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How Can Micro and Small Enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa Become More Productive? The Impacts of Experimental Basic Managerial Training

Author

Listed:
  • Yukichi Mano

    (National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies)

  • Alhassan Iddrisu

    (The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Ghana)

  • Yutaka Yoshino

    (The World Bank)

  • Tetsushi Sonobe

    (National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies)

Abstract

The vast majority of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in developing countries are located in industrial clusters, and the majority of such clusters have yet to see their growth take off. The performance of MSE clusters is especially low in Sub-Saharan Africa. While existing studies often attribute the poor performance to factors outside firms, problems within firms are seldom scrutinized. In fact, entrepreneurs in these clusters are unfamiliar with standard business practices. Based on a randomized experiment in Ghana, this study demonstrates that basic-level management training improves business practices and performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Yukichi Mano & Alhassan Iddrisu & Yutaka Yoshino & Tetsushi Sonobe, 2011. "How Can Micro and Small Enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa Become More Productive? The Impacts of Experimental Basic Managerial Training," GRIPS Discussion Papers 11-06, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies.
    • Handle: RePEc:ngi:dpaper:11-06
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    Keywords

    Africa; Ghana; industrial development; survival clusters; management training; randomized experiment;
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