclusion models can support sustainable development goals (UNCDF, 2020). Considering the significance of financial inclusion, the government of India has put forward several initiatives to extend financial services such as banking, insurance, credit and pension to masses. All such initiatives are predominantly executed through commercial banks. The branches of commercial banks which are spread all over the country are the real purveyor of financial products and services. The head of the bank branch i.e. the branch manager is responsible and accountable for implementation of these initiatives into her area. Traditionally, branch manager plays the role of administrator, marketer and salesmen for banking services and products (Turnbull & Wootton, 1980). It serves many other duties such as training of staff, lending decisions and security of a local bank branch. Moreover, the manager front runs her team to provide superior services and profits within the branch. Ultimately the manager holds the liability of overall success or failure of the branch in comparison to its other branches and to branches of other banks (Sokanu, 2018).