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Tax avoidance and tax evasion significantly affect public budget revenues as well as the redistributive goals of the state. The rate of the shadow economy varies across EU Member States. Any attempt to measure this social phenomenon is full of empirical difficulties. By methods to determine the size of the shadow economy we can only estimate the tax gap that quantifies the extent of tax evasion. In this paper we deal with one of the methods of monetary measurement of the tax gap - money demand method. We are analyzing the results achieved for the euro area for the time period 2002 - 2015. From the outputs can be estimated not only the size of the tax gap in the euro area countries, but also we can evaluate the effectiveness of measures and recommendations of the European Commission which are aimed at combating tax evasion and tax fraud. For monitoring the research problems were mainly used methods of observation, comparison, and also mathematical and statistical methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article, the authors introduce an overview of the Russian Legislation on national security and economic crime and prove the significance of the extent to which economic crime affects Russia's national security and undermines its strength. Also, the article presents classification of elements and principles of the country's national security. The authors have conducted statistical studies of economic crime rates in Russia as compared to the corresponding global trends and provided assessment of the damage caused by criminal economic activity to the State. As a result of the studies, the article proposes a method developed by the authors to assess the extent of the damage caused by economic crime to the State. The article defines the fundamental essential strategies within the framework of the national policy of the Russian Federation in order to improve the situation, namely, to reduce the rate of economic crime in the country and enhance the rule of law. It also proves the necessity for state control over economy in any country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the mathematical model of legal and shadow economies interaction taking into account risk of shadow economic activity is built. This model allows us to determine the dynamics of the savings of economically active population and the rate of the shadow economy. The simulation experiments make it possible to conduct qualitative analysis of results and determine the factors of the shadow economy legalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most obvious impacts of rapidly increasing urbanization and economic development can be witnessed in the form of heaps of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). The activities associated with managing MSW from the generation point to final disposal normally include generation, collection, transfer & transport, transformation and final disposal. Collection and Transportation of MSW are those public services that have important impacts on public health and appearance of towns and cities. Unfortunately, many urban administrations across the developing world seem to be losing the battle of coping with ever increasing quantities of waste. More than 25% of MSW is not collected at all, while almost half of urban areas lack adequate capacity to transport it and there are hardly any sanitary landfills to dispose of the waste. The challenge is further aggravated by the diversity of materials in the waste. It leads to an absolute inadequacy of synchronization of the whole system resulting in loss of efficiency and effectiveness. A holistic change can be brought only by periodic review of the performance of waste management system in meeting its goals which need to be practical, achievable and measurable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We identified three distinct sub-groups within the informal entrepreneurial sector - the Street Walker, Street Corner and Store Owner informal entrepreneurs - and then examined each group's motives. Face-to-face structured interviews with 200 informal entrepreneurs in Cameroon found that the majority, especially Street Walker and Street Corner informal entrepreneurs, are predominantly necessity-driven while Store Owner entrepreneurs are predominantly opportunitydriven. Our study also revealed a progression pattern whereby some Street Walkers do progress to Street Corner and ultimately to Store Owner entrepreneurs. Public policy implications for institutional support that can grow the informal economy into the formal economy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author investigates the regulation of business practice and criminal offences in economy. The article analyses shadow economy in Latvia, identifying balanced solution regarding the prevention and fighting against criminal offences linked to the economy. The article offers propositions in relation to potential changes in Criminal Law as well as additional amendments regarding simplified procedures in Criminal Proceedings Law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding student intentions with regard to entrepreneurship as a possible career pathway is important for the development of the formal economy. Presented here are the results from a longitudinal study conducted between 2010-2014 involving a sample of 1,513 undergraduate students, of which 54 agreed to be interviewed. The research is qualitative and has combined the Opportunity Structure with the Theory of Planned Behaviour to understand the reasons why students chose to start a business either just prior to, or within one year of entering university, and their intentions upon graduating. The results show that many of these businesses sit within the informal economy, and may be categorised as low growth businesses with few skill requirements. Importantly, the research has discovered that these students are also highly strategic with regard to educational pathways, and many of these businesses are focused towards delivering and/or sustaining a particular lifestyle while at university. