Innovative approaches to addressing gender gaps in productivity and earnings

A significant part of the labor force in developing countries is engaged in small-scale entrepreneurship; however, many small businesses in these contexts suffer from low productivity. Policy makers in developing countries have been increasing efforts to support small-scale entrepreneurs in order to foster broad-based economic growth. One common policy response is to offer training to entrepreneurs; however, the results of managerial training on business performance have been mixed. In particular, women do not seem to benefit as much from training as men do. The psychological literature has shown promising results from training aiming to modify entrepreneurs’ mindsets, but more evidence is needed to confirm the robustness of these results.

This study is unique in that it compares the effects of two different types of training programs on entrepreneurs in a fragile state: a standard skills-based training program versus a personal initiative-based program. Furthermore, it seeks to understand which type of training is most effective for improving the performance of women-owned businesses.

External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation

Campos, Francisco et al. 2015. "Innovative approaches to addressing gender gaps in productivity and earnings." AEA RCT Registry. October 02. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.888-1.0

Former Citation

Campos, Francisco et al. 2015. "Innovative approaches to addressing gender gaps in productivity and earnings." AEA RCT Registry. October 02. https://www.socialscienceregistry.org/trials/888/history/5468

Sponsors & Partners

Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)

Intervention Start Date

2014-04-01

Intervention End Date

2014-08-31

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)

The primary outcomes of interest include business performance, measured as sales and profits, and firm survival. The pre-analysis plan details the secondary outcomes of interest and the specifications to be used.

Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)

Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

In this randomly controlled trial, 500 entrepreneurs were selected to participate in a managerial training, and 500 entrepreneurs were selected to participate in a personal initiative training. Entrepreneurs in each training group received 12 half-day sessions of classroom training followed by four months of one-on-one mentoring. The impact of each type of training will be measured in comparison with a control group, and the effects of the two types of trainings will be compared.

Experimental Design Details

Randomization Method

The randomization was done on a computer in front of representatives from the government, the project, the partners of the project, and the beneficiaries.

Randomization Unit

The randomization was done using stratified random sampling at the individual level.

Was the treatment clustered?

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters

This is not a clustered randomization. The selection is done at the individual level.

Sample size: planned number of observations

1,500 entrepreneurs

Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms

500 entrepreneurs in the managerial training group, 500 entrepreneurs in the personal initiative training group, 500 entrepreneurs in the control group

Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)

Supporting Documents and Materials

IRB