Islamic Microfinance, Self-Efficacy, and Women's Economic Resilience

Crossmark

Click to verify publication status

Authors

  • Amelia Resti Wulansari Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, Universitas Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia, 50196 image/svg+xml
  • Daryono Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics, Universitas Semarang, Indonesia (50196). image/svg+xml

Keywords:

Islamic microfinance, Women's economic resilience, Entrepreneurial self-efficacy, Sharia governance, Financial inclusion

Abstract

Objective: This essay aims to discuss the mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and the moderating role of Sharia governance strength in the relationships between the Islamic microfinance determinants and women’s household economic resilience.
Methods:  The primary data were obtained through a survey of women users of Islamic microfinance using a quantitative research design. The relationships in question were tested with the help of regression and mediation analyses employing bootstrapping.
Results:  The results show that Islamic microcredit, in combination with financial literacy and socioeconomic programs, directly and indirectly improves women’s economic resilience through an intermediary mechanism of an emotional and cognitive nature. The strong Sharia governance serves as a moderating variable in these positive relationships, enhancing the impact of microcredit on self-efficacy and economic resilience.
Novelty: The scholars provided an integrated framework based on the synthesis of the Resource-Based View, Social Cognitive Theory, and Institutional Theory, illuminating the operation of Islamic microfinance at the psychological and institutional level, which has been missed in the spotlight of the available studies.
Research Implication: With the created basic blueprint, the policy holders and practitioners can conceptualize the holistic functioning of Islamic microfinance, aiming at the enhancement of women’s economic resilience through a combination of financial access, capability building, psychological empowerment, and institutional trust.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

  • Amelia Resti Wulansari , Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, Universitas Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia, 50196

    Amelia Resti Wulansari is a researcher and academic affiliated with the Department of Management, Faculty of Economics, Universitas Semarang, Indonesia. Her scholarly interests revolve around Islamic management, ethical leadership, and the integration of faith-based values in organizational practices. Through her research titled “Manajemen Berbasis Nilai Islam: Membangun Kepemimpinan yang Amanah dan Profesional,” she emphasizes the importance of trustworthy and professional leadership rooted in Islamic ethical principles as a foundation for sustainable organizational growth.

     

     

  • Daryono, Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics, Universitas Semarang, Indonesia (50196).

    Dr. Drs. Daryono, M.S.I. is a senior lecturer and researcher at the Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics, Universitas Semarang, Indonesia (50196). His research expertise spans accounting ethics, Islamic economics, and education management. He has actively contributed to academic publications and holds a strong record of scholarly work indexed in national and international databases.

References

Abdullah, S., & Quayes, S. (2016). Do women borrowers augment financial performance of MFIs? Applied Economics, 48(57), 5593–5604. https://doi.org/10.1080/00036846.2016.1181831 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00036846.2016.1181831

Aman, A. (2019). Islamic marketing ethics for Islamic financial institutions. International Journal of Ethics and Systems, 36(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOES-12-2018-0182 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOES-12-2018-0182

Bandura, A. (1991). Social cognitive theory of self-regulation. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 248–287. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90022-L DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90022-L

Barney, J. B. (2018). Why resource-based theory’s model of profit appropriation must incorporate a stakeholder perspective. Strategic Management Journal, 39(13), 3305–3325. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.2949 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.2949

Barrett, C. B. (2007). Displaced distortions: financial market failures and seemingly inefficient resource allocation in low-income rural communities (pp. 73–85). Wageningen Academic. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3920/9789086866182_005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3920/9789086866182_005

Begum, H., Alam, A. S. A. F., Mia, M. A., Bhuiyan, F., & Ghani, A. B. A. (2018). Development of Islamic microfinance: a sustainable poverty reduction approach. Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, 35(3), 143–157. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEAS-01-2018-0007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JEAS-01-2018-0007

Cabeza-García, L., Del Brio, E. B., & Oscanoa-Victorio, M. L. (2019). Female financial inclusion and its impacts on inclusive economic development. Women’s Studies International Forum, 77, 102300. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2019.102300 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2019.102300