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the mathematical model of legal and shadow economies interaction with advanced economic structure of society is built. This model allows us to determine the dynamics of the savings of economically active population and prices on the shadow and legal products. The simulation experiments make it possible to investigate the factors of the shadow economy legalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is aimed at evaluation of the impact of shadow economy determinants on the scope of shadow economy in Ukraine over 2005 - 2012. The empirical research has revealed that 99 percent of shadow economy in Ukraine is explained by such determinants as tax rate, overall employment rate, import of goods and services, GDP and participation of working-age people in the labour market. The growth of the overall employment rate has a bidirectional impact on the scope of shadow economy in Ukraine: hired work increases the opportunities to earn legal wages, but probability of paying illegal wages is still high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The size of the 'underground economy' (UE) is valuable information in the formulation of macroeconomic and fiscal policy. From a scientific point of view analysis of the UE is faced with severe data problems because underground activities are not recorded and anyone engaged in it has an incentive to hide them. This paper estimates the size of the Croatian underground economy by applying novel methodological approach: fuzzy logic. Two major factors affecting the size of the UE, unemployment rate and number of registered business subjects, are used. Results provide insight into movement of Croatia's UE in the last 10 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste management is an emerging challenge for African cities undergoing rapid urbanization. The rise in urban deprivation in Kaduna Metropolis and the evolving value chains from the local wastestream has expanded opportunities as well as amplified the exposure of the informal waste managers to communicable and other related diseases. The Informal sector in the metropolis is poor, disorganized and lack access to National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). This paper investigated the prevalence of pathogens in waste and waste handlers in Kaduna metropolis. The study revealed the presence of potential pathogens (coliforms) in all solid waste samples collected from official and unofficial metropolitan waste dumps. An analysis of healthcare indicators of the informal sector at the official and unofficial waste dumps as well as the recycling markets revealed their total exclusion from the NHIS. It is strongly recommended that provision of adequate working tools, sanitation and hygiene as well as access to NHIS for informal sector will significantly improve their health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the most researchers highest impacts on the growth of the shadow economy have such factors as informal labor sector progressing in Europe on the background of rising unemployment and imperfection of the tax system and legislation. Quantitative results of measurements of the shadow economy show that in the Baltic countries, as well as in the new members of EU, all the measures to reduce the shadow economy have led to an increase in its actual volume. This situation has arisen because of the economic crisis, as well as readiness of the participants of the labor market partly or in full to receive wages "in the envelope". The only way, actually having a chance of success, in preventing going into the shadow increasing size of the economy is to reduce the tax burden. Financial behavior of the taxpayer who decides on partial concealment of income or tax evasion is exceptionally rational. Prevent anyone from such a decision by the rational taxpayer is only possible with proper combination of "carrot and stick. As for the taxpayers being already partially in the shadow sector of the economy, the strengthening of tax control only to get them out of the shadows is impossible in principle, because everyone who has crossed that line will not be frightened by increased liability for the already committed, as direct incentive for not to commit such in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article deals the problem of developing methodology and its approbation on the basis of Russian regions. It is devoted also to the issues of understanding the influence of social and economic environment of the shadow activity (tax evasion) of economic agents. The issues of forecasting of tax evasion are also considered in the work. Results of the research of shadow economy show powerful impact of crisis tendencies in economy on shadow economic activity. Moreover, during crises a scale of shadow economy grows considerably, therefore an importance of learning this part of economy is increasing. So far as economic crisis cause activation of all forms of shadow activities an estimating quantitative influence of socio-economic conditions on a shadow economy is of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tax evasion and tax avoidance distort competition, deform business environment and influence efficiency of taxation. The states may affect the