This paper uses data on judicial citations to explore whether the diffusion and/or application of knowledge within an organisation is affected by worker connectivity. Developing a simple model of discretionary citations, we distinguish between two hypotheses: knowledge diffusion whereby connected judges are more likely to be aware of each others` cases than unconnected judges, and socialisation whereby judges are more likely to be positively disposed to judges to whom they are more connected. Our empirical strategy exploits three important institutional features: (a) the random allocation of judges to case committees in the English Court of Appeal, (b) the existence of both positive and neutral citations and (c) the fact that connections occur over time. We are able to reject the knowledge diffusion hypothesis in its simplest form. We are unable to reject the socialisation hypothesis, and find strong evidence to support it. The paper concludes with a discussion of implications for other knowledge-based organisations.
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Paper provided by University of Oxford, Department of Economics in its series Economics Series Working Papers with number
354.
Find related papers by JEL classification: H1 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government K4 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Social Norms and Social Capital; Social Networks Economic Anthropology
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Sendhil Mullainathan & Marianne Bertrand & Erzo F.P. Luttmer, 1998.
"Network Effects and Welfare Cultures,"
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Other versions:
Marianne Bertrand & Erzo Luttmer & Sendhil Mullainathan, 1998.
"Network Effects and Welfare Cultures,"
Working Papers
784, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Industrial Relations Section..
[Downloadable!]
Marianne Bertrand & Erzo F. P. Luttmer & Sendhil Mullainathan, 1999.
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[Downloadable!]
Bertrand, M. & Luttmer, E.F.P. & Mullainathan, S., 1998.
"Network Effects and Welfare Cultures,"
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