Journal articles on the topic 'Microfinance organisations'

Purpose Combatting corruption is an important social and commercial issue in most human societies. Many researchers have revealed how an effective anti-corruption practice can possibly minimise corruption in an organisation. However, studies focusing on organisations which are relatively successful in managing corruption at the employee level are relatively rare. On this note, this study aims to focus on Grameen Bank in particular, a Nobel-Prize-winning microfinance institute that was able to minimise its level of corruption among its employees in a country where corruption is the norm. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses standard economic theory to explain the perceptions and behaviours of the employees of Grameen Bank who live and work in a highly corrupt socio-cultural environment. This paper used questionnaires to ascertain the perceptions of Grameen Bank employees’ notions regarding corruption-combating behaviours. Interviews were also conducted among Grameen’s board members, managers and officers to further explore the nature and effectiveness of this organisation’s anti-corruption mechanisms. Findings Corruption can never be entirely eradicated; however, it can be diminished and opportunities for corruption can be minimised. This paper found, through an analysis of employees’ perceptions relating to governance and corruption in the Grameen Bank, that corruption exists, but there are systems in place to prevent it and to assist with staff morality. This research also uncovered a number of best practices in Grameen Bank’s governance to minimise corrupt behaviours, which include, but are not limited to, strong monitoring, decentralisation of authority, review of decision-making process, high internal audit intensity, impersonal punishment, anti-corruption cultures and transparency. Originality/value This study suggests that it is possible for organisations to resist corruption, especially microfinance institutions, even when they operate in a highly corrupt socio-cultural environment.

In an excellent anthropological study of microfinance in Bangladesh, <xref ref-type="bibr" rid="CIT0028">Karim (2008: xviii)</xref> argues that it operates as ‘an economy of shame’. That is to say, microfinance is not the benign tool for financial inclusion and empowerment that mainstream development organisations proclaim. Rather, it unintentionally (perhaps) but nevertheless actively deploys shaming techniques in order to maximise loan repayment rates. Karim, however, does not employ an explicit analysis of shame; instead she emphasises its disciplining power for rural women in Bangladesh. Our article builds on this insight but applies a specific psychosocial approach to shame that critically examines a number of the emotion’s harmful practices and outcomes, especially when deployed within microfinance practice. It highlights that microfinance personalises and socialises people’s debt relations, making them a matter for group concern, but that at the same time money-debt’s impersonalising nature results in coercive and disciplinary actions that would otherwise be seen as intolerable. We demonstrate how the active shaming of microfinance participants all too often degenerates into human rights abuses, including violence. The shame of debt and the active shaming that facilitates microfinance’s high repayment rates harms the psychosocial wellbeing of those being shamed as well as their families, and can be linked to a range of concerning outcomes including self-harm and suicide. To conclude, we explore whether the coercion by shame and shaming of microfinance may be linked to its growing use in other areas of development programming.

Studying both the Congolese and Cameroonian cases, this article shows that beyond some normalisation, microfinance prompts some very distinctive ways of appropriation. The authors wonder about the role of states as “ferrymen” of the word “microfinance”. They question the ability and the freedom of organisations and local authorities to put in place microfinance schemes. In a first section, the paper underlines the normative conception going with the term “microfinance”. In a second and third sections it discusses the circulation of the term and the manufacture of practices in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon. It comes to the conclusion that despite the eventual enforcement of practices and social norms, microfinance has to acclimatize itself to divergent social, political and even religious practices.

Over the years, few organisations are gradually coming to terms with the pertinence and essentiality of the strategic and pregnable tool of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the attainment of organisational goals. While some are facing various issues while adopting CSR practices, others are yet to know which CSR activities is best to adopt based on their physical needs. Therefore, this study empirically investigates the role of CSR in the attainment of organisational performance in Ogbomoso Microfinance Bank (MFB). Four research objectives on the relationship between CSR and key important aspect of MFB in Ogbomoso were deployed to 80 employees across Ogbomoso MFB using survey research design. Different analysis such as descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Correlation and regression analysis and T-square with the aid of SPSS were used for the analysis of this survey. The findings revealed that there is a significant correlation between CSR and effectiveness of organisational performance as well as employees and environments. The analysis of the CSR and organisation performance recorded a F-statistics value of 3.648 and p-value of 0.005<0.05. The study also found out that the participation of MFBs in CSR activities is somewhat low based on the statistical analysis which recorded a T-value of 0.263 < 1.96 with significance ratio of 0.793 > 0.05 which indicates that each of the microfinance bank in Ogbomosho spend less than 10% of their profit on CSR activities. Therefore, the study recommends that Ogbomoso MFB should proactively involve in CSR for a significant contribution to productivity and stability.

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.

Many microfinance institutions (MFIs) are currently drifting away from their original mission of alleviating poverty. The objective of this article is to identify and update significant social performance (SP) for micro-finance institutions (MFIs) by viewing social performance measures as a way to address the development of MFIs. Unlike traditional performance measurements, social performance measurements are more allied with the organisation’s social and development goals. This study has therefore reviewed prior empirical studies and consultancy reports dealing with poverty alleviation to determine important social performance measurements for MFIs to achieve their social goals. Further, this study scrutinises 415 MFIs that have reported their social performance in the Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) database in 2008 and 2009. The findings have revealed that from 2008 to 2009 the number of MFIs reporting social performance increased by 72 per cent; 80 per cent of them are Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Non-banking Financial Institutions (NFBIs). This study therefore provides direction for future research in performance assessment, balancing social and financial objectives in the microfinance industry. It is also a step in conducting more research and recommending regulation of the social performance of MFIs that will require them to engage in more empirical research work using micro-econometrics techniques in the future to support the available conceptual literature.

Based on expert interviews, this study aims to explore different components of cultural and administrative apparatuses, showing the disciplinary methods of microfinance organisations that work on submissive borrowers. Six policy officials of two microfinance institutions (MFIs) Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee and Bangladesh Rural Development Board – and two experts from different institutions were interviewed for this purpose. Following established way of analysing expert interviews, the study concentrates on the experts’ own wording and interfaces them with theoretical and conceptual positions. Among various sets of dispositif, an ensemble of elements of an apparatus, the culture of loyalty to saviours, the discourse of empowerment, regulatory decisions and policies of MFIs, a culture of repayment habits, usage of technical measures and accessing asymmetric information of borrowers are important in the power exerting process of the microfinance industry in Bangladesh.