size of shadow economy and thus the amount of tax evasion by their activity as well as by the harmonization of tax legislative at international level. The paper investigates a statistical dependence concerning the relationship of the shadow economy and tax evasion. It is estimated that more than three-quarters of total tax revenue loss in the EU accounts for tax evasion linked to the existence of the shadow economy. Increased use of electronic payments and limiting cash transactions could eliminate the size of shadow economy and amount of tax evasion. This fact confirms statistical dependence between the number of electronic transactions per capita and the size of the shadow economy. Intensifying fight against tax evasion and efficient tax collection are therefore the key factors to ensuring a long-term sustainability of public finances in the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why do firms in the formal sector evade taxes? We tackle this question by focusing on registered firms operating in countries of various institutional backgrounds and by comparing the incentives and constraints of staying within the formal sector against the competitive pressures originating from the informal sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using poverty impact profiles, our study assessed and compared the poverty-alleviation outcomes of three different business strategies for serving the base-of-the-pyramid (BoP). Our findings demonstrate that comparing impacts across enterprises is possible and that doing so provides important insights into the relationship between business strategy and social impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the main focus lies on the shadow economy and non-cash payments. The aim of the article is point out the relationship between electronic solutions in payments and the level of the shadow economy in Poland. The implementation of the recommendations in this report should contribute to a reduction in the size of the shadow economy. The data basis of the analysis is Polish and European macro statistics on the payment market and the survey of consumers' payment behaviour in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Third world countries, Nigeria in particular have become a dumping ground for end-of-use technologies and equipment from the developed world. Although the country is oil rich, it suffers from energy deprivation with erratic power/ fuel supply. The country relies on exports of its resources for foreign exchange thereby depriving local businesses the raw materials required for industrial development. Kaduna is an emerging city undergoing rapid urbanization. Degradable and combustible solid wastes, metal scraps and plastics can be separated at source and use as raw materials for local industries. Current strategy and infrastructure for solid waste management are grossly inadequate. The challenge therefore is to develop a sustainable strategy for optimized energy generation and resource recovery from rural and municipal solid wastes. This paper reviewed challenges of current strategies and proposed an integrated sustainable solid waste approach for rural and urban communities in Kaduna metropolis. The community based approach emphasizes separation of waste at source and involved the use of anaerobic digestion and incineration for energy generation with the residues used as soil fertilizer. Central to the proposed strategy is the recycling market and the informal waste collectors. The informal sector can move up the waste hierarchy and optimize the value of end-of-waste resources while the recycling market is the place to recover value from various waste products. The strategy encourages integration and eliminates the need for waste contractors, landfills or waste dumps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper carried out the investigation of the informal ELV treatment sector in China as a preliminary exploration to provide valuable references for ELV management in motorizing countries like China as well as future research on informal ELV treatment. To begin with, we divided development history of Chinese informal ELV treatment sector into three periods to elaborate in detail. Then, we summarized the sources of ELVs and the main actors in the informal sector of China. Next, we identified the business types and scales of informal ELV treatment processor in China. Finally, we analyzed the financial issues concerning informal ELV treatment processors in China based on the collected data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the size and development of the shadow economy in Ukraine. The shadow economy is defined as a system of interconnected relationships that take place outside the existing laws and not allow direct and regular statistical accounting and tax control. Insufficient quality of state institutions, ineffective regulatory policy, imperfect tax system, unformed competitive environment and corruption are the driving forces for the shadow economy. The paper identified the socio-economic consequences arising from the functioning of the shadow economy. Economic analysis allows to formulate a list of proposals on ways and means of reducing the size of shadow economy in Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research work adopted a Straussian grounded theory methodology in explaining motives for business informality and formalization with a gender lens. Data collection methods involved 61 plain-interviews, 15 in-depth interviews, interviewee triangulation and document analysis. Findings indicate that "conceptualization of formalization" which is shaped by differential access to education and the influence of significant others is