IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/jglont/v14y2024i1d10.1007_s40497-024-00412-5.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The impact of micro finance institutions on the development of female entrepreneurship evidence from Tunisia

Author

Listed:
  • Mohamed Fitouri

    (University of Monastir)

  • Samia Karoui Zouaoui

    (University of Tunis El Manar, Fseg Tunis)

Abstract

This study examines the impact of microfinance services on the development of female entrepreneurship in Tunisia. A quantitative research methodology was used, combining descriptive and explanatory methods. A sample of 140 clients of the microfinance institution Enda Inter-arabe was randomly selected from a target population of 250 clients. The choice of Enda Inter-arabe is explained by its position as a leader in the microfinance sector in Tunisia and its mission to promote financial inclusion and economic development for disadvantaged populations, particularly women. A questionnaire was used to collect the data, which was analyzed using SPSS software. The findings from the mean descriptive analysis suggest that the financial and non-financial services provided by the microfinance institution had no significant effect on the quality of life or business growth for disadvantaged and low-income women. However, the correlation analysis indicates a strong positive relationship between the advancement of women entrepreneurs and factors such as savings practices, access to finance, skills development, and business support. The regression results indicate that the most significant factors influencing the development of female entrepreneurship are savings and the financial services of the microfinance institution.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohamed Fitouri & Samia Karoui Zouaoui, 2024. "The impact of micro finance institutions on the development of female entrepreneurship evidence from Tunisia," Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, Springer;UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, vol. 14(1), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jglont:v:14:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s40497-024-00412-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s40497-024-00412-5
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s40497-024-00412-5
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s40497-024-00412-5?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Du Rietz, Anita & Henrekson, Magnus, 2000. "Testing the Female Underperformance Hypothesis," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, February.
    2. Joanna Ledgerwood & Victoria White, 2006. "Transforming Microfinance Institutions : Providing Full Financial Services to the Poor," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 7086.
    3. Zouhayer Mighri & Asma Saghaier, 2019. "A Proposal of a Microcredit Granting Model for the Microfinance Associations in Tunisia," Iranian Economic Review (IER), Faculty of Economics,University of Tehran.Tehran,Iran, vol. 23(2), pages 259-296, Spring.
    4. Dean Karlan & Martin Valdivia, 2011. "Teaching Entrepreneurship: Impact of Business Training on Microfinance Clients and Institutions," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 93(2), pages 510-527, May.
    5. Aidis, Ruta & Estrin, Saul & Mickiewicz, Tomasz, 2008. "Institutions and entrepreneurship development in Russia: A comparative perspective," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 23(6), pages 656-672, November.
    6. Achouak Barguellil & Leila Bettayeb, 2020. "The Impact of Microfinance on Economic Development: The Case of Tunisia," International Journal of Economics and Finance, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 12(4), pages 1-43, April.
    7. De Vita, Luisa & Mari, Michela & Poggesi, Sara, 2014. "Women entrepreneurs in and from developing countries: Evidences from the literature," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 32(3), pages 451-460.
    8. Patricia G. Greene & Candida G. Brush & Myra M. Hart & Patrick Saparito, 2001. "Patterns of venture capital funding: Is gender a factor?," Venture Capital, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(1), pages 63-83, January.
    9. Naila Kabeer & Simeen Mahmud, 2004. "Globalization, gender and poverty: Bangladeshi women workers in export and local markets," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 16(1), pages 93-109.
    10. Maria Minniti & Wim Naudé, 2010. "Introduction: What Do We Know About The Patterns and Determinants of Female Entrepreneurship Across Countries?," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 22(3), pages 277-293, July.
    11. Beatriz Armendariz & Jonathan Morduch, 2007. "The Economics of Microfinance," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262512017, April.
    12. Anne De Bruin & Candida G. Brush & Friederike Welter, 2006. "Introduction to the Special Issue: Towards Building Cumulative Knowledge on Women's Entrepreneurship," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 30(5), pages 585-593, September.
