Academic literature on the topic 'Microfinance programme design'

Purpose Users of smallholder farmer microfinance are able to make enough returns to repay credits advanced to them. However, they are in dire need of financial capital such that they are inconsiderate of farmer- and credit-specific characteristics when participating in a microfinance programme. This study analyses perceptions of stakeholders regarding select farmer and credit characteristics within the microfinance industry. The study identifies and analyses the factors that influence participation in a microfinance programme by farmers using the logistic regression model. The purpose of this paper is to widen the knowledge base of rural agricultural finance, including factors that influence participation in microfinance intervention(s) thereof. Design/methodology/approach A total of 104 participants and 120 non-participant farmers in microfinance programmes were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire by applying the multistage sampling technique. The paper applied the logistic regression model in which farmer- and credit-specific characteristics were used to estimate the probabilities of participation. Findings The logistic regression results showed that distance, interest rate, experience, membership of farmer-based organisation, number of dependants, household, gender and age were statistically significant farmer- and credit-specific characteristics that influence participation in microfinance programmes. Interest rate and distance exact negative significance influence on participation, whereas membership of farmer-based organisations, experience, gender, household head and age influence participation positively. Reduction in the interest rate and expansion of microfinance to very remote areas rather than locations in urban areas are crucial in terms of improving participation. Research limitations/implications The paper used data from only farmers so there is a limit to which the results can be generalised for all microfinance users. It may be relevant to undertake a study that considers non-farm enterprises. Practical implications This paper brings to light the need to develop well-structured microfinance facilities that meet the specific needs of the rural poor in transitioning economies while taking into consideration critical factors affecting participation before the establishment of such programmes. Originality/value This paper provides empirical evidence to show that farmer- and credit-specific characteristics are essential to ensure participation and success of microfinance programmes thereof.

Purpose The main purpose of this study is two-fold: first, it aims to confirm or disapprove a positive relationship between Islamic microfinance and the socio-economic welfare of women and, second, it aims to explore the perspective in which Islamic microfinance packages function in Bangladesh and the system of their performance can be enhanced. Design/methodology/approach Based on structured questionnaires’ survey, this study addressed two research questions: What should be anticipated from the programmes of Islamic microfinance on the well-being of beneficiaries and under what circumstances would such programmes be more useful? Findings The main result of this study shows that growth in women’s revenue and resources played an important role in improving women’s financial freedom and sense of self-possession. A significant policy endorsement in this study is that it is essential to redirect Islamic microfinance to spread in the developmental activities which will drive to contribute towards the well-being of the recipients in the long run. Originality/value Examination of the Rural Development Scheme of Islami Bank Bangladesh is undertaken, aiming to critically review their Islamic microfinance programme in the matter of fighting poverty in Bangladesh and to suggest to diversify the Islamic microfinance scheme to spread in the developmental activities which will drive to contribute towards the well-being of the recipients in the long run.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to gain meaningful insights into a microfinance programme in two different agro-ecological settings in India. The study, using primary survey data, attempts to examine individual, household and environmental characteristics that determine participation in a self-help group (SHG)–bank linkage programme in Odisha. Design/methodology/approach Primary data are collected by a stratified random sampling method. The sample size is 300 households and information is collected by canvassing a pre-designed schedule to women through door-to-door in-depth interviews. In addition, focus group discussions have been conducted to get qualitative information. A probit binary model is applied to examine the factors determining participation in a SHG–bank linkage programme. A composite index of women empowerment is computed taking three dimensions: autonomy, economic empowerment and the gender relationship. Further, ordinary least square multiple regression and treatment effect evaluation by propensity score matching is carried out to study the impact of participation on women empowerment. Findings The study finds that the programme has by-passed the poorest of the poor. It is observed, however, that participation in microfinance has a positive and significant impact on women empowerment. Research limitations/implications Given the research methodology adopted in this study, one concern is whether the results generalise. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further. Practical implications To improve status of women particularly in developing and underdeveloped regions, microfinance can act as a catalyst. Social implications Microfinance in the form of SHG–bank linkage should be promoted, particularly for those social groups and religious communities where women are discriminated. Their participation in SHG–bank linkage programme will improve their social status through empowerment. Originality/value This study illustrates how microfinance can improve the status of women.

