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Small business training to improve management practices in developing countries: re-assessing the evidence for ‘training doesn’t work’

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  • David McKenzie
Abstract
Despite the popularity of business training among policy-makers, its use has faced increasing scepticism. Most of the first randomized experiments could not detect statistically significant impacts of training on firm profits or sales. I reassess the evidence for whether small business training works, incorporating more recent results. A meta-analysis of these estimates shows that training increases profits and sales on average by 5–10 per cent. This is in line with what is optimistic to expect, but impacts of this magnitude are too small for most experiments to detect. I then discuss five approaches for improving the effectiveness of traditional training by incorporating gender, kaizen methods, localization and mentoring, heuristics, and psychology. The challenge is then how to deliver a quality programme on a cost-effective basis at a much larger scale. Three possible approaches to scaling up training are discussed: using the market, using technology, or targeting and funnelling firms.

Suggested Citation

  • David McKenzie, 2021. "Small business training to improve management practices in developing countries: re-assessing the evidence for ‘training doesn’t work’," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 37(2), pages 276-301.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:oxford:v:37:y:2021:i:2:p:276-301.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/oxrep/grab002
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