Data and Code for: Spillovers without Social Interactions in Urban Sanitation

Principal Investigator(s): View help for Principal Investigator(s) Joshua Deutschmann, University of Chicago; Molly Lipscomb, University of Virginia; Laura Schechter, University of Wisconsin-Madison. College of Agricultural and Life Sciences; S. Jessica Zhu, Precision Development

Version: View help for Version V1

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Deutschmann et al_2023			05/02/2023 09:55:AM
README---May-2023.pdf	application/pdf	131 KB	04/29/2023 10:15:AM

Project Citation:

Deutschmann, Joshua, Lipscomb, Molly, Schechter, Laura, and Zhu, S. Jessica. Data and Code for: Spillovers without Social Interactions in Urban Sanitation. Nashville, TN: American Economic Association [publisher], 2024. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2024-05-31. https://doi.org/10.3886/E181101V1

Project Description

Summary:

We run a randomized controlled trial coupled with lab-in-the-field social network experiments in urban Dakar. Decision spillovers and health externalities play a large role in determining uptake of the sanitation technology, with decision spillovers being largest among households that don't receive significant subsidies. There is no evidence that the spillovers are explained by social forces in general, nor that they are explained by specific social mechanisms such as learning from others, social pressure, or reciprocity. We do find evidence of a fourth, non-social, mechanism impacting decisions: increasing health benefits. As more neighbors adopt the sanitary technology, it becomes more worthwhile for other households to adopt as well.

Funding Sources: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Scope of Project

Subject Terms: Randomized Control Trial

JEL Classification:
      O10 Economic Development: General
      Q56 Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
      R11 Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

Geographic Coverage: Dakar, Senegal

Time Period(s): 8/2013 – 6/2015

Collection Date(s): 9/2013 – 10/2013 (First baseline survey); 2/2014 – 5/2014 (Second baseline survey); 3/2015 – 5/2015 (Endline survey)

Universe: Urban households

Data Type(s): administrative records data; experimental data; survey data

Methodology

Data Source: Primary data that were collected by the authors.

Unit(s) of Observation: Individual

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Published Versions

V1 [2024-05-31]

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