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Religion, social desirability bias and financial inclusion: Evidence from a list experiment on Islamic (micro-)finance

Author

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  • Ahmad, Syedah
  • Lensink, Robert
  • Mueller, Annika

Abstract

In recent years, academic and policy research has placed increasing focus on the study of the attitudes of the Muslim poor towards Islamic and non-Islamic (micro-)finance to inform financial inclusion strategies. Survey questions are a common way to measure these attitudes and have been included into large-scale surveys such as the Global Findex. However, survey-based measures that ask about non-Islamic finance in an Islamic context may be affected by social desirability bias. In this paper, we propose a possible solution to this issue. We conduct the first list experiment designed to measure attitudes towards the usage of non-Islamic financial products and services, with 2,145 poor Muslims from Multan, Pakistan. Our list experiment uncovers that 37 percent of our sample use non-Islamic finance, almost twice as many as respond affirmatively to a similar direct survey question. Using our rich survey data on demographics, socio-economic factors and religiosity, we are further able to document substantial heterogeneity in the magnitudes of underreporting this usage in the direct survey question and in the usage of non-Islamic finance. We conclude by discussing the significance of our results in terms of (policy) implications and for the measurement of the demand for Islamic finance.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmad, Syedah & Lensink, Robert & Mueller, Annika, 2023. "Religion, social desirability bias and financial inclusion: Evidence from a list experiment on Islamic (micro-)finance," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 38(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:beexfi:v:38:y:2023:i:c:s2214635023000096
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbef.2023.100795
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Meunier, L. & Ohadi, S., 2023. "Exclusion strategy in socially responsible investment: One size does not fit all," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    List experiment; Islamic (micro-) finance; Social desirability bias; Field experiment; Pakistan;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C83 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - Survey Methods; Sampling Methods
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G51 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - Household Savings, Borrowing, Debt, and Wealth
    • P43 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Finance; Public Finance
    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion

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