Can Network Theory-Based Targeting Increase Technology Adoption?
American Economic Review
vol. 111,
no. 6, June 2021
(pp. 1918-43)
Abstract
Can targeting information to network-central farmers induce more adoption of a new agricultural technology? By combining social network data and a field experiment in 200 villages in Malawi, we find that targeting central farmers is important to spur the diffusion process. We also provide evidence of one explanation for why centrality matters: a diffusion process governed by complex contagion. Our results are consistent with a model in which many farmers need to learn from multiple people before they adopt themselves. This means that without proper targeting of information, the diffusion process can stall and technology adoption remains perpetually low.Citation
Beaman, Lori, Ariel BenYishay, Jeremy Magruder, and Ahmed Mushfiq Mobarak. 2021. "Can Network Theory-Based Targeting Increase Technology Adoption?" American Economic Review, 111 (6): 1918-43. DOI: 10.1257/aer.20200295Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- O13 Economic Development: Agriculture; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Other Primary Products
- O18 Economic Development: Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure
- O33 Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
- Q12 Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
- Q16 Agricultural R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services