ePrints

The place of home-based enterprises in the informal sector: Evidence from Cochabamba, New Delhi, Surabaya and Pretoria

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Graham Tipple

Downloads

• Published version [.pdf]

Abstract

Home-based enterprises (HBEs) are an accepted component in the informal sector in rapidly developing cities. However, they have generally received quite a bad press, especially through a concentration on the exploitation evident in piece-rate homework. From our work in low-income neighbourhoods in Cochabamba (Bolivia), New Delhi (India), Surabaya (Indonesia) and Pretoria (South Africa), we assess HBEs with respect to the characteristics of the informal sector put forward in the literature. We examine our samples of HBEs against such characteristics as small, low operator incomes, informal labour relations and non-separation of production and consumption. We find that they largely conform to expectations. Incomes are low but they are very significant in poverty alleviation. Although many HBEs require few skills, a few compete effectively in international markets. © 2005 The Editors of Urban Studies.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Tipple G

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Urban Studies

Year: 2005

Volume: 42

Issue: 4

Pages: 611-632

Print publication date: 01/04/2005

ISSN (print): 0042-0980

ISSN (electronic): 1360-063X

Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00420980500060178

DOI: 10.1080/00420980500060178

Altmetrics

Share