crucial in determining requisite motives. Favouring males in accessing education facilitates their seeking higher order needs like leaving legacies for future generations and wealth creation. Lesser educated females and marginalized males operate mainly in the informal economy driven by lower survival needs. To stimulate formalization it is necessary to ensure equitable access to education to all and to foster positive conceptualization of formalization for males as they influence decisions of females in developing economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of public projects is to purchase one or more social benefits, targeting communities in which public authorities responsible for implementing these projects were elected. Unlike public projects, the main purpose of the projects undertaken in the private sector consists of maximizing the profit obtained by increasing the activity and / or minimize costs. Therefore, in order to analyze in economic and social terms the impact of development projects it is required, together with analysis of common issues, highlighting the differences between public and private projects. In this sense, we see greater difficulties in evaluating public projects, which should aim at minimizing the costs - as well as private projects - also achieving significant benefits and correctly targeted to the needs of the population, meantime taking into account economic and social present situation. Cost - effectiveness analysis is more difficultly to do, as it involves to estimate some indicators, expressed in monetary units, defined by a series of mostly social meanings, such as the cost of life, the improvement living conditions benefits, etc. The choice of discount rate and project operating life involves higher risks than in the private sector, at least for large investment projects, given that these designs achieve highly valuable public assets, which have to operate a long time for the community benefit. Public authorities responsible for public projects must choose the most suitable variant of proposed projects according to the respective communities present and future priorities set, based on a thorough socio-economic analysis, highlighting the increasing usefulness for society by implementing the project and also taking into account its specific activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kaduna is an emergent city evolving from a colonial centre of administration prior to Nigerian independence to a modern state capital. The population is over 1.56 million and like many cities in developing countries, the metropolis is currently undergoing rapid urbanization which is believed to be responsible for the increased pressure on public services and infrastructure. As in major cities of the world, waste management services are increasingly attracting public attention. This is because of their relationship to public health and environmental quality. The success of these services depends on their quality, efficiency and sustainability. These factors vary with local regulations, public participation and cost and resource recovery schemes. Publicly engaged waste contactors are the major providers of waste management services in Kaduna metropolis. Most of these contractors lack expertise and experience in waste management. The services are mostly spatial, intermittent or totally absent in some segments of the metropolis. Although the informal sector is critical in the delivery of these services in deprived areas of the metropolis, their activities are neither recognised nor encouraged by the government or the waste contactors. No attempt is being made to exploit opportunities for cost and resource recovery from locally generated Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). While pockets of recycling markets exist in the metropolis, their activities lack public and private investments. This paper investigated functions and challenges faced by the informal sector in the delivery of waste management services in the metropolis and proposed sustainable solutions for the future. The strategy if implemented will greatly improve the quality and sustainability of waste management services in the Metropolis and similar cities in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the model validation of the two-stage research on the Vulnerability Black Markets (VBM). System dynamics (SD) models have proved useful to draw credible conclusions from limited data. A first place step is to map the problem and circular cause-effect links (i.e., feedback) between important variables. To build confidence on the model, the SD approach requires performing various specific tests, i.e. structural tests, structure-oriented behavior tests and behavior pattern tests. A few tests are quantitative; some could be performed directly using the simulation software's capabilities of model testing for an SD model. In addition, since the model also derived from non-numeric sources, similar method of validation is required. The latter aspect should involve the perception, opinion and experience sharing from actors who may know this issue. The paper presents results from the sequence of validation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents Recommendation 200 about HIV and AIDS adopted by the International Labour Organization's 99th International Labour Conference to be held in Geneva, Switzerland on June 17, 2010. It notes the serious effects of HIV and AIDS on economies and society, on workers, and on work in formal and informal sectors. It offers definitions of terms related to HIV and AIDS such as stigma, affected persons, and workplace. It also presents the general principles applicable to their work.

