Key findings: There are many indicators available that can be used to indicate improvements in the business environment. Some indicators focus on the microeconomic, business-focused factors, while others concentrate on the macroeconomic and policy factors. In addition to indicators with an explicit focus on business and investment climate, there are also indicators, such as ...» more
Beneficiaries’ perspectives in research on cash transfer and social protection programmes
The extent to which beneficiaries are included in cash transfer/social protection programmes, and the success and nature of this inclusion depends on a variety of factors, including the circumstances surrounding the programme’s inception and implementation; the ethos of the organisation(s) involved; and the nature of the programme itself. Researchers recognise that ...» more
Evaluations of programmes on women and work in low income countries
This report provides an overview of the findings of evaluations of programmes aiming to create jobs for women, improve their working conditions, and address unpaid work in low income countries. Most organisations that have programmes covering these issues work under the umbrella of women’s empowerment in general. Programmes aiming to create employment possibilities for women ...» more
Key messages from research on women and work in low income countries
Women in low-income countries continue to face significant barriers to obtaining paid work, and when employed suffer worse pay and working conditions than men. Although in the 1980s and 1990s women’s participation in labour markets in developing countries grew substantially, over the past ten years, the tendency toward increased participation has slowed down. Women are ...» more
Mapping key authorities on women and work in low income countries
This helpdesk research report provides an overview of key academics researching women and (paid and unpaid) work in low-income countries. The authorities live in, and work on, different geographical regions, and are based at universities and other research institutions. Many of the themes to do with women and work are crosscutting, demonstrated by the multiple areas of research ...» more
Evidence for the Supporting Investment Climate in FCASs
The investment climate is the set of factors that shape firms’ incentives to invest. Relevant factors include regulations, laws, infrastructure, and levels of corruption. This report assesses the evidence of low levels of investment in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCASs). It then examines the evidence of a link between an improved investment climate (IC) and economic ...» more
Improving the Investment Climate in Fragile and Conflict Affected States
There is little consensus about which interventions have been most successful in improving the investment climate (IC) in fragile and conflict-affected states (FCAS). This is partly because their primary aim – reducing risks to investors - is difficult to measure. It also relates to the considerable variation in the institutional and macroeconomic of FCAS states. As a World ...» more
Mapping Research on Inclusive Growth
This query response provides a mapping of organisations undertaking work on inclusive growth, highlighting key research themes. Where possible the contact details of relevant researchers are also provided.A large range of issues can be seen to have a bearing on the achievement of inclusive growth. These include: human capital accumulation, enabling institutions, inclusive ...» more
Inclusive Growth
Various barriers and constraints to poor people’s participation in growth are identified in the literature. These include:GeographyLimited investment in human capitalPoor healthLimited assets and access to creditEconomic insecuritySome of the literature argues that facilitating access of the poor to growth is insufficient to obtain inclusive growth; attention must also be paid ...» more
Economic Growth and Statebuilding
There is very limited literature that explicitly discusses linkages between (1.) economic growth and employment generation and (2.) state- and peace-building. As such, this helpdesk report relies on literature that makes implicit references to such connections. The following are a summary of key points that emerged from the review. The review did not uncover any information ...» more
Long-Term Job Creation in Fragile States
There is very limited literature on the promotion of sustainable longer-term employment in fragile states. Most resources on job creation focus on short-term job creation and income-generation in conflict-affected contexts. There is, however, some discussion on how to link short-term job creation efforts with longer-term action that lays the foundation for sustainable jobs ...» more