Peers at Work
Alexandre Mas and Enrico Moretti
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| Article Citation |
Mas, Alexandre, and Enrico Moretti. 2009. "Peers at Work." American Economic Review, 99(1): 112–45.
DOI:10.1257/aer.99.1.112
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| Abstract |
We study peer effects in the workplace. Specifically, we investigate whether,
how, and why the productivity of a worker depends on the productivity of
coworkers in the same team. Using high-frequency data on worker productivity
from a large supermarket chain, we find strong evidence of positive productivity
spillovers from the introduction of highly productive personnel into a shift.
Worker effort is positively related to the productivity of workers who see him,
but not workers who do not see him. Additionally, workers respond more to the
presence of coworkers with whom they frequently interact. We conclude that
social pressure can partially internalize free-riding externalities that are built
into many workplaces. (JEL J24, L81, M54)
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| Article Full-Text Access |
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| Additional Materials |
Download Data Set
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| Authors |
Mas, Alexandre (U CA, Berkeley)
Moretti, Enrico (U CA, Berkeley)
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| JEL Classifications |
J24: Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
L81: Retail and Wholesale Trade; e-Commerce
M54: Personnel Economics: Labor Management
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