Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/88971 
Year of Publication: 
2011
Series/Report no.: 
IDB Working Paper Series No. IDB-WP-242
Publisher: 
Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Washington, DC
Abstract: 
This paper uses a randomized controlled experiment in Costa Rica to determine whether IB use by Banco Nacional de Desarrollo`s micro and small enterprise (MSE) clients has an impact on their performance, measured in terms of productivity, increase in sales, and cost reduction. Results from the intervention group surveys indicate that Internet use is limited in MSEs` daily operations because of limited access to computers and the relatively low penetration of Internet services in employees` activities. In addition, firms have limited knowledge about the uses of the Internet as a business development tool. These results contrast with the reported benefits obtained by a small group of firms. Those benefits include reduced costs, higher sales, and better contact with customers.
JEL: 
D22
D83
O14
O38
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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