This study analyzes the difference in the decline in sales between small and medium-size enterprises and large firms (the "gap”) following the outbreak of COVID-19 in 19 developing countries. The decline in sales as a percentage of the pre-pandemic level was bigger for small and medium-size...

Ethnic fractionalization has both positive and negative consequences. It is contended that the positive effects due to skill complementarity in the production process apply to large firms that have more complex and diversified production structures. Because small businesses rely more on public...

The relationship between paid maternity leave and the share of female workers in registered private firms is analyzed using firm-level survey data for 111 developing and emerging countries. Theoretically, the relationship can be either positive or negative. Higher maternity leave raises the cost...