Financial literacy on business students in Gaza Strip

Other Title(s)

الوعي المالي لدى طلبة كليات التجارة و الاقتصاد في قطاع غزة

Dissertant

Sursur, Nada Anwar Muhammad

Thesis advisor

al-Dayah, Wail Hamdi

University

Islamic University

Faculty

Faculty of Commerce

Department

Department of Business Administration

University Country

Palestine (Gaza Strip)

Degree

Master

Degree Date

2017

English Abstract

The study of financial literacy on business students in Gaza Strip aims to highlight the financial literacy level of students, though, examines in multiple university the financial literacy of bachelor senior students who are at the fourth level and postgraduate students (master).

Although, the study illustrates how financial literacy significantly associated with socio demographic characteristics, financial education, financial behavior and experience, family background and financial status, and social capital.

The study employs mixed research methodology in which an administered questionnaire was distributed to 348 university students (Islamic University, AL Azhar University, Al Aqasa University and University of Palestine), and used focus group tool to validate and justify questionnaire results.

The results analysis finds that students’ interest for obtaining financial information is very low, also a high level of risk aversion shown by the respondents, which reflects a low level of financial literacy.

The students are not bridging the gap between financial knowledge they have and local financial market, in which an obvious lack of information about local financial institutions, in addition to a high trend to trust informal financial parties.

Unfortunately, results show a critical red flag of warning regarding the lack of understanding the basic financial concepts (inflation, simple interest rate calculation and portfolio diversification).

Moreover, the results find that family background and financial socialization play a significant role in shaping family members’ financial literacy weather intentionally or spontaneously.

Although, using financial services or have financial obligations and committing in making payments reflects a high level of financial literacy as financial knowledge has been obtained through personal experiences.

Finally, the study finds a significant correlation between financial literacy and having financially literate social capital.

The study conducted focus group interview with some financial professionals which justify the study results and add meaning to the findings.

Based on results analysis and focus group justification, researcher recommends that there is an insisting needs for; Firstly, enhancing the role of the universities in Gaza Strip in improving financial literacy through.

Secondly, universities have to accommodate and match between financial courses content and the local financial market.

Thirdly, it would be beneficial for students to communicate with professionals who work in financial institutions or who have financial experience.

Fourthly, activate the role of the ministry of higher education in coordination between universities and imposing guidelines and systematic programs that help universities to improve students’ financial literacy level.

Fifthly, recommends financial institutions to enhance their role in improving students’ financial literacy by conducting regular financial sessions and trainings.

Finally recommends future studies to expand the range of study in light of the role of high education ministry, universities and financial institutions.

Main Subjects

Business Administration

No. of Pages

192

Table of Contents

• APA
• MLA
• AMA

Language

English

Data Type

Arab Theses

Record ID

BIM-911988