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Nepotism, human capital and economic development

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  • Perez-Alvarez, Marcello
  • Strulik, Holger

Abstract

This paper suggests that nepotism affects economic development by hindering human capital development. In our dynamic general equilibrium model, individuals perceiving nepotistic labor markets experience a weaker economic motive to invest in human capital. Nepotism is explained as an evolving cultural norm with different nepotistic equilibria, which are relevant for economic development. We test the central prediction of the model by relating scores from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) to an indicator for perceived nepotism at the country level. Our findings indicate a negative association between nepotism and human capital. Subsample analysis and fixed effects estimations further corroborate the incentive narrative.

Suggested Citation

  • Perez-Alvarez, Marcello & Strulik, Holger, 2021. "Nepotism, human capital and economic development," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 211-240.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:181:y:2021:i:c:p:211-240
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2020.11.034
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    1. Lu Liu & Yuxin Meng & Desheng Wu & Qiying Ran & Jianhong Cao & Zilian Liu, 2023. "Impact of haze pollution and human capital on economic resilience: evidence from prefecture-level cities in China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(11), pages 13429-13449, November.
    2. Gomes Orlando, 2024. "Economic Growth in the Age of Ubiquitous Threats: How Global Risks are Reshaping Growth Theory," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 18(1), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Favara, Marta & Freund, Richard & Perez-Alvarez, Marcello, 2023. "What If It Never Happened? Subjective Treatment Effects of a Negative Shock on Youth Labour Market Outcomes in Developing Countries," IZA Discussion Papers 16417, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Nepotism; Human capital; Economic growth; Norm transmission; Culture;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General

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