Narrow Results

In this paper, we provide a measure for both the prevalence and growth effects of informality in Turkey using firm-level data from the Turkish Economy. The survey is conducted in April–May 2013 covering 1000 representative firms interviewing owners/head managers of the firms. Based on the information given by these owners and managers, the survey makes a complete characterization of several firm characteristics, provides complete information on the extent of informality as well as its effects on various economic outcomes of these firms. The cross-sectional econometric analysis we conduct using the survey data shows that there is an inverted-U relationship between a specific measure of informality and growth expectations of firms. These results shed light on our understanding of the specific channels through which informality affects firms’ growth not only in Turkey but in other emerging markets as well.

This research presents empirical results about the importance of tax morale in the probability of tax compliance in social businesses. It highlights the relevance of increasing the intrinsic value to the social business owner on paying taxes, instead of the traditional approach of increasing punishment, to reduce non-compliance. The paper suggests changing the focus question from “Why don’t they pay taxes?” to “Why, despite the low probability of being punished for not paying taxes, do some social business owners comply with their tax contribution?”. The main results of the research point out that factors such as public expenditure in economic development increases the probability of tax compliance in social businesses, whereas public expenditure in social programs decreases this probability.

Efficiency is a crucial determinant of economic development, especially among microenterprises, which tend to be the prevalent economic units. This article estimates the efficiency of both formal and informal microenterprises in Mexico in the context of NAFTA (North American Free Trade). The Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition method is used to explain the factors behind the observed differences. Additionally, a detailed analysis with a decomposition by quantiles is provided. Formal microenterprises are found to be more efficient than their informal counterparts, with a narrow difference in 1994 widening by 2012. At the same time, the efficiency level declined for both groups of microenterprises over time. Two main conclusions are derived. First, microenterprise size distribution and the characteristics of the private sector influence the success of trade liberalization policies. Second, the overall decrease in efficiency, regardless of whether microenterprises are formal or informal, supports recent studies suggesting that economic, institutional and social constraints limit firm performance.

Under what circumstances does firm formalization yield net benefits for previously informal firms? We systematically assessed 22 primary studies in a meta-analysis of African, Asian and Latin American firms. The studies are published between 2011 and 2021 and provide 1,372 performance and business practice estimates: 40 percent of the estimates show significantly positive and 54 percent insignificant effects. The FAT-PET analysis suggests a small positive effect of formalization on firm performance. We also employ a multivariate analysis: The overall genuine effect is modest. There is a positive role for information and time for effects to materialize. Notably, more rigorous designs and recent studies tend to identify smaller and more dispersed effects. The modest effects cast doubt about the capacity of formalization policies to improve business performances suggesting that policies might better focus on prioritizing business productivity and managerial capability over formalization. Yet, we need further experimenting and fine-tuning of policy approaches to precisely identify what could make the candle of formalization worth the effort. The current evidence supports theories arguing that the rational cost-benefit argument is an overly simplistic representation of the decision to formalize and that formalization is an uncertain decision affected by multiple and interrelated aspects.

This study aims to identify the key determinants of the level of informalization of micro-enterprises in Nigeria. We seek to understand the motives of entrepreneurs doing business in different segments of the informal sector and to clarify further the relationship between formal and informal economic activity. To fill the research gap, we developed a theoretical framework that focuses on a decision matrix regarding the level of informality. The quantitative approach involved a sample of 120 entrepreneurs operating in the Nigerian informal economy. Our results show that institutional constraints significantly affect the decision to engage in the informal sector. The institutional constraint is related to ambiguity in tax assessment and business registration policies and procedures, including the mismanagement of those in power. We conclude that the presence of informal firms is not always as harmful as it sometimes is considered to be.

This paper explores the empirical relationship between informality and several indicators of financial development (FD) and financial inclusion (FI). We exploit a panel of 152 countries with annual information between 1991 and 2017. Using panel cointegration techniques, we find evidence of a negative long-run relationship between informality and FD/FI for different groups of countries. Moreover, exogeneity tests indicate that some FD/FI indicators cause less informality. Specifically, we find that in developing countries FD reduces informality when measured as “financial credit” and “bank credit”, whereas FI reduces informality when measured as “number of bank accounts”. These results suggest that higher credit and more bank accounts have contributed to reducing informality in developing countries in the long run. Additionally, we find evidence of double causality between informality and other FD/FI indicators in developing and Latin American countries.

The neoliberal planning theory, the subject of the paper, is derived from the policy substantiation of the neoliberal development ideology. The theory is built on participatory principles in the context of market force ruled by informality. This planning perspective has had the potential to sustain the imperial space economy associated with Africa since the mid-19th century. Neoliberal planning theory is regarded as a theory that seriously questions its planning cognate purports as it indicates the outlook for contemporary planning initiatives, perspectives and frameworks. This paper argues that this trend is potentially antithetical to the rhetoric of African renaissance and postulates a change in development ideology as an entry point for appropriate planning option for Africa.

This study examines the incidence of vertical mismatch among formal and informal workers in Thailand. Using the 2011, 2013, and 2015 Thailand Household Socio-economic Surveys, the study analyzes the relationship between vertical mismatch and wage penalties and premiums across four types of workers: formal government, formal private firm, informal private firm, and informal own-account workers. The incidence of overeducation is modest among the oldest cohort (8.7%) but prevalent among the youngest cohort (29.3%). Government employees face the highest overeducation wage penalties (28.2%) compared to matched workers, while in private firms, informal workers have consistently higher overeducation wage penalties than formal workers. Educated young workers are increasingly absorbed into low-skill informal work in private firms and face large overeducation wage penalties. The inability of many young workers to capitalize on their educational investments in Thailand's formal labor market is a concern for future education and employment policy development in Thailand.