Big Fiscal

Big Fiscal is a Substack focused on elucidating the intersections of economics, business, and public policy through the lens of working and open-access papers. It delves into how various economic phenomena, from tech booms to minimum wage hikes, affect market dynamics, innovation, trust in institutions, and social equity.

Economic Impact Studies Market Dynamics Public Policy and Regulation Labor Markets Healthcare Economics Education and Economic Growth Corporate Innovation Organized Crime and Economics

The hottest Substack posts of Big Fiscal

And their main takeaways

Hospital Closures: A Working Paper Examines Impact on Patient Care

7 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
  1. Hospital closures impact patient outcomes, care quality, and market dynamics.
  2. Quality metrics can help predict hospital closures' impact on patient outcomes.
  3. Most hospital closures reduce affected patients' mortality by increasing access to higher-quality care.

Tech Boom, Cheap Capital & Long Term Impact on Wages

3 HN points • 12 Jan 24
  1. During the 1990s tech boom, many skilled workers moved to the tech sector.
  2. Tech workers initially earned more but ended up making 6% less than their peers in other fields after 15 years.
  3. Investments in tech during the boom seemed to worsen the long-term earning issue.

Study: How Removing Mafia Infiltration in Cities Impacts Economic Growth

2 HN points • 10 Jan 24
  1. Organized crime significantly impacts economic and social landscapes, hindering growth and development.
  2. Removing Mafia influence through strategies like city council dismissals can lead to positive economic outcomes like increased employment and business growth.
  3. Success in combating organized crime relies on reducing Mafia control, promoting younger and more educated political representation, and improving business-politics relations.

Inflation & Unemployment: Impact on Institutional Trust

0 implied HN points • 29 Oct 23
  1. Inflation has limited impact on trust in institutions compared to unemployment.
  2. There is a strong negative correlation between unemployment rates and trust in institutions.
  3. Unemployment not only erodes trust but also fosters feelings of despair and anxiety.
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Robots vs. Workers: A New Paper on the Results

0 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Automation Robotics Employment Wages Economic Impact
  1. The introduction of robots has a small negative effect on jobs and wages, but it's not as bad as many fear. Overall, the impact seems to be minor.
  2. There's a bias in research that often leans toward negative effects of robots on wages. This shows the need for more balanced studies in this area.
  3. The effects of robots vary based on the economy, industry, and job skills. Developed countries might benefit more from robots compared to emerging ones, especially in some sectors like manufacturing.

New Research: The Hidden Profits of Nursing Homes

0 implied HN points • 19 Mar 24
🏥 Health Politics Financial Reporting Regulatory Challenges
  1. Nursing homes engage in profit "tunneling" through inflated transactions with related entities, concealing actual financial status.
  2. Accurate financial reporting is crucial in sectors like healthcare for effective public policies, but inflated costs complicate matters, affecting reimbursement rates and regulations.
  3. Strict oversight and extending liability to related parties are needed to address the issue of profit tunneling, enhancing transparency and accountability in the nursing home industry.

How Effective Are Entrepreneurship Programs: Results from Rwanda

0 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
  1. High attendance at teacher training led to changes in teaching methods.
  2. No improvement in student outcomes despite changes in teaching methods.
  3. Temporary increase in entrepreneurship activities with declines in employment and income over time.

Big Firms Might Innovate More — Or Less in Face of Global Competition

0 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
  1. Big firms may increase or decrease innovation in response to global competition.
  2. The relationship between a firm's productivity and the number of products can impact innovation decisions.
  3. Short-term profits do not always indicate the long-term profitability of innovation for large firms.

Rise in Temp Jobs Linked to Decline in Permanent Job Quality in Italy

0 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
  1. Study found surge in temporary jobs in Italy linked to decline in permanent job quality
  2. Potential systemic weakening of job quality could hinder economic growth and exacerbate social inequities
  3. Firms heavy on temporary labor risk lowering skills needed for permanent roles, impacting productivity and economy