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Worker Morale and Effort: Is the Relationship Causal?

Author

Listed:
  • Hassink, Wolter

    (Utrecht University)

  • Fernandez, Roberto M.

    (MIT Sloan School of Management)

Abstract

We investigate a unique setting which enables us to distinguish between two theories of work performance. A standard labor supply framework implies a negative effect of the non-pecuniary cost of work on the employee's effort. In contrast, a model of worker morale that is consistent with a widely used theory of Akerlof and Yellen (QJE,1990) predicts this negative effect is stronger (weaker) for low-morale (high-morale) workers. We exploit a natural experiment design of a firm relocation from Milwaukee's Central Business District to the area's suburban ring in 1992. Since the employees did not choose the location of the new plant, there is an exogenous source of variation on the adjusted commuting distance among those who stay at the firm. Some of the workers received a windfall gain, whereas other workers experienced an unforeseen cost in longer commuting time. The estimates indicate that low-morale workers are responsive to the shock in commuting time. We conclude that the results favor the model of worker morale.

Suggested Citation

  • Hassink, Wolter & Fernandez, Roberto M., 2015. "Worker Morale and Effort: Is the Relationship Causal?," IZA Discussion Papers 8909, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp8909
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    absenteeism; natural experiment; worker morale;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • M52 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Compensation and Compensation Methods and Their Effects

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