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  • 1
    Online Resource
    Online Resource
    Barriers to Entry and Returns to Capital in Informal Activities : Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa (2011)
    Washington, D.C : The World Bank
    Details
    Language: English
    Pages: 1 Online-Ressource
    Series Statement: Social Protection and Labor Discussion Papers
    Series Statement: World Bank E-Library Archive
    Abstract: This paper investigates the patterns of capital entry barriers and capital returns in informal Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE's) using a unique micro data set seven West-African countries. The author's findings support the view of a heterogeneous informal sector that is not primarily host to subsistence activities. While an assessment of initial investment identifies some informal activities with negligible entry barriers, a notable cost of entry is associated to most activities. The authors find very heterogeneous patterns of capital returns in informal MSE's. At very low levels of capital, marginal returns are extremely high- often exceeding 70 percent per month. Above a capital stock of 150 international dollars, marginal returns are found to be relatively low at around 4 to 7 percent monthly. The authors provide some evidence that the high returns at low capital stocks reflect high risks. At the same time, most MSE's appear to be severely capital constrained
    DOI: 10.1596/27365
    URL: Volltext  (Deutschlandweit zugänglich)
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    MPI Ethno. Forsch.
  • 2
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    Online Resource
    Constrained Gazelles : High Potentials in West Africa's Informal Economy (2012)
    Washington, D.C : The World Bank
    Details
    Language: English
    Pages: 1 Online-Ressource
    Series Statement: Other papers
    Series Statement: World Bank E-Library Archive
    Abstract: The informal sector is typically characterized as being very heterogeneous and possibly composed of two clearly distinct segments, sometimes called the lower and upper tier. However, empirical evidence shows that even among lower tier entrepreneur's profitability can be quite high. The authors combine these findings and develop an innovative approach to identify what is called constrained gazelles, next to the well-known survivalists in the lower tier and growth-oriented top-performers in the upper tier. The sample of informal entrepreneurs in seven West-African countries allows linking the relative size of these three groups to the structural and macroeconomic environment in these countries
    DOI: 10.1596/26877
    URL: Volltext  (Deutschlandweit zugänglich)
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  • 3
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    Credit-Constrained in Risky Activities? : The Determinants of Capital Stocks of Micro and Small Firms in Western Africa (2012)
    Washington, D.C : The World Bank
    Details
    Language: English
    Pages: 1 Online-Ressource
    Series Statement: Other papers
    Series Statement: World Bank E-Library Archive
    Abstract: Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in developing countries are typically considered to be severely credit constrained. Additionally, high business risks may partly explain why capital stocks of MSEs remain low. This article analyzes the determinants of capital stocks of MSEs in poor economies focusing on credit constraints and risk. The analysis is based on a unique, albeit cross sectional but backward looking, micro data set on MSEs covering the economic capitals of seven West-African countries. The main result is that capital market imperfections indeed seem to explain an important part of the variation in capital stocks in the early lifetime of MSEs. Furthermore, the analyses show that risk plays a key role for capital accumulation. Risk-averse individuals seem to adjust their initially low capital stocks upwards when enterprises grow older. MSEs in risky activities owned by wealthy individuals even seem to over-invest when they start their business and adjust capital stocks downwards subsequently. As other firms simultaneously suffer from capital shortages, such behavior may imply large inefficiencies
    DOI: 10.1596/26786
    URL: Volltext  (Deutschlandweit zugänglich)
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  • 4
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    Unlocking Potential : Tackling Economic, Institutional and Social Constraints of Informal Entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa (2011)
