Phuong Nguyen, Massey University

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Phuong’s Research Topic: Engaging with the private sector for development: A critical analysis of attempts to partner with business for women’s economic empowerment in Vietnam

“My research aims to interrogate case studies of the donor approach to partnership with local government and businesses which purport to empower ethnic minority women, a traditionally disadvantaged group in Vietnam. While there have been numerous studies of the role of large companies, mostly multinational corporations, in development, limited literature sheds light on the engagement of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) in development, nor does it look at their impacts on women’s economic empowerment. My supervisor and I wrote an article critiquing the donor approach to supporting only medium and large inclusive businesses and excluding micro and small businesses, which also have great potential for creating jobs and providing better incomes for the poor. My research plans to fill these gaps. It will thus focus on the engagement of MSMEs in development, especially for women’s economic empowerment purposes.