Details about Jonathan Robinson

Access statistics for papers by Jonathan Robinson.

Last updated 2025-05-15. Update your information in the RePEc Author Service.

Short-id: pro377

Working Papers

2024

1. Shortening the Path to Productive Investment: Evidence from Input Fairs and Cash Transfers in Malawi
   NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc View citations (1)
   See also Journal Article Shortening the path to productive investment: Evidence from input fairs and cash transfers in Malawi, Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier (2024) View citations (1) (2024)
2. The Dynamic Effects of Cash Transfers to Agricultural Households
   NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc View citations (2)

2023

3. Going the Extra Mile: Farm Subsidies and Spatial Convergence in Agricultural Input Adoption
   NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

2022

4. Blue Spoons: Sparking Communication About Appropriate Technology Use
   NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc View citations (9)
5. Exhaustive or Exhausting? Evidence on Respondent Fatigue in Long Surveys
   NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc View citations (1)
   See also Journal Article Exhaustive or exhausting? Evidence on respondent fatigue in long surveys, Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier (2023) View citations (6) (2023)
6. Private but Misunderstood ? Evidence on Measuring Intimate Partner Violence via Self-Interviewing in Rural Liberia and Malawi
   Policy Research Working Paper Series, The World Bank View citations (3)
   Also in NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc (2021) View citations (5)

2021

7. Is Digital Credit Filling a Hole or Digging a Hole? Evidence from Malawi
   CEPR Discussion Papers, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers
   Also in NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc (2021) View citations (9)
   See also Journal Article Is Digital Credit Filling a Hole or Digging a Hole? Evidence from Malawi, The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society (2024) (2024)

2020

8. Did COVID-19 Market Disruptions Disrupt Food Security? Evidence from Households in Rural Liberia and Malawi
   Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series, Department of Economics, UC Santa Cruz View citations (21)
   Also in NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc (2020) View citations (13)
9. Saving for Multiple Financial Needs: Evidence from Lockboxes and Mobile Money in Malawi
   NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc View citations (5)
   See also Journal Article Saving for Multiple Financial Needs: Evidence from Lockboxes and Mobile Money in Malawi, The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press (2023) View citations (3) (2023)

2018

10. Grain Today, Gain Tomorrow: Evidence from a Storage Experiment with Savings Clubs in Kenya
    NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc View citations (46)
    See also Journal Article Grain today, gain tomorrow: Evidence from a storage experiment with savings clubs in Kenya, Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier (2018) View citations (47) (2018)
11. Market Access, Trade Costs, and Technology Adoption: Evidence from Northern Tanzania
    NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc View citations (21)
    See also Journal Article Market Access, Trade Costs, and Technology Adoption: Evidence from Northern Tanzania, The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press (2024) View citations (2) (2024)

2017

12. Decentralization and Efficiency of Subsidy Targeting: Evidence from Chiefs in Rural Malawi
    NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc View citations (14)
    Also in CEPR Discussion Papers, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers (2017) View citations (14)
    See also Journal Article Decentralization and efficiency of subsidy targeting: Evidence from chiefs in rural Malawi, Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier (2020) View citations (52) (2020)
13. Governance and the effectiveness of public health subsidies: Evidence from Ghana, Kenya and Uganda
    Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series, Department of Economics, UC Santa Cruz View citations (5)
    See also Journal Article Governance and the effectiveness of public health subsidies: Evidence from Ghana, Kenya and Uganda, Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier (2017) View citations (12) (2017)

2016

14. Banking the Unbanked: Evidence from Three Countries - Working Paper 440
    Working Papers, Center for Global Development View citations (21)
15. Banking the Unbanked? Evidence From Three Countries
    NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc View citations (25)
    Also in CEPR Discussion Papers, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers (2016) View citations (28)
    Working Papers, Economic Growth Center, Yale University (2016) View citations (38)
    Center Discussion Papers, Yale University, Economic Growth Center (2016) View citations (25)
    See also Journal Article Banking the Unbanked? Evidence from Three Countries, American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association (2018) View citations (115) (2018)
16. The Effect of Savings Accounts on Interpersonal Financial Relationships: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Rural Kenya
    Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series, Department of Economics, UC Santa Cruz View citations (4)
    Also in CEPR Discussion Papers, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers (2015) View citations (14)
    NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc (2015) View citations (14)
    See also Journal Article The Effect of Savings Accounts on Interpersonal Financial Relationships: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Rural Kenya, The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society (2019) View citations (11) (2019)