Background: Microfinance is an effective tool for financial inclusion and poverty reduction in developing countries like Nepal. It delivers financial and non-financial services to unbanked people from formal financial services. Microfinance services support people from weaker sections of society with a view of socio-economic transformation. Low access to finance is a problem for poor and marginalized people. Microfinance institutions provide microcredit to unbanked people without physical collateral. Thus they help people from lower-income groups improve their livelihood through productive investment. Objectives: This paper aims to examine the effects of microfinance services on the economic status of clients' status with references to Sana Kisan Bikas Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (SKBBL), Pokhara, Nepal. Methods: The research presents the findings of data collected through a survey research design in the Kaski district of Nepal. The researchers administered the survey questionnaire to 235 clients of SKBBL microfinance institutions involved in the programme for the last five or more years. We used a stratified random sampling technique to collect the data. The sample population comprised 70 from a scheduled caste (Dalit), 75 from ethnic groups, and 90 from upper castes. Both descriptive and inferential statistics have been used to analyze the data. The paired sample t-test has been used to examine the effects of microfinance intervention on occupational status, income level, consumption expenditure, capital expenditure, and monthly savings of the clients. Results: The results show that microfinance has contributed a significant role. It has enabled people from lower income groups to access microcredit and encourage productive investment that facilitates productive investment and economic transformation. -The result derived from paired sample t-test finds the positive effects of microfinance intervention on occupational status, income level, consumption, capital expenditure, and saving habits. Conclusion: This study concludes that role of microcredit is significant in enhancing the clients' economic status. Microfinance positively affects clients' earnings, savings, spending, asset accumulation, and occupational status. However, utilizing microcredit in productive sectors is necessary to empower the clients' economic status. The findings indicate that microfinance institutions must focus on effective microcredit applications to help create micro-businesses and improve the clients' livelihood status.

The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of micro-credit on the small or micro-enterprises development with reference to Kaski district of Nepal. The descriptive and analytical research design is used and the research is based on the primary sources of data collected through structured questionnaires. During the study, the researchers selected 170 respondents, who were involved in the micro-credit programme in the last five or more years in the microfinance institutions, using the purposive sampling technique. The study finds that the majority of the clients are involved in agriculture and livestock and the rest are involved in the micro-business and enterprises related to service industry (such as tailoring, beauty parlor, hotel or restaurant), trade or business and small-scale manufacturing sectors. Micro-credit has a positive correlation with initial investment, revenue generation, employment generation, expansion of business and profit generation. The study also finds that micro-credit has encouraged clients to engage in the micro-business and enterprise development activities. The study recommends that it is necessary to adopt an effective utilization policy of micro-credit that may benefit both microfinance institutions for its sustainability and clients for their living standard improvement.

Purpose The successful story of microfinance institutions is often tied to the practice and methods of credit delivery as evidence among international world class microfinance institutions across the globe. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of practice and methods of credit delivery employed by “non- profit” and “for-profit” microfinance institutions on financial sustainability and outreach programmes of the microfinance institutions in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The study adopts the survey research design and multi-stage stratified random sampling procedure to collect data from 372 senior management staff, managing directors and board members of microfinance institutions of both groups in Nigeria. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regressions analysis. Findings The findings suggest that the current practice and methods of credit delivery of microfinance in both “non-profit” and “for-profit” microfinance institutions have an inverse relationship with the financial sustainability and outreach programmes of the institutions. This study provides empirical evidence for the incessant failure of microfinance institutions in Nigeria. Research limitations/implications The study therefore recommends an immediate overhaul of the methodology and practice of microfinance institutions in the country to align with international best practice. Originality/value In spite of the huge literature on microfinance in Nigeria, there is not enough evidence to empirically prove that the practice of microfinance has affected the performance of the industry in Nigeria. This study sets out to fill that gap in the literature. The paper examines the practice of microfinancing in Nigeria vis-à-vis the performance of the microfinance institutions, categorized into NGO and microfinance bank “for-profit” institutions using international best practices from countries where microfinance is highly successful as a benchmark for deployment of microfinance in Nigeria, in order to proffer policy direction to stakeholders on steps to take to ensure viability in the microfinance subsector in Nigeria.

