Showing papers by "Brian E. Whitacre published in 2021"
TL;DR: In this paper, the impact of broadband access and use on job productivity was investigated using cross-sectional county-level data from 2017 and spatial econometric models, and it was found that broader metrics focused on adoption or digital distress had a larger positive impact on jobs compared to measures focused on speed or availability.
Abstract: The impact of broadband access and use continues to transform the socioeconomic landscape placing this twenty-first century infrastructure at the center of current policymaking discourse. Past studies have found a relationship between infrastructure investments and economic productivity. Recent broadband-related studies, however, have focused on general availability or adoption, and do not distinguish which specific aspect of the technology is most associated with productivity. Utilizing cross-sectional county-level data from 2017 and spatial econometric models, this research looked into better understanding the impact of multiple broadband indicators on job productivity, including innovative broader measures of digital inclusion. Results indicate that broader metrics focused on adoption or digital distress had a larger positive impact on job productivity in comparison to measures focused on speed or availability. Moreover, these impacts vary across urban and rural settings. Although the relationships identified are not necessarily causal, an alternative matching technique generally supports the results. These findings suggest that the relationship between broadband and economic productivity should be viewed from a larger, more comprehensive socioeconomic perspective. Future research should focus on looking at these effects over time and assess how policies focused on specific broadband characteristics have impacted growth.
19 citations
19 citations
TL;DR: This study supports the theory that more stringent state PDMPs are associated with higher rates of heroin-related deaths, potentially due to decreases in prescription opioid availability.
Abstract: Background: Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are tools that states can use to fight prescription opioid misuse within their jurisdiction. However, because PDMPs make prescripti...
15 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors use an early version of the BSLF for the state of Oklahoma, produced by CostQuest Associates, to demonstrate the opportunities and issues that may arise for broadband researchers and policymakers as the DATA Act becomes reality.
1 citations
TL;DR: In this article, one often-overlooked component of effective rural development is the generation of low-cost labor in rural areas, but few public-sector programs are focused on economic development in these areas.
Abstract: Many public-sector programs are focused on economic development in rural areas, but few are formally evaluated. One often-overlooked component of effective rural development is the generation of lo...
1 citations