    Washington, D.C : The World Bank
    Details
    Language: English
    Pages: 1 Online-Ressource
    Series Statement: Other papers
    Series Statement: World Bank E-Library Archive
    Abstract: In the past two decades, research on the informal sector has emphasized the heterogeneity of this part of the economy, example in terms of entry costs, firm size, and access to credit, forward- and backward linkages as well as human and physical capital endowments. Yet, not much research has investigated the causes of this heterogeneity and the implied inefficiencies. This is true in particular for Sub-Saharan Africa, where informality dominates urban labor markets. Understanding these causes and the implied inefficiencies is however necessary to design policy interventions that are able to remove the most binding constraints for informal entrepreneurs. This note summarizes the main findings and policy conclusions from a research project that analyzes the quantitative importance of various constraints to informal enterprises in West Africa and Madagascar
    DOI: 10.1596/26878
    URL: Volltext  (Deutschlandweit zugänglich)
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  • 5
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    Online Resource
    How Much Does Utility Access Matter for the Performance of Micro and Small Enterprises? (2012)
    Washington, D.C : The World Bank
    Details
    Language: English
    Pages: 1 Online-Ressource
    Series Statement: Other papers
    Series Statement: World Bank E-Library Archive
    Abstract: The empirical evidence of the economic benefits of different utilities such as electricity, telecommunications and water is mixed and, in the case of micro and small enterprises, relatively thin. This paper therefore revisits this issue. Based on a unique, albeit cross-sectional, micro data set of informal firms in West-Africa, we find hardly any evidence for a significant contribution of access to different infrastructure services on enterprise performance. This absence of a systematic influence is attributed to the large heterogeneity of activities, motives and resources with which these informal firms operate. However, concentrating on a more homogenous sample of tailors in Ouagadougou, we find that their performance is positively influenced by access to electricity. In conclusion, our findings stress the heterogeneity of the informal sector, implying that a 'one-size-fits all' approach to the development of this sector is of little help
    DOI: 10.1596/26782
    URL: Volltext  (Deutschlandweit zugänglich)
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  • 6
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    A First Step up the Energy Ladder? Low Cost Solar Kits and Household's Welfare in Rural Rwanda (2016)
    Washington, D.C : The World Bank
    Details
    Language: English
    Pages: 1 Online-Ressource (80 p)
    Series Statement: World Bank E-Library Archive
    Parallel Title: Erscheint auch als Grimm, Michael A First Step up the Energy Ladder? Low Cost Solar Kits and Household's Welfare in Rural Rwanda
    Abstract: More than 1.1 billion people in developing countries are lacking access to electricity. Based on the assumption that electricity is a prerequisite for human development, the United Nations has proclaimed the goal of providing electricity to all by 2030. In recent years, Pico-Photovoltaic kits have become a low-cost alternative to investment intensive grid electrification. Using a randomized controlled trial, the paper examines uptake and impacts of a simple Pico-Photovoltaic kit that barely exceeds the modern energy benchmark defined by the United Nations. The authors find significant positive effects on household energy expenditures and some indication for effects on health, domestic productivity, and on the environment. Since only parts of these effects are internalized, underinvestment into the technology is likely. In addition, our data show that adoption will be impeded by affordability, suggesting that policy would have to consider more direct promotion strategies such as subsidies or financing schemes to reach the UN goal
    DOI: 10.1596/1813-9450-7859
    URL: Volltext  (Deutschlandweit zugänglich)
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  • 7
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    Online Resource
    Robust Speech : Recognition and Understanding (2007)
    [Erscheinungsort nicht ermittelbar] : IntechOpen
    Details
    ISBN: 9783902613080 , 9789535158035
    Language: English
    Pages: 1 Online-Ressource (470 p.)
