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Mandatory integration agreements for unemployed job seekers: a randomized controlled field experiment in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • van den Berg, Gerard J.

    (IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy)

  • Hofmann, Barbara

    (FEA Nuremberg)

  • Stephan, Gesine

    (IAB Nuremberg)

  • Uhlendorff, Arne

    (IAB Nuremberg)

Abstract

Integration Agreement (IA) are contracts between the employment agency and the unemployed, nudging the latter to comply with rules on search behavior. We designed and implemented an RCT involving thousands of newly unemployed workers, randomizing at the individual level both the timing of the IA and whether it is announced in advance. Administrative registers provide outcomes. Novel theoretical and methodological analyses provide tools to detect anticipation and suggest estimation by individual baseline employability. A small positive effect on entering employment is driven by individuals with adverse prospects. For them, early IA increase re-employment within a year from 45% to 53%.

Suggested Citation

  • van den Berg, Gerard J. & Hofmann, Barbara & Stephan, Gesine & Uhlendorff, Arne, 2021. "Mandatory integration agreements for unemployed job seekers: a randomized controlled field experiment in Germany," Working Paper Series 2021:4, IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:ifauwp:2021_004
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gerard J. van den Berg & Bas van der Klaauw, 2006. "Counseling And Monitoring Of Unemployed Workers: Theory And Evidence From A Controlled Social Experiment," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 47(3), pages 895-936, August.
    2. Bruno Crépon & Marc Ferracci & Gregory Jolivet & Gerard J. van den Berg, 2018. "Information shocks and the empirical evaluation of training programs during unemployment spells," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(4), pages 594-616, June.
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    5. Berg, Gerard J. van den & Hofmann, Barbara & Stephan, Gesine & Uhlendorff, Arne, 2014. "Was Vermittlungsfachkräfte von Eingliederungsvereinbarungen halten: Befragungsergebnisse aus einem Modellprojekt," IAB-Forschungsbericht 201411, Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany].
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    unemployment; monitoring; job search; active labor market policy; nudge; anticipation; randomized controlled trial;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search
    • J68 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Public Policy

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