CSH Talk by Pablo Astudillo-Estevez “How Production and client networks affect economic diversification in an oil exporting country. A relatedness approaches. “

Pablo Astudillo-Estevez (Universidad San Francisco de Quito) will present a talk on Friday, June 9th, 2023 at 3 PM at the Salon.

Title: How Production and client networks affect economic diversification in an oil exporting country. A relatedness approach.

Abstract: This research examines how production chains and networks of clients impact the emergence of pioneering industries in a particular location. The study utilizes a unique and comprehensive private dataset containing detailed information on registered firms and individuals in Ecuador, including transaction records and other characteristics. Various relatedness indicators, existing and newly proposed ones that consider supplier and client networks, are calculated using this dataset. Logistic regressions and machine learning techniques are employed to assess the likelihood of a pioneering industry emerging as an indicator of diversification. The results reveal that the principle of relatedness based on co-location holds in an oil exporting economy, and the network of suppliers is more influential than the network of clients in the emergence of new economic activities. However, the relevance of these variables varies depending on the industry, and the presence of oil and mining-related activities hinders local economies’ diversification efforts.

Bio: Pablo Astudillo-Estevez is an Assistant Professor at Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) and leads the USFQ Data Hub (a computational social science lab). He obtained his Ph.D. in Economic Geography and Complexity Economics at the University of Oxford. Pablo also worked as a Data Scientist at the World Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank. Pablo’s primary focus is understanding the evolution and potential of economies and places to create knowledge and innovate. Through analyzing large datasets, he explores the dynamics of economic landscapes, particularly in the Global South, to foster innovation and technological advancement.