2015

17. Governance and the Effectiveness of Public Health Subsidies
    NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc View citations (4)
    Also in CEPR Discussion Papers, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers (2015) View citations (4)

2013

18. Daily Needs, Income Targets and Labor Supply: Evidence from Kenya
    NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc View citations (6)
19. Experimental Evidence on the Effects of Home Computers on Academic Achievement among Schoolchildren
    Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series, Department of Economics, UC Santa Cruz View citations (104)
    Also in CESifo Working Paper Series, CESifo (2013) View citations (105)
    NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc (2013) View citations (105)
    IZA Discussion Papers, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA) (2013) View citations (104)
    See also Journal Article Experimental Evidence on the Effects of Home Computers on Academic Achievement among Schoolchildren, American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association (2013) View citations (105) (2013)
20. Keeping the Doctor Away: Experimental Evidence on Investment in Preventative Health Products
    NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc View citations (64)
    Also in Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series, Department of Economics, UC Santa Cruz (2012) View citations (2)
    See also Journal Article Keeping the doctor away: Experimental evidence on investment in preventative health products, Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier (2013) View citations (59) (2013)

2012

21. Challenges in Banking the Rural Poor: Evidence from Kenya's Western Province
    NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc View citations (34)
    See also Chapter Challenges in Banking the Rural Poor: Evidence from Kenya's Western Province, NBER Chapters, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc (2014) View citations (9) (2014)
22. Savings Constraints and Microenterprise Development: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Kenya
    Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series, Department of Economics, UC Santa Cruz View citations (7)
    Also in Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series, Department of Economics, UC Santa Cruz (2008) View citations (5)
    Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series, Department of Economics, UC Santa Cruz (2009) View citations (97)
    NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc (2009) View citations (102)
    See also Journal Article Savings Constraints and Microenterprise Development: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Kenya, American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association (2013) View citations (379) (2013)
23. Why Don't the Poor Save More? Evidence from Health Savings Experiments
    Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series, Department of Economics, UC Santa Cruz View citations (11)
    Also in NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc (2011) View citations (32)
    See also Journal Article Why Don't the Poor Save More? Evidence from Health Savings Experiments, American Economic Review, American Economic Association (2013) View citations (274) (2013)

2011

24. Limited insurance within the household: evidence from a field experiment in Kenya
    MPRA Paper, University Library of Munich, Germany View citations (4)
    Also in Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series, Department of Economics, UC Santa Cruz (2008) View citations (11)
    MPRA Paper, University Library of Munich, Germany (2008) View citations (13)
    See also Journal Article Limited Insurance within the Household: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Kenya, American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association (2012) View citations (86) (2012)
25. Risk-coping through sexual networks: evidence from client transfers in Kenya
    Policy Research Working Paper Series, The World Bank View citations (1)
    See also Journal Article Risk-Coping through Sexual Networks: Evidence from Client Transfers in Kenya, Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press (2012) View citations (21) (2012)
26. The Effects of Home Computers on Educational Outcomes. Evidence from a Field Experiment with Schoolchildren
    Working Papers, NET Institute View citations (3)

2009

27. Nudging Farmers to Use Fertilizer: Theory and Experimental Evidence from Kenya
    NBER Working Papers, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc View citations (81)
    See also Journal Article Nudging Farmers to Use Fertilizer: Theory and Experimental Evidence from Kenya, American Economic Review, American Economic Association (2011) View citations (706) (2011)
28. Nudging Farmers to Utilize Fertilizer: Theory and Experimental Evidence from Kenya
    CEPR Discussion Papers, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers View citations (53)
29. Transactional sex as a response to risk in western Kenya
    Policy Research Working Paper Series, The World Bank View citations (4)
    Also in MPRA Paper, University Library of Munich, Germany (2008) View citations (3)
    See also Journal Article Transactional Sex as a Response to Risk in Western Kenya, American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association (2011) View citations (78) (2011)

