Irani Arraiz - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Irani Arraiz

Social Science Research Network, 2011

This paper estimates the impact of the conditional cash transfer program, Red de Oportunidades, o... more This paper estimates the impact of the conditional cash transfer program, Red de Oportunidades, on human capital outcomes in areas with different incidences of poverty: indigenous and rural non-indigenous areas of Panama. The analysis relies on data from the Living Standards Measurement Survey of 2008. It uses a propensity score matching technique to identify the impact of the program by replicating the selection criteria followed by the government. Our results show that the program increased school enrollment and was able to reduce child labor in both areas. In rural areas, the impact of the program on education outcomes was restricted to enrollment in middle school where we estimated an increase of 10.2 percentage points (pp). The program also increased the proportion of children that completed elementary school by 13.8 pp, although it did not have an impact on enrollment in elementary or high school. In indigenous areas, the impact of the program on education outcomes was restricted to enrollment in elementary school where we estimate an increase of 7.9 pp. Additionally, the results show that the program reduced child labor in children ages 12 to 15 in both areas: by 10.1 pp in rural areas and 15.8 pp in indigenous areas. With regard to preventive health care services, we found no evidence of impact on the numbers of visits to health care providers or the number of vaccines that children received. However, we estimated that the proportion of women who had a Papanicolau test screening because of the program increased by 11.7 pp in rural areas and 14.7 pp in indigenous areas. Sadly, we found that the program might also have led to an increase in the number of pregnancies in rural areas: the proportion of pregnant women in 2008 was 3.2 pp higher in the beneficiary group than in the control group, and the number of pregnancies since the beginning of the program increased by 0.44 among beneficiaries---despite the fact that the number of children ages 3 to 6, who were born before the implementation of the program, was not statistically different between the groups.Conditional Cash Transfer, Impact Evaluation, Panama

Social Science Research Network, 2008

In this paper we specify a linear Cliff and Ord-type spatial model. The model allows for spatial ... more In this paper we specify a linear Cliff and Ord-type spatial model. The model allows for spatial lags in the dependent variable, the exogenous variables, and disturbances. The innovations in the disturbance process are assumed to be heteroskedastic with an unknown form. We formulate a multi-step GMM/IV type estimation procedure for the parameters of the model. We then establish the limiting distribution of our suggested estimators, and give consistent estimators for their asymptotic variance covariance matrices, utilizing results given in Kelejian and Prucha (2007b). Monte Carlo results are given which suggest that the derived large sample distribution provides a good approximation to the actual small sample distribution of our estimators.

RePEc: Research Papers in Economics, Dec 3, 2006

Abstract This paper proposes a dynamic model of sovereign debt that combines default, settlement,... more Abstract This paper proposes a dynamic model of sovereign debt that combines default, settlement, and repayment history. The model addresses two questions: 1) how level of debt and income profile affect the length of time a country in default is excluded from the ...

RePEc: Research Papers in Economics, Sep 30, 2012

This paper studies the effect of government-backed partial credit guarantees on firms' performanc... more This paper studies the effect of government-backed partial credit guarantees on firms' performance in Colombia. These guarantees are automatically granted by the National Guarantee Fund (NGF) to firms without enough collateral in order to lift their credit constraints. We put together a panel of firms covering the period 1997-2007 that allow us to control for observed and unobserved firm characteristics, which could affect both the selection of firms into the program and firms' performance. We find that firms that gain access to credit backed by the NGF were able to grow in terms of both output and employment. We do not find, however, any effect on productivity, wages, or investment.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) often face greater credit constraints than large firms becaus... more Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) often face greater credit constraints than large firms because they lack audited financial statements and other information about their operations, and as a result, financial institutions have difficulties assessing the risk of lending to them. The Entrepreneurial Finance Lab (EFL) has developed an alternative credit information tool, based on psychometrics, which can potentially be used by lenders to better screen loan applicants. This note highlights the results from a pilot exercise conducted in Peru, which shows psychometric credit scoring can increase access to credit for small and medium enterprises who do not have a credit history, without increasing default risk for the lender. The results illustrate the importance of information for assessing credit risk and expanding use of credit. Increasing the quality of the information that credit bureaus can access could improve credit-scoring models and increase lenders confidence in these scores, even for entrepreneurs who have not previously borrowed from formal financial institutions . To conclude, EFL offers a practical solution to financial institutions in countries where well-developed credit bureaus are in the process of consolidation.

