The Effect of Exposure: Evidence from Spatial Choices in Nairobi

Joshua Dean (), Gabriel Kreindler () and Oluchi Mbonu ()
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Joshua Dean: University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Gabriel Kreindler: Harvard University Department of Economics and NBER
Oluchi Mbonu: The World Bank

No 2026-24, Working Papers from Becker Friedman Institute for Research In Economics

Abstract: How much do people dislike opportunities they have never been exposed to, and why? We study how exposure affects work location decisions of casual workers. We offer short-term employment and randomize training locations to induce novel exposures. Participants sacrifice 22% of the median daily wage to avoid working in a location never visited before; one hour-long visit eliminates this premium. Workers anticipate two thirds of the effect exposure has on their later preferences. Results are most consistent with perceived fixed costs of exposure rather than sorting or quality uncertainty. Unfamiliar neighborhoods are also less likely to enter workers' consideration sets.

JEL-codes: D91 O18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 98 pages
Date: 2026
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