Work

Peer effects in the decision to apply for a professional excellence award

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: We study the role social interactions at the workplace play in the decision to apply for a professional recognition program. In Chile, teachers can apply to a pedagogical excellence award. Successful applicants receive a wage increase and are publicly recognized. We exploit the quasi-random variation in the allocation of awards generated by a sharp assignment rule. We document that the success of an applicant increases her school colleagues’ application rate to the program by almost 75%. The impact is higher for colleagues with closer interaction with a successful applicant. We speculate on social learning as a driver of this result.

Source: Labour Economics

DOI: 10.1016/j.labeco.2020.101934

Authors: Samuel Berlinski, Alejandra Ramos

Institutions: Inter-American Development Bank, Trinity College Dublin

Language: English

Topic: School Choice and Performance

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $1,900