Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab

Abstract This study estimates the impact of relative age (i.e., the difference in classmates’ ages) on both the speed and quality of individuals’ transition from education to the labour market, and investigates whether and how this impact passes through characteristics of students’ educational careers—topics that have been largely overlooked in prior work. We use rich data pertaining to schooling and to labour market outcomes one year after graduation to conduct instrumental variables analyses. We find that a one-year increase in relative age increases the likelihood of (i) being employed then by 3.5 percentage points (baseline 91.2%), (ii) having a permanent contract by 5.1 percentage points (baseline 42.6%), and (iii) having full-time employment by 6.5 percentage points (baseline 79.5%). These relative age effects are partly mediated by intermediate outcomes such as having had a schooling delay at the age of sixteen or taking on student jobs. The final mediator is particularly notable as no earlier studies examined relative age effects on student employment.

ClinicalTrials.gov; ID NCT03360539 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03360539).

Abstract An online platform—entitled NaijaCare—offered digital ordering, business development, peer exchange and business skills training to informal medicine vendors in Lagos, Nigeria. Outcomes of these vendors (known as PPMVs—patent and proprietary medicine vendors) who had participated in an earlier round of NaijaCare programming are compared with those of other PPMVs operating in the same local markets. Program impacts are estimated using a difference-in-differences estimator, with inverse propensity weighting to balance possible differences in baseline characteristics between intervention and control PPMVs. NaijaCare’s full range of features did not lead to significant improvements in most of the main outcomes of interest including: a business practice index (−1.4 ± 1.6, P = 0.09), the number of non-counterfeit medicine provided (0.2 ± 0.4, P = 0.25), client perception of PPMV quality (−0.4 ± 0.3, P = 0.03), changes in number of regular clients (−4.0 ± 5.3, P = 0.13) and PPMV role during the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g. not significantly more likely to sell a range of COVID prevention products). Among all participating PPMVs, engagement with the platform was low thereby highlighting engagement as a key determinant of platform success. The subset of PPMVs that did frequently use NaijaCare not only improved their record-keeping practices (0.28 ± 0.27, P = 0.05) but also reported significantly lower daily profits than control PPMVs (−3759 ± 3417, P = 0.04), possibly indicating that push factors for platform engagement, such as business hardship, were responsible for observed adverse outcomes. As platform availability coincided with a tumultuous period of change brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, these disruptions may have limited intervention use and effectiveness. RESUMEN Una plataforma en línea – llamada NaijaCare – ofreció servicios digitales de pedidos, desarrollo empresarial, intercambio entre iguales, y formación en habilidades comerciales a vendedores informales de medicinas en Lagos, Nigeria. Los resultados de vendedores (conocidos como PPMVs por las siglas en inglés de ‘vendedores de medicinas de marca y patente’) que participaron en una ronda de uso de los programas de NaijaCare se comparan con los de otros PPMVs operando en los mismos mercados locales. Los impactos del programa se estiman utilizando un estimador de diferencias en diferencias, con ponderación de probabilidad inversa (IPW, inverse propensity weighting) para balancear las posibles diferencias en características de base entre los PPMVs control y los de la intervención. El uso de la gama completa de las funciones de NaijaCare no conllevó a una mejora significativa en la mayoría de los resultados principales de interés, incluyendo: un índice de prácticas de negocio (−1.4 ± 1.6, P = 0.09), el número de medicinas no falsificadas proveídas (0.2 ± 0.4, P = 0.25), la percepción de los clientes de la calidad del PPMV (−0.4 ± 0.3, P = 0.03), cambios en el número de clientes regulares (−4.0 ± 5.3, P = 0.13), y el rol del PPMV durante la pandemia de COVID-19 (por ejemplo, no significativamente más dado a vender una gama de productos de prevención del COVID). Entre los PPMVs participantes, el nivel de participación con la plataforma fue bajo, destacando el involucrar al usuario como un determinante clave para el éxito de una plataforma. El subconjunto de PPMVs que sí usó frecuentemente NaijaCare, mejoró sus prácticas de mantenimiento de registros (0.28 ± 0.27, P = 0.05), pero también reportó ganancias