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on Information and Communication Technologies |
| By: | Jörg Claussen; Tobias Kretschmer; Philip Mayrhofer |
| Abstract: | We study the market for applications on Facebook, the dominant platform for social networking and make use of a rule change by Facebook by which high-quality applications were rewarded with further opportunities to engage users. We find that the change led to quality being a more important driver of usage while sheer network size became less important. Further, we find that update frequency helps applications maintain higher usage, while generally usage of Facebook applications declines less rapidly with age. |
| Keywords: | usage intensity, social media, platform management, two-sided markets |
| JEL: | L1 L50 O33 |
| Date: | 2012–03 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cep:cepdps:dp1133&r=ict |
| By: | Anne Opschoor (Erasmus University Rotterdam and the Tinbergen Institute); Michel van der Wel (Erasmus University Rotterdam, Tinbergen Institute, ERIM and CREATES); Dick van Dijk (Erasmus University Rotterdam, Tinbergen Institute and ERIM.); Nick Taylor (Cardiff Business School) |
| Abstract: | We study the impact of private information on volatility. We develop a comprehensive framework to investigate this link while controlling for the effects of both public information (such as macroeconomic news releases) and private information on prices and the effect of public information on volatility. Using high-frequency 30-year U.S. Treasury bond futures data, we find that private information, measured by order flow, is statistically and economically significant for explaining volatility. Private information is more important than public information, with the effect of an order flow shock on volatility being 18% larger than the effect of the most influential macroeconomic announcement. |
| Keywords: | Information, order flow, macroeconomic announcements, Treasury futures. |
| JEL: | G14 E44 |
| Date: | 2012–02–20 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:aah:create:2012-08&r=ict |
| By: | Siegel, Melissa (UNU-MERIT/MGSoG, University of Maastricht); Fransen, Sonja (UNU-MERIT/MGSoG, University of Maastricht) |
| Abstract: | Mobile remittances have a high development potential as they hold the promise of providing quick, easy and cheap money transfers. In Africa mobile phone usage has increased sharply and mobile banking providers are extending their services, enabling greater opportunities for mobile remittances. The rise of mobile banking in Africa, however, differs substantially across countries, mainly due to a lack of financial infrastructure. Consequently, the opportunities that mobile banking offers for mobile remittances vary geographically. The services provided do not always meet the needs of remittance senders and the African remittances market is generally under-acknowledged as an important market by providers. Restrictive financial regulations play a key role as well. Mobile remittances have the potential to become an important and revolutionary tool for remittances sending in Africa. Effective policies should therefore address the limitations in the regulatory and financial infrastructure for mobile banking to become the foundation for mobile remittances. |
| Keywords: | Remittances, mobile remittances, Africa, innovation, technology, development |
| JEL: | F24 L63 O15 O17 O33 |
| Date: | 2012 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dgr:unumer:2012018&r=ict |