Bibliometric Exploration of Research on Microfinance: A Study of Scientific Production

Abstract

Microfinance has established itself as an essential tool for promoting financial inclusion, offering savings, investment, and microcredit services to individuals with limited access to traditional banking systems. These strategies are particularly relevant in contexts of poverty, where marginalized communities seek to improve their economic conditions in both urban and rural areas through access to financial services, enabling them to enhance their quality of life and contribute to the economic and social development of their communities. This study aims to address the following questions: What are the most frequent and relevant keywords in microfinance studies? What are the leading academic journals in this field? Who are the most influential authors and institutions in microfinance research? This led to a systematic bibliometric analysis of the existing literature in WoS and Scopus between 2014 and 2024. Relevant data on publications, citations, co-authorships, and collaboration networks were collected, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of the scientific production in microfinance during this period. The analysis was conducted using tools such as VOSviewer, Biblioshiny, and Excel, which facilitated the identification of clusters, the assessment of co-occurrence frequency, and the detection of nodes within the network. The results indicate a significant growth in microfinance research, reflected in an increase in the number of publications and the diversity of topics addressed. Key journals in the field were identified, as well as authors and institutions leading scientific production on the subject of study. Additionally, there was notable interest in this field from developing countries, particularly in Asia and Latin America. The discussion of the findings suggests that despite advancements in microfinance research, challenges remain in integrating theory and practice. Moreover, current trends indicate a growing focus on sustainability and innovation in microfinance services. The importance of strengthening collaboration networks among researchers and institutions is highlighted to address the complexities of the sector and maximize the social impact of microfinance.