The Department of Economics invites the campus community to attend an upcoming seminar by Dr. Alicia Dang, Assistant Professor of Economics at Union College.
In this talk, Dr. Dang will examine how central government reforms interact with local governance capacity to shape economic outcomes. Drawing on regional variation across Vietnam, her research investigates how differences in the quality of local government services influence the impact of central rule-of-law reforms.
Her findings show that while central reforms can improve productivity among capital-intensive firms that rely heavily on fixed assets, they may also have unintended negative effects on other firms. These contrasting outcomes suggest that local governments often face capacity constraints in implementing national directives, particularly when reforms are not accompanied by adequate financial support.
Dr. Dang’s broader research focuses on industrial policy, political economy, technology, and international trade, with particular attention to how government institutions and global economic forces affect firm performance, employment, and production. She received her B.A. in Economics and International Relations from Brown University, an M.Phil. in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge, and a Ph.D. in Economics from George Washington University.
Date: April 3, 2026
Time: 4:00 – 5:15 PM
Location: Hepburn Hall 021
Faculty, students, and members of the community are welcome to attend.