diarias significativamente más bajas que las de los PPMVs control (−3759 ± 3417, P = 0.04), posiblemente indicando que algunos factores de empuje hacia usar la plataforma, como sería el sufrir dificultades comerciales, fueron responsables de los resultados adversos. Dado que la disponibilidad de la plataforma coincidió con un periodo tumultuoso de cambios traído por la pandemia de COVID-19, estas irrupciones pueden haber tenido un tiempo de intervención y efectividad limitados. RESUMO Uma plataforma online—intitulada NaijaCare—ofereceu encomendas digitais, desenvolvimento empresarial, intercâmbio entre pares e formação em competências empresariais a vendedores informais de medicamentos em Lagos, na Nigéria. Os resultados destes vendedores (conhecidos como PPMV—vendedores de medicamentos patenteados e proprietários), que tinham participado numa ronda anterior da programação NaijaCare, são comparados com os de outros PPMV que operam nos mesmos mercados locais. Os impactos do programa são estimados, utilizando um estimador de diferenças em diferenças, com ponderação de propensão inversa para equilibrar possíveis diferenças nas características de base entre PPMV de intervenção e controlo. A gama completa de características da NaijaCare não conduziu a melhorias significativas na maioria dos principais resultados de interesse, incluindo: um índice de práticas comerciais (−1,4 ± 1,6, P = 0,09), o número de medicamentos não contrafeitos fornecidos (0,2 ± 0,4, P = 0,25), perceção do cliente sobre a qualidade do PPMV (−0,4 ± 0,3, P = 0,03), alterações no número de clientes regulares (−4,0 ± 5,3, P = 0,13) e papel do PPMV durante a pandemia da COVID-19 (por exemplo, não é significativamente mais provável que venda uma gama de produtos de prevenção da COVID). Entre todos os PPMV participantes, o envolvimento com a plataforma foi baixo, destacando assim o envolvimento como um determinante chave do sucesso da plataforma. O subconjunto de PPMV que utilizavam frequentemente a NaijaCare melhorou as suas práticas de manutenção de registos (0,28 ± 0,27, P = 0,05), mas também relatou lucros diários significativamente mais baixos do que os PPMV de controlo (−3759 ± 3417, P = 0,04), indicando possivelmente que os fatores de pressão para o envolvimento na plataforma, tais como dificuldades comerciais, foram responsáveis pelos resultados adversos observados. Como a disponibilidade da plataforma coincidiu com um período tumultuoso de mudança provocado pela pandemia da COVID-19, estas perturbações podem ter limitado a utilização e a eficácia da intervenção. RÉSUMÉ Une plateforme en ligne – intitulée NaijaCare – proposait des commandes numériques, un développement commercial, des échanges entre pairs et des formations aux compétences commerciales aux vendeurs informels de médicaments à Lagos, au Nigéria. Les résultats de ces vendeurs (connus comme les PPMV, le sigle en anglais de « vendeurs de médicaments brevetés et exclusifs ») qui avaient participé à un cycle antérieur du programme NaijaCare sont comparés à ceux d’autres PPMV opérant sur les mêmes marchés locaux. Les impacts du programme sont estimés à l’aide d’un estimateur de différence des différences, avec une pondération de propension inverse pour équilibrer les différences possibles dans les caractéristiques de base entre les PPMV d’intervention et de contrôle. La gamme complète des fonctions de NaijaCare n’a pas conduit à des améliorations significatives dans la plupart des principaux résultats étudiés, notamment: un indice de pratique commerciale (−1,4 ± 1,6, P = 0,09), le nombre d’offre de médicaments non contrefaits (0,2 ± 0,4, P = 0,25), la perception des clients de la qualité du PPMV (−0,4 ± 0,3, P = 0,03), les changements dans le nombre de clients réguliers (−4,0 ± 5,3, P = 0,13) et le rôle du PPMV pendant la pandémie de COVID-19 (par exemple, pas significativement plus susceptible de vendre une gamme de produits de prévention du COVID). Parmi tous les PPMV participants, l’engagement envers la plateforme était faible, soulignant ainsi que l’engagement est un déterminant clé du succès de la plateforme. Le groupe de PPMV qui utilisaient fréquemment NaijaCare ont amélioré leurs pratiques d’enregistrement de données (0,28 ± 0,27, P = 0,05), mais ont également signalé des bénéfices quotidiens significativement inférieurs à ceux des PPMV témoins (−3759 ± 3417, P = 0,04), ce qui indique peut-être que les facteurs d’incitation à l’engagement à l’utilisation de la plateforme, tels que les difficultés commerciales, étaient responsables des résultats indésirables observés. La disponibilité de la plateforme ayant coïncidé avec une période tumultueuse de changement provoquée par la pandémie de COVID-19, ces perturbations peuvent avoir limité l’utilisation et l’efficacité des interventions.