Currency is widely assumed to have a comparative advantage over checks for the payment of purchases of goods and services that individuals wish to conceal from the authorities. A rise in currency stocks and payments may be taken as a rough indicator of the extent to which these transactions may not be reported to government authorities. The paper aims to estimate the size of subterranean economy using the simple currency ratio method of Gutmann for quarterly data covering the period 1999-2010. In order to do this, the study analyzes the ratio of currency to demand deposits in order to estimate the amount of economic activity in the subterranean economy. The empirical results point out that ratio of underground economy to official economy range between 40-50% of official GNP for the period 1999-2004. At the end of 2004, because of the sharp decline of currency in circulation, the size of the underground economy as percentage of official GNP reaches the value of 10%. In the first quarter of 2010, underground economy measures about 8% of official GNP, showing an increasing trend in recent quarters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition period has led to an increase of the hidden economy size. In the literature there are some attempts to estimate the hidden economy at national level. This paper aims to estimate the Romanian hidden economy using a monetary method. There are also presented some possibilities of hidden economy estimation at regional level. The whole approach of hidden economy estimation is based on econometric methods and on data from official statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a case study methodology, we analyze a sample of ventures to identify constraints faced by base of the pyramid producers that inhibit value creation and capture. We also identify strategies adopted by ventures to address these constraints. Our study provides preliminary support for the proposition of mutual value creation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This analysis clarifies and extends several underdeveloped but significant new components of Jürgen Habermas's public sphere theory. At center stage is the distinction between the informal and the institutionalized public spheres. These two dimensions of the political public sphere perform different functions within the macrosocial system of state, economy, and civil society. Communication scholars have long recognized the political public sphere's critical function of holding state authority to account. But few have acknowledged its warning function of calling the state's attention to widespread but privately experienced social problems. This warning function deserves more attention from communication scholars for two reasons. First, it clarifies how the political public sphere mediates between civil society and the state through discourses other than rational-critical debate. Second, it represents a phase of public sphere communication in which strategic action can serve as a socially useful antecedent to formalized decision-making. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper identified why many of the social science research guidelines had to be Changed in demography of ageing research. Therefore, attempts were made in thisAt re-focusing the methodological requirements in demography of ageing research.Methodological triangulation was used to collect data. This include questionnaire, focus Group discussion, in-depth interviews, case histories and documentary analysis. This was to Provide data on both social gerontology and demography of ageing. The paper interviewed More female respondents than their male counterparts.The study discovered that older persons who worked in the informal sectors of the economy Were more economically better than those who worked in the formal sectors. It was also Discovered that gerontological researches are more time consuming than fertility researches.The paper concludes that demography of ageing research is probably easier in developed Countries than in developing countries. The paper emphasized a shift in focus to the impact Of old age on the older persons [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The informal sector has been widely researched by social scientists in both the developing and developed world. However, much research has understood individuals' participation in informal enterprises primarily as economic strategies or analyzed how this sector may or may not contribute to economic development. As an alternative to this strictly economic focus, this paper examines how these economic strategies are embedded in social networks within semi-formal retail markets in Santiago, Chile. Based on 100 hours of ethnographic observation in several open-air farmers' markets and flea markets as well as twenty-four semi-structured interviews with vendors, this study explores the social relationships vendors develop with one another and their customers. In farmers' markets, we found long-term, quasi-primary relationships between vendors and regular customers, which are economically and emotionally beneficial to both parties. We also found a combination of cooperation and competition between vendors, often based on boundaries between semi-formal and illegal vendors. In flea markets, we found quasi-primary relations between vendors but more distant relationships with shoppers based on the distinct nature of the clientele and vending situation. Again, competition and collaboration occurred between legal and illegal vendors. These findings point to the dense and long-term social networks underpinning informal economic activity permitting vendors and customers to reduce the risks of economic transactions but also create uniquely sociable spaces within a largely anonymous metropolitan area. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assisted Living is the latest trend in caring for the senior population, which is set apart from institutional living arrangements in that it offers a more homelike atmosphere, and allows for residents to age in place. Unfortunately, the ability to age in place is not available for all residents. The assisted living industry is regulated at the state level; therefore, each state has the authority to determine its own rules and regulations. There is no uniform discharge system across the country, and often residents are not aware of the various reasons that discharge may occur (Frank, 2002). Currently, there are no state statutes to regulate the way in which assisted living is presented to consumers. For example, none of the states mandate the use of a standard contract. However, in states where written contracts are used, there is no specification as to what information will be included (Begley et al., 2001). Consequently, unsuspecting elders may find that their assisted living experience is inconsistent with the marketing materials they reviewed. This research project will begin to assess the materials used to assist seniors, and their families, in the decision to move into assisted living. Researchers interested in long term care should begin to evaluate how the philosophy of assisted living (e.g., feeling at home, aging in place, sense of control/independence) is marketed to consumers, as well as how the assisted living philosophy impacts the psychological well-being of residents (consumers). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study related to workers in the informal sector in India. As part of the study, the author conducted several interviews with labor leaders, government officials, and workers in India. The study focused on seven informal worker organizations in three Indian states. The author found that informal workers in India are organizing in order to improve their living conditions through government-supported benefits. Informal workers in the country are also organizing along class lines.

