Locus of Control and the Labor Market

Deborah Cobb-Clark

No 8678, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This paper reviews the role of locus of control in the labor market. I begin with a discussion of the conceptual origins of locus of control, including its relationship to related concepts such as self-efficacy, motivation, and self-control. The relationship between locus of control and labor market success is then summarized. In doing so, I pay careful attention to what we know about three potential mechanisms – human capital investments, hiring decisions, and optimal incentive contracts – through which locus of control might operate. Finally, the broader implications of these relationships for public policy and future research are discussed.

Keywords: locus of control; behavioral economics; labor market (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J01 J08 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 38 pages
Date: 2014-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cbe, nep-hrm, nep-lab and nep-neu
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

Published - published in: IZA Journal of Labor Economics, 2015, 4:3,

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Journal Article: Locus of control and the labor market (2015)
Working Paper: Locus of Control and the Labor Market (2014)
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