Under standard conditions in the Colombian coffee sector, the benefits of producing better coffee are not passed on to farmers, weakening their incentives to invest in higher-quality production. However, when a large international buyer required inte...

Upgrading within firms in developing countries is driven by increased know-how and certain buyer types

Tightened US regulations around lead increased exports of lead-acid batteries to Mexico for recycling, worsening health outcomes for locals, especially the poor

Success when exporting to richer countries requires upgrading the quality of products, but also of inputs

For technology adoption to be successful, employees need to expect to share in the gains

Eric Verhoogen discusses the organisational barriers to technology adoption based on evidence from soccer-ball producers in Pakistan.

Eric Verhoogen explains the relationship between trade liberalisation and wage inequality in developing countries.

Even formal firms evade payroll taxes, and workers can be effective monitors of their employers’ reports, with the right incentives.