Journal Articles

2024

1. Is Digital Credit Filling a Hole or Digging a Hole? Evidence from Malawi
   The Economic Journal, 2024, 134, (658), 457-484
   See also Working Paper Is Digital Credit Filling a Hole or Digging a Hole? Evidence from Malawi, CEPR Discussion Papers (2021) (2021)
2. Market Access, Trade Costs, and Technology Adoption: Evidence from Northern Tanzania
   The Review of Economics and Statistics, 2024, 106, (6), 1511-1528 View citations (2)
   See also Working Paper Market Access, Trade Costs, and Technology Adoption: Evidence from Northern Tanzania, NBER Working Papers (2018) View citations (21) (2018)
3. Shortening the path to productive investment: Evidence from input fairs and cash transfers in Malawi
   Journal of Development Economics, 2024, 170, (C) View citations (1)
   See also Working Paper Shortening the Path to Productive Investment: Evidence from Input Fairs and Cash Transfers in Malawi, NBER Working Papers (2024) View citations (1) (2024)

2023

4. Exhaustive or exhausting? Evidence on respondent fatigue in long surveys
   Journal of Development Economics, 2023, 161, (C) View citations (6)
   See also Working Paper Exhaustive or Exhausting? Evidence on Respondent Fatigue in Long Surveys, NBER Working Papers (2022) View citations (1) (2022)
5. Saving for Multiple Financial Needs: Evidence from Lockboxes and Mobile Money in Malawi
   The Review of Economics and Statistics, 2023, 105, (4), 833-851 View citations (3)
   See also Working Paper Saving for Multiple Financial Needs: Evidence from Lockboxes and Mobile Money in Malawi, NBER Working Papers (2020) View citations (5) (2020)

2022

6. COVID-19 market disruptions and food security: Evidence from households in rural Liberia and Malawi
   PLOS ONE, 2022, 17, (8), 1-19

2020

7. Cashing In (and Out): Experimental Evidence on the Effects of Mobile Money in Malawi
   AEA Papers and Proceedings, 2020, 110, 599-604 View citations (15)
8. Decentralization and efficiency of subsidy targeting: Evidence from chiefs in rural Malawi
   Journal of Public Economics, 2020, 185, (C) View citations (52)
   See also Working Paper Decentralization and Efficiency of Subsidy Targeting: Evidence from Chiefs in Rural Malawi, NBER Working Papers (2017) View citations (14) (2017)
9. The daily grind: Cash needs and labor supply
   Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 2020, 177, (C), 399-414 View citations (10)

2019

10. The Effect of Savings Accounts on Interpersonal Financial Relationships: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Rural Kenya
    The Economic Journal, 2019, 129, (617), 273-310 View citations (11)
    See also Working Paper The Effect of Savings Accounts on Interpersonal Financial Relationships: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Rural Kenya, Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series (2016) View citations (4) (2016)

2018

11. Banking the Unbanked? Evidence from Three Countries
    American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 2018, 10, (2), 257-97 View citations (115)
    See also Working Paper Banking the Unbanked? Evidence From Three Countries, NBER Working Papers (2016) View citations (25) (2016)
12. Grain today, gain tomorrow: Evidence from a storage experiment with savings clubs in Kenya
    Journal of Development Economics, 2018, 134, (C), 1-15 View citations (47)
    See also Working Paper Grain Today, Gain Tomorrow: Evidence from a Storage Experiment with Savings Clubs in Kenya, NBER Working Papers (2018) View citations (46) (2018)

