Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP10928
Authors: Matthew Lindquist; Jan Sauermann; Yves Zenou
Abstract: We use data from an in-house call center of a multi-national mobile network operator to study how co-worker productivity affects worker productivity via network effects. We also exploit data from a field experiment to analyze how exogenous changes in worker productivity due to on-the-job training affect co-worker productivity, including non-trained workers. We show that there are strong network effects in co-worker productivity. This effect is driven by conformist behavior. We also show that exposure to trained workers increases the productivity of non-trained workers. This effect works through strategic complementarities (knowledge spillovers). We demonstrate how our network model of worker productivity can be used to inform a variety of practical decisions faced by personnel managers including the design of optimal training policy.
Keywords: on-the-job training; peer effects; social networks; worker productivity
JEL Codes: J24; M53; Z13
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| coworker productivity (J29) | worker productivity (J29) |
| 10% increase in coworker productivity (J29) | 17% increase in worker productivity (O49) |
| trained coworkers (Y80) | non-trained coworkers productivity (J24) |
| exposure to trained workers (J24) | productivity of non-trained coworkers (J24) |