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Exploration for Human Capital: Evidence from the MBA Labor Market

Author

Listed:
  • Kuhnen, Camelia M.

    (University of NC)

  • Oyer, Paul

    (Stanford University)

Abstract

We empirically investigate the effect of uncertainty on corporate hiring. Using novel data from the labor market for MBA graduates, we show that uncertainty regarding how well job candidates fit with a firm's industry hinders hiring, and that firms value probationary work arrangements that provide the option to learn more about potential full-time employees. The detrimental effect of uncertainty on hiring is more pronounced when firms face greater firing and replacement costs, and when they face less direct competition from other similar firms. These results suggest that firms faced with uncertainty use similar considerations when making hiring decisions as when making decisions regarding investment in physical capital.

Suggested Citation

  • Kuhnen, Camelia M. & Oyer, Paul, 2014. "Exploration for Human Capital: Evidence from the MBA Labor Market," Research Papers 3042, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecl:stabus:3042
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    2. Jiaxuan Li & Liming Ge & Lin Zeng, 2024. "Tax incentive and corporate hiring decisions: Evidence from China's VAT credit refund policy," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 45(1), pages 414-427, January.
    3. Mitchell Hoffman & Steven Tadelis, 2021. "People Management Skills, Employee Attrition, and Manager Rewards: An Empirical Analysis," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 129(1), pages 243-285.
    4. Josephson, Jens & Shapiro, Joel, 2016. "Costly interviews," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 10-15.
    5. Igor Asanov & Maria Mavlikeeva, 2025. "Is Self-employment a Career Trap? A Large-Scale Field Experiment in the Labor Market," MAGKS Papers on Economics 202513, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    6. Chen, Bin R., 2015. "Subjective performance feedback, ability attribution, and renegotiation-proof contracts," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 155-174.
    7. Rachel Scarfe & Carl Singleton & Adesola Sunmoni & Paul Telemo, 2024. "The age‐wage‐productivity puzzle: Evidence from the careers of top earners," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 62(2), pages 584-606, April.
    8. Daniel W. Elfenbein & Adina D. Sterling, 2018. "(When) Is Hiring Strategic? Human Capital Acquisition in the Age of Algorithms," Strategy Science, INFORMS, vol. 3(4), pages 668-682, December.
    9. Weinstein, Russell, 2018. "Employer screening costs, recruiting strategies, and labor market outcomes: An equilibrium analysis of on-campus recruiting," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 282-299.
    10. Stijn Kelchtermans & Francesca Melillo, 2023. "Taking a Full Career Perspective on the Formation of Co-Founding Teams," GREDEG Working Papers 2023-22, Groupe de REcherche en Droit, Economie, Gestion (GREDEG CNRS), Université Côte d'Azur, France.
    11. Eliza Forsythe & Russell Weinstein, 2025. "Recruiting Intensity, Hires and Vacancies: Evidence from Firm-Level Data," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 135(669), pages 1734-1748.
    12. Xia, Yanchun & Liu, Yu & Guo, Shijun & Xia, Yufeng, 2024. "IPO suspensions and labor employment decisions: Evidence from China," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 70(PB).
    13. Adina D. Sterling & Roberto M. Fernandez, 2018. "Once in the Door: Gender, Tryouts, and the Initial Salaries of Managers," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 64(11), pages 5444-5460, November.
    14. Laschever, Ron A. & Weinstein, Russell, 2021. "Preference Signaling and Worker-Firm Matching: Evidence from Interview Auctions," IZA Discussion Papers 14622, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • J44 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Professional Labor Markets and Occupations
    • M51 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions

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