Previous seminars:

12/02/2025 

Gero DASBACH- The Political Economy of Inter-Regional FDI: Assessing Franco-German Town Twinning

PhD Supervision:  Quentin DAVID and Abel FRANCOIS | Research axis:  Economic and Financial Flows 

Abstract: Franco-German town twinning agreements seek to bring together political as well as economic actors from two historically belligerent countries. Utilizing a unique dataset that brings together all Franco-German twin town agreements with project-level greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) data, we assess the potential effect of the town twinning movement on the allocation of greenfield FDI between subnational region pairs, from 2003 to 2024. Using a logit model, we find that the results differ according to the specifications and explanatory variables used. There seems to be a statistically significant co-movement of town twinning agreements and subsequent FDI, which is driven by particular region-pairs.

11/02/2025 - 2 PM - Special edition

Maqsood ASLAM- Does Biryani Matter? Vote-Buying in Pakistan under Two Regimes

Co -authors:  Etienne FARVAQUE and Hira IQBAL 

Abstract: We analyze the extent of vote-buying in Pakistan, comparing its prevalence and impact under the authoritarian and democratic regimes the country has known. We use household level consumption survey data from the Pakistan Social Living Measurement (PSLM), for the period 2004-2019, as well as data on local elections from the Election commission of Pakistan (ECP). We first document the presence of vote-buying at the macroeconomic level, and then, using a difference-indifference on quasi-randomization by survey dates methodology, we compare the increase in consumption expenditures at the microeconomic level. We show that consumption increases during electoral periods.

22/01/2025 

Nur BILGE- International Influx and Local Shifts: The Impact of Global Migration on Native Mobility in Turkey

PhD Supervision:  Jan FIDRMUC, Simone MORICONI and Claire NAIDITCH (co-author) | Research axis:  Economic and Financial Flows | Discussant: Antony GOBRIEL

Abstract: This paper examines the impact of international migration to Turkey on internal migration, with a focus on racially motivated causes. We uncover heterogeneity among immigrants based on their nationality. Using a detailed dataset on bilateral migration flows from 2012 to 2022, our findings indicate that an increase in the share of foreigners in the origin province has a positive effect on internal migration. Extending our analysis to include overall satisfaction with public services, we observe that dissatisfied citizens may perceive foreign migrants as contributing to their dissatisfaction, prompting them to migrate internally in search of better living conditions or opportunities. Conversely, in provinces where residents are satisfied with public services, the influence of the foreign migrant ratio on internal migration declines.

11/12/2024 

Alicia GOMEZ - CANCELLED

PhD Supervision: Christine LE CLAINCHE | Research axis:  Decision making

Abstract: Forthcoming...

13/11/ 2024 

Mikael PASTERNAK - Higher Education Expansion and Intergenerational Social Mobility: Diverging Impacts on Immigrants' and Natives' children in France

PhD Supervision: Simone MORICONI and Nadiya UKRAYINCHUK | Research axis:  Economic and Financial Flows | Discussant: Claire  MORRIER

Abstract: This paper examines the democratization of post-secondary studies in France, with a focus on both natives and immigrants' children. One contribution is a newly constructed dataset on higher education institutions. Combining it with individual level data, I exploit a reform of higher education expansion in France to assess the causal impact of a faculty creation on the social mobility of natives and 2nd generation immigrants. I show that the exposure to a new higher education institution during secondary school in the département increases the educational social mobility, in particular for immigrants' offspring. By defining treatments across different ages and geographical scales, I find that the effect of faculty creations is not only due to an increase in the accessibility of higher education, but also to a broader local development. However, findings on occupational social mobility are mitigated by the lower incentives for internal migration, especially among immigrant families.

09/10/ 2024 

Martin HULÉNYI - Growing in the Desert: A Comparative Analysis of Firms Located in EU Border Regions 

PhD Supervision: Jan FIDRMUC and Nicolas DEBARSY | Research axis:  Economic and Financial Flows | Discussant: Mamadou TOUNKARA

Abstract: Borders constitute a barrier that limits the development of the areas around them. In his location theory, Losch (1944) goes as far as comparing these regions to deserts, where only smaller firms that suffice with reaching a smaller market potential settle. Although the Common Market in the EU along with the Schengen Area reduce market barriers that limit the development of border regions, these areas still face barriers, arising from physical geography and institutional differences between the two countries that the border separates. In this paper, I aim to use firm-level data to analyze whether the border effect penalizes the firms settled in border regions of the EU. 

25/09/ 2024 

Yoan WALLOIS - Climate Extreme Events and Environmental Policy Stringency

PhD Supervision: Florence HUART | Research axis:  Economic and Financial Flows | Discussant: Gero  DASBACH

Abstract: We use a new indicator of environmental legislation to study the evolution in intensity of legislative provisions in environmental policy. Our study covers developed and developing economies (138 countries) over half a century (1970-2020). We investigate the main determinants of trends in environmental legislation, among which extreme climate events. In particular, we examine whether the frequency of natural disasters - droughts, floods, storms, extreme temperatures, wildfires - influences environmental policy stringency. We find that countries are more likely to adopt more stringent environmental laws and regulations if there are more frequently hit by droughts and extreme temperatures, but less likely if they are more frequently hit by floods. Legislative measures differ markedly depending on regional groups of countries, types of disasters and environmental areas. 

10/07/ 2024 

Audrey GLASS - Assessing the Impact of Healthcare Access Preferences on Health Inequality: Evidence for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Using a Discrete Choice Experiment

PhD Supervision: Sophie MASSIN | Research axis:  Decision-making | Discussant: Yoan WALLOIS

Abstract: Air pollution is an aggravating factor of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Although it affects 3.5 million patients in France; this number is certainly much higher as this disease is largely underdiagnosed. Early diagnosis is important for good management and improved quality of life and the chances of survival. In this research, we use a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) to investigate patients' preferences regarding COPD diagnosis. In particular, we try to determine whether certain diagnostic features create obstacles. Special attention is given to how socioeconomic characteristics influence these preferences. Overall, this study aims to offer insights for decision-makers to improve COPD diagnosis.