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• TRUST AND TRADE READINESS IN THE AGRIBUSINESS SECTOR THROUGH INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION: INSIGHTS FROM A CONSULTANCY FIRM IN INDONESIA

  Julia Anggraini

  Dhita Widya Putri

  Views:

  175

  In the era of global agribusiness, intercultural communication has become increasingly essential for fostering trust and facilitating international trade. This study explores how an Indonesian international consulting firm strategically applies intercultural communication to enhance trade readiness and build trust with global clients in the agribusiness sector. Guided by Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT), the research investigates convergence, divergence, and maintenance communication strategies across diverse cultural contexts, including East Asia, Australia, and the United States. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through key informant interviews and direct observations of client-consultant interactions. The findings reveal that tailored communication, adjusted to cultural norms, client expectations, and technological platforms, plays a significant role in reducing misunderstandings and strengthening client relationships. Convergence strategies, such as mirroring tone and interaction styles, help establish rapport, while strategic divergence reinforces ethical standards and professional identity. Maintenance ensures consistency in service branding. The study concludes that intercultural competence is not merely a soft skill, but a strategic asset that improves trade outcomes, client satisfaction, and long-term partnerships in agribusiness. These insights offer practical guidance for consultants, business developers, and agribusiness firms navigating global markets. Future research may extend this analysis to comparative studies between regions or sectors to broaden understanding of intercultural dynamics in international trade.

• Women and microcredit in rural agrarian households of Uganda: Match or mismatch between lender and borrower?

  77-88

  Faith Namayengo

  Johan A.C. van Ophem

  Gerrit Antonides

  Views:

  601

  The alignment of microfinance programs with the context and expectations of the recipients is critical for ensuring clients’ satisfaction and desired program outcomes. This study sought to investigate the extent to which the objectives and design of the BRAC microfinance program match the expectations, context and characteristics of female borrowers in a rural agrarian setting in Uganda. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to obtain socio-demographic, personality and microenterprise (ME) characteristics of existing borrowers, incoming borrowers and non-borrowers and to obtain information about the microcredit program. We found that BRAC uses a modified Grameen group-lending model to provide small, high-interest rate production loans and follows a rigorous loan processing and recovery procedure. BRAC clients are mainly poor subsistence farmers who derive income from diverse farming and non-farm activities. The major objective to borrow is to meet lump-sum monetary needs usually for school fees and for investment in informal small non-farm businesses. Many borrowers use diverse sources of funds to meet repayment obligations. Defaulting on loans is quite low. The stress caused by weekly loan repayment and resolution of lump-sum cash needs were identified as reasons for women to stop borrowing. The limited loan amounts, the diversions of loans to non-production activities, the stages of the businesses and the weekly recovery program without a grace period may limit the contribution of these loans to ME expansion and increase in income.

• The role of emotions and perceived control in the recovery strategy of service companies

  65-68

  Krisztina Kolos

  Zsófia Kenesei

  Views:

  298

  The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of service recovery tactics. The reseach included a qualitative study based on 30 interviews with customers and employees of a telecommunication company. This was followed by a quantitative study using between subject experimental designs based on scenarios. Our research results suggest that employees’ positive emotions and perceived control during the recovery process make consumers more satisfied.