I study how social factors influence processes of economic development in emerging markets. While most sociological research on economic development focuses on macro-level forces like states and institutions, I take a decidedly micro approach. I explore how factors like personal relationships, status characteristics, household constraints, and spatial location shape economic outcomes for entrepreneurs and organizations. I often mix methods, using ethnography and interviews to understand mechanisms on the ground, and then analyze large-scale databases to track aggregate effects.
(I discuss my research and the questions that motivate me in an interview here.)
Journal Articles
Doering, Laura & Chris Liu. 2019. “From the Ground Up: Gender, Self-Employment, and Space in a Colombian Housing Project.”
Sociology of Development. 5(2): 198-224.
Doering, Laura. 2018. “Risks, Returns, and Relational Lending: Personal Ties in Microfinance.” American Journal of Sociology 123(5): 1341-81.
Doering, Laura & Sarah Thébaud. 2017. “The Effects of Gendered Occupational Roles on Men's and Women's Workplace Authority: Evidence from Microfinance.” American Sociological Review 82 (3): 1-26.
Doering, Laura. 2016. “Necessity is the Mother of Isomorphism: Poverty and Market Creativity in Panama.” Sociology of Development 2(3) 235-264.
Book Chapters & Reviews
Doering, Laura. 2018. "Book Review: Freedom from Work." American Journal of Sociology 123(4):1230-1231.
Doering, Laura & Mauro Small. 2016. “Sustainable Enterprise in Panama” in The World Guide to Sustainable Enterprise, edited by Wayne Visser.
Doering, Laura. 2014. “Book Review: The Outsider Entrepreneurs.” American Journal of Sociology 120(4):1245–47.
Articles Under Review
Doering, Laura & Kristen McNeill. “Improvisation from Standardization: Group Meaning-Making in a Colombian Microsavings Program.” Revise & resubmit at American Sociological Review
Ranganathan, Aruna & Laura Doering. "The (State-Private) Ties that Bind: Status, Occupations, and Economic Development in India." Under review.
Doering, Laura & Tyler Wry. “Fit on the Front Lines? Goal Integration and Employee Exit in Microfinance.” Under review.
(I discuss my research and the questions that motivate me in an interview here.)
Journal Articles
Doering, Laura & Chris Liu. 2019. “From the Ground Up: Gender, Self-Employment, and Space in a Colombian Housing Project.”
Sociology of Development. 5(2): 198-224.
Doering, Laura. 2018. “Risks, Returns, and Relational Lending: Personal Ties in Microfinance.” American Journal of Sociology 123(5): 1341-81.
Doering, Laura & Sarah Thébaud. 2017. “The Effects of Gendered Occupational Roles on Men's and Women's Workplace Authority: Evidence from Microfinance.” American Sociological Review 82 (3): 1-26.
Doering, Laura. 2016. “Necessity is the Mother of Isomorphism: Poverty and Market Creativity in Panama.” Sociology of Development 2(3) 235-264.
Book Chapters & Reviews
Doering, Laura. 2018. "Book Review: Freedom from Work." American Journal of Sociology 123(4):1230-1231.
Doering, Laura & Mauro Small. 2016. “Sustainable Enterprise in Panama” in The World Guide to Sustainable Enterprise, edited by Wayne Visser.
Doering, Laura. 2014. “Book Review: The Outsider Entrepreneurs.” American Journal of Sociology 120(4):1245–47.
Articles Under Review
Doering, Laura & Kristen McNeill. “Improvisation from Standardization: Group Meaning-Making in a Colombian Microsavings Program.” Revise & resubmit at American Sociological Review
Ranganathan, Aruna & Laura Doering. "The (State-Private) Ties that Bind: Status, Occupations, and Economic Development in India." Under review.
Doering, Laura & Tyler Wry. “Fit on the Front Lines? Goal Integration and Employee Exit in Microfinance.” Under review.