Study Details | Pathways to Work

169.169.02-Study of Microenterp

Study quality: Low

Low

Reason for the rating: This study received a low study quality rating because it is a quasi-experimental design that does not adjust estimated impacts for potentially important differences between the program and comparison groups.

Program: Microenterprise Assistance Programs (MEPs)

Services provided:

Financial education

Setting: Tested in multiple settings

Methods and Standards Protocol version used for review: Version 1.0

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Study design

Design:

Quasi-experimental design

Study group formation:

This study used a matched comparison group, quasi-experimental design to examine the effects of MEPs in the United States. The program group consisted of low-income microentrepreneurs who participated in an MEP at one of seven programs in the United States. The first comparison group consisted of low-income, self-employed persons who did not participate in one of the MEPs, and the second comparison group consisted of low-income wage workers who were not self-employed. The study used data from the Aspen Institute's Self-Employment Learning Project on program group members and selected the comparison group by matching program group members to Panel Study of Income Dynamics respondents based on age, education, race, gender, marital status, and the presence of young children. This review compares the program group and the second comparison group, which consisted of low-income wage workers who were not self-employed. Another review compares the program group and the first comparison group, consisting of low-income, self-employed individuals.

Time period of study:

1991 to 1995

Pathways to Work only reports results from studies with a study quality rating of high or moderate.

Sample characteristics

Age

Mean age

36 years

Sex

Female	69%
Male	31%

Race and ethnicity

White	51%
Another race	49%
Unknown or not reported	49%

The race and ethnicity categories may sum to more than 100 percent if the authors reported race and ethnicity separately; in these cases, we report the category White, rather than White, not Hispanic.

Family status

Married

46%

Employment and public benefit status

Had low incomes

100%

Program implementation

Implementing organization:

Women Venture (St. Paul, MN); Women's Self-Employment Project (Chicago, IL); Institute for Social and Economic Development (Iowa City, IA); Coalition for Women's Economic Development (Los Angeles, CA); Good Faith Fund (Pine Bluff, AR); Rural Economic Development Center (Raleigh, NC); and Portable Practical Education Program/Micro Industry Rural Credit Organization (Southwest United States).

Program services:

Individuals in the program condition received services from one of seven local MEPs. These programs provided training, technical assistance, and access to credit (including through peer-lending programs) for low-income individuals operating small businesses.

Mandatory services:

None.

Comparison services:

The comparison group consisted of low-income wage workers who were not self-employed.

Study publications

Sanders, Cynthia K. (2002). The impact of microenterprise assistance programs: A comparative study of program participants, nonparticipants, and other low-wage workers, Social Service Review 76(2): 322-340.

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Study of Microenterprise Assistance Programs (MEPs)—Wage workers