    Keywords: Artificial intelligence
    Abstract: This book on Robust Speech Recognition and Understanding brings together many different aspects of the current research on automatic speech recognition and language understanding. The first four chapters address the task of voice activity detection which is considered an important issue for all speech recognition systems. The next chapters give several extensions to state-of-the-art HMM methods. Furthermore, a number of chapters particularly address the task of robust ASR under noisy conditions. Two chapters on the automatic recognition of a speaker's emotional state highlight the importance of natural speech understanding and interpretation in voice-driven systems. The last chapters of the book address the application of conversational systems on robots, as well as the autonomous acquisition of vocalization skills
    Note: English
    URL: kostenfrei
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  • 8
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    Online Resource
    Enabling Institutional Investment in Climate Smart Infrastructure (2020)
    Washington, D.C : The World Bank
    Details
    Language: English
    Pages: 1 Online-Ressource
    Series Statement: World Bank E-Library Archive
    Series Statement: Other Environmental Study
    Abstract: The world is not on track to address climate change. As countries move toward developing stimulus packages to stem the economic impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19), it will be vitally important to build the foundation for a more resilient, sustainable and prosperous future. The objective of this report is to explore innovative financing approaches and case studies for enabling institutional investment in "climate-smart" infrastructure projects in emerging markets that can help close the climate investment gap. The first chapter of the report introduces key concepts related to the need for increased levels of climate-smart investment and the potential of refinance and securitization as a tool to facilitate further institutional investor involvement. The second chapter discusses the challenges and opportunities to close the climate investment gap, highlights the different roles of government, DFIs, and institutional investors, and the opportunity to use green bonds and green securitization and other methods to attract institutional capital. The third chapter reviews and provides a framework to examine the interconnected layers of investment barriers specific to institutional investment in climate-smart infrastructure
    DOI: 10.1596/34327
    URL: Deutschlandweit zugänglich
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  • 9
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    Informal Sector Dynamics in Times of Fragile Growth : The Case of Madagascar (2011)
    Washington, D.C : The World Bank
    Details
    Language: English
    Pages: 1 Online-Ressource
    Series Statement: Other papers
    Series Statement: World Bank E-Library Archive
    Abstract: This paper investigates the dynamics of the informal sector in Madagascar during a period of fragile growth. Overall, the behavior of informal firms in terms of earnings, employment and capital accumulation points to a degree of heterogeneity which goes beyond a simple dualistic model and even a more refined model that would distinguish between an upper entrepreneurial and a lower subsistence tier within the informal sector. However, in line with the dualistic model, the informal sector indeed fulfills a labor absorbing function in times of crisis. During the growth period authors see capital accumulation in most of the sectors and lots of evidence that households expand their activities. However, this happens mainly through the creation of new firms instead of the expansion of existing ones, which is consistent with much higher returns at very low levels of capital. More rapid expansion can be observed in sectors that operate with lower capital intensity, which is also consistent with risk or credit constraints as major deterrents to expansion. While there is some indication that total factor productivity increased over time, returns to capital and labor where not higher at the end of the observation period than at the beginning. Returns are also rather low at high levels of capital. These findings point to a limited growth potential of the informal sector as a whole. The heterogeneity in capital returns hints at large inefficiencies in allocating capital across informal firms
    DOI: 10.1596/26798
    URL: Volltext  (Deutschlandweit zugänglich)
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  • 10
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    Online Resource
    Short-Term Impacts of Targeted Cash Grants and Business Development Services : Experimental Evidence from Entrepreneurs in Burkina Faso (2021)
    Washington, D.C : The World Bank
    Details
    Language: English
    Pages: 1 Online-Ressource (67 pages)
    Parallel Title: Erscheint auch als Grimm, Michael Short-Term Impacts of Targeted Cash Grants and Business Development Services: Experimental Evidence from Entrepreneurs in Burkina Faso
    Keywords: Agribusiness ; Agriculture ; Business Development Service ; Cash Transfers ; Entrepreneurship ; Finance ; Firm Support Program ; Grants ; Private Sector Development ; Randomized Control Trial ; Safety Nets and Transfers ; Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises ; Social Protections and Labor ; Social Safety Net
    Abstract: Most support programs targeted at small firms in low- and middle-income countries fail to generate transformative effects at a large scale due to poor targeting, too little flexibility, and the limited size of the support, among others. This paper assesses the short-term effects of a randomized targeted government support program for small and medium-size firms that were selected based on a business plan competition. One group received large cash grants of up to USD 8,000, with flexible conditions of use. A second group received grants of an equally important size but earmarked to business development services and thus less flexible and with a required own contribution of 20 percent. A third group served as a control group. All the firms operate in agribusiness or related activities in a semi-urban area. An assessment of the short-term impacts shows that beneficiaries of cash grants engage in better business practices, such as formalization and bookkeeping. They also invest more. Yet, this does not translate into higher profits and employment. There is no effect on investment and business practices among beneficiaries of grants for business development services. Yet, both treatment groups show a higher ability to innovate relative to the control group. The results also show that cash grants cushioned the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. A further round of data collection will soon allow assessing the longer-term effects of the interventions, which may differ from the short-term effects analyzed here as both interventions may need time to unfold their full effects
    DOI: 10.1596/1813-9450-9877
    URL: Deutschlandweit zugänglich
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