Firms
In addition to sharing evaluation summaries, policy insights and policy publications that summarize major lessons from the research, we support decision-makers like policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders apply rigorous evidence to their work, and fund new research through the Jobs and Opportunity Initiative (JOI).
Evaluation
A Safer Monitoring Tool to Help Workers Report Harassment in Bangladesh
Researchers evaluated how different ways of asking questions in surveys affect workers’ likelihood of reporting harassment at a firm in Bangladesh. A survey technique that gave people plausible deniability led to workers reporting more abuses, allowing the firm to access more accurate data on the...
Policy insight
Workplace interventions to improve worker well-being
Firm-level interventions aimed at improving the well-being of workers have led to safer workplaces, greater worker health, higher job satisfaction, and lower turnover. In some cases, these programs also increased workers’ productivity, which benefited their employers.
Blog
Expanding access to financing for SMEs
Access to finance is critical for firms to grow, innovate, and create jobs that help workers escape poverty. However, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) worldwide are often underserved by financial institutions. In this blog, we explore early findings on SME financing for policymakers...
Policy insight
Market access: Connecting firms and entrepreneurs to markets to spur business and job growth
Improved access to markets has often helped small firms in low- and middle-income countries grow by boosting firm revenues and profits. These interventions have been effective because they have led to new sales, helped firms connect with new types of buyers, and increased information sharing and...
Blog
The private sector’s role in worker well-being, sustainability, and inclusive growth: Reflections from researchers and businesses
What is the role of the private sector in improving the lives and livelihood conditions of workers in lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs)? How can we empower LMIC-based entrepreneurs to develop successful and sustainable businesses? And what are the potential benefits for businesses from...
Blog
Shaping the right incentives for firms to facilitate climate adaptation and improve environmental quality
IPA and JPAL have supported numerous rigorous research studies exploring diverse questions related to climate change and sustainable development. In particular, since 2020, the King Climate Action Initiative at J-PAL has funded several randomized evaluations addressing these questions as well as...
Blog
J-PAL partners with the IFC and IGC to discuss global supply chains, sustainability, and research collaboration
Can more firms learn from randomized evaluations to improve business operations in developing economies? How can development institutions better support clients to achieve sustainable growth and key performance improvements in terms of productivity, gender, work-related practices, skills, and other...
Policy insight
Teaching business skills to support microentrepreneurs
Traditional business skills training programs lead to modest increases in microentrepreneurs’ profits and sales. Alternative training programs can lead to larger impacts, but some programs require more definitive evidence of their effectiveness.
