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School ties and evaluation outcomes: Evidence from the Korean Basketball League

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  • Hoon Choi
  • Seik Kim

Abstract

This paper investigates whether evaluation outcomes are influenced by private information and subjective biases when appraisers and appraisees are socially connected. In the Korean Basketball League, school ties between referees and players are commonplace because a large proportion of referees were previously basketball players. Using data from six basketball seasons, we analyze the degree to which referees' decisions are affected when players and referees attended the same school. Our results suggest that players who play under referees with school ties are called for fewer fouls. We also find that the results are driven mainly by high school ties. Liens scolaires et résultats aux évaluations : Données probantes tirées de la ligue de basketball coréenne. Cet article étudie l'influence éventuelle des renseignements confidentiels et des partis pris sur les résultats aux évaluations lorsque les évaluateurs et les personnes évaluées partagent des liens sociaux. Dans la ligue de basketball coréenne, les liens scolaires entre les arbitres et les joueurs sont courants, car une grande proportion d'arbitres jouaient auparavant au basketball. À l'aide des données de six saisons de basketball, nous analysons le degré d'influence de la fréquentation de la même école par les arbitres et les joueurs sur les décisions des arbitres. Nos résultats suggèrent que les arbitres décernent moins de fautes aux joueurs avec lesquels ils ont des liens scolaires. Nous constatons également que les résultats sont principalement attribuables aux solides liens scolaires.

Suggested Citation

  • Hoon Choi & Seik Kim, 2024. "School ties and evaluation outcomes: Evidence from the Korean Basketball League," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 57(4), pages 1337-1359, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:canjec:v:57:y:2024:i:4:p:1337-1359
    DOI: 10.1111/caje.12746
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    References listed on IDEAS

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