Growth and Development Commons^™

Unequal Shocks: The Heterogeneous Impact Of Earthquakes, Claire Marie James

Master's Theses

What effect does neighborhood wealth have on disaster outcomes and disaster induced migration? Using the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquake in Southern Türkiye and Syria as a natural shock, I examine how the short term migration response to building damage and earthquake exposure differs by average neighborhood home prices. Using a panel dataset of population by bing tile, from Meta’s Data for Good Project, I employ time series and cross sectional regression analysis. I find that wealthy neighborhoods are better able to retain population than non-wealthy counterparts.

Climate Shocks, Crop Yields, And School Enrollment In Rural Ethiopia, Mallika Matharu

Master's Theses

This study investigates how climate-induced shocks to agricultural productivity affect school enrollment in rural Ethiopia. Using five waves of panel data from the Ethiopia Living Standards Measurement Study (LSMS) and satellite-derived weather indicators, I estimate the causal effects of crop yields, specifically Teff, Sorghum, and Maize, on children’s school attendance. To address the endogeneity of agricultural output, I instrument crop yields with agro-climatic measures such as growing degree days (GDD), harmful degree days (HDD), and soil moisture during the Meher growing season. The main empirical strategy uses a two-stage instrumental variable approach with region and wave fixed effects. Results suggest …

Downstream Delays: Effects Of Flooding On Childrens Education And Time Use In Peru, Miki Robert Izu

Master's Theses

Flooding is a major cause of destruction and economic loss affecting over 80 million people annually. Flooding during childhood can lead to educational setbacks with long term economic impacts. This study investigates the causal impacts of flood shocks on educational achievement and children's time use using the Young Lives Survey, a panel dataset surveying children in Peru over 19 years of childhood. This study finds that flooding causes a temporary positive "spike" in girls hours of labor immediately after a flood which subsides by three to six years after flooding. The additional hours of labor does not reduce hours of …

The Long-Term Effect Of Universities On Local Technology, Dafina Rizvanolli

Master's Theses

This paper studies the long-term effects of universities on local economic complexity, contributing to new evidence on how higher education institutions shape local productive capabilities over time. While extensive research documents universities’ positive impact on development, fundamental questions remain about the mechanisms through which they operate. Our study employs the Economic Complexity Index (ECI), a measure that captures the diversity and ubiquity of regional economic structures, to provide novel insights into universities’ influence on local economies. Building on Andrews (2023), we exploit historical natural experiments in university site selection during the 19^th and 20^th centuries in the U.S. …

The Hidden Logic Behind Migration And Success, Elsa Russom

Master's Projects and Capstones

This research paper explores the hidden drivers of financial success among Eritrean migrants navigating uncertainty, displacement, and limited institutional access. Drawing on original survey data collected from diaspora communities across East African host countries, I apply a mixed-methods framework combining ordinal and binary logistic regression, random forest classification, bootstrapping, and Bayesian causal mediation; to identify the structural and cultural variables most predictive of financial stability. The findings reveal that participation in Ekub, a traditional rotating savings association, and engagement in communal support systems are the strongest predictors of financial success, outperforming conventional factors such as age, education, or employment status. …

Federal And State Governments Can Help Solve The Employment Problems Of People In Distressed Places To Spur Equitable Growth, Timothy J. Bartik

Upjohn Institute Policy Papers

Places in the United States differ greatly in their residents’ access to jobs, especially good jobs. Although the federal and state governments provide about $80 billion annually to create jobs through multiple programs, these job-creation initiatives are rarely targeted to economically distressed places, where the job-creation benefits for local residents are greatest. Moreover, many of these programs take the form of business tax incentives, which are less effective at job creation than customized services for businesses and workers. I argue that the prime-age employment rate of places should be used to target job-creation programs and review which such programs are …

Integrating Positive Psychology And Spirituality To Foster Meaning And Well-Being In Older Adults, Crystal Morris

Adultspan Journal

This perspective article explores the integration of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) and spirituality in therapy to foster meaning and well-being in older adults. It highlights exercises such as the positive introduction, positive legacy, character strengths, mindfulness, mindful-based yoga, and a manifestation prayer journaling. The interventions presented are tools to support older adults that may experience depression, difficult life transitions, and the search for renewed meaning. Therapists who integrate PPIs and spirituality into therapy can promote a holistic, non-pathological approach to treatment.