    13. Takwa Zitouni & Khoutem Ben Jedidia, 2022. "Does Islamic microfinance contribute to economic empowerment in Tunisia?: a case study of Zitouna Tamkeen," Journal of Business and Socio-economic Development, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 2(1), pages 67-81, February.
    14. David A. Carter & Betty J. Simkins & W. Gary Simpson, 2003. "Corporate Governance, Board Diversity, and Firm Value," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 38(1), pages 33-53, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Abraham Abebe & Meketaw Kegne, 2023. "The role of microfinance institutions on women’s entrepreneurship development," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 1-24, December.
    2. Xuemei Xie & Jiuchang Lv, 2016. "Social networks of female tech-entrepreneurs and new venture performance: the moderating effects of entrepreneurial alertness and gender discrimination," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 12(4), pages 963-983, December.
    3. Franczak, Jennifer & Lanivich, Stephen E. & Adomako, Samuel, 2023. "Filling institutional voids: Combinative effects of institutional shortcomings and gender on the alertness – Opportunity recognition relationship," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PB).
    4. Tesfaye T. Lemma & Tendai Gwatidzo & Mthokozisi Mlilo, 2023. "Gender differences in business performance: evidence from Kenya and South Africa," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 60(2), pages 591-614, February.
    5. Sara Poggesi & Michela Mari & Luisa Vita, 2016. "What’s new in female entrepreneurship research? Answers from the literature," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 12(3), pages 735-764, September.
    6. Tolga Cebeci, 2015. "Performance of Female Employers in Turkey," World Bank Publications - Reports 25411, The World Bank Group.
    7. Cagla Okten, 2015. "Female Entrepreneurship in Turkey," World Bank Publications - Reports 25410, The World Bank Group.
    8. Tolga Cebeci & Sammar Essmat, 2015. "Women-Led Enterprises in Turkey," World Bank Publications - Reports 25409, The World Bank Group.
    9. Jorge, Velilla, 2017. "Feminization of entrepreneurship in developing countries? Evidence from GEM data," MPRA Paper 79997, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Justo, Rachida & DeTienne, Dawn R. & Sieger, Philipp, 2015. "Failure or voluntary exit? Reassessing the female underperformance hypothesis," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 30(6), pages 775-792.
    11. Xaver Neumeyer & Susana C. Santos & Michael H. Morris, 2019. "Who is left out: exploring social boundaries in entrepreneurial ecosystems," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(2), pages 462-484, April.
    12. Guillermo Andrés ZAPATA HUAMANÍ & Sara FERNÁNDEZ LÓPEZ & Isabel NEIRA GÓMEZ & Lucía REY ARES, 2017. "THE ROLE OF THE ENTREPRENEUR IN NEW TECHNOLOGY-BASED FIRMS (NTBFs): AN ANALYSIS ACCORDING TO CONTEXT DEVELOPMENT," Regional and Sectoral Economic Studies, Euro-American Association of Economic Development, vol. 17(2), pages 25-42.
    13. Aitzaz Ahsan Alias Sarang & Nicolas Aubert & Xavier Hollandts, 2024. "Board gender diversity and the cost of equity: What difference does gender quota legislation make?," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(2), pages 2193-2213, April.
    14. Hoang, Tuyen Thanh & Nguyen, Cuong Viet & Van Tran, Hoa Thi, 2019. "Are female CEOs more risk averse than male counterparts? Evidence from Vietnam," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 57-74.
    15. Nguyen, Thi Hong Hanh & Ntim, Collins G. & Malagila, John K., 2020. "Women on corporate boards and corporate financial and non-financial performance: A systematic literature review and future research agenda," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    16. Jiang, Yiqi & Jiang, Zhou & Chen, Zhijun, 2024. "Women entrepreneurship in China: A bibliometric literature review and future research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    17. Isabel Martínez-Rodríguez & Consolación Quintana-Rojo & Pedro Gento & Fernando-Evaristo Callejas-Albiñana, 2022. "Public policy recommendations for promoting female entrepreneurship in Europe," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 1235-1262, September.
    18. Nina Smith & Valdemar Smith & Mette Verner, 2006. "Do women in top management affect firm performance?A panel study of 2,500 Danish firms," International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 55(7), pages 569-593, October.
    19. Lars Ivar Oppedal Berge & Armando José Garcia Pires, 2020. "Gender, formality, and entrepreneurial success," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 55(4), pages 881-900, December.
    20. Brownhilder Ngek Neneh, 2017. "Family Support and Performance of Women-owned Enterprises: The Mediating Effect of Family-to-Work Enrichment," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 26(2), pages 196-219, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:jglont:v:14:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s40497-024-00412-5. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.