THESIS
2023
1 online resource (ix, 121 pages) : illustrations (some color)
Abstract
As technology advances, complexities faced by developing nations shift. This thesis critically
examines challenges confronting developing countries and explores how infrastructure,
technology, and trade could address them to facilitate development.
In Chapter 1, we study automated monitoring’s effects on achieving pollution control
targets. China’s air quality improvements after declaring war on pollution are remarkable.
Using staggered roll-out and remote-sensing data, we unveil monitoring technology’s dual
role: inducing pollution reductions near monitors and ground-monitoring data recording
higher reductions. Heterogeneity in automation response across cities, based on data manipulation
and public pressure, is found. Uneven pollution control raises environmental justice
concerns.
Cha...[
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As technology advances, complexities faced by developing nations shift. This thesis critically
examines challenges confronting developing countries and explores how infrastructure,
technology, and trade could address them to facilitate development.
In Chapter 1, we study automated monitoring’s effects on achieving pollution control
targets. China’s air quality improvements after declaring war on pollution are remarkable.
Using staggered roll-out and remote-sensing data, we unveil monitoring technology’s dual
role: inducing pollution reductions near monitors and ground-monitoring data recording
higher reductions. Heterogeneity in automation response across cities, based on data manipulation
and public pressure, is found. Uneven pollution control raises environmental justice
concerns.
Chapter 2 investigates machinery imports’ impact on African countries’ industrialization.
Firstly, we examine China’s machinery elimination policy effects on machinery exports to
Africa, finding that task-implementing cities export about 6% more machinery value. Secondly,
benefits of imported machinery for recipient countries are explored. Machinery imports
contribute to downstream sector growth but have limited job creation effects. Ethiopian
firm-level data supports these findings, indicating machinery imports mainly benefit large
firms and exporters without substantial employment increases. This chapter offers insights
into machinery imports’ role in promoting industrialization and local development in Africa.
Chapter 3 explores climate change’s effect on employment and its heterogeneity in Africa.
Extreme heat could affect the environment, demography, and labor market. Using satellite
temperature data and surveys, we determine each additional hot day in the past year raises
unemployment likelihood by 0.09%. Effects are stronger among disadvantaged groups: females,
low-skilled workers, and the poor. Infrastructure access eases these impacts. This
study underscores the policy need to address socioeconomic disparities and ensure equitable
distribution of climate change effects in developing countries.
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