Training microentrepreneurs over Zoom: Experimental evidence from Mexico

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Development Economics
Year: 2024
Volume: 167
Issue: C

Authors (4)

Davies, Elwyn (not in RePEc) Deffebach, Peter (not in RePEc) Iacovone, Leonardo (World Bank Group) McKenzie, David (World Bank Group)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

Standard in-person business training programs are costly and difficult to scale to the millions of microenterprises in the developing world. We conduct an experiment to test the feasibility, cost-savings, and impact of delivering live training sessions over Zoom to microentrepreneurs in Mexico and Guatemala. We demonstrate that it is now feasible to both recruit and train self-employed women online, covering a wide geographic area, with few technology issues. However, the cost-savings over in-person classes are less than expected. Training improved business practices and performance over 2 months, but impacts had dissipated within 6 months.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:deveco:v:167:y:2024:i:c:s0304387823002006
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25