Long-term benefits of membership in microfinance programmes
This study studies the benefits of membership in microfinance programmes, and examines whether membership in these programmes is an effective instrument in smoothing inter-seasonal consumption. We hypothesise that the benefits to participation accrue differentially over time, as more experienced participants are better equipped on their own to minimise per capita consumption fluctuations. Using an Euler equation approach, we show that consumption differentials across seasons are inversely related to length of membership. Estimates from the gender-stratified model suggest that for a female participant, 1 year of membership reduces the percentage change in per capita consumption, caused by a unit shock, by 6 per cent. We present simulation results confirming that as length of membership increases, the 'certainty equivalent' of the participant decreases. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Year of publication: |
2006
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Authors: | Menon, Nidhiya |
Published in: |
Journal of International Development. - John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., ISSN 0954-1748. - Vol. 18.2006, 4, p. 571-594
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Publisher: |
John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
Saved in:
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