Cho, M. H. (1998). Ownership structure, investment, and the corporate value: An empirical analysis. Journal of Financial Economics, 47(1), 103–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-405X(97)00039-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-405X(97)00039-1

Corrado, G., & Corrado, L. (2017). Inclusive finance for inclusive growth and development. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 24, 19–23. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2017.01.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2017.01.013

Faizi, F. (2024). How are Islamic banking products developed? Evidence from emerging country. Cogent Economics & Finance, 12(1), 2378961. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2024.2378961 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2024.2378961

Faizi, F., Rohim, A. N. R., Surbakti, M. H. S., Munir, M., & Qulsum, U. Q. (2025). Ensuring Shariah compliance in the Fintech: a comprehensive analysis from Indonesia. Qualitative Research in Financial Markets, 1–31. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRFM-05-2025-0129 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/QRFM-05-2025-0129

Faizulayev, A. (2025). Empirical examination of ESG and fintech factors on financial sustainability: a comparative study of Islamic vs conventional banks in Islamic finance-oriented countries. Asian Journal of Accounting Research. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJAR-09-2024-0382 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/AJAR-09-2024-0382

Ghimire, P. R., Devkota, N., Maraseni, T., Khanal, G., Deuja, J., & Khadka, U. (2024). Does joint land ownership empower rural women socio-economically? Evidence from Eastern Nepal. Land Use Policy, 138, 107052. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2024.107052 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2024.107052

Gupta, S., Kumar, S., Singh, S. K., Foropon, C., & Chandra, C. (2018). Role of cloud ERP on the performance of an organization. The International Journal of Logistics Management, 29(2), 659–675. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-07-2017-0192 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLM-07-2017-0192

Haneef, M. A., Pramanik, A. H., Mohammed, M. O., Bin Amin, M. F., & Muhammad, A. D. (2015). Integration of waqf-Islamic microfinance model for poverty reduction: The case of Bangladesh. International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, 8(2), 246–270. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMEFM-03-2014-0029 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IMEFM-03-2014-0029

Hassan, M. K., & Aliyu, S. (2018). A contemporary survey of islamic banking literature. Journal of Financial Stability, 34, 12–43. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfs.2017.11.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfs.2017.11.006

Hill, M. A., & King, E. (1995). Women’s education and economic well-being. Feminist Economics, 1(2), 21–46. https://doi.org/10.1080/714042230 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/714042230

Hulus, A. (2025). Review of comprehensive approaches for encouraging innovation and inclusion in ETC education to foster women’s engagement. Discover Education, 4(1), 123. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00539-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00539-x

Koku, P. S. (2015). Financial exclusion of the poor: a literature review. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 33(5), 654–668. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBM-09-2014-0134 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBM-09-2014-0134

Kumar, K. (2020). Empowering women through microfinance: Evidence from Uttar Pradesh, India. Journal of Critical Reviews, 7(7), 1024–1029. https://doi.org/10.31838/jcr.07.07.187 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31838/jcr.07.07.187

Masrizal, Sukmana, R., & Trianto, B. (2024). The effect of Islamic financial literacy on business performance with emphasis on the role of Islamic financial inclusion: case study in Indonesia. Journal of Islamic Marketing, 16(1), 166–192. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-07-2022-0197 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-07-2022-0197

Muhamad, R., Melewar, T. C., & Faridah Syed Alwi, S. (2012). Segmentation and brand positioning for Islamic financial services. European Journal of Marketing, 46(7–8), 900–921. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090561211230061 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/03090561211230061

Mustafa, W. M. W., Islam, M. A., Hassan, M. S., & Kassim, M. A. M. (2024). The dynamics of financial retirement planning: financial attitude, health literacy, and the role of financial advisors with financial literacy as a moderator. Journal of Financial Services Marketing, 30(1), 3. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41264-024-00296-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41264-024-00296-2

