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The effects of training on own and co-worker productivity: evidence from a field experiment

Author

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  • de Grip, A.

    (Research Centre for Educ and Labour Mark)

  • Sauermann, J.

    (Research Centre for Educ and Labour Mark)

Abstract

This paper analyses the effects of work-related training on worker productivity. To identify the causal effects from training, we combine a field experiment that randomly assigns workers to treatment and control groups with panel data on individual worker performance before and after training. We find that participation in the training programme leads to a 10 percent increase in performance. Moreover, we provide experimental evidence for externalities from treated workers on their untreated teammates: An increase of 10 percentage points in the share of treated peers leads to a performance increase of 0.51 percent. We provide evidence that the estimated effects are causal and not the result of employee selection into and out of training. Furthermore, we find that the performance increase is not due to lower quality provided by the worker.
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(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • de Grip, A. & Sauermann, J., 2011. "The effects of training on own and co-worker productivity: evidence from a field experiment," ROA Research Memorandum 009, Maastricht University, Research Centre for Education and the Labour Market (ROA).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:umaror:2011009
    DOI: 10.26481/umaror.2011009
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • M53 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Training
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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