Yellow Pages: Information, connections and firm performance

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Dillon, Brian; Aker, Jenny C.; Blumenstock, Joshua E.
• 署名单位: Cornell University; University of California System; University of California Berkeley
• 刊物名称: ECONOMIC JOURNAL
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0013-0133
• DOI: 10.1093/ej/ueaf009
• 发表日期: 2025
• 页码: 2067-2082
• 关键词: Social networks; agricultural information; RELATIONAL CONTRACTS; technology diffusion; mobile phones; microenterprises; enterprises; adoption; MARKETS; others

摘要

We study the impact of a low-cost intervention to reduce information frictions in rural markets by randomly assigning small and medium enterprises in Tanzania to be listed in a telephone directory. The listed firms expand their communication networks, increase sales and make greater use of mobile money, with positive spillovers to firms in the same village. Estimated effects are larger and more statistically precise for firms that are more productive at baseline, consistent with consumers seeking out better firms when search costs fall. We find no evidence of negative between-village spillovers on unlisted firms.