nep-ict New Economics Papers
on Information and Communication Technologies
Issue of 2024‒07‒08
two papers chosen by
Marek Giebel, Universität Dortmund


  1. Broadband Internet Access, Economic Growth, and Wellbeing By Kathryn R. Johnson; Claudia Persico
  2. Algorithmic Pricing: Implications for Consumers, Managers, and Regulators By Martin Spann; Marco Bertini; Oded Koenigsberg; Robert Zeithammer; Diego Aparicio; Yuxin Chen; Fabrizio Fantini; Ginger Zhe Jin; Vicki Morwitz; Peter Popkowski Leszczyc; Maria Ana Vitorino; Gizem Yalcin Williams; Hyesung Yoo

  1. By: Kathryn R. Johnson; Claudia Persico
    Abstract: Between 2000 and 2008, access to high-speed, broadband internet grew significantly in the United States, but there is debate on whether access to high-speed internet improves or harms wellbeing. We find that a ten percent increase in the proportion of county residents with access to broadband internet leads to a 1.01 percent reduction in the number of suicides in a county, as well as improvements in self-reported mental and physical health. We further find that this reduction in suicide deaths is likely due to economic improvements in counties that have access to broadband internet. Counties with increased access to broadband internet see reductions in poverty rate and unemployment rate. In addition, zip codes that gain access to broadband internet see increases in the numbers of employees and establishments. In addition, heterogeneity analysis indicates that the positive effects are concentrated in the working age population, those between 25 and 64 years old. This pattern is precisely what is predicted by the literature linking economic conditions to suicide risk.
    JEL: I10 I12 I15
    Date: 2024–05
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32517&r=
  2. By: Martin Spann; Marco Bertini; Oded Koenigsberg; Robert Zeithammer; Diego Aparicio; Yuxin Chen; Fabrizio Fantini; Ginger Zhe Jin; Vicki Morwitz; Peter Popkowski Leszczyc; Maria Ana Vitorino; Gizem Yalcin Williams; Hyesung Yoo
    Abstract: Over the past decade, an increasing number of firms have delegated pricing decisions to algorithms in consumer markets such as travel, entertainment, and retail; business markets such as digital advertising; and platform markets such as ride-sharing. This trend, driven primarily by the increased availability of digital data and developments in information technology, has economic and social consequences that are not yet well understood. The aim of this paper is therefore to examine various implications and challenges of algorithmic pricing for consumers, managers, and regulators. We contribute to the literature by defining and classifying algorithmic pricing, understanding managers' perceptions and adding empirical evidence on its use, raising important considerations for the three stakeholders, and finally outlining research priorities in this area.
    JEL: D4 L1 L4 L5
    Date: 2024–06
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32540&r=

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