Can Self-Help Groups Really Be Self-Help?

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Greaney, Brian P.; Kaboski, Joseph P.; Van Leemput, Eva
• 署名单位: Yale University; University of Notre Dame; National Bureau of Economic Research; Federal Reserve System - USA
• 刊物名称: REVIEW OF ECONOMIC STUDIES
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0034-6527
• DOI: 10.1093/restud/rdw004
• 发表日期: 2016
• 页码: 1614-1644
• 关键词: field experiment; credit; IMPACT; institutions; INFORMATION; water

摘要

We provide an experimental and theoretical evaluation of a cost-reducing innovation in the delivery of self-help group microfinance services, in which privatized agents earn payments through membership fees for providing services. Under the status quo, agents are paid by an outside donor and offer members free services. In our multi-country randomized control trial, we evaluate the change in this incentive scheme on agent behaviour and performance, and on overall village-level outcomes. We find that privatized agents start groups, attract members, mobilize savings, and intermediate loans at similar levels after a year but at much lower costs to the NGO. At the village level, we find higher levels of borrowing, business-related savings, and investment in business. Examining mechanisms, we find that self-help groups serve more business-oriented clientele when facilitated by agents who face strong financial incentives.