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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

participatory organizational development, social change, microfinance replication, China

College

Marriott School of Management

Department

Management

Abstract

Microfinance (or microcredit) is increasingly being recognized as an effective tool for promoting the socio-economic development of impoverished communities. The crisis of poverty is so great in every corner of the world that it is tempting to jump on the bandwagon of the “microcredit solution” and implement new programs modeled after successful programs elsewhere, without due regard to differing cultural and socio-economic contexts and needs. One of the major factors behind the success of the microfinance movement is its highly participatory structural design, yet there is great need for microfinance institutions (MFIs) to be innovative in designing the content and structure of their organizations. The opportunity to test a variety of new organizational models came when a team of mandarin-speaking BYU students was formed under the direction of Professor Warner Woodworth to assist several organizations in western China develop microfinance programs. It was the team’s intent to create in-depth case studies and recommendations for organizational design from their market research at potential project sites, as well as to train leaders of existing programs in participatory social change methods.

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