Glaeser, EdwardHelpman, ElhananCole, ShawnXiong, Wentao2019-08-082018-052018-05-162018Xiong, Wentao. 2018. Essays in Applied Microeconomics. Doctoral dissertation, Harvard University, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:41127277This thesis aims to answer several economic policy questions with macroeconomic implications using micro-level data. The first chapter is on the geographic distribution of manufacturing firms' productivity and production, using a ``market access'' approach. The second chapter is on the liabilities and risk taking of U.S. defined-benefit pension funds. The third chapter is a policy review paper on urban productivity in the developing world.application/pdfenProductivity distribution, market access. Pension liabilities, asset allocation. Urban productivity, developing-world cities.Thesis or Dissertation2019-08-080000-0001-6201-3227