An Experimental Examination of Labor Supply and Work Intensities

David Lewis Dickinson

Journal of Labor Economics, 1999, vol. 17, issue 4, pages 638-70

Abstract: Estimated negative substitution effects on work hours question the empirical validity of the classical labor supply model. Estimates are reconciled by allowing a dual choice of hours and effort for piece-rate workers. In such a model, these negative substitution effects result from substituting on- and off-the-job leisure. We test our model using controlled experimentation on human subjects. These experiments, while not naturally occurring environments, represent real economic choices and can generate data unavailable elsewhere (e.g., effort data). The results support our model, and they have implications both for labor management and for empirical research focusing only on the hours choice. Copyright 1999 by University of Chicago Press.

Date: 1999
View citations in EconPapers

Downloads: (external link)
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0734-306X%2819991 ... O%3B2-W&origin=repec full text (application/pdf)
Access to full text is restricted to JSTOR subscribers. See http://www.jstor.org for details.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/JOLE/order1.html

Access Statistics for this article

Journal of Labor Economics is edited by Derek A. Neal

More articles in Journal of Labor Economics from University of Chicago Press
Address: The University of Chicago Press, Journals Division, P.O. Box 37005 Chicago, IL 60637
Series data maintained by Christopher F. Baum ().