Social Science Research Network, 2013

INTED2010 Proceedings, 2010

Access to water is very unequal in Mexico and indigenous municipalities are particularly disadvan... more Access to water is very unequal in Mexico and indigenous municipalities are particularly disadvantaged. The paper analyzes empirically the unequal access to water across Mexican municipalities and across individuals for the period of 2000-2005 using regression analysis. The contributions of this paper are twofold. First, it expands the focus of the literature of ethnic fragmentation and public good provisions from level to distribution; and second, it presents an ethnic fractionalization index at the municipality level based on salient ethnic divide. The results show that there is a systematic water gap between indigenous and non-indigenous populations, even after controlling for various factors. The findings suggest that explanations of the negative relationship are related to discrimination and marginalization rather than differences in preference across ethnically diverse groups. This paper estimates the impact of the conditional cash transfer program, Red de Oportunidades, on school enrollment, child labor, and preventive health services participation in Panama. The analysis relies on data from the Living Standards Measurement Survey of 2008. It uses a propensity score matching technique to identify the impact of the program in rural and indigenous areas of the country by replicating the selection criteria followed by the government to identify potential beneficiaries of the program. Our results show that the program increased school enrollment and was able to reduce child labor in rural and indigenous areas. Further

Social Science Research Network, 2019

A randomized controlled trial with 945 entrepreneurs in Jamaica shows positive short-term impacts... more A randomized controlled trial with 945 entrepreneurs in Jamaica shows positive short-term impacts of soft-skills training on business outcomes. The effects are concentrated among men and disappear 12 months after the training. The main channel is increased adoption of recommended business practices, exclusively observed in the short run. Persistent effects were observed on an incentivized behavioral measure of perseverance after setbacks, a focus of this training. An intensive course on soft-skills was compared to one that combines soft-skills with traditional business training. The effects of the combined training are never statistically significant.

In a randomized field experiment in Ecuador, we tested whether triggering the norm of reciprocity... more In a randomized field experiment in Ecuador, we tested whether triggering the norm of reciprocity increases participation in a business training program. The sample included 793 microentrepreneurs in the provinces of Pichincha and Guayas in Ecuador who were randomly assigned to either receive or not receive a premium chocolate with their invitation to participate. Bank officers personally delivered the invitations/chocolate gift. Surprisingly, we find a negative and significant effect of 8.3 percentage points of the chocolate gift on participation rates. We argue that an unexpected, temporary change in the context triggered a negative response from the entrepreneurs to the gift, which changed the direction of the expected result; thus, the intervention induced negative rather than positive reciprocity. JEL Classification: C93; D91; O12; I38

The objectives of the evaluation are to assess Opportunities for the Majority (OMJ)'s relevan... more The objectives of the evaluation are to assess Opportunities for the Majority (OMJ)'s relevance vis-a-vis its mandate, its effectiveness in achieving development goals, its efficiency in delivering products, and the sustainability of both projects and the "business model" supported by the initiative. Considering the early stage of disbursement, the evaluation will represent a first stage assessment of OMJ results and sustainability. Whenever documented evidence cannot be inferred, the evaluation will look at the likely effect of the initiative on the markets. OVE will use four tools to assess OMJ results: desk reviews, field missions, surveys, and, where feasible, quantitative evaluations.

Los objetivos de la evaluacion son sopesar la relevancia de Oportunidades para la Mayoria (OMJ) e... more Los objetivos de la evaluacion son sopesar la relevancia de Oportunidades para la Mayoria (OMJ) en funcion de su mandato, su efectividad en el cumplimiento de sus metas de desarrollo, la eficiencia en la entrega de sus productos, y la sostenibilidad de los proyectos, asi como del "modelo de negocios" que apoya la iniciativa. Considerando que estos proyectos se encuentran en sus primeras etapas de desembolso, la evaluacion constituira una primera etapa de evaluacion de resultados y sostenibilidad de OMJ. OVE empleara cuatro herramientas para evaluar resultados: estudios teoricos, misiones sobre el terreno, encuestas y, cuando fuere factible, evaluaciones cuantitativas.

This dataset contains data and code for the replication of the paper "The Impact of Soft-Ski... more This dataset contains data and code for the replication of the paper "The Impact of Soft-Skills Training for Entrepreneurs in Jamaica".

AUTHORUbfal, Diego; Arráiz, Irani; Beuermann, Diether; Frese, Michael; Maffioli, Alessandro; Verc... more AUTHORUbfal, Diego; Arráiz, Irani; Beuermann, Diether; Frese, Michael; Maffioli, Alessandro; Verch, DanielDATEMar 2021DOWNLOAD:English (0 downloads)DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0003182There has been growing interest in approaches to business training that incorporate insights from psychology to develop soft skills associated with successful entrepreneurship. The empirical evidence on their success, however, is still inconclusive. This study designs and evaluates two training programs focusing on soft skills, which are adapted to the Jamaican context. The first program provides soft-skills training on personal initiative, including the development of a proactive mindset and perseverance after setbacks. The second program combines soft-skills training on personal initiative with traditional training on hard skills aimed at changing business practices. Both programs are evaluated using a randomized controlled trial design involving 945 entrepreneurs in Jamaica. Findings indicate posit...

