ABSTRACT This study explores the entrepreneurial potential of the rule-breaking practices of microfinance programs’ beneficiaries. Using the storyboard methodology, we examine the strategies employed by the poor in Burundi to bypass institutional rules. Based on 66 short interviews conducted in seven rural provinces of Burundi, our exploratory study analyzes the entrepreneurial potential in four instances of rule-evasion: consumption spending, illegitimate investment, loan juggling and loan arrogation. We argue that some of the unruly practices are in fact entrepreneurial, as they create tangible and intangible value for the rural poor at both household and community levels. These include strengthening social ties through gift exchange and ceremonies, which then help poor households to self-insure against shocks through social networks. By analyzing the push and pull factors for unruly behavior, we show that rule-breaking practices are often necessitated by the microfinance industry itself and call for increased flexibility and adaptability of microfinance products.

中文翻译：

---

不守规矩的企业家–调查布隆迪农村小额信贷客户创造的价值

摘要本研究探讨了小额信贷计划受益者违反规则的实践的创业潜力。使用情节提要方法，我们研究了布隆迪穷人采用的绕过制度规则的策略。基于对布隆迪七个农村省份进行的66次简短访谈，我们的探索性研究分析了四种规章规避情况下的创业潜力：消费支出，非法投资，贷款变戏法和放贷。我们认为，某些不守规矩的做法实际上是企业家精神，因为它们为家庭和社区两级的农村贫困人口创造了有形和无形的价值。这些措施包括通过交换礼物和仪式来加强社会联系，然后帮助贫困家庭自我保险，以免通过社交网络遭受冲击。