Abstract We carried out a stated preference survey in Malawi to examine whether access to microfinance for sanitation would significantly increase the proportion of households upgrading to improved pit latrines or alternative improved sanitation technologies (urine diverting dry toilet, fossa alterna, pour flush). We presented a range of sanitation options at local market prices, initially without and then with a real microfinance option, to 1,300 households sampled across 27 low-income urban settlements in the two largest cities, Lilongwe and Blantyre. When we gave respondents a microfinance option, the proportion of households stating an intention to install improved and unimproved pit latrines decreased significantly, while the proportion stating an intention to upgrade to alternative improved sanitation technologies increased significantly. However, households in the lowest wealth quintile were more likely to state a preference for unimproved pit latrines, suggesting that the benefits of microfinance for sanitation may not accrue equally across wealth strata. Organisations seeking to improve access to safely managed sanitation by promoting alternative sanitation technologies would succeed if households have access to affordable alternative sanitation technologies and microfinance for sanitation. However, poorer households would need more affordable improved sanitation technologies, flexible microfinance options and possibly targeted subsidies to gain access to safely managed sanitation.

In the past few years, Microfinance has been usually contemplated as an effective strategy instrument in the fight against poverty. The SHG women situation in India has been particularly difficult during COVID-19. It had distressing consequences on SHG women life, their income making activities and livelihoods. Therefore, the question arises whether Microfinance credit leads to poverty reduction and improve their decision-making ability in the post COVID era. To address this question, the present study undertakes to identify the impact of Microfinance, Micro Credit and Savings on the Decision making ability of SHG women in the post COVID era. A number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) provide micro-finance programmes to women in need in order to gain access to credit and savings services. In the current research, the NGO named ‘Peetambra Foundation’ registered in 2008 in Pink City Jaipur, Rajasthan is instrumental in providing data related to SHG women registered with them. Total 306 SHG women were surveyed in the nearest village of Jaipur city. The findings revealed positive but insignificant impact of Microfinance on Financial improvement. In addition, Financial improvement has a both negative and significant impact on the Decision Making ability.

Purpose This paper aims to propose cash waqf (endowment) to develop a conceptual model that can be utilised to extend microfinance for refugees. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative method is used in this research. An extensive review of the literature has been conducted. Latest literature on refugees, microfinance has been critically examined beside the current cash waqf models. Findings Empirical studies have shown that many refugees are equipped with marketable skills and talents that can be utilised to improve their socio-economic situations. The proposed model – cash waqf refugee microfinance fund (CWRMF) – is structured to extend microfinance to potential refugee micro entrepreneurs. To address the lack of collateral, which is a requirement to gain any microfinance, CWRMF has been incorporated with a takaful unit (cooperation) by which refugees may guarantee each other. Additionally, the model has also been structured to address the challenge of sustainability of the institution that would provide microfinance. Hence, a reserve fund has also been integrated into the model. Practical implications CWRMF represents a potential model to be implemented by humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and aid agencies to support livelihood of refugees in particular for Muslim refugees. Positive outcome is expected from the implementation of this model. This is because of the various advantages of microfinance programs not only on refugees but also on concerned NGOs, host populations and donor parties. Additionally, this paper is a set of primarily thoughts aims to open the door wider for more researchers to explore the potential of cash waqf as one of the instruments to finance refugee microenterprises and business activities. Originality/value Recently cash waqf has been into several models for socio-economic development and poverty alleviation. This paper is proposing cash waqf as a source for a microfinance fund that can contribute in the improvement of socio-economic situations of millions of refugees around the world.

Poverty alleviation has been a perpetual challenge to the contemporary world. Bangladesh is one of the world's poorest countries and about 45% of the total population are living below the poverty line. It is vital for Bangladesh to re-evaluate its policy on poverty alleviation in which microfinance has been a crucial element. Microfinance is now being recognised as one of the most impetus and effective mechanisms for poverty alleviation. Poverty leads to many problems in the society. Lack of access to education, family disintegration, poor quality of life, lower health status, unavailability of safe water, lack of sanitation, and absence of social life, are the major effects of poverty. It is the contention of this paper that social work by acquiring a community development role can help microfinance policy makers develop new policy or reverse existing policy for poverty alleviation in Bangladesh. Social work can also influence actors involved in the field of poverty alleviation from local and international humanity institutions or organisations to adopt new findings to minimise the issues of poverty.

Purpose From an institutional theory perspective, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the combined impact of financial capital (microcredit) and human capital development (entrepreneurship training) delivered by financial non-governmental organisations (FNGOs) on the performance of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a multiple linear regression analysis, the study used primary data collected from 506 Ghanaian MSEs. Microcredit was measured using four main constructs, namely, loan cost, loan amount, the flexibility of loan repayment and loan accessibility. Entrepreneurship training was measured using four main constructs, namely, training content, training efficiency, training frequency and training accessibility. MSE performance was also measured using three main indicators, namely, sales, employment and profitability growth. The study controlled for business age, industry category, manager’s educational level and gender. Findings The results of this study show that the combined delivery of financial and human capital development by FNGOs has a significant impact on MSE performance. The social welfare logic adopted by FNGOs seems to be legitimate to the needs and growth of MSEs in Ghana. However, the cost of microcredit remains a drawback, constraining the performance of MSEs in Ghana. Research limitations/implications This study was carried out in the Volta Region, which is one of the ten regions of Ghana. Even though the sample size suffices, the findings from this study could not be generalised to the whole of Ghana. Also, this study is a quantitative study and could benefit from a triangulated method where the qualitative inputs could offer insights into the findings in this study. Originality/value Theoretically, this study contributes to the understanding of institutions and the type of impact they have on the growth of MSEs. Practically, the provision of a conducive environment and access to financial capital is crucial to the growth of MSEs. Also, the adoption of the social welfare logic in microfinance delivery could be one of the major steps in promoting the performance of MSEs in Ghana.

