Measuring Efficacy of the Vulnerable Group Development Program in Bangladesh: How Far We Achieved Service Process Simplification?

Riana Khan Rimjhim, Meherin Ahmed Roza, Jannateen Naoar Siena, Nowshin Nawar, Nabiha Tahsin Nisa

Abstract

A Vulnerable Group Development program aiming at sustainable socio- economic empowerment mobilizes women's communities to achieve poverty reduction, food security, and skills development. The study's main objective was to evaluate to what extent the women enrolled in Vulnerable Group Development programs effectively ensure Service Process Simplification. The study followed a mixed-method survey that included a survey questionnaire for the 384 service recipients and a face-to-face semi- structured interview with the 3 UP Chairman, 3 UP members, and 10 service recipients of Savar Upazila. By conducting the Chi-square test (p< 0.05), the overall results of the study revealed that the effectiveness of using Service Process Simplification (SPS) in the VGD program by service recipients was very low. Only 3% of the service recipients admitted to their knowledge about online self-application for VGD, but no one had applied themselves yet. Evidently, participants in the study followed the traditional registration method to avail themselves of the service from Union Parishad. The study did not find a significant influence (p< 0.05) of the VGD service concerning perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude toward use, and intention to use. The study's findings pointed to significant challenges in information gaps, miscommunication, deceptive behavior by the recipients, and delays in service delivery. The study's findings will assist social policymakers, local government authorities, and practitioners in rethinking how to overcome challenges in simplifying VGD services.

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