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LinkedOut? A Field Experiment on Discrimination in Job Network Formation

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  • Yulia Evsyukova
  • Felix Rusche
  • Wladislaw Mill

Abstract

We assess the impact of discrimination on Black individuals’ job networks across the U.S. using a two-stage field experiment with 400+ fictitious LinkedIn profiles. In the first stage, we vary race via AI-generated images only and find that Black profiles’ connection requests are 13 percent less likely to be accepted. Based on users’ CVs, we find widespread discrimination across social groups. In the second stage, we exogenously endow Black and White profiles with the same networks and ask connected users for career advice. We find no evidence of direct discrimination in information provision. However, when taking into account differences in the composition and size of networks, Black profiles receive substantially fewer replies. Our findings suggest that gatekeeping is a key driver of Black-White disparities.

Suggested Citation

  • Yulia Evsyukova & Felix Rusche & Wladislaw Mill, 2024. "LinkedOut? A Field Experiment on Discrimination in Job Network Formation," CESifo Working Paper Series 11433, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11433
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    discrimination; job networks; labor markets; field experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • J46 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Informal Labor Market
    • D85 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Network Formation

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