Amin Zokaei Ashtiani

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Published Paper

Nudging against panic selling: Making use of the IKEA effect

Happy Savers and Happy Spenders: An Experimental Study Comparing US Americans and Germans

Anticipatory feelings in intertemporal choice on consumption: a dynamic experiment

Working Papers

The Effect of Social Preferences and Personal Values on Stock Market Participation: a Cross-Country Study

Abstract: Differences in stock market participation (SMP) across countries are large and difficult to explain. We focus in this article on differences between Germany (low SMP) and East Asian countries (mostly high SMP). We study the hypothesis that cultural differences regarding social preferences and attitudes towards inequality lead to different attitudes towards stock markets and subsequently to different SMP. Using a large-scale survey, we find that these factors can, indeed, explain a substantial amount of the country differences that other known factors (financial literacy, risk preferences etc.) could not. This suggests that social preferences should be given a more central role in programs that aim to enhance SMP in countries like Germany.

Was Railroad Expansion a Success Story of the British Colonial Rule in India? A Long-Term Perspective

Abstract: Railroad construction in British India began in 1853. It expanded rapidly in the second half of the 19th century and by the 1900s became the fourth largest railway network in the world. It had far-reaching economic effect at the time. We investigate lasting effect of access to railroads, focusing on the Northwest of the colony (present-day Pakistan). Using both OLS and instrumental variable specifications, we find a statistically and economically significant lasting effect of railroad access on local development. Literacy rate, and schooling attainment, are higher in villages that are closer to the railroad network. Access to railroads also improved living standard, measured by access to piped water, access to electricity, and housing quality.

Book Contribution

Cultural Differences in Social Preferences between East Asia and Europe

Teaching experience

Instructor

Undergraduate: International Economics, Globalization and Trade Policies

Postgraduate: International Economics, International Business

Teaching Assistant

Financial Markets and Institutions, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Globalization and Trade Policies, International Macroeconomics