Economic Development In Cartersville, Ms: A Case Study Of A Non-Profit Organization's Community Development Projects, Mckenzie B. Perkins

Honors Theses

The Mississippi Delta Region has long faced significant economic, educational, and health challenges and a steady population decline since the 1940s. In response, community development projects have emerged as powerful tools to promote health, well-being, and social mobility. This thesis investigates the impact of community development initiatives in Cartersville, MS, focusing on the dental clinic, educational programs, and the economic development center established by a non-profit organization. Through the lens of community development theories, the research explores how community leadership, particularly partnerships between EverHope Ministries and Cartersville leaders, is pivotal in addressing health disparities in historically marginalized populations. By engaging …

Gene X Environment Interactions: Polygenic Scores And The Impact Of A Early Childhood Intervention In Colombia, Orazio Attanasio, Gabriella Conti, Pamela Jervis, Costas Meghir, Aysu Okbay

Discussion Papers

We evaluate impacts heterogeneity of an Early Childhood Intervention, with respect to the Educational Attainment Polygenic Score (EA4 PGS) constructed from DNA data based on GWAS weights from a European population. We find that the EA4 PGS is predictive of several measures of child development, mother’s IQ and, to some extent, educational attainment. We also show that the impacts of the intervention are significantly greater in children with low PGS, to the point that the intervention eliminates the initial genetic disadvantage. Lastly, we find that children with high PGS attract more parental stimulation; however, the latter increases more strongly in …

Elected To Die: The Effect Of Municipal Assassinations On Remittances In Mexico, Victor M. Mendez Robles

Latin American Studies Honors Projects

This paper looks at localized violence in Mexico through both a qualitative and quantitative approach. Looking at some motivating factors behind violence against political institutions at the municipal level in Mexico. In addition, this paper looks at the relationship between assassinations of municipal mayors in Mexico to see if their assassination leads to changes in remittances in those municipalities in the following periods. This paper uses various difference in difference models to come to its conclusion. There is suggestive evidence of a relationship between remittance growth in municipalities in the periods following an assassination of a mayor currently in office.

Industrial Parks And Domestic Power: Work, Industrialization, And Intimate Partner Violence In Nigeria, Faye X. Dingle

Economics Honors Projects

This paper examines the effect of industrial zone openings on women's employment, relative earnings, and intimate partner violence (IPV) in Nigeria. I exploit variation in the timing of industrial zone openings to use a staggered difference-in-differences model. I compare women near industrial zones to women near not-yet-built industrial zones and capture the effect of the average treatment effect on the treated. I perform this analysis for women within 10, 15, 20, and 25 kilometers of an industrial zone. I find that being within all distances of an industrial zone increases a woman's relative earnings compared to women in non-industrialized zones. …

Essays On Macroeconomics, Krishna Sharma

All Dissertations

The first chapter examines the role of return migration in driving innovation within India’s tech startup ecosystem, using a novel dataset constructed from web scraping of startup profiles, LinkedIn data, and patent databases. By capturing founders’ international experience, education, and innovation outcomes, the analysis reveals that returnees significantly contribute to higher inno- vation levels, particularly through patent filings. Returnee-founded startups exhibit an 18% higher rate of patent filings compared to those led by locals. The study employs OLS, Poisson regression, Coarsened Exact Matching (CEM), and Instrumental Variables (IV) to address selection bias and endogeneity concerns. U.S. immigration policy changes provide …

Sustainable Agricultural Practices And Societal Impacts: A Case Study In Central Belize, Lily Hunt

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis examines the relationship between climate change, sustainable agriculture, and rural development through a case study in Central Belize. Built from observations, interviews, and academic research gathered during a summer internship with the Belize Ministry of Agriculture, the research explores the challenges small farmers face as they navigate worsening climate threats - including drought, wildfire, and resource scarcity. With climate change accelerating at a faster rate in Belize than in many other countries, agricultural resilience has become a national priority. This internship focused on collecting applications for the Sustainable and Inclusive Belize Program, a government initiative that provides financial …

Tax Increment Financing: A History And Analysis Of Its Success And Failure, Justin Cederlof

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Tax increment financing (TIF) is used by cities and towns to subsidize projects within their jurisdictions. The name derives from the growth in the tax base that a (re)development is theoretically responsible for. The increase in tax revenue is directed to funds to pay for the project. TIF is used in 49 U.S. states and each state has unique legislation for its use of it, though there are large similarities between states on how it’s implemented. Research suggests mixed results with whether or not the increase in the tax base is enough to pay off how much money went toward …

Leveraging Data Analytics For Enchanced Economics Prediction: A Study Of Predictive Models And Economics Indicators, Janelle Rueda

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The purpose of this project is intended to investigate the lack of use of data analytics in predicting and managing the impacts of economic crises. This project investigates what economic key factors can be used to create a framework model and evaluate the effectiveness of the key economic indicator being tested as early warning signs. The project uses programs such as Excel, RStudio, and Tableau for the collection of historical data, and regression analysis to determine if certain economic indicators have a statistically significant correlation with GDP, that may help enforce systems in place to help us mitigate economic crises …

Gardens Through The Ages: How Public Gardens Impact The Growth Of Society, Abby J. Cutsinger

