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Performance and corporate governance in microfinance institutions

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  • Mersland, Roy
  • Strøm, Reidar Øystein

Abstract

We trace the relationship between firm performance and corporate governance in microfinance institutions (MFI) utilising a self constructed global data set on MFIs, collected from third-party rating agencies. We study the effect of board characteristics, ownership type, competition and regulation on the MFI's outreach to poor clients and its financial performance. The results show that split roles of CEO and chairman, a female CEO, and competition are important explanations. Larger board size decreases the average loan size while individual guaranteed loan increases it. No difference between nonprofit organisations and shareholder firms in financial performance and outreach is found.

Suggested Citation

  • Mersland, Roy & Strøm, Reidar Øystein, 2007. "Performance and corporate governance in microfinance institutions," MPRA Paper 3888, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:3888
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    Cited by:

    1. Janda, Karel & Turbat, Batbayar, 2013. "Factors Influencing Portfolio Yield of Microfinance Institutions in Central Asia," MPRA Paper 49549, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. Mira Nurmakhanova & Gavin Kretzschmar & Hassouna Fedhila, 2015. "Trade-off between financial sustainability and outreach of microfinance institutions," Eurasian Economic Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 5(2), pages 231-250, December.
    3. LAWAL Adedoyin Isola, 2014. "Clinical Analysis Of The Contributions Of Microfinance Institutions In Nigeria," Studies in Business and Economics, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 9(1), pages 95-108, April.
    4. Koen Rossel-Cambier, 2012. "Can Combined Microfinance Boost Economic Results? An Empirical Cross-sectional Analysis," Review of Economics & Finance, Better Advances Press, Canada, vol. 2, pages 79-94, August.
    5. Fahana Ferdousi, 2013. "Determinants of Performance of Microfinance Institutions: Cross Country Analysis," International Journal of Financial Economics, Research Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 1(4), pages 143-151.
    6. Afsheen Abrar & Attiya Y Javaid, 2016. "The Impact of Capital Structure on the Profitability of Microfinance Institutions," South Asian Journal of Management Sciences (SAJMS), Iqra University, Iqra University, vol. 10(1), pages 21-37, Spring.
    7. Janda, Karel & Turbat, Batbayar, 2013. "Econometric Analysis of Profitability of Microfinance Institutions in Selected Asian Countries," MPRA Paper 51430, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. James R. Barth & Chen Lin & Clas Wihlborg (ed.), 2012. "Research Handbook on International Banking and Governance," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 14045.
    9. Sekabira, Haruna, 2013. "Capital Structure and Its Role on Performance of Microfinance Institutions: The Ugandan Case," Sustainable Agriculture Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 2(3).
    10. Marcella Corsi & Marina De Angelis & Pierluigi Montalbano, 2013. "The Gender Impact of Microfinance: The Case of Wekembe in Uganda," Working Papers CEB 13-045, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    11. Nawaz, Ahmad & Iqbal, Sana, 2015. "Financial Performance And Corporate Governance In Microfinance: Who Drives Who? An Evidence From Asia," MPRA Paper 65327, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. DJOUFOUET, Wulli Faustin, 2018. "Statuts juridiques, gouvernance et performance des institutions de microfinance au Cameroun [Legal status, governance and performance of microfinance institutions in Cameroon]," MPRA Paper 93424, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 16 Feb 2019.
    13. Shubhashis Gangopadhyay & S.K. Shanthi, 2012. "Governance Issues in Indian Microfinance," Chapters, in: James R. Barth & Chen Lin & Clas Wihlborg (ed.), Research Handbook on International Banking and Governance, chapter 36, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    14. Mamadou Ndione & Diouf Diéne Kolly Ousseynou, 2020. "Rôle des institutions de microfinance dans le financement de l’entrepreneuriat féminin," Post-Print hal-02864437, HAL.
    15. Ben Soltane BASSEM, 2011. "Governance Quality and MFIS Repayment Performance," Review of Economic and Business Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, issue 8, pages 159-168, December.
    16. Cristián Pinto, 2015. "The Effect of Labor Market Flexibility on Microfinance Institutions Performance: International Evidence," Serie Working Papers 21, Universidad del Desarrollo, School of Business and Economics.
    17. Nawaz, Ahmad & Iqbal, Sana, 2015. "Does Social Performance Drives Corporate Governance Mechanism in MFIs? An Issue of Endogeneity," MPRA Paper 65312, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    18. Dan Brockington & Nicola Banks, 2014. "Exploring the Success of BRAC Tanzania’s Microcredit Programme," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series 20214, GDI, The University of Manchester.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Microfinance; MFI; corporate governance; performance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand

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