Esta evaluacion examina el Programa del BID con Guatemala durante el periodo 2008-2011. La evalua... more Esta evaluacion examina el Programa del BID con Guatemala durante el periodo 2008-2011. La evaluacion indica resultados muy positivos en terminos de relevancia, consistencia y posicionamiento. Retrasos en obtener la autorizacion por parte del legislativo guatemalteco pudo haber disminuido la efectividad del BID, ya que el programa de asistencia no pudo aprovechar las potenciales sinergias entre los diferentes componentes del programa. A pesar de los problemas relacionados con la autorizacion y ejecucion de proyectos, OVE pudo documentar resultados positivos en relacion al programa Mi Familia Progresa y en proyectos aprobados bajo la estrategia anterior, en particular en el area de infraestructura basica. La crisis financiera global que arranco en 2008 llevo al desembolso de Prestamos Basados en Politicas (PBLs) sin que se hubieran alcanzados las respectivas condicionalidades. Como consecuencia de esas exenciones, estos PBLs fueron menos efectivos en apoyar el alcance de los objetivos de desarrollo que se perseguian. A fin de fortalecer la efectividad del BID en Guatemala, OVE sugiere: (i) mantener el diseno de la estrategia propuesta en la iniciativa piloto implementada durante 2008-2011; (ii) mantener el uso de los instrumentos de inversion; (iii) ajustar el tamano de la cartera de proyectos a las capacidades institucionales actuales del pais; (iv) incrementar el apoyo al Gobierno de Guatemala a fin de superar las debilidades institucionales que limitan el uso oportuno de los recursos disponibles; y (v) minimizar el uso de exenciones en relacion a los PBLs.

This evaluation examines the IDB's Country Program with Guatemala for the 2008-2011 period. T... more This evaluation examines the IDB's Country Program with Guatemala for the 2008-2011 period. The assessment shows very positive results in terms of the program's relevance, consistency, and positioning. Delays in loan authorization by Guatemala's legislative branch may have diminished IDB's effectiveness, as the assistance program missed potential inter-related synergies between the program's different components. Despite some delays in project authorization and execution, OVE was able to document positive results from the Mi Familia Progresa program and from projects approved under previous strategies, particularly in basic infrastructure. The global financial crisis starting in 2008 led to the disbursement of policy-based loans (PBLs) without conditionalities being met. As a consequence of these waivers, the effectiveness of these lending programs in supporting the country's development goals could have been affected. To strengthen IDB's effectiveness in Guatemala, OVE suggests to: (i) maintain the strategy design proposed in the pilot initiative implemented during 2008-2012; (ii) maintain the use of investment instruments; (iii) match the portfolio size to the country's current institutional capacity; (iv) increase the focus on helping the Government of Guatemala in overcoming the institutional weaknesses that limit the timely use of resources; and (v) minimize the use of waivers in relation to PBLs.

The Policy Research Working Paper Series disseminates the findings of work in progress to encoura... more The Policy Research Working Paper Series disseminates the findings of work in progress to encourage the exchange of ideas about development issues. An objective of the series is to get the findings out quickly, even if the presentations are less than fully polished. The papers carry the names of the authors and should be cited accordingly. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the authors. They do not necessarily represent the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of the World Bank or the governments they represent.

Research Papers in Economics, May 1, 2015

This paper studies the impact of access to electricity via solar-powered home systems (SHSs) in r... more This paper studies the impact of access to electricity via solar-powered home systems (SHSs) in rural communities in Peru. Applying propensity score matching at the community as well as at the household level, the authors find that households with SHSs spend less on traditional sources of energy---candles and batteries for flashlights---and that the subsequent savings are commensurate to the fee for SHS use. People in households with SHSs spend more time awake, and women in particular change patterns of time use: they spend more time taking care of children, cooking, doing laundry, and weaving for their families, and less time in productive activities outside their homes (farming). Children spend more time doing homework, which has translated into more years of schooling (among elementary school students) and higher rates of enrollment (in secondary school). Although women spend less time farming and men more time on home business activities in households with SHSs than in those without, these changes have had no evident impact on income or poverty.

This paper evaluates the short-term impacts of a development project that aims to increase mango ... more This paper evaluates the short-term impacts of a development project that aims to increase mango yields, sales of mango products, and the income of small mango farmers in rural Haiti. Various matching methods, in combination with difference-in-difference (DID), are used to deal with the potential selection bias associated with nonrandom treatment assignment. Robustness checks are conducted to investigate whether and to what extent the results are affected by the coexistence of other similar projects in the same sites. Rosenbaum bounds analysis is carried out to check the sensitivity of the estimated impacts---based on matching methods---to deviations from the conditional independence assumptions; the relative importance of unobserved factors in the decision to participate. Our results show that in a 16-month period, the project increased the number of young Francique trees planted---a type that has greater market and export potential than traditional mango varieties---and likely enc...