Purpose – This study aims to seek to fill a gap in regulatory impact assessment in developing countries by presenting an analysis of how formal regulation impact on the efficiency and productivity of financial non-governmental organisations (FNGOs) in Ghana. Much has been written about the formal financial sector, but very little is known about the lower end of microfinance and the impact of formal prudential regulation on FNGOs providing microfinance services. The Bank of Ghana (BOG), nevertheless, in the year 2011, extended formal prudential regulation to FNGOs without any empirical basis. This study uses regulatory theories and empirical evidence to aid in the evaluation of whether formal prudential regulation is appropriate for FNGOs operating within the microfinance sector. Design/methodology/approach – Empirical evidence derived from FNGOs, regulatory agents, consumers and financial lawyers within the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions of Ghana served as the basis of the analysis in this study. Descriptive statistics, frequency counts and percentage scores, were used to analyse the data collected. Findings – The existing structures of FNGOs in Ghana are unsuitable for formal prudential regulation. The BOG does not have adequate staffing and funding to supervise and monitor the microfinance activities of FNGOs. Formal prudential regulation could impede growth and efficient delivery of microfinance services. Research limitations/implications – The BOG is the only regulatory agency responsible for regulating the financial market in Ghana, thus access to officers with knowledge in the regulatory regime was very limited. Practical implications – The study revealed in depth information about FNGOs, microfinance and the impact of formal prudential regulation on FNGOs. Originality/value – The study is the first to use empirical studies and theories of regulation to assess the impact of extending formal prudential regulation to FNGOs in Ghana. Data from the regulator, the regulated and consumers, the key players in any regulatory process, served as the basis of the analysis in the study resulting in the unravelling of in-depth information on the regulation of FNGOs.

This empirical article looks at the determinants of joint-liability lending repayment performance among the two largest microfinance group-lending organisations in South Africa. Most empirical work on repayment performance does not focus on the characteristics of group-based lending methodologies. This study is an attempt to fill this gap in South African microfinance literature. The results of the logit analysis uncover interesting findings. The study uses the Poverty Wealth Ranking score variable to show the ability of individuals with little or no collateral to be good borrowers. Smaller loan sizes are found to perform better than larger loans. An important contribution of the article is analysing the impact of group homogeneity on repayment performance. It was found that large group sizes and groups made up of male and female (as opposed to groups with only females) can have a negative impact on repayment performance. The findings also indicate that the more homogeneous a group in industry type the better the repayment performance.

‘Smart Economics’ is no epiphenomenon. It is an instrument of exploitation at the heart of neoliberalism. The global neoliberal agenda has co-opted feminism, creating what Roberts calls ‘transnational business feminism’. With the promotion of entrepreneurialism, women in the Global South are targeted for exploitation in an attempt to introduce them into the formal markets. Female empowerment has become the new fetish for capital accumulation through the indebtedness of women in the Global South and the subsequent reproduction of capitalism. This reproduction of capital is possible due to the newfound access to the financial markets that is introduced through bringing women’s purchasing power into the fold. Microfinance institutions are the spearhead of ‘Smart Economics’ in the Global South, while arguing to alleviate poverty in rural areas. Microfinance institutions such as the Grameen Bank and kiva.org are examples of this. These organisations target women with a patriarchal agenda, which reinforces the gender relations in the Global South.

Finance for micro, small and medium size enterprises (MSME’S) has been a concern for all stakeholders including entrepreneurs, financial institutions and government organisations. (Charan et al., 2016) The key objective of this present study is to identify various challenges faced by MSME’s in sourcing finance. The Micro Finance Institution has been conducting a variety of services to assist the financial and non- financial needs of the MSME's entrepreneurs including credit, saving, leasing, insurance facilities and training programs. This survey was conducted in Ahmedabad and Mehsana covering a wide range of sectors like jewellers, retailers, metal works, textiles, book shop, tailor and small manufacturing units. The researcher has used both primary and secondary data. The primary data were collected with the help of a questionnaire in the Google form. The sample size of this particular study is 34 respondents. This little research exists that examines the role of financial institutions, banks and microfinance institutions, on the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises in Gujarat, especially Ahmedabad and Mehsana. The study found that the main challenges faced by MSME’s in underutilization are lack of financial awareness and lack of the tools to evaluate projects that need to be implemented by MSME’S.

Purpose Microfinance institutions (MFIs), including Islamic microfinance institutions (IMFIs) in Muslim countries, have spread across the globe and transformed into a new industry. However, how IMFIs in Indonesia evolved to become an important sector serving society has not been rigorously explored. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to address the lacuna on the emergence of an industry by examining the development of Islamic microfinance sector in Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts the historical research method to narrate the evolution of this specific sector based on the data collected through oral history and published academic research documents during various periods of Indonesia’s economic and political milieu. Findings This paper demonstrates that the emergence and development of IMFIs in Indonesia has been shaped within the wider process of socio-political changes, particularly, the role of Islamic movement and politics in Indonesia. Originality/value Most studies investigating the emergence and transformation of institution or industry adopt the static approach, which has been criticised as it fails to consider the process of emergence, growth path and the survival of organisations. Hence, this paper contributes to the literature by analysing the institutional evolution by locating the institution inside its wider environmental context by using Bourdieu’s concept of field to narrate the historical development of IMFIs from its emergence and evolution to become a significant new industry in the country.

The purpose of this article is to provide an enhanced approach on how organisations and individuals can create shared value through strategic orchestration or collaborative innovation, to help create system change.The world’s most vital systems are facing unprecedented challenges that will require a new level of thinking and doing to solve them. How to apply it to our own system in practice? Studies show that after having identified the need for innovation, orchestration enhanced with a shared value approach aims to be a strategy for organisations to provide new value propositions to the market that cannot be delivered in isolation while addressing a societal need. Social needs still represent the largest unserved opportunities. Some nowadays examples are SmartMobility solutions and Microfinance institutions, where technology plays an important role. It is fascinating to see new innovations increasingly addressing a societal need while bringing a new offering to the market.

