This paper investigates behavioral adaptation to local improvements in environmental quality. Using exogenous variation in village sanitation coverage generated by the randomized allocation of financial incentives to latrine construction in the Lao People's Democratic Republic, we find that the...

In developing economies, foreign direct investment (FDI) plays a crucial role by providing resources that facilitate participation in international trade and support economic development. Focusing on Viet Nam as a case study, this research aims to quantify the distributional effects of the...

We use data from two separate randomized control trials to examine whether career mentoring influences the educational preferences and career choices of Bhutanese students in grades 10 and 12. These mentoring programs provide information on technical and vocational education and training (TVET)...

This paper uses value-added models and panel data from a comprehensive set of highstakes secondary school exams to assess determinants of student performance during the coronavirus pandemic in Bhutan. Gender gaps, urban-rural gaps, and socioeconomic gaps do not appear to have widened...

In this paper, we examine whether, and if so how, an economy's deliberate policy choices of regional cooperation and integration influence underlying determinants of economic growth. Building on models of growth and innovation, we analyze the role of regional integration on labor productivity...

Rules of origin differ among overlapping free trade agreements, raising firm compliance costs, discouraging utilization of trade preferences, and hindering regional value chains. Using a unique dataset comparing the restrictiveness of product-specific rules of origin (PSRO) between the Regional...

Based on Alibaba's renowned "green" initiative, the Ant Forest program, we develop a novel measure to reveal an individual investor's nonpecuniary green preference and link it to an individual's investment actions. We present compelling evidence that supports nonfinancial incentives for...

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the crucial role of Internet access in pandemic prevention and response. Internet access has facilitated the rapid dissemination of vital information, provided telemedicine services, and enabled remote work and education. This study...

Limited data on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) make it difficult for governments to design appropriate MSME policies in Asia and the Pacific. To identify factors affecting MSME development and promote evidence-based policymaking, we propose a probabilistic principal component...

This paper reviews the current discussions, methods, and practices surrounding the estimation of reasonable proxies for the underlying fiscal position, a useful anchor for fiscal policy. An empirical application to developing Asian economies is carried out. There is no one-size fits all type of...