Social Networks of Mobile Money in Kenya

Kusimba, Sibel; Chaggar, Harpieth; Gross, Elizabeth; Kunyu, Gabriel

doi:10.2307/j.ctvw04bp0.16

Cited by 27 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Mobiles are commonly used to affirm the safety and well-being of friends and family within and between rural and urban areas (Porter et al 2015). Such uses reflect cultural practices of reciprocity whereby informal networks of kin, friends, and community members offer support, obligation, and belonging (Kusimba et al 2015). Research on the "collectivist" Kenyan social structure indicates in-groups offer social support in exchange for loyalty (Hofstede 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Qualitative work done in rural Kenya (2013Kenya ( -2015 found that mobile phones amplify existing inequality between marginalized populations and for-profit companies (e.g., telecom providers) and between rural and urban users (Wyche et al 2016). Finally, mixed-method social network analysis and ethnographic research done in Kenya's Bungoma andTrans-Nzoia counties (2012-2014) found that mobile money transfers reinforce preexisting social relationships and forms of emotional support, particularly for kinship relations (Kusimba, Yang, and Chawla 2015).…”

Section: Network and Communication Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

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When Family Replaced Friendship: Mobile Communication and Network Change in Kenya

et al. 2018

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Mobile devices have spread throughout the developing world at a rate unparalleled by other communications technologies. Yet surprisingly, little is known about their impact on social networks. This study analyzes three waves of pooled survey data in Nairobi (2002, 2007, 2013). We focus on the size, composition, and location of important personal relationships—that is, “core networks.” Networks of close ties have nearly doubled for urban Kenyans, as network composition shifted toward kin and away from friends. Indeed, friendship decreased from over one‐third to less than a fourth of close ties, while family ties grew from one‐third to nearly half. The geographic distribution of networks has become broader, moving away from local ties and toward national (but not international) relationships. Finally, the pace of change declined as mobile devices became embedded in daily life.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Network and Communication Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

When Family Replaced Friendship: Mobile Communication and Network Change in Kenya

et al. 2018

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“…However, upon closer inspection of the ethnographic literature on the topic, this assumption proved wrong for the second indicator, in that even the poor at times make use of M-PESA to provide financial help to friends and relatives. In their analysis of twelve family networks, Kusimba, Yang, and Chawla [47] (p. 1) find that money transfers are "small and frequent" and that money networks are often reciprocal: "People were not only senders or receivers, but rather, participants in groups who circulate value-groups of siblings who pool resources for a father's medical needs . .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…. or community members who contribute to funerals" [47] (p. 1). Therefore, we decided not to exclude respondents who send and receive, but only those who send but do not receive.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

M-PESA and Financial Inclusion in Kenya: Of Paying Comes Saving?

Dubus

Hove

2019

Sustainability

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Mobile financial services such as M-PESA in Kenya are said to promote inclusion. Yet only 7.6 per cent of the Kenyans in the 2013 Financial Inclusion Insights dataset have ever used an M-PESA account to save for a future purchase. This paper uses a novel, three-step probit analysis to identify the socio-demographic characteristics of, successively, respondents who do not have access to a SIM card, have access to a SIM but do not have an M-PESA account, and, finally, have an account but do not save on it. We find that those who are excluded in the early stages are predominantly poor, non-educated, and female. For the final stage, we find that those who are in a position to save on their phone—the phone owners, the better educated—are less likely to do so. These results go against the traditional optimistic discourse on mobile savings as a prime path to financial inclusion. As such, our findings corroborate qualitative research that indicates that Kenyans have other needs, and want their money to circulate and ‘work’.

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“…Most users of mobile money service in western Kenya use it as a social and economic tool through which they create relationships by sending money as gifts. Such gifts could be either social gifting, assisting friends and relatives, organizing savings groups or contributing to ceremonies and funerals [15].…”

Section: Kenyamentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing Technology in Mobile Financial Services: User experiences and expectations in Ghana

Akosah¹,

Agbeko²

2020

IJCA

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The mobile phone technology has been used to solve problems through various innovative ways of which Mobile Financial Services (MFS) is inclusive. As the world is becoming populated, attention has been drawn to how technology could help solve problems. One of such innovations is mobile financial services. In the case of Ghana, mobile financial service has now gained its way through many businesses and individuals as well. The aim of this research therefore is to evaluate MFS provision in Ghana by looking at its awareness and usage, customer satisfaction level, challenges and opportunities available. One hundred and fifty (150) respondents partook in this research work and analysis was done using SPSS. From the research, it was identified that people still have a lot of expectations for MFS provisioning in Ghana and these future desires which include foreign exchange services, ATM transactions in MFS, online shopping and online payments must be harnessed by MFS providers to satisfy the customer and protect their market share. Also, liaising with the banks can promote MFS transactions; and the ability of operators to ensure a stable network for the growth of MFS in Ghana. Through industryled initiatives, including partnerships with banks and other third parties, MFS providers can enhance the customer experience and reaching scale to evolve the sector to a new phase of maturity in Ghana. Eight different recommendations were made based on user experience in this paper.

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Social Networks of Mobile Money in Kenya

Cited by 27 publications

References 24 publications

When Family Replaced Friendship: Mobile Communication and Network Change in Kenya

When Family Replaced Friendship: Mobile Communication and Network Change in Kenya

M-PESA and Financial Inclusion in Kenya: Of Paying Comes Saving?

Optimizing Technology in Mobile Financial Services: User experiences and expectations in Ghana

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