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Key Players in Economic Development

Author

Listed:
  • Amarasinghe, Ashani

    (Monash University)

  • Hodler, Roland

    (University of St. Gallen)

  • Raschky, Paul A.

    (Monash University)

  • Zenou, Yves

    (Monash University)

Abstract

This paper analyzes the role of networks in the spatial diffusion of local economic shocks in Africa. We show that road and ethnic connectivity are particularly important factors for diffusing economic spillovers over longer distances. We then determine the key players, i.e., which districts are key in propagating local economic shocks across Africa. Using these results, we conduct counterfactual policy exercises to evaluate the potential gains from policies that increase economic activity in specific districts or improve road connectivity between districts.

Suggested Citation

  • Amarasinghe, Ashani & Hodler, Roland & Raschky, Paul A. & Zenou, Yves, 2020. "Key Players in Economic Development," IZA Discussion Papers 13071, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp13071
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    Cited by:

    1. Thomas J. Sargent & John Stachurski, 2022. "Economic Networks: Theory and Computation," Papers 2203.11972, arXiv.org, revised Jul 2022.
    2. Rodríguez-Puello, Gabriel & Rickardsson, Jonna, 2024. "Spatial Diffusion of Economic Shocks in the Labor Market: Evidence from a Mining Boom and Bust," OSF Preprints tzmf2, Center for Open Science.
    3. Matthew J. Lindquist & Eleonora Patacchini & Michael Vlassopoulos & Yves Zenou, 2024. "Spillovers in criminal networks: Evidence from co-offender deaths," IFS Working Papers W24/56, Institute for Fiscal Studies.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    networks; spatial spillovers; key player centrality; natural resources; transportation; Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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