nep-nud New Economics Papers
on Nudge and Boosting
Issue of 2026–10–19
two papers chosen by
Marco Novarese, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale
  1. Crowding Out Temptation: Experimental Evidence on Savings and Health Behaviors in Kenya By Harsha Thirumurthy; Elizabeth F. Bair; Dean Yang; Teniola I. Egbe; Benard Ayieko; Julius Wesonga; Sue Napierala; Connie Celum; Mary E. Putt; Carol S. Camlin; Mark Ayallo
  2. Cognitive Training for Jobseekers: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment By Hélène Benghalem; Mirjam Bächli; Doriana Tinello; Sascha Zuber; Mauro Cherubini; Damaris Aschwanden; Matthias Kliegel; Rafael Lalive; Michele Pellizzari
  1. By: Harsha Thirumurthy; Elizabeth F. Bair; Dean Yang; Teniola I. Egbe; Benard Ayieko; Julius Wesonga; Sue Napierala; Connie Celum; Mary E. Putt; Carol S. Camlin; Mark Ayallo
    Abstract: Alcohol use, transactional sex, and gambling carry significant health and economic consequences. We conducted a randomized controlled trial in Kenya to assess whether these behaviors could be altered with a savings intervention that provided lottery-based interest, goal-setting support, and savings reminders. Over 24 months, the intervention increased formal savings and assets, financed primarily by lower spending on alcohol, transactional sex, and gambling. It also reduced hazardous drinking by 26 percent and intimate partner violence by 15 percent. HIV/STI incidence declined by 8 percent, though this was not statistically significant. Savings interventions can simultaneously boost financial security and change health behavior.
    JEL: I12 O15 O16
    Date: 2026–10
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:35833
  2. By: Hélène Benghalem; Mirjam Bächli; Doriana Tinello; Sascha Zuber; Mauro Cherubini; Damaris Aschwanden; Matthias Kliegel; Rafael Lalive; Michele Pellizzari
    Abstract: Cognition is likely to be important for job search, but its role is not yet well understood. We study an online field experiment with jobseekers registered at the Swiss public employment services. Participants were randomly assigned to an online cognitive training program designed to strengthen core cognitive abilities and transversal cognitive abilities relevant for job search. Combining administrative and survey data on employment and earnings, we find that access to cognitive training substantially increases employment rates and earnings while reducing reliance on transfer income. In a simple search model, these findings could arise when cognition improves search effectiveness leading to lower search effort but higher chances of employment.
    Keywords: Unemployment, Online job search, Cognitive Training
    JEL: J64 J62 C93
    Date: 2026–08
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:crm:wpaper:26226
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