Analyzing the Impact of Microcredit Programs in Asia: A Meta-Regression Analysis Framework
Restricted (Penn State Only)
Author:
Prem Chandran, Sneha
Area of Honors:
Economics
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Michael David Gechter, Thesis Supervisor Nima Haghpanah, Thesis Honors Advisor Bee Yan Roberts, Faculty Reader
Keywords:
microcredit microfinance asia meta-analysis regression joint-lending women meta-regression poverty credit business profit profit
Abstract:
This study investigates the nuanced economic impact of microcredit, particularly focusing on the dimension of joint liability, within the Asian context through a meta-regression approach. Drawing upon Rachael Meager's pioneering work, the analysis jointly estimates the average effect and heterogeneity across different randomized studies, specifically examining the role of joint liability in microcredit schemes. Preliminary results suggest statistically insignificant effects of joint lending on business profit, with observed heterogeneity across studies. The study acknowledges the potential influence of varying geographic locations and microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the evaluations. While the findings may imply no effect of joint liability, alternative explanations, such as contextual differences among locations, MFIs, and other confounding characteristics are considered, which may contribute to the observed heterogeneity.
