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Infrastructure and Cluster Development: A Case Study of Handloom Weavers in Rural Ethiopia

2011; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 47; Issue: 12 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/00220388.2011.579112

1743-9140

Xiaobo Zhang, Lisa Moorman, Gezahegn Ayele,

Working Capital and Financial Performance

Abstract Clustering is an important structure of production in the rural nonfarm sector. Based on a primary survey of rural handloom clusters in Ethiopia, this article examines the mechanism and performance of clustering. Given weak financial institutions, clustered producers and traders use trade credits to ease working capital constraints. Moreover, geographical clustering enables entrepreneurs with limited capital to enter the business through shared workspaces and fine division of labour. An improvement in infrastructure can further enhance firm performance in a cluster. In towns with electricity access, producers work longer hours by sharing lit workspaces at lower rental cost.