Brian E. Whitacre

Bio: Brian E. Whitacre is an academic researcher from Oklahoma State University–Stillwater. The author has contributed to research in topics: Rural area & Internet access. The author has an hindex of 16, co-authored 88 publications receiving 1119 citations. Previous affiliations of Brian E. Whitacre include Agricultural & Applied Economics Association & Virginia Tech.

Infrastructure and the Rural—urban Divide in High-speed Residential Internet Access:

Abstract: As residential Internet access in the United States shifts toward high-speed connections, a gap has emerged in rural high-speed access relative to urban high-speed access. Potential causes of this high-speed ``digital divide'' include rural—urban differences in people, place, and infrastructure. In this article, Current Population Survey data from 2000, 2001, and 2003 are combined with novel infrastructure data to determine the relative roles of these factors in the rural—urban divide. Bootstrapped decompositions of logit model results demonstrate that rural—urban differences in income and in network externalities, but not in infrastructure, are the dominant causes of the high-speed gap.

Understanding the Non-Metropolitan—Metropolitan Digital Divide

Abstract: A consistent gap exists between home Internet use in metropolitan areas and in non-metropolitan areas in the U.S. This digital divide may stem from technology differences in home Internet connectivity. Alternatively, differences in education, income, and other household attributes may explain differences in metropolitan and non-metropolitan area home Internet access. Effective programs to reduce the metropolitan-non-metropolitan digital divide must be based on an understanding of the relative roles that technology and household characteristics play in determining differential Internet usage. The household Internet adoption decision is modeled using a logit estimation approach with data from the 2001 U.S. Current Population Survey Internet and Computer Use Supplement. A decomposition of separate metropolitan and non- metropolitan area estimates shows that differences in household attributes, particularly education and income, account for 63 percent of the current metropolitan-non-metropolitan digital divide. The result raises significant doubts that policies which focus solely on infrastructure and tech- nology access will mitigate the current metropolitan-non-metropolitan digital divide.

Does rural broadband impact jobs and income? Evidence from spatial and first-differenced regressions

Abstract: In order to better understand the association between broadband and jobs/income in non-metropolitan counties, this study conducts spatial and first-differenced regressions using recent data from the Federal Communications Commission and the National Broadband Map. The relationships between broadband adoption/availability and jobs/income in rural areas are analyzed after controlling for a host of potentially influential variables such as age, race, educational attainment, transportation infrastructure, and the presence of natural amenities. Results from spatial error models using 2011 data provide evidence that high levels of broadband adoption in non-metro counties are positively related to the number of firms and total employees in those counties. The first-differenced regressions use data from 2008 and 2011 to suggest that increases in broadband adoption levels are associated with increases in median household income and the percentage of non-farm proprietors in non-metro counties. Interestingly, simply obtaining increases in broadband availability (not adoption) over this time has no statistical impact on either jobs or income.

An evaluation of the economic impacts of Oklahoma farmers markets.

Abstract: The contribution of farmers markets to the U.S. economy has become more significant due to the increased demand for fresh, locally produced products. However, compared to other marketing outlets, the economic contribution of farmers markets often goes unrecognized. This study focuses on farmers markets in Oklahoma and uses the IMPLAN model to estimate the impacts of farmers markets to Oklahoma’s economy. The results from this study show that farmers market activities are a vital part of Oklahoma’s economy, generating total direct sales of $3.3 million, with a total economic impact of almost $6 million.

Evolution and Rationality Some Recent Game-Theoretic Results. Identification and Estimation of Local Average Treatment Effects

Abstract: We investigate conditions sufficient for identification of average treatment effects using instrumental variables. First we show that the existence of valid instruments is not sufficient to identify any meaningful average treatment effect. We then establish that the combination of an instrument and a condition on the relation between the instrument and the participation status is sufficient for identification of a local average treatment effect for those who can be induced to change their participation status by changing the value of the instrument. Finally we derive the probability limit of the standard IV estimator under these conditions. It is seen to be a weighted average of local average treatment effects.

Applied Linear Regression Models

Abstract: (1991). Applied Linear Regression Models. Journal of Quality Technology: Vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 76-77.

Local Food Systems: Concepts, Impacts, and Issues

Abstract: This comprehensive overview of local food systems explores alternative definitions of local food, estimates market size and reach, describes the characteristics of local consumers and producers, and examines early indications of the economic and health impacts of local food systems. There is no consensus on a definition of “local” or “local food systems” in terms of the geographic distance between production and consumption. But defining “local” based on marketing arrangements, such as farmers selling directly to consumers at regional farmers’ markets or to schools, is well recognized. Statistics suggest that local food markets account for a small, but growing, share of U.S. agricultural production. For smaller farms, direct marketing to consumers accounts for a higher percentage of their sales than for larger farms. Findings are mixed on the impact of local food systems on local economic development and better nutrition levels among consumers, and sparse literature is so far inconclusive about whether localization reduces energy use or greenhouse gas emissions.