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Training microentrepreneurs over Zoom: Experimental evidence from Mexico

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  • Davies, Elwyn
  • Deffebach, Peter
  • Iacovone, Leonardo
  • McKenzie, David

Abstract

Standard in-person business training programs are costly and difficult to scale to the millions of microenterprises in the developing world. We conduct an experiment to test the feasibility, cost-savings, and impact of delivering live training sessions over Zoom to microentrepreneurs in Mexico and Guatemala. We demonstrate that it is now feasible to both 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 2 months, but impacts had dissipated within 6 months.

Suggested Citation

  • Davies, Elwyn & Deffebach, Peter & Iacovone, Leonardo & McKenzie, David, 2024. "Training microentrepreneurs over Zoom: Experimental evidence from Mexico," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:167:y:2024:i:c:s0304387823002006
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2023.103244
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Business training; Microenterprises; Digital delivery;
    All these keywords.

    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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