Spillovers without Social Interactions in Urban Sanitation

Deutschmann, Joshua W.; Lipscomb, Molly; Schechter, Laura; Zhu, Jessica

doi:10.1257/app.20220047

Abstract

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.

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Spillovers without Social Interactions in Urban Sanitation

Abstract

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