Doctoral Dissertation Research in Economics: Networks, Norms and Technology Diffusion

University Of California-Davis, Davis CA

Investigators

Abstract

This doctoral dissertation collects data on social networks and social norms using an innovative sampling frame. The project builds on an ongoing prospective randomized experimental evaluation of a new biofortified sweet potato. Biofortification of sweet potatoes could be a cost effective way to reduce Vitamin A deficiencies, which are widespread among women and children in parts of Africa. However, information about the health benefits must spread widely through a society if people are going to adopt the new food. Social networks are especially important in African economies because other institutions are weak; these networks are an important pathway for information diffusion. This doctoral dissertation measures the effects of social networks on decisions to purchase the new variety of sweet potato. Research methods include a direct household survey of 500 households and field experiments using dictator and trust games to measure the effects of altruism and trust on network diffusion effects. This project contributes to the growing area of network economics by providing a direct measurement of the effects of a specific social network on information diffusion. This research also has broader impact because it will result in a more scientifically valid assessment of the cost effectiveness of the biofortification project.