Groups can also legitimise the behaviour of women leaders, who otherwise may have stood out in conservative community environments. While an organization with a stronger reputation was more likely to create this 'targeting' benefit for its members, politicization was a potential drawback. The studies all stressed the importance of transparency, accountability, and conflict management skills, particularly of leaders. Group performance, and hence the benefit of the group to its poorer members, is related to this, and lack of such skills and structures can lead to negative social capital . The research explored how MFI procedures, and the interactions of their staff, promote these characteristics.
Groups can be a catalyst for the emergence of leaders.
However, leaders are generally those better off and more educated. This is in part because poorer members feel they can't afford the extra time that leadership tasks often demand, and also because they are often illiterate and therefore are uncomfortable with the fact that they cannot write down what might happen at any meetings they are required to attend outside the group. Contrary to what was expected, groups generally were not fora in which members felt comfortable discussing issues directly relating to their home or personal situation. The six case studies, along with an introduction and synthesis of findings, are expected to be completed by Sept. 2000.