Does microfinance foster the development of its clients? A bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review

Abstract This paper conducts a scientometric analysis and systematic literature review to identify the trends in microfinance outcomes from perspective of their recipients, specifically more vulnerable people, while also focusing on demand side. Applying keywords “co-occurrence networks” “citation networks,” we examined 524 studies indexed ISI Web Science database between 2012 March 2021. The subsequent content bibliometric-coupled articles concerns main research topics this field: socioeconomic microfinance, dichotomy social performance mission drift institutions, how entrepreneurship financial innovation, through crowdfunding, mitigate poverty empower vulnerable. findings reinforce idea that constitutes distinct field development thinking, indicate holistic approach should be adopted boost better understanding beneficiaries. will help policymakers, regulators, academics examine nuts bolts most relevant areas intervention.