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Sustainability index of micro finance institutions (MFIs) and contributory factors

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  • Disha Bhanot
  • Varadraj Bapat

Abstract

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize the sustainability of micro finance institutions (MFIs) in a holistic manner. The idea is to create an index of sustainability for MFIs which includes financial and outreach aspects of sustainability. Further, it also discerns the factors which contribute to high (low) sustainability scores of MFIs. Design/methodology/approach - – Data on Indian MFIs was collected from Microfinance Information Exchange database. Using the technique of order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), an Index of sustainability is built by aggregating multiple indicators (operational self-sufficiency ratio, the average loan balance per borrower and the number of active borrowers) to arrive at composite sustainability score of MFIs. Contributory factors of sustainability were identified using a multiple regression model. Findings - – The sustainability score for MFIs ranges from a maximum score of 0.80 to a minimum of 0.26. Gross loan portfolio, No. of borrower per staff member, portfolio at risk>30 days and return on assets, are significant contributors to sustainability scores of Indian MFIs. Practical implications - – The index of sustainability is a useful tool to rank the MFIs on a multi-dimensional construct of sustainability. The study also helps to unravel factors that significantly contribute to sustainability of Indian MFIs. Originality/value - – This study is novel in its attempt to measure sustainability in a holistic fashion by focussing not just on the financial performance of the MFI but also on outreach dimensions. It is also unique in its approach to adopt a multi criteria decision-making technique of TOPSIS to measure sustainability of Indian MFIs.

Suggested Citation

  • Disha Bhanot & Varadraj Bapat, 2015. "Sustainability index of micro finance institutions (MFIs) and contributory factors," International Journal of Social Economics, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 42(4), pages 387-403, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:ijsepp:v:42:y:2015:i:4:p:387-403
    DOI: 10.1108/IJSE-01-2014-0001
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Niels Hermes & Marek Hudon, 2018. "Determinants Of The Performance Of Microfinance Institutions: A Systematic Review," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(5), pages 1483-1513, December.
    2. Wei Xu & Hongyong Fu & Huanpeng Liu, 2019. "Evaluating the Sustainability of Microfinance Institutions Considering Macro-Environmental Factors: A Cross-Country Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-22, October.
    3. Dilruba Khanam & Syeda Sonia Parvin & Muhammad Mohiuddin & Asadul Hoque & Zhan Su, 2018. "Financial Sustainability of Non-Governmental Microfinance Institutions (MFIs): A Cost-Efficiency Analysis of BRAC, ASA, and PROSHIKA from Bangladesh," Review of Economics & Finance, Better Advances Press, Canada, vol. 12, pages 43-56, May.
    4. Girma Jirata Duguma & Jiqin Han, 2018. "Effect of Deposit Mobilization on the Financial Sustainability of Rural Saving and Credit Cooperatives: Evidence from Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-23, September.
    5. Abrego, Adriana & Guizar, Isai, 2017. "Resilience of Agricultural Microfinance Institutions to Rainfall Shocks," 2017 Annual Meeting, July 30-August 1, Chicago, Illinois 258031, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    6. Syeda Sonia Parvin & Belayet Hossain & Muhammad Mohiuddin & Qingfeng Cao, 2020. "Capital Structure, Financial Performance, and Sustainability of Micro-Finance Institutions (MFIs) in Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-18, August.
    7. Hermes, Cornelis & Hudon, M., 2018. "Determinants of the Performance of Microfinance Institutions: A Systematic Review," Research Report 2018008, University of Groningen, Research Institute SOM (Systems, Organisations and Management).

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