Digital Training for Micro-Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries: Evidence from an RCT in Guatemala

Last registered on January 19, 2022
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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Digital Training for Micro-Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries: Evidence from an RCT in Guatemala
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0007433
Initial registration date
June 24, 2021

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
June 25, 2021, 1:38 PM EDT

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Last updated
January 19, 2022, 9:45 AM EST

Last updated is the most recent time when changes to the trial's registration were published.

Locations

Country
Guatemala
Region

Primary Investigator

Name
Alejandro Estefan
Affiliation
University of Notre Dame
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Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name
Paul Winters
PI Affiliation
University of Notre Dame
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PI Name
Romina Ordonez
PI Affiliation
IDB Invest
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PI Name
Martina Improta
PI Affiliation
IDB Invest
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Additional Trial Information

Status
In development
Start date
2021-09-01
End date
2022-05-31
Keywords
Education, Finance & Microfinance, Firms & Productivity, Gender
Additional Keywords
Business training, digital technologies, micro-entrepreneurship, development
JEL code(s)
L21, L26, M53
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
This project uses a field experiment to measure the causal impact of a low-cost digital training program for micro-entrepreneurs in Guatemala’s food retail sector on business knowledge, business practices, profitability, and empowerment. The experiment tests for the potential mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of digital training, including educational attainment, gender, and previous business experience.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Estefan, Alejandro et al. 2022. "Digital Training for Micro-Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries: Evidence from an RCT in Guatemala." AEA RCT Registry. January 19. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.7433-1.1
Sponsors & Partners

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Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
Intervention Start Date
2021-10-15
Intervention End Date
2022-05-31

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
Business profitability
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
1. Business knowledge
2. Business practices
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
The experiment comprises a single treatment that consists of (1) a digital training program administered through a mobile phone application and (2) personalized mentoring sessions with professional consultants. The digital training program comprises several video capsules on business management, including topics like financial management, marketing, and operations.
Experimental Design Details
Randomization Method
We will perform computer randomization to assign franchises into the treatment or control group. Randomization will be stratified. Using Stata, set a seed to the random number 327195.
Randomization Unit
"Casas del Pollo Rey" franchises.
Was the treatment clustered?
No

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
800 franchises.
Sample size: planned number of observations
800 franchises.
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
400 franchises control, 400 franchises digital training.
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
University of Notre Dame, Office of Research Compliance
IRB Approval Date
2021-03-28
IRB Approval Number
20-10-6283
Analysis Plan

Post-Trial

Post Trial Information

Study Withdrawal

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Intervention

Is the intervention completed?
No
Data Collection Complete
Data Publication

Data Publication

Is public data available?
No

Program Files

Program Files
Reports, Papers & Other Materials

Relevant Paper(s)

Reports & Other Materials