Skip to main content

Microfinance Financial and Social Performance: An Introduction

  • Chapter
Microfinance Institutions

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Impact Finance ((SIF))

Abstract

Until a few years ago, most microfinance research was published in development journals and often focused on whether access to finance is beneficial for economically poor entrepreneurs and families (Mersland, 2009a). Over the last few years the scope of microfinance research has broadened. In particular, the ‘business’ of microfinance has become an important research area (Mersland, 2013a). The central question we seek to answer in this book is what influences the performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs). The book is thus about the business of MFIs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Beisland, L.A., & Mersland, R. (2013) ‘Earnings quality in the microfinance industry’. In Gueyie, J.P., Manos, R., & Yaron, J. Microfinance in Developing Countries: Issues, Policies and Performance Evaluations. Palgrave Macmillan, USA/UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beisland, L.A., Mersland, R., & Randøy, T. (2014) ‘Transparency and disclosure in the global microfinance industry: Implications for practice and policy makers’. In Forssbaeck and Oxelheim (Eds). The Oxford Handbook of Political, Institutional and Corporate Transparency. Oxford University Press, New York, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cull, R., Demigüc-Kunt, A., & Morduch, J. (2007). ‘Financial performance and outreach: A global analysis of leading microbanks’, The Economic Journal, 117(517), pp. 107–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freixas, X., & Rochet, J.C. (2008) Microeconomics of Banking, 2nd ed. MIT Press, London, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hermes, N., Lensink, R., & Meesters, A. (2011) ‘Outreach and efficiency of microfinance institutions’, World Development, 39(6), pp. 938–948.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G.H. (1980) Culture’s Consequences: International Differences in Work- Related Values. SAGE Publications, London, UK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Labie, M., & Mersland, R. (2011) ‘Corporate governance challenges in microfinance’. In Armendariz, B., & Labie, M. (Eds). The Handbook of Microfinance. World Scientific Publishing, Singapore.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manos, R., & Yaron, J. (2009) ‘Key issues in assessing the performance of microfinance institutions’, Canadian Journal of Development Studies, 29(1–2), pp. 101–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • McIntosh, C., & Wydick, B. (2005) ‘Competition and microfinance’, Journal of Development Economics, 78(2), pp. 271–298.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mersland, R. (2009a) ‘Corporate governance and ownership in microfinance organizations’. Doctoral Dissertations at the University of Agder 14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mersland, R. (2009b) ‘The cost of ownership in micro-finance organizations’, World Development, 37(2), pp. 469–478.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mersland, R. (2013a) ‘Guest editorial: Research trends in microfinance from the Third European Research Conference on Microfinance’, Enterprise Development and Microfinance, 24(4), pp. 273–274.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mersland, R. (2013b) ‘Market opportunities for microfinance institutions’, Enterprise Development & Microfinance, 24(4), pp. 282–294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mersland, R., & Strøm, R.Ø. (2008) ‘Performance and trade-offs in microfinance organizations - Does ownership matter?’ Journal of International Development, 20(4), pp. 598–612.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mersland, R., & Strøm, R.Ø. (2009) ‘Performance and governance in microfinance institutions’, Journal of Banking & Finance, 33(4), pp. 662–669.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mersland, R., & Strøm, R.Ø. (2010), ‘Microfinance mission drift?’, World Development, 38(1), pp. 28–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mersland, R., & Strøm, R.Ø. (2012) ‘The past and future of microfinance innovations’. In Cumming, D. (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Entrepreneurial Finance. Oxford University Press, New York, USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mersland, R., Randøy, T., & Strøm, R.Ø. (2011) ‘The impact of international influence on microbanks’ performance: A global survey’, International Business Review, 20(2), pp. 163–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morduch, J. (2000) ‘The microfinance schism’, World Development, 28(4), pp. 617–629.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood, D., & Hoff, B. (2007) Handbook on Responsible Investment Across Asset Classes. IRI, Boston College, Boston, USA.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Copyright information

© 2014 Roy Mersland and R. Øystein Strøm

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mersland, R., Strøm, R.Ø. (2014). Microfinance Financial and Social Performance: An Introduction. In: Mersland, R., Strøm, R.Ø. (eds) Microfinance Institutions. Palgrave Studies in Impact Finance. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137399663_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics