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Behind the GATE Experiment: Evidence on Effects of and Rationales for Subsidized Entrepreneurship Training

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Listed:
  • Robert W. Fairlie
  • Dean Karlan
  • Jonathan Zinman

Abstract

Various theories of market failures and targeting motivate the promotion of entrepreneurship training programs throughout the world. Using data from the largest randomized control trial ever conducted on entrepreneurship training, we examine the validity of such motivations and find that training does not have strong effects (in either relative or absolute terms) on those most likely to face credit or human capital constraints, or labor market discrimination. On the other hand, training does have a relatively strong short-run effect on business ownership for those unemployed at baseline, but not at other horizons or for other outcomes. On average, training increases short-run business ownership and employment, but there is no evidence of broader or longer-run effects on business ownership, business performance or broader outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert W. Fairlie & Dean Karlan & Jonathan Zinman, 2012. "Behind the GATE Experiment: Evidence on Effects of and Rationales for Subsidized Entrepreneurship Training," NBER Working Papers 17804, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:17804
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D04 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Policy: Formulation; Implementation; Evaluation
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D22 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Firm Behavior: Empirical Analysis
    • H32 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Firm
    • H43 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Project Evaluation; Social Discount Rate
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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