The development of the microfinance sub-sector in Kenya is seen as a favourable catalyst for increasing performance of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs). Despite the development, MSEs continue to suffer from high levels of financial exclusion and shortage of operating funds. This scenarios raise policy questions on whether participation in microfinance has effects on performance of MSEs. While past studies on this relationship have demonstrated that the effects are mixed, an understanding of the effects on participation of microfinance on different segments on MSEs - especially the youth and women owned businesses and age of businesses, is necessary in designing relevant policy changes in the MSE subsector. To address this, the study used the 2016 FinAccess Dataset and estimated these effects using the propensity score matching technique. This model was considered suitable since it accounted for potential endogeneity biases associated with self-selection into participation, unobserved entrepreneurial abilities and risk taking behaviour of MSEs. Apart from showing that participation in microfinance has positive effects on performance of MSEs, the study has demonstrated that there is presence of constraints limiting the impact of microfinance especially in firms owned by the youth and women. As such, there is need for policy and product designs to address these hindrances even as participation in microfinance is encouraged. Based on the results, it is recommended that government and microfinance providers should design policies and products that increase firm participation in microfinance. This may be through scaling up financial literacy programmes and encouraging acquisition of permits. Finally, policy should address obstacles that hinder the youth and women owned MSEs from benefiting from microfinance.

Purpose – The paper aims to better understand why borrowers do not sanction one another in group-lending microfinance programmes. Design/methodology/approach – The paper utilises interviews conducted in 16 villages in Western China. The data were complemented by ethnographic fieldwork of an NGO in the region. Findings – The paper confirms the relevance to microfinance of existing literature showing that punishing others is costly, so people tend to wait for others to do it. It also reveals the existence of particularistic metanorms – norms of sanctioning that focus on whom one can and cannot punish. Additionally, it shows that people may punish according to whether they believe others are punishing. Research limitations/implications – The results are not immediately generalisable to all group-lending programmes. Originality/value – Fieldwork in rural China is difficult to conduct. Although cultural and social patterns are known to be important in development work, little is known about how it affects microfinance.

Poverty and other human development issues remain a large global problem requiring a solution. The long-term effectiveness of international development projects aiming to address the issues is difficult to achieve. Even for projects that are successful in their implementation phase. One important criterion of long-term project success is sustainability which can provide long-term benefits to society. Microfinance potentially provides enduring solutions for poverty alleviation by providing permanent access to microcredit for the poor, yet it also faces challenges in its sustainability. Further, the complex characteristics of international development projects and their sustainability have created the need for a comprehensive and complex approach to projects. This study involved a post-project sustainability analysis of an international development project (microfinance/revolving loan fund) using a complex systems approach. The analysis resulted in the provision of a sustainability evaluation framework for an international development project and its application in a microfinance project; understanding the sustainability of microfinance projects through a complex systems approach; and exploration of factors that can influence the sustainability of microfinance projects. This study used both qualitative and quantitative approaches with case study design in a microfinance (Revolving Loan Fund) project in Central Java Province, Indonesia. Data were collected through interviews, observation, document review, focus group discussions (FGDs) and a survey. The data collection was conducted in the province from October 2019 to December 2020. SPSS and NVivo software was used to analyse the data. The results of the analysis are as follows. First, a framework to evaluate the sustainability of an international development project is proposed. The framework’s application shows that a complex systems approach is applicable to post-project sustainability evaluation. Moreover, the case study showed that the project is sustainable. The study has implications for project sustainability and microfinance. First, the framework provides more comprehensive information about the sustainability of a project. Second, microfinance programmes can be sustainable without subsidies and can achieve financial and social goals. Second, the results revealed that some issues arose in response to the closure of the project, and actions were taken to cope with those issues. These are related to project governance, accountability, capital and profitability, competition and empowerment. The analysis also showed that the move towards a sustainable project presents characteristics of complex systems, including interconnectedness, adaptive capacity, feedback, self-organisation and emergence (IAFSE). Further, this study’s findings have implications for microfinance sustainability management and programme design. First, they demonstrate the importance of effective stakeholder management, leadership and a network-based governance system. Second, they identify the importance of including flexibility in programme design; planning by the governing body, accountability and control mechanisms after project completion; equipping the community with knowledge and skills; and recruiting the right people. Third, an exploration of factors that may influence the sustainability of microfinance projects showed that project-based microfinance (RLF) sustainability is influenced by local project characteristics, community support and project management. This implies that project implementation and its sustainability are concomitant. Further, project implementation that considers the local community and is supported by project management may play an essential role in the project’s sustainability.
Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Business School, 2022