Global economic restructuring over the past two decades has produced an enormous surge in informal work in Latin America. Research on this trend, however, has tended to focus on how formal and informal sectors are interconnected within industries and national economies. This study focuses on informal workers themselves and explores the diverse pathways that lead individuals to work in the informal economy. Using in-depth case histories of informal workers in Costa Rica, the paper highlights four unique pathways. These case studies suggest the importance of pivotal life moments, formal and informal work histories, and migration experiences in putting individuals on a path toward informal work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a multicultural qualitative study of the reasons why people will (not) sign an organ donor card. Analysis of the transcribed data revealed that the most common reasons for wanting to donate organs were based on religion or a desire to help other people in need. The most common reasons cited for not wanting to donate organs were mistrust (of doctors, hospitals, and the organ allocation system), a belief in a black market for organs in the U.S., and deservingness issues (that one's organs would go to someone who brought on their own illness, or who could be a bad person). The most surprising finding is that religion is offered far more often as a rationale for wanting to help sick people through organ donation than it was for not wanting to donate organs. These findings both support and contradict past studies based on quantitative survey data.

We analyze an understudied interorganizational social structure: the industry peer network. These networks are sets of firms that are industry peers but not market competitors, gathering on a regular basis to share information on relative performance and business practices. While little research has been conducted on industry peer networks, they appear to be common in many U.S. industries with regionalized market structures. Based on original fieldwork on two industry peer network systems--one among residential contractors and one among auto dealers, and two surveys among the latter, we argue that these networks are theoretically significant because they provide an opportunity for examining the conditions under which social structures may supplement the market by facilitating learning and providing additional motivation to improve. We contend that the very fact that entrepreneurs seek such "parallel ties" across markets provides evidence that remedy in social structure is sought for characteristic deficiencies of the market. We conclude by describing how peer networks afford a unique prism through which to analyze how social structure may influence the behavior and key outcomes for economic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders have posed a concern on both the individual's health and industries. In India majority of workforce are in the informal economy, also known as unorganised sector in the country. Among the unorganised sector, stone quarry, cutting and polishing units are where a large number of workers are involved and prone to various occupational injuries and health hazards. The present study focuses on occupational health and safety deficiencies in the stone quarry, cutting and polishing industry in North Karnataka. The study was conducted using Nordic Questionnaire, Postural analysis using REBA method and on use of PPEs and other welfare activities. The collected data was analysed statistically. The results indicated prevalence of WRMSDs in both stone quarry workers and stone cutting and polishing workers. The REBA scores showed a significant high risk among majority of workers. Physical work environment factors like noise and heat were also measured, and found to be above the acceptable levels. It is concluded that the working conditions in stone quarries, cutting and polishing units' needs to be improved. The postures adopted by workers are mostly in higher risk categories and need to be changed urgently. The noise levels are above the permissible limits and the use of PPEs should be encouraged. Overall the productivity of these industries can be improved by incorporating the ergonomics and OHS recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is called the informal economy because those operating in it do so under the radar of government institutions. They are unregistered, and for tax and/or benefit purposes, are not counted as part of the formal economy. However, they are legal in all other respects. In the recent past, research has focused on macro issues affecting entrepreneurship in Africa and very little on the growing informal economy. A closer look reveals three sub-categories of informal retail entrepreneurs in developing countries: the Street-Walker, the Street-Corner and Store-Owner entrepreneur. The Street-Walkers have no fix location. They carry their