Many microenterprises in developing countries have high returns to capital, but also face risky revenue streams. In principle, equity offers several advantages over debt when financing investments of this...
This report summarizes findings from a randomized control trial evaluating the work-progression and productivity toolkit (WPT). The goal of WPT is to provide female operators with skills that lead to promotion...
The World Bank Economic Review is a professional journal used for the dissemination of research in development economics broadly relevant to the development profession and to the World Bank in pursuing...
The majority of enterprises in many developing countries have no paid workers. This paper reports on a field experiment conducted in Sri Lanka that provided wage subsidies to randomly chosen microenterprises...
A business plan competition is conducted to test whether survey instruments or panel judges are able to identify the fastest growing firms. Participants submitted six- to eight-page business plans and...
We conduct a business plan competition to test whether survey instruments or panel judges are able to identify the fastest growing firms. Participants submitted six- to eight-page business plans and defended...
Management has a large effect on the productivity of large firms. But does management matter in micro and small firms, where the majority of the labor force in developing countries works? This study developed...
The World Bank Research Observer is intended for anyone who has a professional interest in development. Observer articles are written to be accessible to nonspecialist readers; contributors examine key...
This brief summarizes the results of a gender impact evaluation study, entitled One-time transfers of cash or capital have long-lasting effects on microenterprises in Sri Lanka, conducted during the time...
This brief summarizes the results of a gender impact evaluation study, entitled Returns to capital in micro enterprises : evidence from a field experiment, conducted in 2007 in Sri Lanka. The study observed...
This brief summarizes the results of a gender impact evaluation study, entitled Business training and female enterprise start-up, growth, and dynamics experimental evidence from Sri Lanka, conducted during...
This brief summarizes the when is capital enough to get female enterprises growing? Evidence from a randomized experiment in Ghana. The treatment was staggered from May 2009-February 2010. Standard models...
This brief summarizes the results of a gender impact evaluation study, entitled Are women more credit constrained? Experimental evidence on gender and microenterprise returns, conducted during the time...
Business training programs are a popular policy option to improve the performance of enterprises around the world, and the number of rigorous impact evaluations of these programs is growing. A critical...
A field experiment in Sri Lanka provides informal firms incentives to formalize. Information about the registration process and reimbursement of direct costs does not increase registration. Payments equivalent...
This note discusses one of a number of recent impact evaluations of business training programs. Further reading provides a link to a critical overview of this new literature.
Business training programs are a popular policy option to try to improve the performance of enterprises around the world. The last few years have seen rapid growth in the number of evaluations of these...
The authors conduct a randomized experiment among women in urban Sri Lanka to measure the impact of the most commonly used business training course in developing countries, the Start-and-Improve Your Business...
The majority of firms in most developing countries are informal. The authors of this paper conducted a field experiment in Sri Lanka that provided incentives for informal firms to formalize. Offering only...