Willingness Behavior of the Rural Poor to Participate in MFIs: Evidence from Bangladesh

Abstract

The main focus of this study is to examine the willingness behavior of the rural poor to participate in MFIs in Bangladesh. In so doing, the study uses the modified Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) as underlying theory. The study employs nine factors including seven demographic variables. Data are collected from 424 individuals from six regions of Bangladesh through face to face interview based on random sampling procedure. The results indicate that among nine variables seven are observed to be statistically significant to influence attitude toward willingness to participate in MFIs. Among seven significant variables five affect attitude negatively. Attitude variable also influences willingness to participate in MFIs negatively. This outcome would help the authorities of MFIs to understand the real forces that inhibits participatory attitude towards MFIs and mitigate those negative forces accordingly.

Keywords: Attitude, willingness to participate, rural poor, MFIs