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The impact of temperature on manufacturing worker productivity: Evidence from personnel data

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  • Cai, Xiqian
  • Lu, Yi
  • Wang, Jin

Abstract

This paper presents novel evidence on the impact of temperature on daily indoor worker productivity in a non-climate-controlled manufacturing environment in China. Combining individual worker productivity data from personnel records with weather data, it documents an inverted-U shaped relationship between temperature and labor productivity. Workers do not increase avoidance behavior. The findings suggest that the economic loss from reduced manufacturing labor productivity due to ambient temperature is quantitatively important, providing new insights into the biological effects of climate factor on human labor. Further, back-of-the envelope calculations indicate that the estimated welfare gains from preventing extreme temperatures are substantial.

Suggested Citation

  • Cai, Xiqian & Lu, Yi & Wang, Jin, 2018. "The impact of temperature on manufacturing worker productivity: Evidence from personnel data," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 46(4), pages 889-905.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcecon:v:46:y:2018:i:4:p:889-905
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jce.2018.06.003
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    Cited by:

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    7. Chen, Zhenzhu & Li, Li & Tang, Yao, 2023. "Weather, Credit, and Economic Fluctuations: Evidence from China," MPRA Paper 116472, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Wei Zou & Jingjing Li & Zhe Shu, 2022. "Urban Quality of Life and Production Amenity in Chinese Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-32, February.
    9. Lingke Wu & Dehong Liu & Tiantian Lin, 2023. "The Impact of Climate Change on Financial Stability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-18, July.
    10. Alberto, Ivan Carlo & Jiao, Yang & Zhang, Xiaohan, 2021. "Too hot or too cold to study? The effect of temperature on student time allocation," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    11. Xiaojia Bao & Qingliang Fan, 2020. "The impact of temperature on gaming productivity: evidence from online games," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 58(2), pages 835-867, February.
    12. Sybil Geldart, 2022. "Remote Work in a Changing World: A Nod to Personal Space, Self-Regulation and Other Health and Wellness Strategies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-9, April.
    13. Li Chen & Bin Jiang & Chuan Wang, 2023. "Climate change and urban total factor productivity: evidence from capital cities and municipalities in China," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 65(1), pages 401-441, July.
    14. Liyuan Zheng & Ling Ye & Mengjiao Wang & Yingdi Wang & Haiwei Zhou, 2022. "Does Water Matter? The Impact of Water Vulnerability on Corporate Financial Performance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-19, September.
    15. Wei, Xiahai & Li, Jianan & Liu, Hongyou & Wan, Jiangtao, 2023. "Temperature and outdoor productivity: Evidence from professional soccer players," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    16. Mengzhen Zhao & Jason Kai Wei Lee & Tord Kjellstrom & Wenjia Cai, 2021. "Assessment of the economic impact of heat-related labor productivity loss: a systematic review," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 167(1), pages 1-16, July.
    17. Clark Gray & Douglas Hopping & Valerie Mueller, 2020. "The changing climate-migration relationship in China, 1989–2011," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 160(1), pages 103-122, May.
    18. Song, Malin & Wang, Jianlin & Zhao, Jiajia, 2023. "Effects of rising and extreme temperatures on production factor efficiency: Evidence from China's cities," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
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    21. Oliveira, Jaqueline & Pereda, Paula, 2020. "The impact of climate change on internal migration in Brazil," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Climate; Temperature; Thermal stress; Manufacturing; Labor productivity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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