Explaining the Black/White Employment Gap: The Role of Weak Ties

Yves Zenou

No 8582, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to provide a new mechanism based on social interactions explaining why minority workers have worse labor-market outcomes than majority workers. Building on Granovetter's idea that weak ties are superior to strong ties for providing support in getting a job, we develop a social interaction model where workers can obtain a job through either their strong or weak ties. In this model, it is better to meet weak ties because a strong tie does not help in the state where all best friends are unemployed. But a weak tie can help leaving unemployment in any state because that person might be employed. So there is an asymmetry that is key to the model and that explains why some workers (blacks) may be stuck in poverty traps having little contact with weak ties (whites) that can help them escape unemployment.

Keywords: Labor market; Social Networks; Weak ties (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A14 J15 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-lab, nep-soc and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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