Default Options and Training Participation

Lex Borghans and Bart Golsteyn ()

No 7214, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This paper analyzes whether defaults affect the choice for courses followed at work. In addition, we analyze whether the size of the default effect varies with employees' personality and skill-deficiencies. We perform an experiment in which workers are hypothetically offered three courses which they can accept or exchange for other courses. Randomizing the default package of courses, we identify the default effect. Default courses are chosen approximately three times more often than other courses. They are chosen more often if people have skill-deficiencies in these courses, suggesting that people consider the default to be an advice. Women choose default courses more often than men. Women with less self-confidence and men with lower cognitive skills choose the default courses more often.

Keywords: training; human capital investment; default (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I2 J24 J31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 20 pages
Date: 2013-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-exp and nep-hrm
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Published - published in: Empirical Economics, 2014, 46 (4), 1417-1428

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Related works:
Journal Article: Default options and training participation (2014)
Working Paper: Default options and training participation (2013)
Working Paper: Default options and training participation (2013)
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