Sujani Thrikawala

Social Performance of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs): Does Existing Practice Imply a Social Objective?

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. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA

Board structure-performance relationship in microfinance institutions (MFIs) in an emerging economy

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between board structure, financial performance and outreach of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Sri Lanka, using unbalanced panel data for 300 MFI-year observations for the period 2007 to 2012. Design/methodology/approach Empirical research relating to governance practices in MFIs is still in its infancy, and further studies are needed to determine how improved governance practices may enhance sustainability and outreach of MFIs, especially in emerging economies. The authors use regression techniques to examine whether board structure has an influence on MFI performance. Findings After controlling for internal corporate governance variables, regulatory status, size, age, leverage and year effects, the authors report that board structure does contribute to the financial performance and outreach of MFIs in Sri Lanka. Research limitations/implications The availability of data in the public domain captures the major MFIs but does constrain the generalisability of findings. Practical implications This study enables individual MFIs to evaluate potential restructuring of their boards to promote a dual mission and achieve a more accelerated economic development. Social implications The findings may encourage policy makers to promulgate policy guidelines to deepen MFI outreach to the poorest people. Originality/value Inconsistent findings in prior studies and a general lack of empirical results for the microfinance industry have led to an unclear message regarding corporate governance and MFI performance. This study fills the research gap, contributing to the existing corporate governance literature in the microfinance sector and providing evidence from an emerging economy.

Dynamic endogeneity and corporate governance-performance relationship: Lessons from the microfinance sector

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between corporate governance (CG) and microfinance institution (MFI) performance, using a dynamic panel generalised method of moments (GMM) estimator to mitigate the serious issues with endogeneity. Design/methodology/approach Inconsistent findings and a general lack of empirical results for the microfinance industry leave an unclear message regarding the impacts of CG on MFI performance, especially in emerging economies. The authors use GMM estimation techniques to examine whether CG has an influence on MFI performance. Findings This study confirms that the MFIs’ contemporaneous performance and CG characteristics are statistically significantly positively linked with their past performance. This study finds statistically significant governance effects on MFI performance, including the presence of international directors and/or donor representatives on the board, client representatives on the board, percentage of non-executive directors and the quality of the national governance system. Practical implications These findings provide some insights for policy-makers and practitioners to develop suitable policies and guidelines to streamline MFIs’ operations in emerging countries. Moreover, national and international investors and donors may use these finding as a benchmark for their investment and funding decisions. Originality/value This paper is the first to estimate the CG and performance relationship of MFIs in a dynamic framework by applying the GMM estimation method. This approach improves upon traditional estimation methods by controlling the likely sources of endogeneity. Further, this paper examines whether quality of national-level governance characteristics is related to performance measures of profitability and outreach of MFIs.

Financial performance of microfinance institutions: does gender diversity matters?

Our study examines the relationship between gender diversity and financial performance of Sri Lankan microfinance institutions (MFIs). The OLS regression, fixed effect and random effect models are used to analyse an unbalanced panel data comprising 300 firm-year observations over the period 2007 to 2012. Our findings reveal that the institutions with female directors on the board have a significant negative effect on main financial performance but a significant positive relationship with the female CEOs and female chairpersons. We also find no significant relation between women leaders, operating cost and portfolio at risk 30 days of MFIs. This research provides insight for policy-makers regarding gender diversity on boards in Sri Lankan MFIs.