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Economic Reform, Informal-Formal Sector Linkages and Intervention in the Informal Sector in Developing Countries: A Paradox

Author

Listed:
  • Arvin-Rad, Hassan

    (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

  • Basu, Arnab K.

    (Cornell University)

  • Willumsen, Maria

    (Florida International University)

Abstract
Within a general equilibrium framework of a developing economy with a foreign owned factor of production, this paper questions whether the informal-formal sector relationship is pro-cyclical/ complementary – expansion or contraction in one necessarily implies an expansion or contraction in the other – when the informal sector is subject to a technological shock. We derive a necessary and sufficient condition under which a positive shock to the informal sector results in a contraction in both the size of the urban formal sector and the informal sector. Thus, although our result shows that the informal-formal sector relationship is pro-cyclical, it nevertheless calls into question the conventional wisdom on the benefits of intervention in the informal sector of developing economies, particularly where multinational corporations sub-contract certain labor intensive stages of production to the informal sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Arvin-Rad, Hassan & Basu, Arnab K. & Willumsen, Maria, 2010. "Economic Reform, Informal-Formal Sector Linkages and Intervention in the Informal Sector in Developing Countries: A Paradox," IZA Discussion Papers 5229, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp5229
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Traoré, Jean Abel & Ouedraogo, Idrissa Mohamed, 2021. "Public policies promoting the informal sector: Effects on incomes, employment and growth in Burkina Faso," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 43(1), pages 56-75.
    2. Kose, M. Ayhan & Elgin, Ceyhun & Ohnsorge, Franziska & Yu, Shu, 2021. "Growing Apart or Moving Together? Synchronization of Informal and Formal Economy Cycles," CEPR Discussion Papers 16498, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    3. Nahid Sultana & Mohammad Mafizur Rahman & Rasheda Khanam, 2022. "Informal Sector Employment and Economic Growth: Evidence from Developing Countries in SDG Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-19, September.
    4. Gökçer Özgür & Ceyhun Elgin & Adem Y. Elveren, 2021. "Is informality a barrier to sustainable development?," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(1), pages 45-65, January.
    5. T. Bhavan, 2023. "The Nexus Between Foreign Direct Investment, Informal and Formal Sectors in Sri Lanka," South Asia Economic Journal, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, vol. 24(1), pages 7-19, March.
    6. Dutta, Nabamita & Kar, Saibal & Roy, Sanjukta, 2013. "Corruption and persistent informality: An empirical investigation for India," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 357-373.
    7. Ceyhun Elgin & M. ayhan Köse & Franziska Ohnsorge & Shu Yu, 2021. "Growing Apart or Moving Together? Synchronization of Informal and Formal Economy Cycles Abstract:," Working Papers 2021/04, Bogazici University, Department of Economics.
    8. Traoré, Jean Abel & Ouedraogo, Idrissa Mohamed, 2015. "Public policies promoting the informal economy: effects on incomes, employment and growth in Burkina Faso," MPRA Paper 74760, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Pedro Grados Smith, 2021. "Implicancias de la inclusión financiera y el empleo informal en la pobreza monetaria de los departamentos del Perú," Revista Finanzas y Politica Economica, Universidad Católica de Colombia, vol. 13(2), pages 545-569, August.

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