Using panel data on Egyptian firms to explore cyclical and structural determinants of access to finance, we find that firms with more educated and more experienced managers are more likely to open a checking account, often a prerequisite for obtaining credit. Firms that started operating in the...

The economies in the Middle East and North Africa have not been able to generate a sufficient number of jobs for a fast growing population. This paper uses data from the MENA Enterprise Survey to investigate the extent to which prevailing collateral practices affect the allocation of credit and...

The economies in the Middle East and North Africa have not been able to generate a sufficient number of jobs for a fast growing population. This paper uses data from the MENA Enterprise Survey to investigate the extent to which prevailing collateral practices affect the allocation of credit and...

This paper examines trade participation and innovation activities and how they are intertwined in the Middle East and North Africa region. While the level of trade participation of firms in the region is similar to other peer economies, innovation rates are particularly low. Many productive...

Using new and unique survey evidence on digitalisation activities and investment in climate change of non-financial firms in the EU and the US, this article documents the trend towards twin digital and green investment in the corporate landscape after the COVID-19 pandemic. We use information...

By allowing people to obtain divorce without the consent of their spouse, Unilateral Divorce Laws (UDLs) increase the risk of divorce. Using the staggered introduction of UDLs across European countries, we show that households exposed to UDLs for longer time accumulate more savings. This effect...

Using a representative sample of European firms, we study whether and to what extent financing constraints affect employers' decision to invest in employee training. We combine survey data on investment activities with administrative data on financial statements to develop an index of financing...