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 & Tyler Wry. “Fit on the Front Lines? Goal Integration and Employee Exit in Microfinance.”
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."
(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 & Tyler Wry. “Fit on the Front Lines? Goal Integration and Employee Exit in Microfinance.”
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."