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  4. Private Sector Development

Private Sector Development

Objectives

This course addresses issues related to private sector development. In a context where most people in the world are born in low- and middle-income countries, job creation is a fundamental global concern. And yet, the private sector in these countries is typically underdeveloped - facing many barriers to growth, such as lacking infrastructure, limited access to financial capital, or insufficient training of both firm managers and employees. What policies can promote firm growth and employment creation? The course examines and discusses the most recent evidence on the main constraints to firm growth: Do firms need improved access to financial capital? What works best: microfinance, savings, credit, or cash grants? Are managers poorly trained? What types of training are most effective? How important are psychological barriers to business survival and growth?

General characterization

Code

2737

Credits

3.5

Responsible teacher

Cátia Batista

Hours

Weekly - Available soon

Total - Available soon

Teaching language

English

Prerequisites

n/a 


Bibliography

This course is based on academic articles which will be provided via the online platform 


Teaching method

Class learning will be based on presentations and discussion of recommended readings by the lecturer and students. Overall learning is expected to happen as students prepare the oral presentation and critical discussion of one of the papers in the reading list, complemented by a written report 


Evaluation method

- Class group presentation of one of the marked papers in the reading list (or a different related paper, subject to approval); [25% of final grade]

- Written individual referee report on a paper not discussed in class (paper can be from reading list or not, subject to approval); [25% of final grade]

- Final exam . [50% of final grade] 


Subject matter

Main Barriers to Firm Growth: Capital, Training or Non-Cognitive skills? Impact of Access to Financial Capital (Microfinance, Savings, Credit, Cash grants) and Fintech Human Capital and Types of Business Skill Training Complementarities between Financial and Human Capital Non-Cognitive Barriers to Business Survival and Growth Jobs for Subsistence Entrepreneurs?