Conceptual Structure and Knowledge Processes in Microfinance: Combining Bibliometrics and Systematic Reviews

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Management and Accounting, Technical and Vocational University (TVU), Tehran, Iran.

2 Faculty of Entrepreneurship, College of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

With the significant expansion of studies in the field of microfinance, conceptual fragmentation, diversity of implementation approaches, and lack of theoretical coherence have made it difficult to design comprehensive models and effective policies. The lack of structured reviews and bibliometric analyses has limited the ability to accurately understand the evolution of topics, key contributors, and research foci. To fill this gap, this article, using a bibliometric method and systematic review, extracts microfinance-related data from the Web of Science database between 1982 and 2023 and analyzes them with VOSviewer software. The results indicate the formation of three main clusters, including the dynamics of inclusive microfinance systems (with an emphasis on financial inclusion and banking access), governance and sustainability in microfinance institutions (with a focus on financial efficiency and performance), and microcredit and social empowerment pathways (including poverty reduction and women's empowerment). Frequent terms such as “microfinance,” “fintech,” and “poverty” indicate the conceptual focus of the research, while co-citation patterns confirm the paradigmatic dynamism of the field. Time trend analysis shows that approaches related to financial technologies and digital inclusion have grown significantly since 2015. By identifying gaps such as the lack of attention to lived experiences and gender analysis of financial institutions, the need for interdisciplinary frameworks and policy-oriented studies in the future is emphasized.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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  • Receive Date: 06 August 2025
  • Revise Date: 12 June 2026
  • Accept Date: 16 June 2026

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