Is Microcredit a Reverse Innovation?

Abstract

The concept of reverse innovation can be defined on a spectrum ranging from narrow to broad. We look at the broad concept, which indicates that an innovation travels successfully from a developing country to a developed country. A few authors have indicated that microcredit is a reverse innovation. However, credit by itself is not an innovation, nor is lending to the poor. The essential feature of modern-day microcredit in developing countries is that it acts as a social innovation, using group lending, being primarily directed towards women and creating financially stable institutions. We do not find evidence that any of these features have been adopted by a developed country’s microfinance institutions (MFIs) in a sustainable manner. We consider that only the use of the words ‘microfinance’ and 'microcredit' have been adopted by developed countries to further the corporate image, and researchers should be aware that ‘microfinance’ holds different connotations in different regions.