Peer Effects in the Demand for Energy in Mexico

Peer Effects in the Demand for Energy in Mexico

by | Jul 1, 2014 | by Lucas Davis, Grant, International Trade & Development, Research

by Lucas Davis (Berkeley- Haas)

From 2009–2012, Mexico implemented a national energy-efficiency program that replaced 1.9 million aging refrigerators and air conditioners with modern, efficient models.  This research will study whether participation in the program by a neighbor made households more likely to participate or otherwise reduce their electricity usage.  Peer effects in energy-efficiency decisions are potentially very important, yet there are no credible empirical estimates of their presence or magnitude.  Mexico’s appliance replacement program is an ideal setting for evaluating these types of peer effects.  It was conducted at a huge scale, making it particularly worthy of careful evaluation.  Though exceptional in size, its design is typical of energy-efficiency programs in many countries, so findings may be of broad interest.  Because participation was limited to households with historic monthly electricity consumption above a set threshold, this project can compare the neighbors of households who were barely eligible to the neighbors of households who were barely ineligible. This allows for highly credible and transparent measurement of peer effects. Preliminary evidence finds substantial peer effects concentrated within 1-2 months from the time of participation. The timing and size of the effect suggest that program awareness may be particiularly important in affecting energy-efficiency program participation.

Topics

Development

Initiatives

International Trade & Development

Does Peer Use Influence Adoption of Efficient Cookstoves? Evidence from a randomized controlled trial in Uganda

Does Peer Use Influence Adoption of Efficient Cookstoves? Evidence from a randomized controlled trial in Uganda

by | Jul 1, 2014 | by David Levine, Grant, International Trade & Development, Research

by David Levine (Berkeley Haas)

Link to paper

This paper examines the effect of peer usage on consumer demand for efficient cookstoves with a randomized controlled trial in rural Uganda. It test if the neighbors of buyers who ordered and received a stove are more likely to purchase an efficient cookstove than the neighbors of buyers who ordered but have not yet received a stove. The paper finds that neighbors of buyers who have experience with the stove are not detectably more likely to purchase a stove than neighbors of buyers who have not yet received their stove. It does find evidence of peer effects in opinions about efficient cookstoves. Knowing that a prominent member of the community has the efficient stove predicts 17–22 percentage points higher odds of strongly favoring the stove. But this more favorable opinion seemingly has no impact on purchase decisions.

The paper, with Andrew Simons, Theresa Beltramo and Garrick Blalock, is forthcomingin  Health Communications, 20, 2015: 55–66.

Photo source: https://flic.kr/p/6CKP1J

Topics

Development

Initiatives

International Trade & Development

Stability or Upheaval? The Currency Composition of International Reserves in the Long Run

Stability or Upheaval? The Currency Composition of International Reserves in the Long Run

by | Jul 1, 2014 | by Barry Eichengreen Livia Chitu & Arnaud Mehl, Grant, International Financial Architecture, Research

by Barry Eichengreen, Livia Chitu & Arnaud Mehl

STABILITY OR UPHEAVAL?

This project analyzes how the role of different national currencies as international reserves was affected by the shift from fixed to flexible exchange rates. The authors extend data on the currency composition of foreign reserves backward and forward to investigate whether there was a shift in the determinants of the currency composition of international reserves around the breakdown of Bretton Woods. They find that inertia and policy-credibility effects in international reserve currency choice have become stronger post-Bretton Woods, while network effects appear to have weakened. They show that negative policy interventions designed to discourage international use of currency have been more effective than positive interventions to encourage its use. These findings speak to the prospects of currencies like the euro and the renminbi seeking to acquire international reserve status and others like the U.S. dollar seeking to preserve it.

 

See poster.

Topics

Architecture

Initiatives

International Financial Architecture

The Global Social Venture Competition

The Global Social Venture Competition

by | Apr 11, 2014 | Conferences, Events

About GSVC

The Global Social Venture Competition (GSVC) provides aspiring entrepreneurs with mentoring, exposure, and $50,000 in prizes to transform their ideas into businesses that will have positive real world impact. Founded in 1999 by MBA students at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, the GSVC culminates each year with the Global Finals and Conference at Berkeley in April, gathering teams from around the world and Bay Area professionals for a day of learning and networking. GSVC has evolved into a global network supported by an international community of volunteer judges, mentors and student organizers and a partnership of premier business schools in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

In 2013, GSVC received 650 entries from nearly 40 countries.  Previous years’ finalists include Husk Power, Revolution Foods, and d.light design. Since its inception in 1999, the GSVC has awarded more than a quarter of a million dollars to emerging social ventures and has introduced early-stage social venture entrepreneurs to the investment community.

Type

Conferences

Location

Haas School of Business – University of California, Berkeley

Date & Time

Apr 11, 2014

Website

https://gsvc.org/

The Latin American Business Conference

The Latin American Business Conference

by | Apr 4, 2014 | Conferences, Events

The Latin American Business Conference

The Conference is the Berkeley Haas’ Latin and Hispanic Business Association most important event, contributing to fulfill its vision of becoming a leading organization inside our university. Held annually at Haas since 2010, the Conference is a full-day event, featuring highly respected business and political leaders who share their experiences and insights. It is a space for learning, sharing and debating about current trends and business opportunities.

About the Latin and Hispanic Business Association (LAHBA)
LAHBA is one of the largest student-run associations of the Haas School of Business. LAHBA unites students from all backgrounds who share an interest in Latin America, organizing and sponsoring activities to heighten the cultural, economic, and political awareness of the region at Haas and UC Berkeley.

If you are interested in sponsoring LAHBA or participating in future LAHBA conferences and events, you can contact: lahba@haas.berkeley.edu

Type

Conferences

Location

Bancroft Hotel, 2680 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA

Date & Time

Apr 4, 2014

Website

https://www.lahbaconference.net/