The Role of Financial Inclusion from National Banks in the Achievement of Social Responsibility towards Clients (Case Study – the Islamic Banks Working in Gaza Strip)

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the role of the contribution of financial inclusion dimensions in the achievement of social responsibility to clients of Islamic banks in the Gaza Strip during the year 2016. This has been achieved through presenting the concept of financial inclusion, its importance, objectives, and impact on improving the culture of social responsibility. The study relied on the descriptive and analytical approach in the study and analysis of the various aspects of the role of financial inclusion in establishing the basis of social responsibility. This has been done with reference to the clients of Islamic banks in the Gaza Strip. The study used a questionnaire as a data collection tool to gather information, which has been statistically analyzed and presented using the appropriate statistical methods that fit the purpose of study. The study population consisted of all the clients of the Islamic banks operating in the Gaza Strip. Those banks are the Palestinian Islamic Bank, which has the following five branches: the Northern Governorate, Gaza Governorate, the Middle Governorate, Khan Younis Governorate, and Rafah Governorate, and the Arab Islamic Bank, which has the following two branches: Gaza Governorate and the Khan Younis Governorate. The study used the random sample method to estimate the required number of respondents. This number is estimated at 383 clients of the above-mentioned branches of these two banks, taking into account the clients proportion in each bank. The questionnaires were distributed, following a pilot study of 30 questionnaires. The final percentage of the completed returned forms was 375 questionnaires, which represents a proportion of 98.1% of the total distributed forms consisting of 383 questionnaires. The most important findings of the study is that there is a strong positive correlation between the three financial inclusion dimensions together and achieving social responsibility to the clients of the Islamic banks in the Gaza Strip. The study recommended the need to work on an awareness campaign to explain the concept of social responsibility, its dimensions, and principles. The study also recommends to include social responsibility and the dimensions of financial inclusion in the strategic plans of banks, and to determine areas of intervention according to the social implications, not profitability. The study also recommends to work on the spread of the culture of social responsibility of organizations in general and banks in particular through targeting the various ranks of workers either through programs, activities, events, or through structured training. This could be supported by issuing bulletins, establishing a website dedicated to social responsibility and its updates, gathering case studies of similar experiences and success stories of the practice of social responsibility.