Markets

Agricultural Productivity and Structural Transformation: Evidence from Brazil

In this paper, published in the American Economic Review, Bustos, Caprettini and Ponticelli (2016) study the effects of the adoption of new agricultural technologies on structural transformation.

Journal Article
1 Jun 2016

Can social media alleviate search and trust frictions in imports?

Search and trust frictions have historically made it hard for small firms in lower-income countries to buy inputs from foreign markets. Consider a clothing wholesaler in Senegal, who wants to start selling high quality European-made jeans.

Research Note
21 Jan 2025

Relational Frictions Along the Supply Chain: Evidence from Senegalese Traders

Search and trust frictions have historically made it hard for small firms in lower income countries to buy inputs from foreign markets. The growth in smartphone ownership and social media usage has the potential to alleviate these barriers.

Working Paper
21 Jan 2025

Firms' willingness to compete and consumers' willingness to search in urban areas in low-income countries

In this project, the research team studies how firms compete and how consumers respond to price changes. The study takes place in Mwanza, Tanzania’s second-largest city and focuses on small, urban firms selling maize flour, an important staple food in this region.  

 

Research Project
29 Oct 2024

Relational Frictions Along the Supply Chain: Evidence from a Randomised Experiment Among Senegalese Traders

This project is a randomised controlled trial designed to quantify and decompose the frictions in international trade (information asymmetries and contracting barriers) among Senegalese importers, using the derived estimates to understand relationship formation along the international supply chain.

Research Project
28 Oct 2024

Labour Market Power, Self-employment, and Development

This paper shows that self-employment shapes labor market power in low-income countries, affecting industrial development.

Working Paper
18 Sep 2024

Friendship & Collusion Among Lusakan Fruit and Vegetable Sellers

Markets in developing countries are often portrayed as dysfunctional, with low levels of competition and large numbers of unproductive firms. In theory, increased competition could work as a disciplining force in these settings.

Research Note
17 Jun 2024

Landmines and Spatial Development

Landmines affect the lives of millions in many conflict-ridden communities long after the cessation of hostilities. However, there is little research on the role of demining.

Working Paper
26 Oct 2023

Restoring Trust: Evidence from the Fertiliser Market in Tanzania

A lack of trust in product quality can distort markets, reducing demand and investment. Can a low-touch information campaign improve confidence in fertiliser quality in Tanzania, raising demand for a critical agricultural input?

Research Note
29 Aug 2023

Restoring Trust: Evidence from the Fertiliser Market in Tanzania

A lack of reliable information about fertiliser quality depresses farmer demand, reducing crop yields and negatively impacting livelihoods.

Working Paper
25 Aug 2023

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