Appropriation des dirigeants de la Responsabilité Sociale vers l'inclusion financière : Cas des Institutions de microfinance au Bénin

This paper aims to understand the factors that may explain social responsibility for financial inclusion in Benin's microfinance institutions (MFIs). To achieve this goal, we conducted a comprehensive qualitative study based on semi-structured individual interviews with the managers of 10 MFIs whose data were presented and processed according to thematic content analysis. Our results showed that the leaders of MFIs are aware of CSR, are aware of its existence and seize a symmetrical link between CSR and financial inclusion, and that this link is part of the coordination of behaviors, as well as in the convergence values of the different stakeholders of the institution. Because internal CSR management is seen not as a managerial and organizational constraint that consumes costs and time, but rather as an activity that allows the institution to generate direct and, above all, indirect benefits. Our results suggest that it may not be enough for MFIs to simply engage in CSR. Rather, CSR, perceived as coherent, can inspire positive attitudes and behaviors among leaders.