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Color matters: field experiment to explore the impact of facial complexion in Pakistani labor market

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  • Abubakr Saeed
  • Sidra Maqsood
  • Amir Rafique

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the role of facial complexion on applicant’s employability in Pakistani labor market. We carried out a resume audit study. In doing so, we sent 1216 fictitious curricula vitae (CVs) against 304 real job advertisements. Four CVs were sent against each advertisement which contained the pictures of fair and dark males and females. The results show that odds of receiving callbacks are 31.5% higher for a fair-skinned applicant compared to the applicant with dark complexion. Moreover, fair females have 28.5% higher probability in receiving (more) callbacks than fair male applicants. This discriminatory pattern in labor market exists across both front and back office jobs, however, the odds of receiving callbacks by fair applicants, particularly females, are higher in front office jobs. Further, we divide our sample into jobs advertised by companies themselves and jobs through recruitment agencies. Our results show that the impact of facial complexion is present in both recruitment sources, nevertheless, it is more pronounced when recruitment is carried out through employment agencies. Lastly, we find the evidence of beauty premium across various occupational categories, except finance and accounting.

Suggested Citation

  • Abubakr Saeed & Sidra Maqsood & Amir Rafique, 2019. "Color matters: field experiment to explore the impact of facial complexion in Pakistani labor market," Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(3), pages 347-363, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rjapxx:v:24:y:2019:i:3:p:347-363
    DOI: 10.1080/13547860.2019.1612974
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    2. Schaerer, Michael & du Plessis, Christilene & Nguyen, My Hoang Bao & van Aert, Robbie C.M. & Tiokhin, Leo & Lakens, Daniël & Giulia Clemente, Elena & Pfeiffer, Thomas & Dreber, Anna & Johannesson, Mag, 2023. "On the trajectory of discrimination: A meta-analysis and forecasting survey capturing 44 years of field experiments on gender and hiring decisions," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).

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