创业技能能否为在线自由职业创造机会？——来自萨尔瓦多的实验证据

中文摘要

本文报告了在萨尔瓦多开展的一项随机实验，旨在通过教授参与在线市场平台所需的创业技能，改善在线劳动力市场结果。尽管培训完成率较低，我们发现，被分配参加培训在统计意义上显著改善了在线自由职业的相关结果，包括拥有在线自由职业平台个人资料页的概率、发送接单提案的数量、是否收到至少一份工作邀约，以及是否获得至少一份在线自由职业合同。我们还观察到社会情感技能有所改善。然而，我们发现，该项目对工作邀约数量、合同数量以及任何更广泛的劳动力市场结果均没有统计显著影响。进一步分析提示，初期工作评分较低可能阻碍了参与者在在线自由职业中持续取得成功。总体而言，尽管取得了一些初步成功，该项目未能对参与者的生计产生持久影响。 • 我们评估了萨尔瓦多一项教授在线创业技能的项目。 • 我们发现，项目完成率较低，较富裕的个体更有可能完成该项目。 • 该项目在统计意义上显著改善了初期的在线自由职业相关结果。 • 项目结束后约一年，干预对劳动力市场结果没有统计显著影响。 • 初期工作评分较低可能阻碍了参与者在在线自由职业中持续取得成功。

Abstract

This paper reports on a randomized experiment in El Salvador that aimed to improve online labor market outcomes by teaching the entrepreneurial skills required to engage with online marketplaces. Despite low completion rates, we find that assignment to the training significantly increases online freelancing outcomes, such as the probability of having an online freelancing profile, the number of proposals sent, receiving at least one job offer, and securing at least one online freelancing contract. We also observe improved socioemotional skills. However, we find no significant effects of the program on the number of job offers, contracts, or any broader labor market outcomes. Further analysis suggests that poor initial job ratings may have hindered sustained success in online freelancing. Overall, despite some initial success, the program failed to have a lasting impact on the livelihoods of the participants. • We assess a program in El Salvador teaching online entrepreneurial skills. • We find low completion rates, with wealthier individuals more likely to complete the program. • The program significantly improves initial online freelancing outcomes. • Treatment has no significant effect on labor market outcomes roughly one year after the program. • Poor initial job ratings may have hindered sustained success in online freelancing.