Eating like which “Joneses?” an Iterative Solution to the Choice of a Poverty Line “Reference Group”

A standard method for calculating poverty lines (e.g. Ravallion, 1994) is not fully specified. The choice of the "reference population" for determining food baskets is left to the decision of the individual analyst. However, the poverty line can be quite sensitive to the real income of the reference group because the "quality" of the food basket—measured as the food expenditures per calorie—rises sharply with income. We propose that the reference group be centered on the poverty line. To address the obvious circularity problem in choosing a reference population at the poverty line to define the poverty line, we use an iterative approach. This iterative method provides a methodological anchor that fixes the reference group.     

Using compensation instruments as a vehicle to improve spatial planning: Challenges and opportunities

Planners are increasingly adopting market-oriented compensation instruments. This is not only the result of a shift from government to governance, but also because governments are increasingly required to compensate private citizens for losses incurred due to planning regulations. Market-oriented compensation instruments have a broad scope as they also enable non-financial compensation opportunities. Non-financial compensation schemes normally use – not necessarily transferable – rights to compensate for a loss in economic value. Countries that adopt such instruments – such as The Netherlands, the US and Spain – often not only use them for compensation, but also to recoup some of the windfall profits that are then used for the improvement of urban and regional areas.     

Do mobile banner ads increase sales? Yes,in the offline channel

Firms allocate increasingly large budgets to mobile banner advertising. Yet, existing research paid only scant attention to the sales effects of mobile banner ads. In this paper, we fill this gap by determining the offline and online sales impact of a large-scale mobile banner advertising campaign. As part of a geographical field experiment, over 3.5 million mobile banner ads were served to a predetermined geographical area. We determine the offline and online sales effects of the mobile banner ad campaign by analyzing twenty months of sales data for regions covering the entire country of the Netherlands. Relying on a difference-in-difference approach and two matching methods, we demonstrate an offline sales increase of around 2%. The online sales effect is not significant. We conclude that firms can use mobile banner advertising to boost offline sales. We find no evidence for cross-channel sales cannibalization.     

Collective action for small-scale producers of agricultural biodiversity products

The role of well-functioning markets for development is now widely recognized. However the challenge remains to make these markets benefit the poor and the environment. Increasing attention is being given to the potential role markets can play for agrobiodiversity conservation through product diversification and increasing competitiveness in niche and novelty markets. Several case studies were undertaken that explore the use of market-based approaches to on-farm agrobiodiversity management and livelihood improvement. This paper explores how the theory of collective action can provide a more synthetic understanding of how market chains operate, and the changes that could permit a more equitable distribution of benefits. The case studies illustrate the need for improved trust, mutual understanding of each actor’s involvement, and an agreed process of collective action with a high level of community participation. The cases differ in their degree of collective action, the level of market organization and the ways in which handling, processing, and innovative marketing add value to the agrobiodiversity products. Comparative analysis identified a range of situations in which market development can support agrobiodiversity conservation and livelihoods.     

How Did Workers Benefit from Bolivia's Emergency Social Fund?

Bolivia's Emergency Social Fund (ESF) was established to cushionthe adverse effects on the poor of the economic crisis and subsequentstabilization program in the 1980s and to facilitate transitionthrough the phases of structural adjustment. The ESF providedtemporary employment opportunities by funding small-scale, labor-intensiveprojects that were proposed by local governmental and nongovernmentalorganizations. This article measures the impact of the ESF programon employment and income of workers in the ESF projects. Forthe average ESF worker, hourly wages were 12.8 percent higher,the work week was 9.5 hours longer, and weekly earnings were32 percent higher than what they would have been without theESF. Taking into account the probability that the individualmay not have worked without the ESF leads to larger gains. Thegreatest benefits from participating in the program were receivedby those who would have been least well-off without it.