The objective of this thesis is to examine the need for people and communities to develop liquid assets through a savings programme and to work productively with these savings. It had to be taken into consideration that at least some members of the population could be considered non-monetary in their orientation. In order to achieve this objective a participatory and culturally sensitive micro-finance programme was designed through an Action Research methodology. By combining mainly quantitative baseline information, detailed and more qualitative work with some of the participants and routine output from the programme activities, the study aimed to arrive at concrete conclusions concerning the way a micro-finance programme has worked in San conununities and make recommendations regarding its future. lt was found that the programme has made at least some of the participants more conversant with the handling of cash and also contributed to increased self-respect. Developing liquid assets was most difficult for the poorest participants and the majority of these poorest are women. The San people are the poorest; even among other marginal rural minorities and should receive special assistance. The programme was moderately successful in helping participants to save towards larger needs and to even out income flows. It could not be established whether the programme could make a contribution to the development of long~term assets. Initiatives to establish microenterprises with the capital met with only limited success. The programme was not successful in establishing a savings programme as an alternative to cattle farming and should rather be seen as a complementary strategy for increasing household assets. It was found that the emphasis on savings mobilisation, rather than the creation of debt through credit was valid. Increased incomes will lead to increased indebtedness. A higher influx of cash in a San community is likely to be unevenly spread and is also likely to increase the gap between the wealthier and poorer community members. It was concluded that projects that meet basic and immediate needs such as food, shelter and housing, should be integrated with programmes that address larger needs such as loss of culture and land. A process of empowerment cannot be supported when rural poverty is not addressed.
Development Studies
D.Litt. et Phil. (Development Administration)

Monitoring data at the Ugandan Salama SHIELD Foundation revealed perfect repayment rates in its microfinance program. But rather than take these data at face value, a diligent program officer set out to determine if the data might be concealing other stories. In his efforts to investigate the truth behind the data, he made a number of decisions about what data to collect—and, importantly, what not to. But, as this case demonstrates, actionable data is only half the story; right-fit resources and systems are necessary to turn data into action. Readers will think critically about what data are necessary to answer key operational questions and will design data collection instruments to deliver these data. They will also consider ways of applying the CART principles to strengthen the data collection system and determine where the organization should focus its monitoring efforts.

This chapter examines the prospects and challenges of using zakah as a source of funding in microenterprise support programs for refugees. According to the literature, lack of funds represents a fundamental obstacle in supporting refugees' livelihood in particular in microenterprises programs. Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. All Muslims have to pay 2.5% of their wealth every year to the poor and needy. Refugees represent one of the main beneficiaries of zakah. Recently the UNHCR has established a zakah fund to mobilize zakah funds to help refugees. This chapter argues that instead of assisting refugees with cash money, zakat funds or at least part of the zakat funds can be used to provide microcredit grants to support the refugees and help them to help themselves. Despite all the challenges of microfinance programs in particular in the context of refugees, well-designed microfinance programs can provide a more sustainable solution to refugees in particular those trapped in protracted situations.