Working papers
Working papers outline topical discussions on theoretical and policy-related issues in microfinance impact assessment using data generated from the Imp-Act action-research process.
No 1: Copestake, J. (June 2000) How can impact assessment better influence organisational learning?
Argues that there are significant learning points both for new clients and for the organisations who supply their services and products, which can result in improved, more targeted service provision. (Spanish version)
No 2: Simanowitz, A. with contributions from Johnson, S. & Gaventa, J. (June 2000) How can IA be made more participatory?
Explores how impact assessment can be made more participatory, and analyses the possible channels of impact of participatory impact assessment. (Spanish version)
No 3: McGregor, J. A. et al. (June 2000) How can impact assessment take into account wider social and economic impacts?
Considers wider impacts in terms of level of impact as well as types of impact. (Spanish version)
No 4: Paul Mosley et al. (June 2000) How can impact assessments facilitate stronger collaboration between DFOs?
Explores whether or not impact assessment can strengthen networks and professional organisations that exist to monitor and improve the performance of microfinance. (Spanish version)
No 5: Copestake, J. (2002) Horizontal Networks and Microfinance Impact Assessment: A Preliminary Appraisal
This paper draws on five case studies to explore potential benefits and barriers to horizontal networking to promote impact assessment of microfinance, with an aim to stimulate further discussion of the issue. (Spanish version)
No 6: Copestake, J. (2002) Unfinished Business, the need for more effective microfinance exit monitoring
Argues that high exit rates adversely affect both commercial and social goals of MFIs, and aims to expose the weakness of current exit monitoring practices and offers practical steps for improving the rigour and effectiveness of such practices.
No 7: Copestake, J., Johnson. S. & Wright, K. (June 2002) Impact Assessment of Microfinance: Towards a new Protocol for Collection of Analysis of Qualitative Data
Discusses the nature of demand for and supply of information on the impact of microfinance, and further clarifies the distinction between positivist/quantitative, participatory/interpretive and more rigorous qualitative methods.
No 8: Simanowitz, A. (January 2004) Issues in Designing Effective Microfinance Impact Assessment Systems
This paper looks specifically at the benefits of designing and implementing effective practitioner-focused client and impact assessment, arguing that to be effective it must be context-specific. (Spanish version)
No 9: Johnson, S. (September 2003) The dynamics of competition in Karatina's financial markets
Focusing on the town of Karatina in Central Kenya, this paper examines the impact of MFIs within the financial market by considering the ways in which competition and demonstration effects may have occurred both on other providers of financial services and on other users. (Spanish version)
No 10: Revolledo-Wright, K. (August 2004) Assessing the social performance of microfinance using the QUIP: findings from Huancayo, Chimbote and Cajamarca, Peru
This paper draws upon a series of studies of village banking programmes in Peru to argue in favour of using a qualitative in-depth individual interview protocol (QUIP) to reveal and analyse diverse impact.
No 11: Kabeer, N. and Noponen, H. (March 2005) Social and economic impacts of PRADAN's Self Help Group Microfinance and Livelihoods Promotion Programme
This report sets out the findings from a socio-economic impact study of PRADAN's Self Help Group (SHG) Microfinance and Livelihoods programme carried out in Jharkand, one of the poorest states in India.
