Date of Graduation
Spring 5-15-2017
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in International and Development Economics (MSIDEC)
College/School
College of Arts and Sciences
Department/Program
Economics
First Advisor
Yaniv Stopnitzky
Abstract
What is ambiguity aversion and what is its role as a determinant of technology adoption? This study develops and implements a novel ambiguity preference instrument in the context of an ongoing RCT pilot program in southwest Uganda promoting adoption of an improved variety of sweet potato. No correlation between ambiguity aversion and crop adoption is observed, although it is suspected that RCT treatment arms including supply- and demand-side information reduced the ambiguity of the new variety, probably overcoming any ambiguity-preference-related constraints and clouding the picture. Methodological lessons learned regarding the development and implementation of an apporopriate ambiguity preference measure point to a promising future.
Recommended Citation
Franklin, Adam, "Ambiguity Aversion: Adoption, Uptake, and Trends" (2017). Master's Theses. 267.
https://repository.usfca.edu/thes/267
Included in
Behavioral Economics Commons, Growth and Development Commons, International Economics Commons, Public Economics Commons