Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP16532
Authors: Sule Alan; Gozde Corekcioglu; Matthias Sutter
Abstract: We evaluate the impact of a program aiming at improving the workplace climate in corporations. The program is implemented via a clustered randomized design and evaluated with respect to the prevalence of support networks, antisocial behavior, perceived relational atmosphere, and turnover rate. We find that professionals in treated corporations are less inclined to engage in toxic competition, exhibit higher reciprocity toward each other, report higher workplace satisfaction and a more collegial atmosphere. Treated firms have fewer socially isolated individuals and a lower employee turnover. The program's success in improving leader-subordinate relationships emerges as a likely mechanism to explain these results.
Keywords: workplace climate; relational dynamics; leadership quality; RCTs
JEL Codes: C93; M14; M53
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| workplace improvement program (J29) | toxic competition among colleagues (L41) |
| workplace improvement program (J29) | reciprocity (Z13) |
| workplace improvement program (J29) | workplace satisfaction (J28) |
| workplace improvement program (J29) | perceived meritocratic values (D46) |
| workplace improvement program (J29) | proportion of socially isolated employees (J29) |
| workplace improvement program (J29) | network density within departments (D85) |
| workplace improvement program (J29) | voluntary quits (J63) |
| workplace improvement program (J29) | leader-subordinate relationships (L14) |
| enhanced leader-subordinate relationships (M54) | increased professionalism and empathy (I24) |