Publications in peer-reviewed journals
[3] Aubouin, M., Melindi-Ghidi, P. & Nicolaï, J-P. (2025). Complementarity in household expenditures on fixed and mobile Internet in France, Annals of Economics and Statistics, no.159, pp. 143–173.
This paper revisits the question of whether fixed and mobile Internet expenditures are substitutable or complementary. We estimate a demand system using French household expenditure data to compute price elasticities of expenditure for different categories of goods. The results indicate that fixed and mobile Internet expenditures are complementary in France. This complementarity effect varies with income level. We then develop a simple theoretical analysis showing that, depending on the characteristics of fixed and mobile data tariffs, fixed and mobile Internet expenditures can exhibit complementarity.
[2] Aubouin, M. (2023). Determinants of the Digital Divide: Evidence from France, Annals of Economics and Statistics, no. 151, pp. 37–80.
The COVID-19 crisis accelerated the digital transition and reinforced the existing digital divide. This paper aims to identify the determinants of internet inequalities in access, usage, and type of usage in France and the reasons behind the lack of access to the internet. Using French Institute of Statistics (INSEE) surveys between 2007 and 2019 and pseudo-panel methodology, we show that generation, education, and income are significant determinants of the probability of having an internet access and to use it. However, disparities in the type of internet use are less pronounced. The fight against the digital divide in France must therefore be directed at facilitating access to an Internet connection. The two main barriers are the lack of skills and the cost of internet access. Hence, we recommend investing in digital education and providing financial support to bridge the digital divide.
[1] Aubouin, M. (2022). Transition Numérique et impacts macroéconomiques, Revue Française d’Économie, 2022/4, Volume XXXVII, p. 131-171.
Depuis leur développement, les technologies du numérique n’ont eu qu’un impact limité sur la croissance économique. Cet article s’intéresse à ce paradoxe et étudie les impacts de la transition numérique sur l’économie. Après avoir défini les principales caractéristiques de la transition numérique, nous étudions ses similitudes et différences avec la première et seconde révolutions industrielles. Les différentes barrières qui entravent l’impact du numérique sur la croissance économique sont ensuite présentées. Enfin, l’hypothèse selon laquelle l’impact de la transition numérique ne porterait pas sur la croissance économique, mais directement sur le bien-être des individus, est développée.