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Do Terrorist Attacks Affect Ethnic Discrimination in the Labour Market? Evidence from Two Randomised Field Experiments

Author

Listed:
  • Gunn Elisabeth Birkelund

    (Department of Sociology and Human Geography, University of Oslo)

  • Elisabeth Ugreninov

    (Department of Sociology and Human Geography, University of Oslo)

  • Tak Wing Chan

    (Department of Social Science, UCL Institute of Education)

  • Arnfinn Midtbøen

    (Institute for Social Research, Oslo)

  • Jon Rogstad

    (Institute for Labour and Social Research, Oslo)

Abstract

Terrorist attacks are known to influence public opinion. But do they also change behaviour? We address this question by comparing the results of two identical randomised field experiments on ethnic discrimination in hiring that we conducted in Oslo. The first experiment was conducted before the 2011 terrorist attacks in Norway; the second experiment was conducted after the attacks. In both experiments, applicants with a typical Pakistani name were significantly less likely to get a job interview compared to those with a typical Norwegian name. But the ethnic gap in call-back rates were very similar in the two experiments. Thus, Pakistanis in Norway still experienced the same level of discrimination, despite claims that Norwegians have become more positive about migrants after the terrorist attacks.

Suggested Citation

  • Gunn Elisabeth Birkelund & Elisabeth Ugreninov & Tak Wing Chan & Arnfinn Midtbøen & Jon Rogstad, 2017. "Do Terrorist Attacks Affect Ethnic Discrimination in the Labour Market? Evidence from Two Randomised Field Experiments," DoQSS Working Papers 17-02, Quantitative Social Science - UCL Social Research Institute, University College London.
    • Handle: RePEc:qss:dqsswp:1702
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Terrorist attack; Randomised field experiment; Ethnic discrimination;
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