Identify More, Observe Less: Mediation Analysis Synthetic Control

Discussion Papers on Business and Economics, University of Southern Denmark, 12/2019

51 Pages Posted: 31 Oct 2019

See all articles by Giovanni Mellace

Giovanni Mellace

University of Southern Denmark - Department of Business and Economics

Alessandra Pasquini

CEIS, University of Rome Tor Vergata; Bank of Italy

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: October 22, 2019

Abstract

The synthetic control method (SCM) allows estimation of the causal effect of an intervention in settings where panel data on just a few treated units and control units are available. We show that the existing SCM as well as its extensions can be easily modified to estimate how much of the “total” effect goes through observed causal channels. The additional assumptions needed are arguably very mild in many settings. Furthermore, in an illustrative empirical application we estimate the effects of adopting the euro on labor productivity in several countries and show that a reduction in the Economic Complexity Index helped to mitigate the negative short run effects of adopting the new currency in some countries and boosted the positive effects in others.

Keywords: MASC, Synthetic Control Method, Mediation Analysis, Causal Channels, Causal Mechanisms, Direct and Indirect Effects

JEL Classification: C21, C23, C31, C33

Suggested Citation

Mellace, Giovanni and Pasquini, Alessandra, Identify More, Observe Less: Mediation Analysis Synthetic Control (October 22, 2019). Discussion Papers on Business and Economics, University of Southern Denmark, 12/2019, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3473661 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3473661

Giovanni Mellace (Contact Author)

University of Southern Denmark - Department of Business and Economics ( email )

DK-5230 Odense
Denmark
+4565509294 (Phone)
65509294 (Fax)

Alessandra Pasquini

CEIS, University of Rome Tor Vergata ( email )

via Columbia
Rome, Lazio 00133
Italy

Bank of Italy ( email )

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