This research examines how artificial intelligence, human capabilities, and task types influence organizational outcomes. By leveraging the frameworks of the Resource-Based View and Task Technology Fit theories, we executed two distinct studies to assess the effectiveness of a generative AI tool in aiding task performance across a spectrum of task complexities and creative demands. The initial study tested the utility of generative AI across diverse tasks and the significance of AI-related skills enhancement. The subsequent study explored interactions between humans and AI, analyzing emotional tone, sentence structure, and word choice. Our results indicate that incorporating AI can significantly improve organizational task performance in areas such as automation, support, creative endeavors, and innovation processes. We also observed that generative AI generally presents more positive sentiment, utilizes simpler language, and has a narrower vocabulary than human counterparts. These insights contribute to a broader understanding of AI's strengths and weaknesses in organizational settings and guide the strategic implementation of AI systems.

Abstract This study considers how and why agricultural groundwater users would limit their own water consumption. We find that voluntary governance arrangements are based on a form of legitimacy that stems from informal social processes. Agricultural irrigation reform in Nebraska, U.S. took place after decades of collaboration in informal social settings; this background of decentralized rulemaking contributed to legitimizing extraction limits in times of water stress. The dimensions of social legitimacy are assessed through triangulation of interview data, integrated management plans, workshop facilitation, and recordings of legal proceedings related to the Natural Resources Districts in the state of Nebraska. These districts initially placed voluntary limits on extraction but evolved to sanction violators for over‐consumption. Groundwater rules are accepted because they are set by publicly elected boards, leaders participate in a state‐wide leadership training network, and the districts are granted rule‐making authority by the state. Our results show that voluntary self‐limiting behavior can form the basis for binding legal requirements. The legitimacy of polycentric governance stems from social acceptance, inclusive membership, a prior history of collaboration, and an understanding of rules. The rules themselves are context‐specific and self‐made. We summarize these elements in an evaluation framework to test whether and how authority in other polycentric groundwater governance arrangements is justified and accepted.

In settings where resistance and rampant misinformation against vaccines exist, the prospect of containing infectious diseases remains a challenge. Can delivery of information regarding the benefits of vaccination through personal home visits by local ambassadors increase vaccine uptake? We conduct a door-to-door randomized information campaign targeted towards COVID-19 unvaccinated individuals in rural Indonesia. We recruited ambassadors from local villages tasked to deliver information about COVID-19 vaccines and promote vaccination through one-on-one meetings, using an interpersonal behavioral change communication approach. To investigate which type of ambassador – health cadres, influential individuals, and laypersons – is the most effective, we randomly vary the type of ambassador that delivers the information at the village level. We find that the overall vaccination take-up is quite moderate and that there are no differences in vaccination outcomes across the treatment groups. These results highlight the challenge of boosting vaccine uptake in late stages of a pandemic.

Forecasting of the outcome of saving for retirement is challenging, particularly for individuals who have limited financial literacy. We explore how reducing that barrier by offering personalized information affects long-term savings. To this end, we randomly offered personalized information or general information within the context of individual retirement accounts in Chile. Personalized information increased voluntary pension savings. Heterogeneity analysis suggests that the updating of priors by information recipients played an important role. However, despite the significant short-term response to the intervention, its temporary nature and limited magnitude are not enough to meaningfully alter the annuity payment that would be obtained from the savings stock.

To evaluate the predictors of postpartum depression and to examine the effects of maternal racial identity on postpartum depression among women with low incomes in the United States. We conducted a secondary data analysis using baseline data from the Baby's First Years study, including postpartum women living below the federal poverty line who were recruited from four diverse communities in the United States. Postpartum depression symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Logistic regressions were performed to identify associations between pre-identified postpartum depression risk factors and postpartum depression among participants, followed by predictive margins analyses to elaborate on probability of postpartum depression across different racial identity groups in the sample. The sample included 1,051 postpartum women. Almost one-half of participants identified as Black (45.9%), followed by White (20.7%), American Indian (1.8%), and Asian (1.3%). Prevalence of postpartum depression in the sample was 24%. Financial insecurity and alcohol use were positively associated with postpartum depression, whereas level of education and reported physical health were negatively associated with postpartum depression. Mothers who identified as Black had an 8.3% higher probability of postpartum depression than that of White mothers in the sample. Nurses working with populations with low income should assess social determinants of health to provide holistic mental health care. Women with low incomes should be referred to resources which account for their financial burden. Racial disparities exist in perinatal care, and birth and postpartum mental health outcomes. It is crucial to address the systemic racism faced by Black mothers experiencing postpartum depression.

Abstract Dynabeads are superparamagnetic particles used for the immunomagnetic purification of cells and biomolecules. Post‐capture, however, target identification relies on tedious culturing, fluorescence staining, and/or target amplification. Raman spectroscopy presents a rapid detection alternative, but current implementations target cells themselves with weak Raman signals. We present antibody‐coated Dynabeads as strong Raman reporter labels whose effect can be considered a Raman parallel of immunofluorescent probes. Recent developments in techniques for separating target‐bound Dynabeads from unbound Dynabeads make such an implementation feasible with high specificity. We deploy Dynabeads anti‐Salmonella to bind and identify Salmonella enterica, a major foodborne pathogen. Dynabeads present major peaks around 1000 and 1600 cm−1 from aliphatic and aromatic C‐C stretching of the polystyrene coating and near 1350 cm−1 from the ɣ‐Fe2O3 and Fe3O4 core, confirmed with electron dispersive X‐ray (EDX) imaging. Minor to no contributions are made from the surface antibodies themselves as confirmed by Raman analysis of surface‐activated, antibody‐free beads. Dynabeads' Raman signature can be measured in dry and liquid samples even at single shot ~30 × 30 μm area imaging using 0.5 s, 7‐mW laser acquisition with single and clustered beads providing a 44‐ and 68‐fold larger Raman intensity compared with the signature from cells. Higher polystyrene and iron oxide content in clusters yields larger signal intensity, and conjugation to bacteria strengthens clustering as a bacterium can bind to more than one bead as observed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Our findings shed light on the intrinsic Raman reporter nature of Dynabeads. When combined with emerging techniques for the separation of target‐bound Dynabeads from unbound Dynabeads such as using centrifugation through a density media bilayer, they have the potential to demonstrate their dual function for target isolation and detection without tedious staining steps or unique plasmonic substrate engineering, advancing their applications in heterogeneous samples like food, water, and blood.