Information from Markets Near and Far: Mobile Phones and Agricultural Markets in Niger

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Aker, Jenny C.
• 署名单位: Tufts University; Tufts University
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL-APPLIED ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1945-7782
• DOI: 10.1257/app.2.3.46
• 发表日期: 2010
• 页码: 46-59
• 关键词: specification; sensitivity; performance; exogeneity; PROGRAMS; price

摘要

Price dispersion across markets is common in developing countries. Using novel market and trader-level data, this paper provides estimates of the impact of mobile phones on price dispersion across grain markets in Niger The introduction of mobile phone service between 2001 and 2006 explains a 10 to 16 percent reduction in grain price dispersion. The effect is stronger for market pairs with higher transport costs. (JEL O13, O33, Q11, Q13)