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Microenterprise As An Exit Route From Poverty:* Recommendations For Programs And Policy Makers

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  • Timothy Bates
  • Lisa Servon

Abstract

The objective of this study is to shed light on whether and how microenterprise programs can be used as an economic development strategy to enable low-income people to achieve self-sufficiency through self-employment. Our findings provide little support for the notion that hard work and a small loan are sufficient ingredients for business success. Viable small firms are usually headed by well-educated owners and/or those possessing specific skills that serve as a basis for successful business creation and operation. Potential entrepreneurs lacking assets, skills, and support networks are unlikely to support themselves through self-employment earnings alone. As a poverty alleviation strategy, microenterprise is not a panacea. Nevertheless, programs targeting the poor who do have skills, resources, and support networks can be useful vehicles for helping some to escape poverty.

Suggested Citation

  • Timothy Bates & Lisa Servon, 1998. "Microenterprise As An Exit Route From Poverty:* Recommendations For Programs And Policy Makers," Working Papers 98-17, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    • Handle: RePEc:cen:wpaper:98-17
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    File URL: https://www2.census.gov/ces/wp/1998/CES-WP-98-17.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lisa J. Servon, 1997. "Microenterprise Programs in U.S. Inner Cities: Economic Development or Social Welfare?," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 11(2), pages 166-180, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dr. J. G. Sri Ranjith & Dr. O. G Dayaratna Banda, 2014. "Determinants of Success of Small Business: A Survey-Based Study in Kuliyapitiya Divisional Secretariat of Sri Lanka," International Journal of Business and Social Research, MIR Center for Socio-Economic Research, vol. 4(6), pages 38-50, June.
    2. Schreiner, Mark & Woller, Gary, 2003. "Microenterprise Development Programs in the United States and in the Developing World," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 31(9), pages 1567-1580, September.
    3. Dr. J. G. Sri Ranjith & Dr. O. G Dayaratna Banda, 2014. "Determinants of Success of Small Business: A Survey-Based Study in Kuliyapitiya Divisional Secretariat of Sri Lanka," International Journal of Business and Social Research, LAR Center Press, vol. 4(6), pages 38-50, June.
    4. Christy, Ralph D. & Wenner, Mark D. & Dassie, Wylin, 2000. "A Microenterprise-Centered Economic Development Strategy For The Rural South: Sustaining Growth With Economic Opportunity," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Southern Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 32(2), pages 1-14, August.
    5. repec:mpr:mprres:6190 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Mark Schreiner, 1999. "Lessons for Microenterprise Programs from a Fresh Look at the Unemployment Insurance Self-Employment Demonstration," Evaluation Review, , vol. 23(5), pages 504-526, October.
    7. repec:mpr:mprres:5464 is not listed on IDEAS
    8. Del Roy Fletcher, 2005. "Providing Enterprise Support for Offenders: Realising New Opportunities or Reinforcing Old Inequalities?," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 23(5), pages 715-731, October.
    9. Lisa J. Servon, 2006. "Microenterprise Development in the United States: Current Challenges and New Directions," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 20(4), pages 351-367, November.
    10. Mark Schreiner, 2001. "Evaluation and Microenterprise Programs," Development and Comp Systems 0108002, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 27 Dec 2001.
    11. Nitin Bhatt & Shui-Yan Tang, 2001. "Making Microcredit Work in the United States: Social, Financial, and Administrative Dimensions," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 15(3), pages 229-241, August.
    12. Magnus Lofstrom, 2011. "Low-skilled immigrant entrepreneurship," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 25-44, March.
    13. Jeanne Bellotti & Sheena McConnell & Jacob Benus, "undated". "Growing America Through Entrepreneurship," Mathematica Policy Research Reports d3bbbcef77fe49cb988c23d84, Mathematica Policy Research.
    14. Jacob Benus & Sheena McConnell & Jeanne Bellotti & Theodore Shen & Kenneth Fortson & Daver Kahvecioglu, "undated". "Growing America Through Entrepreneurship: Findings from the Evaluation of Project GATE," Mathematica Policy Research Reports afeceaeccbf54835ae4f79e73, Mathematica Policy Research.
    15. Sultan, Yousuf & Masih, Mansur, 2016. "Does microfinance affect economic growth? Evidence from Bangladesh based on ARDL approach," MPRA Paper 72123, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    16. J. G. Sri Ranjith, 2015. "The Effect of Microenterprises on Poverty: A Cross-county Analysis on US Urban Poverty," International Journal of Economics and Empirical Research (IJEER), The Economics and Social Development Organization (TESDO), vol. 3(3), pages 128-150, March.
    17. Gregg A. Lichtenstein & Thomas S. Lyons, 2001. "The Entrepreneurial Development System: Transforming Business Talent and Community Economies," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 15(1), pages 3-20, February.
    18. Amaechi N. Nwaokoro & Abiodun Ojemakinde & Lee Washington, 2017. "The Merits of Specialized Microfinance Instruments and Their Feasibility in Alleviating Poverty in Albany-Dougherty County, Georgia," International Journal of Financial Research, International Journal of Financial Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 8(4), pages 134-147, October.

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