Women’s empowerment has been at the centre of research focus for many decades. Extant literature examined the process, outcome and various challenges. Some claimed substantial success, while others contradicted with evidence of failure. But the success remains a matter of debate due to lack of empirical evidence of actual empowerment of women around the world. The current study aimed to address this gap by taking a case study method. The study critically evaluates 20 cases carefully sampled to include representatives from the entire country of Bangladesh. The study demonstrates popular beliefs about microfinance often misguide even the borrowers and they start living in a fabricated feeling of empowerment, facing real challenges to achieve true empowerment in their lives. The impact of this finding is twofold; firstly there is a theoretical contribution, where the definition of women’s empowerment is proposed to be revisited considering findings from these cases. And lastly, the policy makers at governmental and non-governmental organisations, and multinational donor agencies need to revise their assessment tools for funding.

In this paper, I will argue that although local microfinance institutions and non-governmental organisations such as BRAC and Grameen Bank have played a significant part in the development and reduction of poverty in Bangladesh, some challenges remain. This paper will first present a brief background of the socioeconomic conditions of Bangladesh. The history of NGOs in the country and their transformation from primarily relief oriented agencies to being full-scale development actors will also be explored. I will analyse the relationship between the state and the non governmental agencies in delivering service to the people of Bangladesh. Furthermore, this paper will present the rise of microcredit institutions and facilities that have changed the economic landscape of Bangladesh. Finally, the essay will present the challenges that are faced by non governmental agencies in the country. This paper will bring forward the bureaucratic hurdles and the political opposition that are faced by such agencies. Public perception of NGOs will also be highlighted in this essay. I will also present the criticisms that some of the microcredit organisations such as Grameen Bank have faced due to their high emphasis on repayment of loans.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the issues and concerns of Albanian rural credit, which is a powerful tool for enhancing production and productivity and for poverty alleviation. Further it highlights some of the strategies adopted by the Albanian government to increase the rural credit facilities in the rural area of Albania. The various problems faced by the farmers in applying for loans are analysed in detail. Rural credits serve as a tool for providing a sustainable livelihood for people who lives in these areas. Several organisations and Microfinance Institutions,. are playing a major role in providing rural credit facilities to rural Albania. to make the rural credit facilities available to most of the needy. In spite of several efforts put up by various organisations to increase the rural credit facilities, several challenges will prevail in the years to come.These aspects of the financial sector remain undervalued in mainstream literature on rural credit. With Albania being a nation in which more than 40 percent of people live in rural areas and rural credit being a powerful, and the only, tool for rural people in providing a means of livelihood, its importance and potential should be known to each individual.

Design/methodology/approach – This study aims to evaluate the current practices conducted based on in-depth interviews with 16 Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) medium-level managers who were selected randomly, including branch managers and operational officers. All of the interviewees have two characteristics; they face customers directly and influence their decision-making. Findings – Based on the findings of this study, AIM has a high level of customer orientation and inter-function coordination and a middle level in competitor orientation. Originality/value – This paper initially presents the definition of a unique concept, namely, Islamic market orientation, which is defined based on the incorporation of Islamic concepts and market orientation by discussing the characteristics of Islamic market-oriented organisations. Then, an empirical discussion for evaluating market orientation in a microfinance provider is presented. The paper uses the synthesis of different real positions for developing discussions on whether AIM is following market orientation strategies, and, if so, at which level it is located from each dimension’s point of view.

<div><p><em>Leadership styles in recent studies have been debated significantly but their role in contributing job satisfaction of employees have not been addressed by the researchers. Therefore, a study was conducted to assess the impact of leadership styles on job satisfaction of employees in the two NGO’s (Non Government Organisations) HIFEED and HESCO from Uttarakhand through an empirical study. NGO’s in India involve diverse activities ranging from training facilities and independent trainers providing non-formal education, grant-making organizations, community development organizations, microfinance associations, self-help groups, and organization addressing public health. In the study, leadership styles were studied as participative, supportive and instrumental. Results show that supportive style of leadership was predominantly followed by managers. Participative leadership style positively impacts job satisfaction followed by supportive style of leadership. But instrumental leadership style was found to have a negative impact on the job satisfaction of employees. </em></p></div>

La traction animale suppose un investissement important que les ménages agricoles les plus vulnérables peuvent difficilement réaliser sur fonds propres. Le recours au crédit est alors nécessaire. En Afrique de l’Ouest et centrale, les formes publiques de financement de la traction animale ont permis l’équipement de larges zones pratiquant les cultures de rente. Mais ces dispositifs publics s’avèrent impossible à pérenniser et sont aujourd’hui en très forte régression. Dans le vide laissé par l’Etat, émergent des innovations institutionnelles portées par les organisations paysannes et la microfinance. Ces deux secteurs expérimentent aujourd’hui à très petite échelle le financement de la traction animale mais rencontrent eux aussi des difficultés importantes : les ressources financières adaptées sont difficiles à mobiliser, les crédits à moyen terme sont difficiles à sécuriser, les financements fournis sont très largement insuffisants par rapport à l’ampleur de la demande. Quelques institutions, comme par exemple le réseau des Caisses d’épargne et de crédit agricole mutuel (Cecam) à Madagascar, expérimentent des financements innovants et prometteurs.

There is an increasing trend among Indonesian Islamic boarding schools or locally called pesantren to address the socio-economic problems of their neighbouring communities. Over the last two decades, many pesantren have articulated that concern through operating Islamic microfinance business or popularly called BMT (Baitul Maal wat Tamwil) and other enterprise forms. However, the majority of those initiatives are not financially developing. Pesantren Sidogiri is among a few of those exhibit business success and relatively significant social benefits to the Pesantren as well as its graduates. Based on fieldwork findings and the employment of social capital theory, this paper argues that the success of Pesantren Sidogiri’s three business hubs (Kopontren Sidogiri, BMT MMU, BMT UGT) is because the Pesantren has successfully mobilised and managed its rich social capital which is embedded in the Pesantren’s social networks. That social networks have constantly been managed and developed through appropriable social organisations and closure of social networks. The former is evident in the Pesantren’s program of Affiliating Madrasah (madrasah ranting) and Teacher-Internship (guru tugas), while the latter in the Alumni Association (himpunan alumni) and the publication of monthly-Bulletin Sidogiri. These two streams have intentionally or unintentionally provided the Pesantren with a ready-use of social capital to be converted as economic capital in its economic projects.There is an increasing trend among Indonesian Islamic boarding schools or locally called pesantren to address the socio-economic problems of their neighbouring communities. Over the last two decades, many pesantren have articulated that concern through operating Islamic microfinance business or popularly called BMT (Baitul Maal wat Tamwil) and other enterprise forms. However, the majority of those initiatives are not financially developing. Pesantren Sidogiri is among a few of those exhibit business success and relatively significant social benefits to the Pesantren as well as its graduates. Based on fieldwork findings and the employment of social capital theory, this paper argues that the success of Pesantren Sidogiri’s three business hubs (Kopontren Sidogiri, BMT MMU, BMT UGT) is because the Pesantren has successfully mobilised and managed its rich social capital which is embedded in the Pesantren’s social networks. That social networks have constantly been managed and developed through appropriable social organisations and closure of social networks. The former is evident in the Pesantren’s program of Affiliating Madrasah (madrasah ranting) and Teacher-Internship (guru tugas), while the latter in the Alumni Association (himpunan alumni) and the publication of monthly-Bulletin Sidogiri. These two streams have intentionally or unintentionally provided the Pesantren with a ready-use of social capital to be converted as economic capital in its economic projects.

