We study the screening problem of a firm that hires workers without knowing their ability or their intrinsic motivation. We completely characterise the set of optimal contracts (consisting of observable effort levels and non-linear salaries) that depend on how workers’ heterogeneity in ability relates to the heterogeneity in motivation. Accordingly, optimal contracts differ as to whether ability or motivation prevails in determining workers’ performance. We show that full separation and full participation of workers’ types is always implemented, when feasible, because it is preferred by the firm to either pooling or excluding some workers. Moreover, when ability prevails, there exist full screening contracts such that motivated workers are asked to provide the efficient level of effort, and such that the firm pays low information rents to its workers. Despite this fact, the firm makes higher profits when motivation rather than ability prevails because of labour donations from motivated workers

Francesca Barigozzi, Nadia Burani (2016). Screening Workers for Ability and Motivation. OXFORD ECONOMIC PAPERS, 68(2), 627-650 [10.1093/oep/gpw005].

Screening Workers for Ability and Motivation

BARIGOZZI, FRANCESCA;BURANI, NADIA
2016

Abstract

We study the screening problem of a firm that hires workers without knowing their ability or their intrinsic motivation. We completely characterise the set of optimal contracts (consisting of observable effort levels and non-linear salaries) that depend on how workers’ heterogeneity in ability relates to the heterogeneity in motivation. Accordingly, optimal contracts differ as to whether ability or motivation prevails in determining workers’ performance. We show that full separation and full participation of workers’ types is always implemented, when feasible, because it is preferred by the firm to either pooling or excluding some workers. Moreover, when ability prevails, there exist full screening contracts such that motivated workers are asked to provide the efficient level of effort, and such that the firm pays low information rents to its workers. Despite this fact, the firm makes higher profits when motivation rather than ability prevails because of labour donations from motivated workers
2016
Francesca Barigozzi, Nadia Burani (2016). Screening Workers for Ability and Motivation. OXFORD ECONOMIC PAPERS, 68(2), 627-650 [10.1093/oep/gpw005].
Francesca Barigozzi; Nadia Burani
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
BeB_OEP_appendixfinal.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: Appendice disponibile online
Tipo: File Supplementare
Licenza: Licenza per Accesso Aperto. Altra tipologia di licenza compatibile con Open Access
Dimensione 245.81 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
245.81 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
screening_postprint con copertina.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipo: Postprint
Licenza: Licenza per Accesso Aperto. Creative Commons Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Non opere derivate (CCBYNCND)
Dimensione 857.49 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
857.49 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/534014
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 17
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 16
social impact