Exploratory Research Grant Projects

This project investigates the idea that microfinance lending staff hired from outside the borrowing communities are not able to identify borrowers with 'high-growth potential' as reliably as the direct peers of the borrowers. 

This study uses the first-hand knowledge from microcredit clients' social networks to identify those entrepreneurs which are likely to be of high ability and earn higher rates of return.  

As prices for staple foods fluctuate seasonally, there is room for arbitrage by entrepeneurs. This project investigates potential barriers to arbitrage, such as missing credit markets, government policies, high costs, or entrepreneurial attitudes to develop policy insights into removing these barriers. 

This study quantifies the impact of temperature, humidity, and pollution on worker productivity while also estimating the co-benefits of introducing environmentally friendly technology such as LED lighting to worker productivity and firm profitability.