Purpose The study aims to examine the importance of access to finance in firm innovation by using firm-level data from the World Bank enterprise survey (WBES) on selected African countries. Design/methodology/approach This study utilises firm-level data from the WBES database and computes aggregate innovation index by using multiple correspondent analysis. The authors then apply instrumental variable models (to control for possible endogeneity between innovation and finance) to assess the link between finance and innovation. Findings The research finds that finance in the form of overdraft overwhelmingly drives innovation in all selected countries – Cameroon, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa. Trade credit enhances innovation among firms in Nigeria, South Africa and Cameroon, while asset finance drives innovation amongst firms in Cameroon, Nigeria and South Africa. Practical implications Policy incentives such as tax breaks could be put in place for financial intermediaries that have shown proof of extending loans to financially constraint firms to enable them to innovate. Furthermore, different financial institutions such as microfinance institutions can be supported to increase credit to enterprises. Partnerships with organisations willing to fund firms and support start-ups should be encouraged. One of such support mechanisms could be specialised schemes such as a credit guarantee scheme to encourage and secure lending to enterprises to promote innovation. Originality/value This paper provides empirical insights into how finance enhances innovation in African enterprises. It also shows how different finance structures (overdraft, asset finance and trade credit) affect firm innovation in different African countries.

Widely introduced competitive mechanisms (including in the financial services sector) require an assessment and measurement of the level of competition. Nowadays, the methods applied in practice are usually based on the calculation of indicators characterising market concentration. Simultaneously, little attention is paid to how consumers of services (represented by the population and business) assess the development of competition. Thus, the article presents a methodology for assessing the level of competition, which considers, among other things, the opinion of consumers. The methodology calculates a cumulative point score according to two groups of factors. The first group includes the so-called objective factors of competition development (independent of subjective opinion of consumers), while the other group presents subjective consumer assessments. The initial data for calculating the subjective component was gathered from population and business surveys. The assessment of objective factors is based on the materials of the Bank of Russia, as well as information published in open sources (financial reports of credit institutions, statistical databases of the Federal State Statistics Service, etc.). The proposed methodology was tested on various of regional financial markets: banking services, services of microfinance organisations, insurance. According to the obtained estimates, the examined markets can fall into one of three categories, namely, a market with developed competition, a market with insufficiently developed competition or a market with undeveloped competition. The calculation results show that the insurance market can be considered a market with developed competition in half of the analysed regions; the rest belongs to the category of markets with insufficiently developed competition. Based on the findings, it is possible to conduct a comparative analysis of the development of competition for individual markets and regions in general, as well as to examine relevant factors. In addition, objective competition and the development of competition noted by consumers of services can be compared.

Contrary to conventional understanding of microfinance delivery approach as either non-profit or for-profit model of delivery, the paper argues that there exists a middle path. The middle path assembles the scalability of a for-profit approach as well as the client-centredness of a non-profit approach. A community-based microfinance organisation, People’s Rural Education Movement (PREM), operating as a social movement organisation, has been able to successfully combine the pressure of outreach and sustainability without compromising on the focus on poverty. Through a federated structure, a holistic approach to poverty alleviation, and an emphasis on keeping the poor at the centre of decision making, PREM has been able to create an ‘enabling approach’ to microfinance which is demand-driven and maneuvered by people at the receiving end.

PurposeScholarly research has increasingly emphasised the need for more research that provides fine-grained empirical accounts of how context plays a role in sensemaking. The purpose of this paper is to provide an in-depth look at how broader institutional context shapes the sensemaking of organisational change in a novel empirical context of a Pakistani commercial bank.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative inductive case study of a commercial bank using interviews and archival material.FindingsActors make sense of an organisational change initiative by accessing broader societal institutional logics when the field-level organisational logics are not plausible. The consequences of such frame switching may include the provocation of emotionally charged perceptions of politics and moral valuations of legitimacy.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is based on a single organisational case study in a particular national context.Practical implicationsThis study urges organisational change leaders to consider the role of informal interpersonal relationships and culturally shaped, and emotionally charged, perceptions of change among the change recipients, beyond the technical considerations of the industry concerned. Instead of just focussing on official interaction and top-down communication, along with creating top-level “guiding coalitions” to manage change, organisational leaders need to be sensitive to informal channels at the lower rungs of the organisation to pick emotional reactions of change recipients.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the literature on sensemaking of organisational change by showing how the institutional context, a neglected factor in the literature, impacts sensemaking. The study also contributes to the empirical literature on microfinance (MF) by providing an in-depth account of a commercial bank that introduced MF as a product line.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the ways in which accountability is operationalised within the context of a South African microfinance institution (MFI). In particular, the authors consider the introduction of a tool to enhance consumer protection, the Client Protection Card (CPC), to deliver accountability within the case organisation. In contrast to prior research, the authors focus on accountability from the perspective of clients and fieldworkers. Design/methodology/approach A single in-depth case study of the introduction and implementation of a CPC in an MFI operating within South Africa was conducted. The case study and timing afforded an opportunity to gather unique data, given the MFI’s client-centred philosophy and the recent introduction of the CPC. The qualitative approach adopted for this research allowed collection of data through direct observations, interviews, a fieldwork diary and documentation. The theoretical framing for this paper views accountability as involving social practices, allowing us to foreground the existence of interdependencies among people interacting within the same organisation or system (Roberts, 1996). Findings The case study demonstrates that three aspects are critical to the success of the card: the design, which requires sensitivity to the local culture; the distribution, which demands for significant “sensemaking” work to be undertaken by fieldworkers; and the drivers for introducing the card, which need to be responsive to the clients’ perspective. The paper illustrates how well-intended tools of accountability can fail to deliver effectively, both for the organisation and the users, if they are not tailored appropriately to the needs of clients. Originality/value This paper differs from prior research as it explores the ways in which fieldworkers and MFI clients make sense of a tool of accountability, the CPC. Given that the CPC was designed to meet guidelines produced by international policymakers and domestic legislators, the paper provides a grassroots analysis of the effectiveness of the implementation of such tools from the perspective of clients and fieldworkers. This local focus allows the authors to examine the ways in which mounting global expectations for increased accountability of MFIs are being operationalised in practice.