Nguyen, N. P., & Mogaji, E. (2021). Financial Inclusion for Women in the Informal Economy: An SDG Agenda Post Pandemic BT - Gendered Perspectives on Covid-19 Recovery in Africa: Towards Sustainable Development (O. Adeola (ed.); pp. 213–236). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-88152-8_12 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-88152-8_12

Nik Azman, N. H., Zulkafli, A. H., Masron, T. A., & Abdul Majid, A. R. (2023). The interconnectivity between Islamic financial literacy and financial sustainability: evidence from Muslim micro-entrepreneurs in Malaysia. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, 16(4), 791–810. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIABR-07-2022-0191 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JIABR-07-2022-0191

Peter, S., Elangovan, G., & Vidya Bai, G. (2025). Unveiling the nexus: Financial inclusion, financial literacy, and financial performance as catalyst for women-owned enterprises in India. Journal of the International Council for Small Business, 6(4), 721–751. https://doi.org/10.1080/26437015.2024.2432385 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/26437015.2024.2432385

Qizam, I., Berakon, I., & Ali, H. (2024). The role of halal value chain, Sharia financial inclusion, and digital economy in socio-economic transformation: a study of Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia. Journal of Islamic Marketing, ahead-of-p(ahead-of-print). https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-03-2024-0108 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JIMA-03-2024-0108

Raimi, L., & Bamiro, N. B. (2025). Role of Islamic sustainable finance in promoting green entrepreneurship and sustainable development goals in emerging Muslim economies. International Journal of Social Economics. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-05-2024-0408 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-05-2024-0408

Said, M. M., & Elangkovan, K. (2014). Prosperity and Social Justice Consequences of Applying Ethical Norms of Islamic Finance : Literature Review. 5(2), 99–107.

Setiawan, I., & Royani. (2024). Analysis of International Trade Liberalisation In The Perspective of Islamic Economic Law Justice Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0). Asian Journal of Social and Humanities, 2, 2963–4946.

Sharma, S., Arora, K., Chandrashekhar, Sinha, R. K., Akhtar, F., & Mehra, S. (2021). Evaluation of a training program for life skills education and financial literacy to community health workers in India: a quasi-experimental study. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1), 46. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-06025-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-06025-4

Sikka, V., & Bhayana, P. (2024). Barriers to Comprehensive Financial Inclusion Across the Globe: From Sociocultural Norms to Systemic Challenges BT - E-Financial Strategies for Advancing Sustainable Development: Fostering Financial Inclusion and Alleviating Poverty (N. Mansour, S. Baral, & V. Garg (eds.); pp. 89–126). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-67523-2_7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-67523-2_7

Silva Afonso, Joana, Cox, Joe, Thorpe, Andy, & Khan, Ajaz Ahmed. (2025). Exploring the Impact of Client Heterogeneity on Microcredit Outcomes of a Qard Hasan Programme in Pakistan. Journal of Alternative Finance, 2(2), 195–210. https://doi.org/10.1177/27533743251335345 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/27533743251335345

Udohaya, N. (2025). Long-Term Sustainability of Financial Inclusion Strategies BT - Impact Investing and Financial Inclusion: Examining the Innovations that Empower the Underserved (N. Udohaya (ed.); pp. 491–505). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-87841-1_8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-87841-1_8

Zaimovic, A., Omanovic, A., Nuhic Meskovic, M., Arnaut-Berilo, A., Zaimovic, T., Dedovic, L., & Torlakovic, A. (2024). The nexus between digital financial knowledge and financial inclusion: digital financial attitudes and behaviour as mediators enhancing financial inclusion. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 43(2), 388–423. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBM-01-2024-0053 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJBM-01-2024-0053

Published

2025-09-10

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Resti Wulansari , A., & Daryono. (2025). Islamic Microfinance, Self-Efficacy, and Women’s Economic Resilience. Journal International Economic Sharia, 2(2), 111-128. https://doi.org/10.69725/jies.v2i2.290

Similar Articles

11-20 of 29

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.