The digital provide: Information (technology), market performance, and welfare in the South Indian fisheries sector
The digital provide: Information (technology), market performance, and welfare in the South Indian fisheries sector
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DOI：
10.1162/qjec.122.3.879
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发表时间：
2007-08-01
影响因子：
13.7
通讯作者：
Jensen, Robert
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Jensen, Robert
当信息有限或成本高昂时，代理人无法进行最优套利。可能会出现跨市场的过度价格分散，商品可能无法有效配置。在这种背景下，信息技术可能会改善市场表现，增加福利。1997年至2001年间，移动电话服务在印度拥有大型渔业的喀拉拉邦全境推出。利用微观层面的调查数据，我们发现，渔民和批发商使用移动电话与价格差异显著减少、完全消除浪费以及近乎完美地遵守单一价格定律有关。消费者和生产者的福利都有所增加。
When information is limited or costly, agents are unable to engage in optimal arbitrage. Excess price dispersion across markets can arise, and goods may not be allocated efficiently. In this setting, information technologies may improve market performance and increase welfare. Between 1997 and 2001, mobile phone service was introduced throughout Kerala, a state in India with a large fishing industry. Using microlevel survey data, we show that the adoption of mobile phones by fishermen and wholesalers was associated with a dramatic reduction in price dispersion, the complete elimination of waste, and near-perfect adherence to the Law of One Price. Both consumer and producer welfare increased.