Authors
Erin M Kelley, Christopher Ksoll, Jeremy Magruder
Publication date
2024/1/1
Journal
Journal of Development Economics
Volume
166
Pages
103176
Publisher
North-Holland
Description
We use a randomized control trial to evaluate whether digital platforms improve employment outcomes among vocational training graduates in India. We uploaded a random subset of graduates to a digital platform, and assigned some to receive many text messages about job opportunities. We find evidence of voluntary unemployment: graduates respond to platform access by increasing their reservation wages, and by working significantly less. As good job offers fail to materialize on the platform, some graduates adjust their expectations downwards and resume working. These findings suggest that youth’s beliefs about the effectiveness of matching interventions may reduce their potential impacts on employment.
Total citations
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