Exploring the entrepreneurial outreach and financial performance of microfinance institutions as hybrid organisations

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are established to offer financial services to individuals who lack access to formal loans. Previous research has discussed the hybrid nature of MFIs, which emphasises both financial performance and social impact. However, limited studies have specifically focused on the dual objectives of MFIs concerning entrepreneurial outreach. In this study, we analysed data from 1,182 MFIs of 122 countries spanning almost 20 years to provide empirical evidence supporting the role of hybrid entities in promoting entrepreneurial outreach and financial performance. Our findings reveal a positive relationship between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) outreach and financial performance, indicating that MFIs that actively engage with SMEs achieve better financial outcomes. Conversely, we observe a negative impact of micro-entrepreneur outreach on financial performance. The implications of our research contribute to understanding the role of MFIs in fostering entrepreneurship and highlight the challenges associated with achieving both financial and social objectives.