Case overview Micro Finance Institution (MFI) named Rojiroti had been doing good work for weaker sections of the society and had brought about significant transformation in the lives of poor people, especially the Scheduled Castes, in villages of Patna district, the capital city of Bihar, India. Rojiroti was run by Centre for Promoting Sustainable Livelihood (CPSL) and had tested successfully a unique innovative model in micro financing which focused on helping the weaker sections by addressing their imminent needs which usually required very small loan amounts. With the various types of benefits people got from buying government subsidized ration to health and education in family to construct home or buy small livelihood assets. The beneficiaries developed high level of respect and trust for the MFI, Rojiroti. Rojiroti had received international recognition from universities such as University of Nottingham, UK; the University was not only researching on the model and its contributions to society, but also had supported it with funding to cater to its audience. Rojiroti did not believe in just providing finance to people like other microfinance institutions (MFI) or corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding by private and public sector organizations; its model focused more on creating capacities in the beneficiaries to sustain their livelihoods. However, after a decades time, Sunil, the protagonist in the case found himself in a situation where he had to decide for the future journey of Rojiroti after having reached a decent stage of growth The case discusses the journey of Rojiroti where the protagonist Sunil had a significant role to play and dwells upon the Rojiroti business model, its beneficiaries and value offerings to them, the changing environment outside and leaves the discussion open on the question of the choice of best road suited for Rojiroti. Teaching objectives The case is intended for the course on Strategic Management with a focus on business models topic. The case introduces the working of social cooperative business model and the nuances around it which is very much pertinent in today’s times where social enterprises have gained space in business and where businesses work around inclusive business models. The case is designed to provide supplemental support or discussion piece while dealing with business model / cooperative enterprise business model. This case provides opportunity to discuss strategic framework for an organization from the promoter’s perspective. The teaching notes is written from the perspective of the entrepreneur (the protagonist in this case, Sunil) who initiated the enterprise, with a learning goal to empathize and develop skills to have strategic decision making for a social enterprise. Leaning objectives The case is designed to provide supplemental support or discussion piece while dealing with business model / cooperative enterprise business model. This case provides opportunity to discuss strategic framework for an organisation from the promoter’s perspective. The teaching notes is written from the perspective of the entrepreneur (the protagonist in this case, Sunil) who initiated the enterprise, with a learning goal to empathize and develop skills to have strategic decision making for a social enterprise. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS: 3 Entrepreneurship.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to understand the relationship between the granting of microcredit in a community development bank and the performance of female solidarity enterprises.Methodology: This research is descriptive with a qualitative approach and a theoretical-empirical nature. The data were submitted to the content analysis technique for organisation and interpretation of the findings.Findings: From the results, it can be concluded that the granting of microcredit by the community bank can positively influence the performance of female solidarity enterprises, but it has some limiting factors, such as a low credit limit.Originality: This study analyses the relationship between the microcredit concession processes and the development of female solidarity enterprises.Keywords: Microfinance; Community development bank; Women's solidarity enterprises.

The performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) is crucial for ensuringthe efficient utilisation of funds deposited into the microfinance programmeby donors, as well as for assisting regulators in monitoring the institutions.Assessing the performance of MFIs involves examining its developmenttowards accomplishing its goals. Therefore, MFIs need to ascertain thechallenges to maintain their sustainability and sustain their operations.Additionally, MFIs should focus on aspects such as intellectual capital(IC) to ensure future sustainability. The aim of this research is to examinehow IC dimensions, specifically, customers, structure, human, and socialcapital, influence MFIs performance. A cross-sectional survey design wasused to gather data from 145 managers (48% response rate) from MFIs inMalaysia. In order to determine the sample size of the study, a purposivesampling method was employed. The research model was analysed byusing Partial least square-structural equation (PLS-SEM). Subsequently,the research model was validated using Smart PLS 3.2.5 and the proposedstudy hypothesis. The findings confirm that structural capital and customercapital positively influence the performance of MFIs, except for social andhuman capital. The research model explains 67.6% of the substantial amountof variance in MFIs performance. This research theoretically contributesto the extension of resource-based view (RBV) and social capital theory inDoes Intellectual Capital Explain the FinancialPerformance of Malaysia MFIs?Maryam Jameelah Hashim1, Syed Musa Alhabshi1, Nor Irvoni Mohd Ishar21Islamic Banking and Finance, International Islamic University Malaysia2Faculty of Business & Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam,Selangor, MalaysiaE-mail: jamieniz@yahoo.com, syedmusa@iium.edu.my, irvoni@salam.uitm.edu.myReceived: 5 June 2018Accepted: 18 September 20182Social and Management Research Journalpredicting the sustainability of MFIs. All the factors of IC were confirmed toimprove the performance of MFIs. This study proposed several remarkablerecommendations for microfinance institutions which suggested that MFIs’managers should resolve their organisational issues promptly. Furthermore,they should portray sensible consideration for their institutions by takingcare of IC and encouraging the practice of recognising intangible assets,especially their employees’ expertise and capabilities.

