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Sustainability of Microfinance Institutions in Thailand

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  • Hemtanon, Wittawat
  • Gan, Christopher

Abstract

Microfinance programs play a vital role in poverty alleviation in developing countries; however, most microfinance institutions (MFIs) face the challenge of maintaining financial sustainability. While several studies have investigated factors affecting MFI financial sustainability, only a few focus on MFIs in Thailand. This paper uses the random effect model to study the determinants of Thai MFIs’ financial sustainability. Results show that sustainability is affected by the efficiency of Thai MFI staff members in managing borrowers and the MFIs’ ability to use their short-term assets to generate cash or revenue. Moreover, Thai MFIs do not benefit from economies of scale and do not reach the very poor households. This study recommends that MFIs should ensure that their social and financial goals are adequately balanced. It proposes that MFIs use a mixed approach: follow profit maximization principles and embrace technology to minimize operational costs.

Suggested Citation

  • Hemtanon, Wittawat & Gan, Christopher, 2022. "Sustainability of Microfinance Institutions in Thailand," Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development, Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), vol. 19(01), June.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:phajad:321904
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.321904
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Menkhoff, Lukas & Rungruxsirivorn, Ornsiri, 2011. "Do Village Funds Improve Access to Finance? Evidence from Thailand," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 110-122, January.
    2. Innocent BAYAI & Sylvanus IKHIDE, 2018. "FINANCING STRUCTURE AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF SELECTED SADC MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS (MFIs)," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 89(4), pages 665-696, December.
    3. Cheng Hsiao, 2007. "Panel data analysis—advantages and challenges," TEST: An Official Journal of the Spanish Society of Statistics and Operations Research, Springer;Sociedad de Estadística e Investigación Operativa, vol. 16(1), pages 1-22, May.
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    5. Joanna Ledgerwood, 1998. "Microfinance Handbook: An Institutional and Financial Perspective," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 12383, April.
    6. Hermes, Niels & Lensink, Robert, 2011. "Microfinance: Its Impact, Outreach, and Sustainability," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 39(6), pages 875-881, June.
    7. Boonperm, Jirawan & Haughton, Jonathan & Khandker, Shahidur R., 2013. "Does the Village Fund matter in Thailand? Evaluating the impact on incomes and spending," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 3-16.
    8. Shamima Nasrin & Rajah Rasiah & Angathevar Baskaran & Muhammad Mehedi Masud, 2018. "What determines the financial performance of microfinance institutions in Bangladesh? a panel data analysis," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(3), pages 1409-1422, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Umawadee Detthamrong & Lan Thi Nguyen & Wirapong Chansanam, 2023. "Leadership and Group Management: Key Success Factors for Microfinance Institutions in Chaiyaphum Province, Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-20, July.

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