The demand for, and consequences of, formalization among informal firms in Sri Lanka

Suresh De Mel, David McKenzie and Christopher Woodruff

No 18019, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We conduct a field experiment in Sri Lanka providing informal firms incentives to formalize. Information about the registration process and reimbursement of direct costs has no effect. Payments equivalent to one-half to one month (alternatively, 2 months) of the median firm's profits leads to registration of around one-fifth (alternatively, one-half) of firms. Land ownership issues are the most common reason for not registering. Follow-up surveys 15 to 31 months later show higher mean profits, but largely in a few firms which grew rapidly. We find little evidence for other changes in behavior, but formalized firms express more trust in the state.

JEL-codes: O14 O17 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-bec, nep-dev, nep-exp and nep-iue
Note: PR
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (34)

Published as Suresh de Mel & David McKenzie & Christopher Woodruff, 2013. "The Demand for, and Consequences of, Formalization among Informal Firms in Sri Lanka," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 5(2), pages 122-50, April.

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Related works:
Journal Article: The Demand for, and Consequences of, Formalization among Informal Firms in Sri Lanka (2013)
Working Paper: The Demand for, and Consequences of, Formalization among Informal Firms in Sri Lanka (2012)
Working Paper: The demand for, and consequences of, formalization among informal firms in Sri Lanka (2012)
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