2017

13. Governance and the effectiveness of public health subsidies: Evidence from Ghana, Kenya and Uganda
    Journal of Public Economics, 2017, 156, (C), 150-169 View citations (12)
    See also Working Paper Governance and the effectiveness of public health subsidies: Evidence from Ghana, Kenya and Uganda, Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series (2017) View citations (5) (2017)

2014

14. Minding small change among small firms in Kenya
    Journal of Development Economics, 2014, 108, (C), 69-86 View citations (26)

2013

15. Behavioral Biases and Firm Behavior: Evidence from Kenyan Retail Shops
    American Economic Review, 2013, 103, (3), 362-68 View citations (32)
16. Experimental Evidence on the Effects of Home Computers on Academic Achievement among Schoolchildren
    American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 2013, 5, (3), 211-40 View citations (105)
    See also Working Paper Experimental Evidence on the Effects of Home Computers on Academic Achievement among Schoolchildren, Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series (2013) View citations (104) (2013)
17. Keeping the doctor away: Experimental evidence on investment in preventative health products
    Journal of Development Economics, 2013, 105, (C), 196-210 View citations (59)
    See also Working Paper Keeping the Doctor Away: Experimental Evidence on Investment in Preventative Health Products, NBER Working Papers (2013) View citations (64) (2013)
18. Savings Constraints and Microenterprise Development: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Kenya
    American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 2013, 5, (1), 163-92 View citations (379)
    See also Working Paper Savings Constraints and Microenterprise Development: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Kenya, Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series (2012) View citations (7) (2012)
19. Why Don't the Poor Save More? Evidence from Health Savings Experiments
    American Economic Review, 2013, 103, (4), 1138-71 View citations (274)
    See also Working Paper Why Don't the Poor Save More? Evidence from Health Savings Experiments, Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series (2012) View citations (11) (2012)

2012

20. Limited Insurance within the Household: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Kenya
    American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 2012, 4, (4), 140-64 View citations (86)
    See also Working Paper Limited insurance within the household: evidence from a field experiment in Kenya, MPRA Paper (2011) View citations (4) (2011)
21. Risk-Coping through Sexual Networks: Evidence from Client Transfers in Kenya
    Journal of Human Resources, 2012, 47, (1), 107-145 View citations (21)
    See also Working Paper Risk-coping through sexual networks: evidence from client transfers in Kenya, Policy Research Working Paper Series (2011) View citations (1) (2011)
22. The (hidden) costs of political instability: Evidence from Kenya's 2007 election crisis
    Journal of Development Economics, 2012, 99, (2), 314-329 View citations (43)

2011

23. Nudging Farmers to Use Fertilizer: Theory and Experimental Evidence from Kenya
    American Economic Review, 2011, 101, (6), 2350-90 View citations (706)
    See also Working Paper Nudging Farmers to Use Fertilizer: Theory and Experimental Evidence from Kenya, NBER Working Papers (2009) View citations (81) (2009)
24. Transactional Sex as a Response to Risk in Western Kenya
    American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 2011, 3, (1), 35-64 View citations (78)
    See also Working Paper Transactional sex as a response to risk in western Kenya, Policy Research Working Paper Series (2009) View citations (4) (2009)

2010

25. Coping with Political Instability: Micro Evidence from Kenya's 2007 Election Crisis
    American Economic Review, 2010, 100, (2), 120-24 View citations (13)

2009

26. Sex Markets: A Denied Industry
    Feminist Economics, 2009, 15, (4), 158-161

2008

27. How High Are Rates of Return to Fertilizer? Evidence from Field Experiments in Kenya
    American Economic Review, 2008, 98, (2), 482-88 View citations (301)

Chapters

2014

1. Challenges in Banking the Rural Poor: Evidence from Kenya's Western Province
   A chapter in African Successes, Volume III: Modernization and Development, 2014, pp 63-101 View citations (9)
   See also Working Paper Challenges in Banking the Rural Poor: Evidence from Kenya's Western Province, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc (2012) View citations (34) (2012)
2. Success in Entrepreneurship: Doing the Math
   A chapter in African Successes, Volume II: Human Capital, 2014, pp 281-303