This edited collection presents recent developments, practical innovations, and policy reforms in the realm of microfinance in emerging markets. Microfinance has been hotly debated by ever-colliding camps of ardent supporters, who believe that microfinance addresses credit market failures and provides a durable answer to the problem of the poverty, and staunch critics, who argue that lending by microfinance institutions is wasteful, and the interest rates are too high. To bring further insight into this important debate, this book presents comprehensive historical, political, and economic perspectives on the latest issues in microfinance. An impressive array of scholars and practitioners build a framework for thinking about regulation to drive sustainable, inclusive development. With case studies of programs in India, Ghana, and Bangladesh, and examinations of the effects of gender and religion on financial decision-making, this comprehensive collection offers something valuable to scholars, policymakers, and practitioners—anyone with a vested interest in promoting innovation in microfinance.

Microfinance is a broad variety of services, such as microcredit, for entrepreneurs and small businesses lacking access to banking and other financial services. As many smaller businesses and entrepreneurs may not be able to secure credit services, many microfinance promoters believe that it encourages entrepreneurial activities and inclusive growth. Microfinance and Its Impact on Entrepreneurial Development, Sustainability, and Inclusive Growth is an essential resource that empirically explores the role of microfinance in entrepreneurship development and the operational sustainability of microfinance institutions. It also highlights the impact of microfinance on entrepreneurship development in different countries and regions. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as risk management, women entrepreneurship, and strategic management, this book provides essential research for entrepreneurs, business managers, policy makers, researchers in the field of finance, and business professionals seeking relevant research on microfinance systems.

This edited volume brings together research on symbiotic themes of entrepreneurship, resource planning, and regional development and their impact on global-local business imperatives. Discussions in this volume critically analyze the convergence of entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, business practices, public policies, political ideologies, and consumer values for improving the global-local business paradigm to support regional development. This book also delves into contemporary entrepreneurship models, converging business strategies towards entrepreneurial and industrial alliance in manufacturing, services, and marketing organizations. It contemplates the development of new business models and hybrid entrepreneurial perspectives to match the changing priorities of regional economic development in developing countries. This volume offers scholars new entrepreneurial visions and business perspectives of industries in emerging markets, while presenting a more integrated view to enable companies to innovate for long-term profitability and sustainability.

"This book offers great insight into theoretical, policy-oriented and practical ways to address some of the challenges of using microfinance for sustainable development in Africa"--

Buyske analyzes three themes in economic development: the global growth of microfinance, banking sector development, and Russian entrepreneurship.

This book offers a critical perspective on the issues related to women’s empowerment, microfinance, and entrepreneurship in India. Written by distinguishing experts in this field, this book highlights women’s empowerment, which is a process of entrusting power to an individual on the control over resources and decisions. However, these two factors are less effective in a society where religion and cultural dominance is high. The book sheds light on the social security measures undertaken by the government aiming to the right to work helped women who are bounded by social restrictions. Over time there is a shift in rural occupational structure towards non-farm activities, which is largely distress driven self-employment. Access to credit is a great source to provide self-employment that develops self-esteem among women and uplift their position. The book highlights the discrimination against women entrepreneurs in access to credit led to gender biased entrepreneurial society. Association with self-help groups (SHGs) has made women more socially empowered. SHG members help them to change their life in a positive manner through micro-entrepreneurial activities. The book has emphasized on the role of microfinance, which has served the poor to become financially self-reliant. It is observed that for second generation borrowers, the impact of microfinance seems to fizzle out, where MFIs who are gaining efficiency are diverting their objective of servicing poor, signalling a sign of mission drift.

This book provides a framework for understanding micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) as important contributors to economic growth. By examining the economic and investment decisions behind these businesses, the author shows how managers of MSMEs can add value to the firm by applying managerial finance tools. Early chapters establish the basic tenets of new venture development and financing and explore the economic environment that business-owners inhabit, focusing on venture capital, microfinance intervention, and public sector interventions. Later chapters guide the reader through the process of financial planning and forecasting, and valuation, finishing with insights into how to harvest investments and make sound financial decisions. The book has interdisciplinary appeal and offers a timely consideration of MSMEs in developing economies. It will be valuable reading for all interested in the management and development of small businesses, the finance of entrepreneurship and policy affecting small and medium sized enterprises.