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Aversion to Inequality and Segregating Equilibria

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  • Antonio Cabrales
  • Antoni Calvó-Armengol

Abstract

This paper shows that models where preferences of individuals depend not only on their allocations, but also on the well-being of other persons, can produce both large and testable effects. We study the allocation of workers with heterogeneous productivities to firms. We show that even small deviations from purely "selfish" preferences leads to widespread workplace skill segregation. That is, workers of different abilities tend to work in different firms, as long as they care somewhat more about the utilities of workers who are "close".

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio Cabrales & Antoni Calvó-Armengol, 2005. "Aversion to Inequality and Segregating Equilibria," Working Papers 177, Barcelona School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:bge:wpaper:177
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pedro Rey‐Biel, 2008. "Inequity Aversion and Team Incentives," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 110(2), pages 297-320, June.
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    7. Antonio Cabrales & Antoni Calvó-Armengol & Nicola Pavoni, 2008. "Social Preferences, Skill Segregation, and Wage Dynamics," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 75(1), pages 65-98.
    8. Chaim Fershtman & Hans K. Hvide & Yoram Weiss, 2006. "Cultural Diversity, Status Concerns and the Organization of Work," Research in Labor Economics, in: The Economics of Immigration and Social Diversity, pages 361-396, Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Contract theory; Mechanism Design; envy; social preferences; skill segregation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A13 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Relation of Economics to Social Values
    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General
    • J41 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Labor Contracts

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