Impacts of rural roads on household welfare in Vietnam: evidence from a replication study

Abstract:

Purpose
Recently, there has been a call for replication research to validate empirical findings, especially findings that are important for development policies. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to replicate the estimation results from Mu and van de Walle (2011).

Design/methodology/approach
The author used raw data sets provided by Mu Ren and Dominique van de Walle and the same methods of Mu and van de Walle (2011). In addition to the pure replication, the author conducted the two extensions: sensitivity analysis of covariates and bandwidth selection and analysis of the effect of the road project on additional outcome variables.

Findings
Overall, the author ables to replicate most estimates from Mu and van de Walle (2011). The author find a positive effect of rural roads on local market development. The impact estimates of the road project are not sensitive to the selection of the bandwidth in kernel propensity score (PS) matching. There are no significant effects of road projects on additional outcomes, including access to credit and migration.

Practical implications
The study confirms a positive effect of rural roads on local market development. Thus, the government can provide investment in rural roads to improve the local market and its welfare.

Originality/value
This study tried to replicate and verify an important study on the impact of the rural road in Vietnam.