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The Impact of Soft-Skills Training for Entrepreneurs in Jamaica

Author

Listed:
  • Ubfal, Diego
  • Arráiz, Irani
  • Beuermann, Diether
  • Frese, Michael
  • Maffioli, Alessandro
  • Verch, Daniel

Abstract

A randomized controlled trial with 945 entrepreneurs in Jamaica shows positive short-term impacts of soft-skills training on business outcomes. The effects are concentrated among men and disappear 12 months after the training. The main channel is increased adoption of recommended business practices, exclusively observed in the short run. Persistent effects were observed on an incentivized behavioral measure of perseverance after setbacks, a focus of this training. An intensive course on soft-skills was compared to one that combines soft-skills with traditional business training. The effects of the combined training are never statistically significant.

Suggested Citation

  • Ubfal, Diego & Arráiz, Irani & Beuermann, Diether & Frese, Michael & Maffioli, Alessandro & Verch, Daniel, 2020. "The Impact of Soft-Skills Training for Entrepreneurs in Jamaica," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 10399, Inter-American Development Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:idb:brikps:10399
    DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0002450
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    Cited by:

    1. Lafortune, Jeanne & Pugatch, Todd & Tessada, José & Ubfal, Diego, 2024. "Can gamified online training make high school students more entrepreneurial? Experimental evidence from Rwanda," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    2. Gonzalez-Uribe, Juanita & Reyes, Santiago, 2021. "Identifying and boosting “gazelles”: evidence from business accelerators," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 103145, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Gensowski, Miriam & Gørtz, Mette, 2024. "The education-health gradient: Revisiting the role of socio-emotional skills," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    4. Rob Kim Marjerison & Rongjuan Chen & Yinan Lin, 2021. "The Nexus of Social Cause Interest and Entrepreneurial Mindset: Driving Socioeconomic Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-19, December.
    5. Albert Bravo-Biosca, 2020. "Experimental Innovation Policy," Innovation Policy and the Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 20(1), pages 191-232.
    6. Alessandro Maffioli & David McKenzie & Diego Ubfal, 2023. "Estimating the Demand for Business Training: Evidence from Jamaica," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 72(1), pages 123-158.
    7. González-Uribe, Juanita & Reyes, Santiago, 2021. "Identifying and boosting “Gazelles”: Evidence from business accelerators," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 139(1), pages 260-287.
    8. Thomas Le Barbanchon & Diego Ubfal & Federico Araya, 2023. "The Effects of Working While in School: Evidence from Employment Lotteries," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 15(1), pages 383-410, January.
    9. Marsh, Vic & Delavallade, Clara & Das, Smita & Rouanet, Lea Marie & Koroknay-Palicz, Tricia & McDaniel, Dawn, 2025. "Assessing Workplace Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Skills in Africa : The ESTEEM Framework," Policy Research Working Paper Series 11128, The World Bank.
    10. Takele Ayele Lambebo & Mekonnen Bogale Abegaz, 2025. "Does how to train matter? Unveiling an effective training approach to nurture successful entrepreneurs: a systematic review," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 1-18, December.
    11. Lafortune, Jeanne & Pugatch, Todd & Tessada, José & Ubfal, Diego, 2022. "Can Interactive Online Training Make High School Students More Entrepreneurial? Experimental Evidence from Rwanda," IZA Discussion Papers 15064, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    12. Le Barbanchon, Thomas & Ubfal, Diego & Araya, Federico, 2020. "The Effects of Working While in School: Evidence from Uruguayan Lotteries," IZA Discussion Papers 13929, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    13. Dammert, Ana C. & Nansamba, Aisha, 2023. "Skills training and business outcomes: Experimental evidence from Liberia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    14. Blimpo, Moussa & Pugatch, Todd, 2023. "Unintended Consequences of Youth Entrepreneurship Programs: Experimental Evidence from Rwanda," IZA Discussion Papers 16489, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    15. Brudevold-Newman, Andrew & Ubfal, Diego, 2024. "Soft-skills, networking, and workforce entry: Impacts of a training program for recent graduates in Rwanda," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    16. Gonzalez-Uribe, Juanita & Hmaddi, Ouafaa, 2022. "The multi-dimensional impacts of business accelerators what does the research tell us?," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 115461, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups

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