Small and micro-enterprises : contributions to development and future directions for AID"s support

After reviewing A.I.D. support for SME and providing a working definition of these subsectors, the paper analyzes how SME"s affect entrepreneur employment and income and identifies factors of an effective SME project by examining data on implementing institutions, the types of interventions, and the resource delivery methodology. It is concluded, inter alia, that: (1) most SME"s have a positive socioeconomic effect and are more cost-effective than larger enterprises; (2) policy climate and the work of private organizations are of overriding importance for SME development; (3) there are important gaps in our knowledge of SME"s and of the projects designed to help them; and (4) a significant number of SME"s are run by women. A final chapter on recommendations for future A.I.D. support for SME"s focuses on both tested and innovative program strategies. A 60-item bibliography (1973-85) is appended.