Global research pathways in rural microfinance: a bibliometric study based on web of science and Scopus database

Jesika Ghatode () and Gopi Nimbarte ()
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Jesika Ghatode: Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology
Gopi Nimbarte: Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology

Future Business Journal, 2025, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract Purpose Rural microfinance has become a crucial tool in global poverty alleviation efforts. Research has increasingly highlighted its role not only in combating poverty but also in empowering women and supporting adaptation strategies, particularly in low-income countries. The expanding body of literature in this area requires a thorough analysis to discern global research trends and key thematic developments. Methodology This study conducts a bibliometric analysis to systematically examine rural microfinance research, using data from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. Through performance analysis and science mapping techniques, implemented via Biblioshiny in R software (version 4.4.1), this analysis encompasses 1,225 studies published between 1989 and 2024. Findings The analysis indicates a marked upward trend in rural microfinance research, with performance analysis identifying the most productive countries, influential authors, key affiliations, and leading journals. Co-word analysis, used for scientific mapping, revealed 2,401 author keywords, highlighting prevailing topics and trends in rural microfinance. Thematic evolution analysis further identified significant, well-established themes and underscored critical research gaps, offering insights into emerging areas. These findings stress the need to address these gaps and encourage researchers and academics to explore emerging themes to expand and broaden rural microfinance research. Implications The study identifies several underdeveloped themes within the microfinance literature that warrant further exploration. Key emerging areas, such as the integration of financial technology with microfinance and the role of microfinance in promoting equitable access to energy for women, represent critical research gaps. Addressing these gaps could offer new directions for scholars, advancing both the field of microfinance and its wider socioeconomic impact. Originality This study makes an original contribution by focusing exclusively on the bibliometric analysis of rural microfinance, an area largely overlooked in existing research. While previous studies have used bibliometric methods to explore the broader microfinance field, there is a distinct lack of analysis specifically analysing the corpus of rural microfinance literature.

Keywords: Bibliometric analysis; Financial technology; Performance analysis; Rural microfinance; Women empowerment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1186/s43093-025-00484-z

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