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Management Style Under the Spotlight: Evidence from Studio Recordings

Author

Listed:
  • Abebe, Girum
  • Fafchamps, Marcel
  • Koelle, Michael
  • Quinn, Simon
  • Schwantje, Tom

Abstract

We introduce a new method for measuring managerial traits of young professionals: using management vignettes in a video studio. This method — analysed through the lens of a Bayesian hierarchical model — allows us to identify four distinct managerial archetypes (which we term 'rule-based', 'affiliative', 'power-based' and 'discretion-based'). We find that past labour market exposure (including exposure induced through a previous field experiment) correlates strongly with the propensity to act as a rule-based manager. We then use the videos to run an incentivised experiment with firm managers, to elicit preferences over young professionals. Strikingly, we find that firms consistently prefer the rule-based managerial style for entry-level managerial positions. Empirically, our results highlight an underexplored mechanism for labour market exclusion among young professionals. Methodologically, we demonstrate the value of controlled vignette scenarios for assessing managerial traits. Our findings underscore the importance of managerial training in shaping labor market outcomes, and offer new avenues for studying the development of managerial talent.

Suggested Citation

  • Abebe, Girum & Fafchamps, Marcel & Koelle, Michael & Quinn, Simon & Schwantje, Tom, 2026. "Management Style Under the Spotlight: Evidence from Studio Recordings," CEPR Discussion Papers 21043, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:21043
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    File URL: https://cepr.org/publications/DP21043
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • M12 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Personnel Management; Executives; Executive Compensation
    • M51 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion
    • C11 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Bayesian Analysis: General

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