ATU Scholars Symposium

Throughout history, gardens held a vital role in the development of civilizations, often serving as spaces for food, reflection, and community. The aim of this study was to explore the progression of gardens parallel to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Additionally, the study aimed to determine whether gardens help fulfill those needs and, in doing so, influence human morality. To examine these possibilities, the researcher conducted a literature review of historical and contemporary accounts of gardening and its effects on physical and psychological well-being, analyzing these findings through the lens of Maslow’s framework. Additionally, crime rate data were compared across several …

Impact Of Community Gardening On Neighborhood Crime Rates: Research Proposal, Abby J. Cutsinger

ATU Scholars Symposium

Gardening has been a part of human existence from the beginning of time, but people have become distanced from gardening as civilization has grown and urbanized. As this distance has grown, so has the disconnect between people and the basic needs which shape their views of themselves and of society. It is possible that, in the drift away from gardening as communities, humans have become less moral.

The purpose of this study is to determine if community gardening lowers violent crime rates.

This relationship will be gauged by answering the following questions:

• Which type of community gardening benefits community relationships …

Analisis Kepemilikan Sertifikat Tanah Terhadap Akses Pinjaman Rumah Tangga, Abdul Azzis Azzis, Chaikal Nuryakin

Jurnal Kebijakan Ekonomi

This study aims to examine the impact of land certificate ownership on access to loans from formal financial institutions. Utilizing data from Indonesia in 2018, we employ logistic regression analysis to investigate the relationship between land certificate ownership and loan access in the country. The examination of land certification in relation to loan access, by distinguishing types of land ownership evidence and loan types, is deemed essential. The findings indicate that the impact of land certification is less effective for low-income households. Beyond ensuring accessible and affordable land certification processes, the government should formulate policies for innovative loan schemes, such …

Simulated Recovery: Measuring The Impact Of Structural Adjustment On Economic Development In Latin America, Daniel Espinal

Business and Economics Honors Papers

This paper uses synthetic control analysis to assess the long-term effects of structural adjustment policies on economic development. Focusing on Mexico as a case study, the findings indicate that these policies may have contributed to economic stagnation and widening inequality. By comparing actual outcomes with a synthetic counterfactual, the analysis reveals a notable divergence in performance over time. Reforms intended to stabilize the economy and promote growth—such as austerity, liberalization, and privatization—often led to reduced public investment, weakened institutions, and increased social vulnerability. The results support broader critiques of structural adjustment, suggesting that the costs of such interventions can outweigh …

Establishing The Creative Network: Wv's Arts Entrepreneur Ecosystem Project, Mckayla R. Braun, Domenica Queen

CRC Research Symposium

The Tamarack Foundation for the Arts’ (TFA) the fellowship for the arts is an art foundation committed to nurturing the next generation of artists by providing a comprehensive support system designed to promote both creative and professional development. Through its fellowship program, TFA provides artists with access to critical resources, including financial literacy education, mentorship, and structured opportunities for artistic and professional growth. Recognizing that creative talent alone is not always sufficient to sustain a long-term artistic practice, TFA’s mission is to equip fellows with the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive both within and beyond the studio. As part …

Value Creation And Value Capture In Indian Garment Sector Bargaining, Russell Morton

Discussion Papers

This paper examines creation and distribution of surplus from global value chains (GVCs) in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) domestic supply chains. While GVC participation can enhance growth and productivity, low prices paid to small input suppliers raise concerns that gains from GVC participation accrue to the large exporters (the buyers). Supply-chain transactions often occur in bargained agreements with non-price terms that increase small supplier surplus, such as quantity stability and other insurance-like terms. Therefore, low input prices reflect both buyers’ share of surplus generated by non-price terms and buyer capture. I enrich a Nash bargaining model to study how …

Is Aid Good For The Poor In Sub-Saharan Africa?, Elisha Mavodyo

Business Review

We contribute to the aid-poverty literature in Sub-Saharan Africa in two fundamental respects. First, we sidestep the controversial aid-growth-poverty relationship by analysing the direct impacts of aid on poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa. Second, in line with previous studies, we first analysed the impact of aid on poverty headcount, poverty gap, and poverty gap squared. We complemented this analysis with an analysis of the direct impact of aid on the incomes of the poor, followed by an analysis of aid on inequality. Such an approach allowed us to draw nuanced conclusions about how effective foreign aid is in alleviating not just …

Economic Effects Of The Separation Of Serbia And Montenegro, Marko Balic

Business and Economics Presentations

The desire of sovereignty is deeply rooted in the history of the Balkans. From the battle of Kosovo in 1389 to the Bosnian War in the 90s there have been numerous instances of redrawing lines on a map and reclaiming land. This paper revisits one of the most recent separations, the one between Serbia and Montenegro in 2006, and explores implications the split had on each economy. More specifically, using a Bayesian Structural Time Series Model, we constructed a counterfactual series to investigate how Serbia and Montenegro would have developed economically had they remained a unified state after 2006. Using …

