Who Gets the Job Referral? Evidence from a Social Networks Experiment

摘要

This paper uses a hybrid laboratory-field experiment to observe the spread of temporary jobs through job networks under a variety of incentive schemes. Our experiment indicates that at least some individuals have the ability to screen others in then-networks to enhance firm productivity, and will do so if properly incentivized. This result validates the plausibility of the assumption that employees can help screen for their employer, at least in some contexts. We also find evidence, however, that suggests that some workers could not screen effectively. Moreover, the workers who could screen were only willing to do so when they were directly incentivized, as they faced competing incentives generated by the network itself.