The Impact of an Associative Strategy (the PROFO Program) on Small and Medium Enterprises in Chile

Abstract

The main objective of this article is to determine if associative strategies followed in Chile have had any impact on the enhancement of productive performance of Chilean SMEs firms. In order to do that, the estimate of the impact is approached using the benchmark given by Social Experiment but within the context of a `non-experimental' evaluation design. We conclude that these kinds of policies have been effective in increasing the productivity of the participating firms, and have also been efficient since they have achieved high social profits.program evaluation, associative strategies, SMEs, innovation, nonexperimental design