merchandise with them everywhere along city streets. Street-Corner retailers are those who have a temporary location on the street (a kiosk) with a few more product lines to sell. Store-Owners have earned enough capital to afford a permanent location along the streets or in a designated market center. The progression from Street-Walker to Street-Corner and then to Store-Owner represents a unique entrepreneurial ecosystem and is the central thesis of this paper. The Street-Walker and Street-Corner retailers make up the core of the informal economy. The progression from Street-Corner to Store-Owner signals the transition from the informal to the formal economy. Survey data from Cameroon in all three sub-categories will be used to analyze a number of key hypotheses, the most significant of which is the hypothesized progression from Street-Walker to Street-Corner and ultimately to Store-Owner status and the correlation to key success determinants? The findings should reveal policy implications for the informal entrepreneurial economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the role of religious institutions in shaping the formal as well as informal economy in rapidly developing cities in the Arabian Gulf. Focusing on one religious institution, Roman Catholicism, this study draws on data from six months of participant observation and interviews (N=70) with expatriates of diverse nationalities and occupations in five Gulf cities. Results shed light on ways in which religious institutions can provide two forms of cultural capital--technical and ideational--that contribute to members' economic survival in the formal as well as informal economy. Findings resonate with some previous research in the west on spirituality in the workplace, but also suggest new directions for the fruitful study of the relationship between religion and economic globalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent recession has had profound effects on state governments and their partners in human services. This paper begins with a conundrum: while nonprofit human service producers have turned to state government contracts for stability and legitimacy, it would seem that state fiscal imbalance has increased contractor vulnerability. Using a national survey of nonprofit human service organizations conducted by the Urban Institute, we find a sector is severely stressed. This paper then considers the meta-contract upon which contracting regime is built: a set of both formal and informal rules, rights, and responsibilities that guide how all parties in a contracting regime are to act. We draw out how the meta-contract has failed in this case and provide a discussion of how it could work in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of the studies on the influence of network structure of entrepreneurs on the performance of their firms have been inconclusive. This could be due to the fact that in all these studies, networks have been taken to be uniplex in nature - a conduit for single type of content or it could be due to the belief that network structures, analyzed independently of what goes through them, can influence entrepreneurial and managerial outcomes. That some ties are multiplex in nature is known but little work has been done to explore the interaction between network structures and content in the management literature and none in an entrepreneurial setting. In this study we explore how the structure of the content of ties plays a role in entrepreneurial performance. By doing so, we extend the literature in three specific ways -- first by focusing, on the structure of various multiplex ties, we attempt to reconcile the conflicting findings on the beneficial or detrimental effects of structural holes on performance. Second, we take this opportunity to understand how content of ties influences entrepreneurial outcomes - a gap that recent scholars have appealed future researchers to address (Jack, 2009; O'Donnell et al. 2001; Uzzi and Lancaster, 2003). Finally this study extends the predominantly western and high technology oriented literature into a low technological domain in an emerging economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a grounded theory based on comparative case studies of communities of place in partnerships with mining multinational enterprises (MNEs), we build a theoretical foundation to examine the existence and growth of the informal economy among rural poor communities in East Africa. We show that when mining MNEs' managers effectively utilize employees to influence communities' behavior and attitudes toward addressing poverty through entrepreneurial initiatives, mutually beneficial economic and social outcomes can occur. This suggests that the interplay between mining MNEs, local employees and communities presents new entrepreneurial opportunities that can enhance sustainability and eradicate poverty in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]