Network Effects on Worker Productivity

Yves Zenou, Matthew Lindquist and Jan Sauermann

No 10928, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: We use data from an in-house call center of a multi-national mobile network operator to study how co-worker productivity affects worker productivity via network effects. We also exploit data from a field experiment to analyze how exogenous changes in worker productivity due to on-the-job training affect co-worker productivity, including non-trained workers. We show that there are strong network effects in co-worker productivity. This effect is driven by conformist behavior. We also show that exposure to trained workers increases the productivity of non-trained workers. This effect works through strategic complementarities (knowledge spillovers). We demonstrate how our network model of worker productivity can be used to inform a variety of practical decisions faced by personnel managers including the design of optimal training policy.

Keywords: On-the-job training; Peer effects; Social Networks; Worker productivity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J24 M53 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eff, nep-hrm, nep-net and nep-soc
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (26)

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Working Paper: Peer Effects in the Workplace: A Network Approach (2022)
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