From Delay To Payday: Easing Bureaucrat Access To Implementation Information Strengthens Social Protection Delivery, Eric Dodge, Yusuf Neggers, Rohini Pande, Charity Troyer Moore

Discussion Papers

Poor implementation frequently impedes social protection delivery in low-state-capacity settings. In such environments, reducing managers’ information acquisition costs may improve their grasp of frontline issues and program performance. However, in the presence of managerial rent-seeking, increasing the principal’s information may be key, and doing so just for managers can backfire. To assess this trade-off and implications for program performance, we collaborated with two Indian states to randomly vary bureaucrat access to PayDash, a digital platform for real-time tracking of worker payment processing for the national rural workfare program. In treated districts, PayDash expedited bureaucrat processing of workfare payments by 17%, …

Best Metros For Manufacturing In The Mountain West, 2024, Taylor Volk, Sean Curry, Mohit Pande, Anirudh Polagani, Kristian Thymianos, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Transportation & Infrastructure

This fact sheet examines data on the top U.S. metros for manufacturing across four Mountain West states (Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada). The original report, titled “Best Metros for Manufacturing in the U.S.” by Commercial Search includes data on the top 100 U.S. metros for manufacturing.

Realokasi Subsidi Bbm Untuk Investasi Energi Terbarukan Di Indonesia: Analisa Social Accounting Matrix, Sidik Nur Toha, Widyono Soetjipto

Jurnal Kebijakan Ekonomi

The challenge of energy transition is the high subsidy on fossil fuels and financing needs. Using social accounting matrix, this study examines the impact of energy transition plan and subsidy reform on economy, society and environment through three scenarios: business-as-usual scenario (Sim1), energy transition (Sim2) and phasing-out (Sim3). Sim2 and Sim3 are conducted without subsidy transfer (Sim2 & Sim3) and subsidy transfer for financing renewable power plants (Sim2.1 & Sim 3.1). The result is Sim3 has better economic, social and environmental impacts than Sim1. When reallocation is conducted, reallocation simulation shows positive impacts on economy and society with significant differences …

Potential Implications Of The Pandemic On Medium Term Productivity, Pakasa Bary, Pandu Kuntoaji, Dwi F. Multiretno, Igp Wira Kusuma

Bulletin of Monetary Economics and Banking

This study analyses the potential medium-term impact of the pandemic to productivity and macroeconomy. It simulates the impact of the pandemic on productivity, labor and macroeconomic dynamics. The simulation is carried out using simple variations of real business cycle models, with shock on consumption-leisure preference which are endogenously responded by technology. Simulation results are consistent with macroeconomic dynamics observed during the pandemic and therefore may imply medium term prospects. In addition, permanent application of technology to replace pandemic-related labour restrictions is superior for medium-term growth.

Microfinance In Latin America: Sustainability, Growth, And Efficiency, Katelyn M. Hoidal

Global Tides

The subsequent research addresses the question: Within populous Latin American countries (Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Argentina, Chile, and Peru), are microfinance institutions associated with differences in GDP and household consumption equally between 2010 and 2018? Which do they have a stronger correlation with? The essence of this question seeks to answer whether the correlation between MFIs and wealth indicators carries over to a national level or merely persists at an individual level. This research has been informed and influenced by literature and studies conducted across South Asia, Africa, and Latin America focusing on the research of Abdelkader, Naveeda, Annim, Campbell, Armendáriz, …

Dampak Program Padat Karya Tunai Desa (Cash-For-Work) Terhadap Kriminalitas Desa Di Jawa Timur, Bella M. Sabrina, Evi Y. Purwanti

Jurnal Kebijakan Ekonomi

High crime rates in rural areas indicate development inequality and low welfare. The government initiated the Padat Karya Tunai Desa Program (Cash-for-Work) to improve welfare by providing employment. Using the Difference-in-Difference method with 2018 and 2021 PODES data from 7,721 villages in East Java, this study analyzes the impact of the PKTD Program and socio-economic factors on crime using three measures: total crime types, theft, and violence. Results show that the Cash-for-Work program does not reduce total crime types and violence, but has the potential to reduce theft. The number of poor-family increases crime, while the number of micro-industries reduces …

The Role Of Gender Equity In Olympic Success Using Panel Data, Anusha Khan

Honors Projects in Mathematics and Economics

This study investigates whether gender equity is one of the determinants of Olympic success at the country level. Using panel data with 766 observations from six Olympic years (2012–2022), it examines the relationship between gender equity and national medal counts. Three Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) models were estimated using total, men’s, and women’s medal counts as dependent variables. While the findings vary across models, results suggest that gender equity may be positively associated with Olympic performance, though its significance is limited when controlling for other social and economic variables.