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Racial Diversity and Team Performance: Evidence from the American Offshore Whaling Industry

Author

Listed:
  • Michele Baggio

    (University of Connecticut)

  • Metin Cosgel

    (University of Connecticut)

Abstract

We use data from the American offshore whaling industry to examine the relationship between racial diversity and team performance. Teams consist of the crew operating onboard whaling vessels, and performance is measured by the value of the output captured during the voyage. The results show robust estimates of racial diversity’s association with team performance at the firm level, which is U-shaped. Whereas increasing levels of racial diversity initially reduced revenue, higher levels yielded substantial gains. The nonlinear pattern is consistent with conflicts and hunting success working in opposite directions.

Suggested Citation

  • Michele Baggio & Metin Cosgel, 2023. "Racial Diversity and Team Performance: Evidence from the American Offshore Whaling Industry," Working papers 2023-04, University of Connecticut, Department of Economics, revised Mar 2026.
    • Handle: RePEc:uct:uconnp:2023-04
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • N11 - Economic History - - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics; Industrial Structure; Growth; Fluctuations - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • O47 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Empirical Studies of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence

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