Spillovers without Social Interactions in Urban Sanitation
Lipscomb, Molly Schechter, Laura Zhu, Jessica 2024 Deutschmann, Joshua W.
Spillovers without Social Interactions in Urban Sanitation - American Economic Journal: Applied Economics 2024 - 482-515
We run a randomized controlled trial coupled with lab-in-the-field social network experiments in urban Dakar. Decision spillovers and health externalities play a large role in determining uptake of sanitation technology, with decision spillovers being largest among households that don't receive significant subsidies. There is no evidence that the spillovers are explained by social forces in general, nor by specific social mechanisms such as learning from others, social pressure, or reciprocity. We do find evidence of a fourth, nonsocial, mechanism impacting decisions: increasing health benefits. As more neighbors adopt the sanitary technology, it becomes more worthwhile for other households to adopt as well.
1945-7782
Energy
Environment
Hazardous Waste
Natural Resources
Noise
Housing
Spillovers without Social Interactions in Urban Sanitation - American Economic Journal: Applied Economics 2024 - 482-515
We run a randomized controlled trial coupled with lab-in-the-field social network experiments in urban Dakar. Decision spillovers and health externalities play a large role in determining uptake of sanitation technology, with decision spillovers being largest among households that don't receive significant subsidies. There is no evidence that the spillovers are explained by social forces in general, nor by specific social mechanisms such as learning from others, social pressure, or reciprocity. We do find evidence of a fourth, nonsocial, mechanism impacting decisions: increasing health benefits. As more neighbors adopt the sanitary technology, it becomes more worthwhile for other households to adopt as well.
1945-7782
Energy
Environment
Hazardous Waste
Natural Resources
Noise
Housing