The Digital Provide: Information (Technology), Market Performance, and Welfare in the South Indian Fisheries Sector
利用印度喀拉拉邦渔业部门1997-2001年手机普及前后的微观调查数据，发现渔民和批发商使用手机显著降低了价格离散、消除了浪费并实现了一价定律，同时提升了消费者和生产者福利。
When information is limited or costly, agents are unable to engage in optimal arbitrage. Excess price dispersion across markets can arise, and goods may not be allocated efficiently. In this setting, information technologies may improve market performance and increase welfare. Between 1997 and 2001, mobile phone service was introduced throughout Kerala, a state in India with a large fishing industry. Using microlevel survey data, we show that the adoption of mobile phones by fishermen and wholesalers was associated with a dramatic reduction in price dispersion, the complete elimination of waste, and near-perfect adherence to the Law of One Price. Both consumer and producer welfare increased.