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Social Ties and the Efficiency of Factor Transfers

Author

Listed:
  • Fafchamps, Marcel
  • Beck, Ulrik
  • Bjerge, Benedikte
Abstract
We introduce a novel way of testing whether social and geographical proximity helps or hinders efficiency-enhancing factor transfers. The approach is implemented empirically using unusually rich data collected in The Gambia. We find that membership to the same ethnic group or kinship network is associated with fewer efficient transfers. This is primarily driven by land transfers from a few large land-owners. If the presence of large landowners is controlled for, the finding is reversed. There are more efficiency-enhancing land transfers between kin-related households and between neighbors. Labor transfers are not found to equilibrate factor ratios across households. But we do not rule out that they serve a beneficial role, e.g., to deal with unanticipated health shocks. Allocative efficiency in land and labor is not achieved at the village level, which suggests that social ties are not sufficiently fluid to permit a fully efficient reallocation of factors of production within villages.

Suggested Citation

  • Fafchamps, Marcel & Beck, Ulrik & Bjerge, Benedikte, 2015. "Social Ties and the Efficiency of Factor Transfers," CEPR Discussion Papers 10957, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:10957
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Allocative efficiency; Factor markets; Land markets; Social Networks;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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