Margherita Comola, Camila Comunello, Abhimanyu Gupta
arXiv 31 Jul 2026 · Econometrics
arXiv:2608.00136 · PDF · Extracted main text
Cross-unit dependence is pervasive in empirical applications and complicates econometric inference, especially when spillovers operate in nonlinear ways. We propose a novel nonparametric test for cross-unit spillovers that may operate through peers' attributes, peers' outcomes, or both. The test is straightforward to implement, as it requires only estimation under the null hypothesis of no cross-unit spillovers, and is shown to have a convenient asymptotic standard normal distribution. It is also versatile, accommodating data generated by a wide range of interaction structures. We present four empirical illustrations showing that the proposed test can yield substantively different conclusions about the presence of cross-unit spillovers than existing approaches.
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The works this paper leans on most, across its whole bibliography — not restricted to papers in our corpus. Ranked by composite intensity, which combines how often a work is mentioned, how many sections mention it, and how much of that falls in the main text rather than the appendix.
| Reference | Intensity | Mentions | Sections | Main text | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guryan, Jonathan and Kroft, Kory and Notowidigdo, Matthew J (2009) Peer Effects in the Workplace: Evidence from Random Groupings in Professional Golf Tournaments | 0.794 | 12 | 3 | 50% |
| 2 | Corno, Lucia and La Ferrara, Eliana and Burns, Justine (2022) Interaction, Stereotypes, and Performance: Evidence from South Africa | 0.794 | 8 | 3 | 50% |
| 3 | Wu, Jia and Zhang, Junsen and Wang, Chunchao (2023) Student Performance, Peer Effects, and Friend Networks: Evidence from a Randomized Peer Intervention | 0.794 | 8 | 3 | 50% |
| 4 | Bosquet, Clément and Combes, Pierre-Philippe and Henry, Emeric and M… (2022) Peer Effects in Academic Research: Senders and Receivers | 0.737 | 10 | 3 | 40% |
| 5 | A. S. Booij and E. Leuven and H. Oosterbeek (2017) Ability Peer Effects in University: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment | 0.737 | 10 | 2 | 60% |
| 6 | Cai, Jing and Szeidl, Adam (2017) Interfirm Relationships and Business Performance | 0.711 | 13 | 2 | 54% |
| 7 | Bramoullé, Yann and Djebbari, Habiba and Fortin, Bernard (2009) Identification of peer effects through social networks | 0.644 | 2 | 2 | 100% |
| 8 | Arduini, Tiziano and Patacchini, Eleonora and Rainone, Edoardo (2020) Treatment Effects With Heterogeneous Externalities | 0.511 | 2 | 2 | 50% |
| 9 | Avvisati, Francesco and Gurgand, Marc and Guyon, Nina and Maurin, Eric (2013) Getting Parents Involved: A Field Experiment in Deprived Schools | 0.405 | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| 10 | Baird, Sarah and Bohren, J. Aislinn and McIntosh, Craig and Özler, B… (2018) Optimal Design of Experiments in the Presence of Interference | 0.405 | 1 | 1 | 100% |
Showing the top 10 of 58 scored citations.