DOES LANGUAGE USE AFFECT THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF MICROFINANCE BANKS?

Dear colleagues

In our most recent paper accepted for publication in Journal of World Business we study whether knowledge of a world language like English, Spanish and French have an influence on the performance of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs). And indeed it has. After controlling for country effects etc. we find that MFIs operating in English/Spanish/French-speaking countries have higher performance than MFIs operating in other markets. Moreover, we find that language also has an effect on partnerships between MFIs and international partners in Europe and North America. A closer language relationship between the international partner and the MFI has a positive effect on the MFI’s performance. We think our study is of relevance also outside the microfinance context. You can download and read the full study here: https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1Ypmi3u3RtdUg6    

Other CERSEM articles can be downloaded here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Roy_Mersland/publications

Best wishes

Professor Roy Mersland

Director Center for Research on Social Enterprises and Microfinance – https://cersem.uia.no/news/

UiA School of Business and Law

University of Agder, Norway

Tel: +47 924 34 333

https://www.uia.no/en/kk/profile/roym

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