Returns to Capital in Microenterprises: Evidence from a Field Experiment

We use randomized grants to generate shocks to capital stock for a set of Sri Lankan microenterprises. We find the average real return to capital in these enterprises is 4.6%–5.3% per year), substantially higher than market interest rates. We then examine the heterogeneity of treatment effects. Returns are found to vary with entrepreneurial ability and with household wealth, but not to vary with measures of risk aversion or uncertainty. Treatment impacts are also significantly larger for enterprises owned by males; indeed, we find no positive return in enterprises owned by females.

Policy implications 
Random in-kind or cash donations have the potential to address capital misallocation, but primarily for entrepreneurs with high ability or fewer workers.
Reference 
de Mel, S., McKenzie, D. & Woodruff, C., 2008. 'Returns to Capital in Microenterprises: Evidence from a Field Experiment'. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, MIT Press, November, vol. 123(4), pages 1329-1372.