Description:
Purpose: This article examines the effect of demographic features of credit officers on
risk management in MFIs
Methodology: A dataset of 200 credit officers from 20 MFIs in Tanzania was used.
Descriptive and econometric models were used for analysis.
Findings: Work experience, age and education level of credit officers influence credit
risk management. Based on the information asymmetry theory the study observed that
the gender, marital status and the location of MFIs do not influence credit risk
management.
Practical implications: MFIs should consider the demographic profile of their credit
officers and employ educated, skilled and experienced personnel for screening and
monitoring the use of the loan to reduce the risk of the loan not being repaid.
Originality: The study contributes to the theory by showing that experience and
education matter in terms of organizations' ability to reduce information asymmetric
problems, which in turn helps risk management.