Data and code for: The Selection of Talent: Experimental and Structural Evidence from Ethiopia

Principal Investigator(s):  View help for Principal Investigator(s) Girum Abebe, World Bank; A. Stefano Caria, University of Warwick; Esteban Ortiz-Ospina, Our World In Data

Version:  View help for Version V1

Name File Type Size Last Modified
figure_1.png image/png 286.1 KB 11/25/2020 11:36:AM
figure_2.png image/png 279.2 KB 11/25/2020 11:36:AM
figure_3.png image/png 283.5 KB 11/25/2020 11:36:AM
figure_4.png image/png 1009.7 KB 11/25/2020 11:36:AM
figure_5.png image/png 973.1 KB 11/25/2020 11:36:AM
figure_6.png image/png 298.3 KB 11/25/2020 11:36:AM
figure_7i.png image/png 264.6 KB 11/25/2020 11:36:AM
figure_7ii.png image/png 273.9 KB 11/25/2020 11:36:AM
figure_7iii.png image/png 264.7 KB 11/25/2020 11:36:AM
figure_7iv.png image/png 274.2 KB 11/25/2020 11:36:AM

Project Description

Summary:  View help for Summary We study how search frictions in the labour market affect firms' ability to recruit talented workers. In a field experiment in Ethiopia, we show that an employer can attract more talented applicants by offering a small monetary incentive for making a job application.  Estimates from a structural model suggest that the intervention is effective because the cost of making a job application is large, and positively correlated with jobseeker ability.  We provide evidence that this positive correlation is driven by dynamic selection. In a second experiment, we show that local recruiters underestimate the positive impacts of application incentives. 

Scope of Project

Subject Terms:  View help for Subject Terms Search frictions; RCT; Structural model; Ethiopia
JEL Classification:  View help for JEL Classification
      J23 Labor Demand
      J24 Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
      O15 Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
Geographic Coverage:  View help for Geographic Coverage Ethiopia
Data Type(s):  View help for Data Type(s) administrative records data; experimental data; program source code; survey data

Methodology

Unit(s) of Observation:  View help for Unit(s) of Observation Jobseekers, Firms

Related Publications

Download this project

Published Versions

V1 [2021-05-26]

Export Metadata

Dublin Core

DDI 2.5

Report a Problem

Found a serious problem with the data, such as disclosure risk or copyrighted content? Let us know.

This material is distributed exactly as it arrived from the data depositor. ICPSR has not checked or processed this material. Users should consult the investigator(s) if further information is desired.