Research

Abstract

Using Broadway shows that ran between 2014–2018, this study assesses the relevance of conventional predictors of a Broadway show’s success in the digital age. Although some conventional show characteristics continue to contribute to a show’s success, other factors identified in previous studies as being key to survival appear to have little to no importance during this time period. Focusing on our key variables of interest, traditional newspaper reviews and initial Twitter follower count, both favourable reviews and a high Twitter follower count contribute to the success of a Broadway show in terms of its average weekly grosses, with initial follower count having a more pronounced effect than favourable critical reviews in a show’s opening week. Thus, while newspaper reviews still play a role in this industry, their influence in terms of filling seats and generating revenue may be waning. 

Abstract

We estimate the effect of exposure to adaptive work-from-home technologies on parental labor supply after childbirth. We find that mothers increased their participation in the labor force by more than half a percentage point, while fathers reduced the time they spent working by 1.1 weekly hours, driven by their use of leave. Both mothers and fathers increased their take-up of leave by 3.8 and 2.5 percentage points, respectively. Suggestive evidence shows that mothers in telework-compatible jobs took less time off. Adaptive technologies may help tackle the most stubborn gender-related work inequalities today, the gender wage gap and motherhood penalty. 

Press: KU Today, The Harvard Gazette

Abstract

Nurse practitioner (NP) scope of practice (SOP) reform has been shown to improve access to healthcare, leading to direct health benefits. However, given that NPs are likely to practice in underserved areas, liberalizing SOP may also have spillover benefits on safety net program participation, which would amplify the benefits of SOP expansion for underrepresented populations. In this paper, we study these potential spillovers by examining the effect of NP SOP expansions on enrollment in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Leveraging the staggered rollout of NP SOP expansions across states, we find that 3 years after NP SOP expansion, total WIC participation increased by 5.3%, driven by a 6.2% increase in the enrollment of women and a 5.6% increase in the enrollment of children. Mechanism analyses suggest that while access to healthcare is an important channel, the effect may also be driven by the fact that NPs are trained to deliver holistic, patient-centered care. Our results imply that spillovers on safety net program participation are another pathway by which NP SOP expansions can improve the health and well-being of underserved populations.