Purpose – This paper aims to develop an integrated waqf-based Islamic microfinance (IsMF) for poverty reduction in Bangladesh. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) have been constrained by the high cost of funds, high interest rate charges and poor human resource quality of the recipients. Islamic MFIs have recently evolved with the hope of overcoming these financial, ethical and human capital deficiencies faced by the conventional financial institutions. Moreover, a good number of integrated models have been proposed to enhance the role played by Islamic MFIs. Most of these models, however, lack empirical justifications. Design/methodology/approach – The research uses survey techniques. A total of 381 respondents were included in the survey. The integrated waqf-based Islamic microfinance model (IWIMM) was earlier on developed using literature and intellectual discussions. There are six constructs presenting the IWIMM, namely, waqf resources, IsMF, takaful, project financing, human resource development and poverty alleviation. In the survey instrument, 45 items represent the six constructs, but only 26 items have been retained after factor analysis. Structural equation modelling has been adopted to examine the relationship among the constructs. Findings – The results show that there are significant relationships between IsMF and takaful, waqf resources and human resource development, takaful and human resource development, IsMF and human resource development and, waqf resources and project financing. The results also indicate that poverty alleviation is possible through the integration of these constructs. Research limitations/implications – Though the paper has studied conventional and Islamic MFIs in Bangladesh, one of the populated Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries and also where poverty incidence is high, further studies need to be conducted in other OIC member countries to adopt the model in line with practical and regulatory environment of those countries. Similarly, the study is based on the perception of the respondents, which limits the generalization of the result. Practical implications – The paper proposed a model that has the potential of being applied for poverty alleviation programmes in most of the OIC member states. Originality/value – The present paper has developed an IWIMM for poverty reduction.

Purpose: This study was designed to understand the relationship between leadership behaviors and employees job satisfaction at microfinance banks. It also shows how and to what extent these leadership styles affect job satisfaction. Design: The questionnaire was used to collect data from 290 employees of the Microfinance Bank. The convenient sampling was used to gather data. The literature indicates that there is a correlation among all proposed variables. Researcher applied regression and Pearson correlation to get the results. Findings: The results show that participative behavior and supportive leadership behaviors have significant and positive effect on employees’ job satisfaction in Micro Finance Institutions of Khairpur. Value: no doubt this study found that participative behavior has significant relationship with employees’ job satisfaction and in increase the work productivity, it develops the sense of equivalence in work, it also encourages the essence of employees’ role in decision making, in this regard employees like to help organisation in organizational success Practical implications: Results of this Research mean that participatory leaders can participate in role modeling by providing employees with interesting workplace activities to increase job satisfaction. Recommendation: The population used for the survey was limited to 14 branches of MFBs in the Khairpur area.. Therefore, this study can be extended to a variety of other commercial and noncommercial organizations. This helps researchers to fully understand leadership style and its impact on job satisfaction. Limitation: This study is limited to certain MFBs of Khairpur district.

ABSTRAK Pengelolaan pembangunan desa islami adalah konsep pembangunan desa yang memiliki karakteristik tercapainya tujuan pembangunan sosial ekonomi yang berdimensi holistik, seimbang antara aspek material dan spiritual. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji pembahasan kajian-kajian terdahulu secara sistematis tentang konsep dan praktik pengelolaan pembangunan desa dalam perspektif islam. Dalam rangka melakukan review publikasi artikel secara sistematis, riset ini menggunakan standar protokol RAMESES. Hasil penelitian ini terbagi menjadi dua tema utama, yaitu peran dan fungsi lembaga keuangan mikro syariah dalam pembangunan desa dan Lembaga Swadaya Masyarakat dalam pengelolaan pembangunan desa. Tema pertama menghasilkan tiga subtema: praksis keuangan mikro syariah di Bangladesh, Malaysia, dan Indonesia. Tema kedua menghasilkan satu subtema yaitu peranan Pesantren dalam mendukung pengelolaan pembangunan desa. Hasilnya memberikan landasan untuk mengisi ruang-ruang yang belum dimasuki untuk membangun pengelolaan pembangunan desa yang komprehensif berdasarkan prinsip atau nilai Islam yang ideal. Kata kunci: Islami, Pengelolaan Pembangunan Desa, Systematic Literature Review. ABSTRACT Islamic village development management is a village development concept that has the characteristics of achieving socio-economic development goals with a holistic dimension, balanced between material and spiritual aspects. This study aims to systematically review the discussion of previous studies on the concepts and practices of village development management from an Islamic perspective. To conduct the article review systematically, this research was carried out using the RAMESES protocol standard. The results of this study are divided into two main themes, namely the role and function of Islamic microfinance institutions in village development and non-governmental organizations in managing village development. 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Many have argued that supporting women’s leadership is an important pathway to women’s empowerment. However, there is still a need for better understanding of how women become leaders, particularly at the grassroots level, and how they support social change. This article explores women’s leadership as part of a grassroots microfinance organisation, Rojiroti. Through interviews and focus group discussions, it finds that Rojiroti’s women leaders were motivated to become leaders to create better opportunities for their families and communities, and that they lead in line with frameworks of transformative leadership by supporting relationship building, by facilitating and guiding knowledge transfer and by providing space for reflection and skills for action (Wakefield, 2017). In particular, their situated knowledge was essential for inspiring shared vision for challenging unequal power relations. Overall, better understanding their leadership, that particularly nurtures relationships and collaboration, due to their position as being from the social groups they sought to support, is critical to the current challenges facing interventions and activism that seek to promote women’s empowerment and contribute to social change.

