This paper examines spillovers in the use of digital technologies from formal to informal businesses by exploring differences in geographic proximity. Using a unique set of geocoded data from the 2019 World Bank Enterprise Surveys in Zambia, the findings indicate that closer geographic proximity to formal firms is associated with a significantly higher likelihood of digital adoption by informal businesses. The finding holds for various types of digital technologies, ranging from computers, tablets, and cell phones to mobile money transactions, and is robust to various measures of geographic proximity and model modifications. The results vary by the owner’s level of education and business age. The results also suggest that the spillovers in ICT use can be explained by competition in the local market and learning through enhanced interactions.
Repository name | URI |
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Reproducible Research Repository (World Bank) | https://reproducibility.worldbank.org |
Paper exhibits were reproduced in a computer with the following specifications:
• OS: Windows 11 Enterprise, version 21H2
• Processor: Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6226R CPU @ 2.90GHz, 16 Core(s)
• Memory available: 15.7 GB
• Software version: Stata 18
~10 minutes runtime
For successful replication of this package, new users have two options depending on the data access level. To run the code from the beginning, users need to obtain full access to all data sources, including the World Bank Enterprise Survey (WBES) - Zambia and altitude data. Once accessed, they should name the files following the conventions outlined in the README and data entry documentation, and correctly place these files into the designated folder. After that users must update the directory paths and run the main do file. Alternatively, users can start from line 225 using the intermediate dataset, which only requires updating the directory path in the settings and running the Main do file. This approach allows users to reproduce the results in the paper starting from the intermediate data.
This study utilizes a mix of publishable and non-republishable data sources. All data sources are publicly available, except for the altitude data, which is neither public nor included in the reproducibility package. The primary data source is a World Bank public survey, which cannot be republished; however, download links for these files are available in the data entries and the README file. Additionally, the authors and replicators had access to restricted elements of these surveys, such as GPS coordinates and enumeration forms from the WBMES and WBISES, used solely for calculating distances, densities, and productivity. The results of these calculations and the inputs for the package are included within the package itself. For detailed information on accessing the restricted components and understanding the necessary folder structure for analysis, please consult the README file and the data documentation included. The authors have also provided an intermediate dataset that allows for the replication of the results directly from the package, starting at line 225 in the analysis section. To conduct the analysis from the beginning, refer to the README for instructions on accessing the licensed data sources.
Author | Affiliation | |
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Filip Jolevski | World Bank | fjolevski@worldbank.org |
Gaurav Nayyar | World Bank | gnayyar@worldbank.org |
Regina Pleninger | World Bank | rpleninger@worldbank.org |
Shu Yu | World Bank | syu2@worldbank.org |
2024-04
Location | Code |
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Zambia | ZMB |
The materials in the reproducibility packages are distributed as they were prepared by the staff of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this event do not necessarily reflect the views of the World Bank, the Executive Directors of the World Bank, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the materials included in the reproducibility package.
Name | URI |
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Modified BSD3 | https://opensource.org/license/bsd-3-clause/ |
Name | Affiliation | |
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Regina Pleninger | World Bank | rpleninger@worldbank.org |
Reproducibility WBG | World Bank | reproducibility@worldbank.org |
Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
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Reproducibility WBG | DIME | World Bank - Development Impact Department | Verification and preparation of metadata |
2024-04-10
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