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Can Technology Mitigate the Impact of Heat on Labor Productivity? Experimental Evidence from India

Author

Listed:
  • Anna Custers

    (World Bank)

  • Prathap Kasina

    (Innovations for Poverty Action)

  • Deepak Saraswat

    (University of Connecticut)

  • Anjali P. Verma

    (University of Texas at Austin)

Abstract

This paper analyses the role of technology in reducing heat-induced labor productivity losses. For this, we use a field experiment in India which randomized the use of productivity-augmenting digital mode versus classic paper-and-pen mode for conducting 2000 household surveys. Combining this experimentally induced variation in survey mode with day-to-day variation in temperature, we estimate the impact of survey mode on surveyor productivity as temperature rises. We find that as temperature rises and working conditions start to deteriorate, using digital-mode results in 5 per-cent higher surveyor-productivity compared to paper surveys. These relative productivity gains are mainly concentrated in extremely hot days - where the adverse impact of heat is likely at its peak. Further analysis shows that these impacts are not driven by differences in effort of surveyors or differences in the characteristics of respondents, thereby pointing to the role of technology in reducing the adverse effects of heat.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Custers & Prathap Kasina & Deepak Saraswat & Anjali P. Verma, 2022. "Can Technology Mitigate the Impact of Heat on Labor Productivity? Experimental Evidence from India," Working papers 2022-10, University of Connecticut, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:uct:uconnp:2022-10
    Note: Deepak Saraswat is the corresponding author
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Temperature; Labor Productivity; Mode of Survey; Productivity Augmenting Technology;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • M11 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Production Management
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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