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Explanatory factors behind formalizing non-farm household businesses in Vietnam

Author

Listed:
  • Jean-Pierre Cling

    (DIAL,IRD, Paris)

  • Mireille Razafindrakoto

    (DIAL, IRD, Paris)

  • François Roubaud

    (DIAL, IRD, Paris)

Abstract

(english) This article sets out to investigate the reasons why some household businesses decide to register and become formal (while others do not) in order to shed light on the origins of informality. We use qualitative as well as quantitative data on household businesses (HB) derived from first-hand representative surveys implemented in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. The study reveals that although most of the informal businesses operate ‘illegally’, this is more due to unclear registration legislation than the mark of a deliberate intention to evade the economic regulations.Among the different factors which influence the registration decisions, the reason for setting up the business appears to be a determining one: the more it is a real choice (businesses set up to be independent or to follow a family tradition) and the less a constraint (set up for lack of an job alternative), the more the HB is more inclined to be registered. Furthermore, the analysis highlights that incentives do prove decisive insofar as the probability of having a formal business is greater among HB heads who consider that registration provides at least partial protection from corruption. Besides, access to information, the market and large business orders also drive the informal entrepreneurs to register. These results stress the need for clarification of the legal framework as well as incentive policies in order to address the issue of informality. _________________________________ (français) Cet article se propose d'analyser les raisons pour lesquelles certaines unités de production (household businesses, HB) décident de s'enregistrer et de devenir formelles (et pourquoi d'autres ne le font pas) afin d'éclairer les origines de l'informalité. Nous mobilisons des données aussi bien quantitatives que qualitatives sur les HB, issues d'enquêtes représentatives et de première main conduite par nos soins à Hanoï et Ho Chi Minh ville. L'étude révèle que bien que la plupart des unités informelles opère "illégalement", ce trait procède plus d'une législation floue et méconnue que d'une volonté délibérée d'échapper aux régulations publiques. Parmi les différents facteurs qui jouent sur la décision de s'enregistrer, le motif qui a conduit à s'établir à son compte est déterminant : plus il s'agit d'un véritable choix (volonté d'échapper au salariat ou par tradition familiale) et moins il résulte d'une contrainte (manque d'alternative d'emploi), et plus le chef d'unité sera enclin à s'enregistrer. De plus, l'analyse met en évidence le rôle des incitations dans la probabilité de devenir formel. Ainsi, ceux qui considèrent que l'enregistrement protège (au moins partiellement) de la corruption sont plus nombreux à régulariser leur situation. Enfin, l'accès à l'information, aux marchés et aux commandes des grandes entreprises favorisent l'enregistrement. Ces résultats soulignent le besoin de clarification de la législation des entreprises ainsi que l'importance de politiques incitatives pour s'attaquer à la question de l'informalité.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean-Pierre Cling & Mireille Razafindrakoto & François Roubaud, 2012. "Explanatory factors behind formalizing non-farm household businesses in Vietnam," Working Papers DT/2012/20, DIAL (Développement, Institutions et Mondialisation).
    • Handle: RePEc:dia:wpaper:dt201220
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Oostendorp, Remco H. & Trung, Tran Quoc & Tung, Nguyen Thanh, 2009. "The Changing Role of Non-Farm Household Enterprises in Vietnam," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 632-644, March.
    2. repec:dau:papers:123456789/10627 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Nguyen Huu Chi & Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen & Axel Demenet & Mireille Razafindrakoto & Francois Roubaud, 2010. "Dynamics of the Informal Sector in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City 2007-2009," World Bank Publications - Reports 27581, The World Bank Group.
    4. Moser, Caroline O. N., 1978. "Informal sector or petty commodity production: Dualism or dependence in urban development?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 6(9-10), pages 1041-1064.
    5. Paulette Castel & Trung-Thanh To, 2012. "Informal employment in the formal sector: wages and social security tax evasion in Vietnam," Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(4), pages 616-631.
    6. Rand, John & Torm, Nina, 2012. "The Benefits of Formalization: Evidence from Vietnamese Manufacturing SMEs," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(5), pages 983-998.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Huu Chi Nguyen & Christophe J. Nordman & Fran�ois Roubaud, 2013. "Who Suffers the Penalty?: A Panel Data Analysis of Earnings Gaps in Vietnam," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(12), pages 1694-1710, December.
    2. Tshepiso Gaetsewe, 2020. "Characteristics of Firms in Botswana's Informal Economy," Working Papers 74, Botswana Institute for Development Policy Analysis.
    3. Brian McCaig & Jordan Nanowski, 2019. "Business Formalisation in Vietnam," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 55(5), pages 805-821, May.
    4. Thi Tran & Hai La, 2018. "Why do household businesses in Vietnam stay informal?," WIDER Working Paper Series 64, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    5. John Rand, 2017. "Comparing estimated and self-reported markups for formal and informal firms in an emerging market context," WIDER Working Paper Series 160, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    6. John Rand, 2017. "Comparing estimated and self-reported mark-ups for formal and informal firms in an emerging market context," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2017-160, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    7. Dumenu, William Kwadwo & Appiah, Louis Gyekye & Paul, Carola & Darr, Dietrich, 2023. "Should forest enterprises formalize? Insight from a multi-dimensional characterization of informal baobab enterprises," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    8. Le, Hoi Quoc & Vu, Thi Phuong Lien & Do, Vu Phuong Anh & Do, Anh Duc, 2022. "The enduring effect of formalization on firm-level corruption in Vietnam: The mediating role of internal control," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 364-373.
    9. Eunice Maria M. N. Dos Santos & João J. Ferreira, 2017. "Analyzing Informal Entrepreneurship: A Bibliometric Survey," Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship (JDE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 22(04), pages 1-20, December.
    10. Jann Lay & Tevin Tafese, 2020. "Formalization and productivity: Firm-level evidence from Viet Nam," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2020-164, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    11. Thi Bich Tran & Hai Anh La, 2018. "Why do household businesses in Vietnam stay informal?," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2018-64, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    12. Truong, Thao Duc & Bui, Phuong Cam, 2022. "The lasting effect of formalization on credit access: Evidence from Vietnamese private SMEs," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 47(PB).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Informal Sector; Vietnam; Registration; Corruption; Incentives.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements
    • N85 - Economic History - - Micro-Business History - - - Asia including Middle East

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