Linked out? A field experiment on discrimination in job network formation

Evsyukova, Yulia ; Rusche, Felix ; Mill, Wladislaw

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URN:	urn:nbn:de:bsz:180-madoc-690087
Document Type:	Working paper
Year of publication:	2024
The title of a journal, publication series:	ZEW Discussion Papers
Volume:	24-069
Place of publication:	Mannheim
Publication language:	English
Institution:	Sonstige Einrichtungen > ZEW - Leibniz-Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung Außerfakultäre Einrichtungen > Graduate School of Economic and Social Sciences - CDSE (Economics) School of Law and Economics > Verhaltensökonomik (Juniorprofessur) (Mill 2018-)
MADOC publication series:	Veröffentlichungen des ZEW (Leibniz-Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung) > ZEW Discussion Papers
Subject:	330 Economics
Classification:	JEL: J71 , J15 , C93 , J46 , D85,
Keywords (English):	discrimination , job networks , labor markets , field experiment
Abstract:	We assess the impact of discrimination on Black individuals' job networks across the U.S. using a two-stage eld experiment with 400+ fictitious LinkedIn pro les. In the first stage, we vary race via AI-generated images only and find that Black pro les' connection requests are 13 percent less likely to be accepted. Based on users' CVs, we find widespread discrimination across social groups. In the second stage, we exogenously endow Black and White pro les with the same networks and ask connected users for career advice. We find no evidence of direct discrimination in information provision. However, when taking into account differences in the composition and size of networks, Black pro les receive substantially fewer replies. Our findings suggest that gatekeeping is a key driver of Black-White disparities.