Monitoring in Small Firms: Experimental Evidence from Kenyan Public Transit

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2024
Volume: 114
Issue: 10
Pages: 3119-60

Authors (3)

Erin M. Kelley (not in RePEc) Gregory Lane (not in RePEc) David Schönholzer (University of Southern Califor...)

Score contribution per author:

2.681 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Small firms struggle to grow beyond a few employees. We introduce monitoring devices into commuter minibuses in Kenya and randomize which minibus owners have access to the data using a novel mobile app. We find that treated vehicle owners modify the terms of the contract to induce higher effort and lower risk taking from their drivers. This reduces firm costs and increases firm profitability. There is suggestive evidence that some firms expand. These results suggest that small firms may be able to utilize monitoring technologies to overcome problems of moral hazard and enhance their profitability.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:114:y:2024:i:10:p:3119-60
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-29