Inspection technology, detection, and compliance: evidence from Florida restaurant inspections

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Jin, Ginger Zhe; Lee, Jungmin
• 署名单位: University System of Maryland; University of Maryland College Park; National Bureau of Economic Research; Sogang University
• 刊物名称: RAND JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0741-6261
• DOI: 10.1111/1756-2171.12074
• 发表日期: 2014
• 页码: 885-917
• 关键词: information-technology; public-sector; PRODUCTIVITY; incentives; computers

摘要

In this article, we show that a small innovation in inspection technology can make substantial differences in inspection outcomes. For restaurant hygiene inspections, the state of Florida has introduced a handheld electronic device, the portable digital assistant (PDA), which reminds inspectors of about 1,000 potential violations that may be checked for. Using inspection records from July 2003 to June 2009, we find that the adoption of PDA led to 11% more detected violations and subsequently, restaurants may have gradually increased their compliance efforts. We also find that PDA use is significantly correlated with a reduction in restaurant-related foodborne disease outbreaks.