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Published Article

Is Personal Initiative Training a Substitute or Complement to the Existing Human Capital of Women? Results from a Randomized Trial in Togo

Personal initiative training—a psychology-based mindset training program—delivers lasting improvements for female business owners in Togo. Which types of women benefit most? Theories of dynamic complementarity would suggest training should work better for those with higher pre-existing human capital, but there are also reasons why existing human capital might inhibit training participation or substitute for its effects. We examine the heterogeneity in treatment impact according to different types of human capital. We find little evidence of either complementarities or substitutability, suggesting this new business training approach can work for a wide range of human capital levels.

Title Is Personal Initiative Training a Substitute or Complement to the Existing Human Capital of Women? Results from a Randomized Trial in Togo
Author
  • Francisco Campos
  • Markus Goldstein
  • Leonardo Iacovone
  • Hillary Johnson
  • Michael Frese
  • David McKenzie
  • Mona Mensmann
Published in AEA Papers and Proceedings, 108, 256–261
Publication Date 01/05/2018
Thematic AreaGender and Employment
Project Addressing Gender Inequalities in Earnings and Productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa through Innovative Approaches
See Published Article

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