Minji Bang


I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics and Finance at the City University of Hong Kong. 


I received my Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania in May 2022. 


My research interests include Labor Economics, Public Economics, Economics of Education, and Applied Econometrics.


Email: minjbang [at] cityu.edu.hk

For more information, see my CV.

Publications

Abstract

This paper develops a new method for identifying econometric models with partially latent covariates. Such data structures arise in industrial organization and labor economics settings where data are collected using an input-based sampling strategy, e.g., if the sampling unit is one of multiple labor input fac- tors. We show that the latent covariates can be nonparametrically identified, if they are functions of a common shock satisfying some plausible monotonicity assumptions. With the latent covariates identified, semiparametric estimation of the outcome equation proceeds within a standard IV framework that ac- counts for the endogeneity of the covariates. We illustrate the usefulness of our method using a new application that focuses on the production functions of pharmacies. We find that differences in technology between chains and inde- pendent pharmacies may partially explain the observed transformation of the industry structure.

Working Papers

Job Flexibility and Household Labor Supply: Understanding Gender Gaps and the Child Wage Penalty

[Current WP] New draft coming soon!

Abstract

This paper investigates how occupational flexibility affects married couples' labor supply and the gender pay gap around childbirth. Using the NLSY79 data and Goldin's (2014) measure of occupational flexibility, I show that flexibility is a significant determinant of married couples' labor supply adjustments.  When a husband's job exhibits low flexibility, couples are more likely to specialize with the wife dropping out of the labor market and the husband increasing hours worked. In contrast, couples with greater flexibility show less labor supply adjustment to childbirth. To analyze the relationship between occupational flexibility and family-friendly labor market policies, I develop and estimate a dynamic discrete choice model of couples' decision-making about labor supply and occupations. In the model, occupations are characterized by wage-hours schedules and flexibility levels. I find that increasing women's and men's own occupational flexibility increases labor force participation by 4 percentage points in the childbirth year. Interestingly, increasing husband's flexibility has a greater impact on the wife's labor adjustment than her own flexibility, augmenting her participation rate and working hours by 10 and 7 percentage points. Finally, I evaluate the effects of family-friendly policies providing temporary flexibility for couples experiencing a birth in the last two years. Policies that target women increase female labor supply and reduce the gender pay gap by 8% in the long run. However, when the benefits are offered to both spouses, the positive effects on the wife's labor supply are weakened, and the gender pay gap expands in the long run.

Access and Exposure to Local News Media in the Digital Era: Evidence from U.S. Media Markets
with Lucie L'Heudé, Andrew Postlewaite, and Holger Sieg

[Current WP

Abstract

Using a new comprehensive survey of adults in large U.S. media markets we show that minority and low-skill individuals, who are heavily exposed to shocks to the local economy, typically have stronger preferences for and stronger exposure to local news than high-skill and white individuals. At the same time, these disadvantaged individuals have been negatively affected by the impact of the digital revolution on news provision. In particular, high-skill and white individuals have more rapidly embraced online and social media while low-skill and minority individuals still heavily rely on local television and other traditional news providers. These differences in provider choices are important because the digital revolution has reduced the quality of traditional news providers while the quality and quantity of online and social media have substantially in- creased. To gain additional insights into the welfare consequence of the digital revolution and assess potential policy interventions, we develop and estimate a model of news production and demand for local news. Our model is based on a time-allocation, discrete bundle-choice framework. Our findings suggest that the loss of the local newspaper (television) reduces welfare on average by $923 ($1064) which is well above the annual subscription costs in most markets. Finally, we study policies that subsidize online or social media to offset the loss of the local newspaper or television station.

Selected Work in Progress

Life-cycle Implications of Childbirth on Women's Job Search and Mobility with Hanna Wang

Labor Market Impact of M&A and Skill Complementarity with Hanbaek Lee

Self-Employment Decisions and Household Risk Sharing