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• Transition economy and happiness the Czech Republic compared with the Netherlands in the 1990- 2004 period

  119-126

  JAC van Ophem

  V. Kohout

  W.J.M. Heijman

  Views:

  428

  The paper deals with the subject Transition economy and happiness – a case study of the Czech Republic in a comparison with The Netherlands in the 1990- 2004 period. The paper addresses the following two questions: 1. How has the level of happiness changed since 1990 in the Czech Republic and in The Netherlands? 2. Are there differences with respect to variables that explain differences in happiness between both countries. It appears that. at the beginning of the 1990s of the last century, the Czechs were less happy than the Dutch and, that, people in the Czech Republic were less happy in 1999 than they were in 2004. Furthermore, Happiness in the Czech Republic is approaching the level of happiness in The Netherlands. In both countries happiness is positively affected by subjective health status, perceived freedom of choice over life, being married or living together and satisfaction with one’s financial situation and having trust in social institutions. But there are differences with respect to the impact of age, education and religion .

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

  Julia Anggraini

  Dhita Widya Putri

  Views:

  293

  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:

  639

  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.