Title: Performance of microfinance institutions in poverty alleviation: mapping the research front

Authors: Hasibul Islam Russell; Jinnatul Raihan Mumu; Md. Saiful Islam; Md. Abul Kalam Azad

Addresses: College of Business Administration, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology, Uttara Model Town, 1230, Bangladesh ' Department of Business and Technology Management, Islamic University of Technology, Gazipur 1704, Bangladesh ' Department of Finance and Banking, National University Bangladesh, Gazipur 1704, Bangladesh ' Department of Business and Technology Management, Islamic University of Technology, Board Bazar, Gazipur, 1704, Bangladesh

Abstract: Despite of a saturated literature on poverty alleviation through microfinance institutions, the link between performance of microfinance institutions and poverty alleviation has much scope to explore. Thus far, only 87 Scopus indexed documents are identified in this field. The aim of this paper is to scientifically map the existing literature using both bibliometric and systematic literature review. The findings of this study reveal the influential aspects of literature in terms of countries, institutions, journals, authors, articles, and topics. This paper also unveils five key research streams in existing literature: 1) social outreach, financial sustainability and poverty alleviation; 2) factors affecting MFIs; 3) efficiency of MFIs; 4) mission drift; 5) Islamic microfinance.

Keywords: microfinance; poverty alleviation; bibliometric analysis; systematic literature review.

DOI: 10.1504/AJAAF.2021.119207

African Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance, 2021 Vol.7 No.4, pp.301 - 325

Received: 21 Aug 2020
Accepted: 22 Mar 2021

Published online: 29 Nov 2021 *

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