<p align="justify"><em>Baitul Maal Wat Tamwil (BMT) has been growing rapidly in Indonesia from year to year. However, its development has still not been followed by the legal rules. Some of them follow the legal system of Cooperatives, that are Act No. 25 of 1992 and </em><em>Decree of the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs, </em><em>No. 91 /KEP/M.KUKM/IX/2004</em><em> </em><em>about the Implementation Guidelines for Cooperative Operations of Islamic Financial Services (KJKS). However, after</em><em> </em><em>Act No. 1 of 2013 about Micro-finance Institutions had been issued, the legal institutional status of BMT and its supervision has become a problem for the existence of BMT. Therefore, this study met the issues of how the legal status and supervision of BMT before and after the issued Act No. 1 of 2013 about micro-finance institutions. </em><em></em></p><p align="justify"><em>This study was an empirical law rechtdogmatik against Act No. 1 of 2013 about Micro-finance Institutions. It used primary legal materials, namely the Micro-finance Institutions Act; the result of interviews; and documentation that were analyzed qualitatively. </em><em></em></p><p align="justify"><em>The result analysis showed that before the Law of Microfinance Institutions was issued, there were 3 groups of BMT, namely: BMT with the Cooperative legal entity and being supervised by the State Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs; BMT that were formed under the foundations legal entity; and BMT that were formed under Non Governmental Organisation. However, after</em><em> </em><em>Act No. 1 of 2013 had been issued, Microfinance Institutions should only have legal status, either as a cooperative or an incorporated company (PT). In addition, the supervision should be conducted by the </em><em>Financial Services Authority of Indonesia (</em><em>OJK) coordinated with both the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Nevertheless, the competence of supervision has still not been clearly regulated in the Microfinance Institutions Act, because the new law might effectively run two years after being enacted while the implemention is also still not regulated yet. </em><em></em></p><p><em>Thus, it should be recommended to make clear implementation rules in the legal status of Microfinance Institutions, especially for those not have legal entities as well as those should transform. Similarly, in terms of supervision, there should be a clear competence of supervision performed by the FSA and the two mentioned Ministry above. So, there might not be either overlapping or loose supervision.</em></p>

Purpose Post-independence, the rural credit market in India has undergone significant structural changes in order to enhance the availability and efficient use of credit. The purpose of this paper is to understand the challenges and changes in the Indian rural credit market in the post-independence period. Design/methodology/approach Using data from the All India Debt and Investment Survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation of the Government of India from 1971–1972 to 2012 and Reserve Bank of India in 1951–1952 and 1961–1962, the study focuses on three important aspect of rural credit market, i.e. the availability, sources and uses of credit. The analysis is based on both the national and state level data and uses the decadal growth rates to explain the changes in the rural credit market. Findings Availability of credit, in terms of volume and number of households indebted, has increased substantially. However, the sharp rise in outstanding debt is a matter of concern. The share of credit from institutional agencies has seen a continuous decline post liberalisation. The non-institutional agencies, particularly the professional moneylenders, continue to be the most preferred sources of credit owing to their flexible nature of operation. Interesting, microfinance has emerged as a major source of credit particularly for the poor rural households. The rise in credit usage for non-income generating activities amongst poor households is another important concern. Originality/value The study highlights some of the most important features and characteristics associated with the Indian rural credit market. An understanding of these issues would provide valuable insight for shaping the future policy responses.

The aim of this paper is to examine the development of microfinance in Vietnam from the early 1980s. This provides a particularly interesting case study in view of the large-scale changes that have taken place in the economy over the period, which has experienced the transition from a Central Economic Planning System towards a ‘socialist-oriented market economy’, with increased integration in the world economy. Starting from a framework, or taxonomy, of microfinance organisations, the paper explores how the two main objectives of microfinance organisations - of meeting the economic needs of borrowers and being sustainable - have eventually been met using a diversity of organisational forms.

This paper explores some of the possible drivers of the supply of a relatively new form of microfinance: microloans for distributed clean energy systems. The number of microfinance institutions offering this ‘green microfinance’ varies considerably across developing economies. Drawing from a sample of countries in Latin America, we consider whether the green microfinance market is attractive for firms to enter without the need for market interventions. That is, we test the hypothesis that entry will occur provided there is high demand for green microfinance and an absence of barriers to entry. We also test an alternative hypothesis that these conditions are insufficient and that direct support from governments or development organisations is required to promote market entry. Regression analysis using data sourced from development organisations, government databases and industry publications confirms our hypothesis and leads us to reject our alternative hypothesis.

Abstract The goal of this paper is to explore the Islamic Microfinance Instruments (IMFs) in attaining sustainable development goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh. Propose a conceptual model along with exploring the efforts in attaining SDGs to fill the gap. The methodology of the study predicated on secondary data includes existing relevant literature, books and annual reports of easily sampled IMFs and Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) in Bangladesh. The findings of the research show that microfinance organisations have a broader range to attain Sustainable Development Goals through their various investment modes. The analysis categorises the microfinance tools into large parts that are poverty decrease, end hunger for food, good health, equality education, clean drinking water, sanitation energy, gender equality, empowering women, and funding which have an optimistic effect to the real sector of the sustainable economic climate that will lead towards attaining SDGs. Microfinance organisations are carrying on their initiatives in attaining sustainable development goals through their various products. With growing the potentiality, microfinance has both direct and indirect effects on ensuring financial development, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion by creating work opportunity, distributing knowledge and skills, making self-dependent, protecting from undesirable effects. The paper also attempts to put suggestions to lessen the difficulties of microfinance performing as impediments to achieving the SDGs. Keywords: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), Islamic Microfinance Institutions (IMFIs), Poverty, sustainability, Bangladesh

This study examines the attributes of Samoan microentrepreneurs to identify the important determinants of business success measured by income. Using survey analysis, we find a positive association between participation in social support network, age of microentrepreneurs, and business income. Additionally, we find weakly significant results that participation of microentrepreneurs in microfinance increases their business income. Furthermore, we find that social support network participation has a positive and significant impact on microbusiness income. Our findings extend the results of prior studies, and should be of interest to government authorities, non-government organisations and microfinance institutions for policy planning and future improvements in the microfinance sector. We recommend for microfinance policy makers and practitioners to value the importance of creating safe environments for microentrepreneurs to interact with each other and with various groups from the community for support and growth.

Given that development initiatives could at from time to time be a “zero-sum game”, this study looks at the unforeseen effects of microfinance in Pakistan for females' “empowerment”. So as to discover the complexities of the microfinance impact on females in societies with various disadvantages in Pakistan, the research uses a participation-based methodology involving household “questionnaires surveys, focus group discussions and major interviews.” The effects of multiple regressions, median closure, and themes studies indicate that the financial effects of microfinance for women are often closely connected to disputes between spouses, child labour, heterosexual monogamy and the lack of supposed traditional women's duty due to their entrepreneurship. With limitations on scientific findings regarding the possible negative effects of females' “empowerment” in Pakistan, the study evaluated a crucial research gaps which will allow non-governmental organisations, policymakers and other stakeholders to design and execute better initiatives that minimize the adverse concerns