Key Players in Economic Development

72 Pages Posted: 30 Mar 2020

See all articles by Ashani Amarasinghe

Ashani Amarasinghe

SoDa Laboratories, Monash University

Roland Hodler

University of St. Gallen; University of Oxford; CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Paul Raschky

Monash University - Department of Economics

Yves Zenou

Stockholm University; Monash University - Department of Economics; Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IUI); IZA Institute of Labor Economics; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

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.

Keywords: transportation, natural resources, key player centrality, spatial spillovers, networks, Africa

JEL Classification: O13, O55, R12

Suggested Citation

Amarasinghe, Ashani and Hodler, Roland and Raschky, Paul and Zenou, Yves and Zenou, Yves, Key Players in Economic Development. IZA Discussion Paper No. 13071, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3562861 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3562861

Ashani Amarasinghe (Contact Author)

SoDa Laboratories, Monash University ( email )

Australia

Roland Hodler

University of St. Gallen ( email )

Varnbuelstr. 14
Saint Gallen, St. Gallen CH-9000
Switzerland

University of Oxford ( email )

Mansfield Road
Oxford, Oxfordshire OX1 4AU
United Kingdom

CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute) ( email )

Poschinger Str. 5
Munich, DE-81679
Germany

Paul Raschky

Monash University - Department of Economics ( email )

Wellington Road
Clayton, Victoria 3
Australia

Yves Zenou

Stockholm University ( email )

Universitetsvägen 10
Stockholm, Stockholm SE-106 91
Sweden

Monash University - Department of Economics ( email )

Australia

Research Institute of Industrial Economics (IUI) ( email )

P.O. Box 5501
S-114 85 Stockholm
Sweden

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

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