"Bang for buck" in microfinance: Wellbeing mentorship or business education?

Abstract

Within the microfinance literature, there is a growing interest in institutional logics. This paper explores ways that microfinance institutions can overcome the logic-tension of offering developmental programs and maintaining financial stability. First, I conduct a randomized control trial in Uganda to examine the financial and non-financial outcomes of loan recipients. Second, I use results from the field experiment, in a resource allocation model, to optimize the goals of a lending institution. I find that wellbeing mentorship, rather than business training, is the best ‘bang for buck’ when considering the interests of both the women entrepreneurs and the microfinance lending institution.