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Training Microentrepreneurs over Zoom : Experimental Evidence from Mexico

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  • Davies,Elwyn Adriaan Robin
  • Deffebach,Peter William
  • Iacovone,Leonardo
  • Mckenzie,David J.

Abstract

Standard in-person business training programs are costly and difficult to scale to the millions of microenterprises in the developing world. The authors conducted an experiment to test the feasibility, cost-savings, and impact of delivering live training sessions over Zoom to microentrepreneurs in Mexico and Guatemala. This paper demonstrates that it is now feasible to 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 two months, but the impacts had dissipated within six months.

Suggested Citation

  • Davies,Elwyn Adriaan Robin & Deffebach,Peter William & Iacovone,Leonardo & Mckenzie,David J., 2023. "Training Microentrepreneurs over Zoom : Experimental Evidence from Mexico," Policy Research Working Paper Series 10574, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:10574
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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