Income timing and liquidity constraints: Evidence from a randomized field experiment

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Development Economics
Year: 2019
Volume: 138
Issue: C
Pages: 294-308

Authors (2)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

People in developing countries sometimes desire deferred income streams, which replace more-frequent income flows with a single, later lump sum. We study the effects of short-term wage deferral using a randomized experiment with participants in a temporary cash-for-work program. Workers who are assigned to lump-sum payments are five percentage points more likely to purchase a high-return investment. We discuss the role of both barriers to saving and credit constraints in explaining our results. While stated preferences for deferred payments suggest a role for savings constraints, the evidence is also consistent with a simpler model of credit constraints alone.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:deveco:v:138:y:2019:i:c:p:294-308
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25