Making Do with Less: Working Harder during Recessions

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Labor Economics
Year: 2016
Volume: 34
Issue: S1
Pages: S333 - S360

Authors (3)

Edward P. Lazear Kathryn L. Shaw (not in RePEc) Christopher Stanton (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

Why did productivity rise during recent recessions? One possibility is that average worker quality increased. A second is that each incumbent worker produced more. The second effect is termed "making do with less." Using data from 2006 to 2010 on individual worker productivity from a large firm, these effects can be measured and separated. For this firm, most of the gain in productivity during the recession was a result of increased effort. Additionally, the increase in effort is correlated with the increase in the local unemployment rate, presumably reflecting the costs of losing a job.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/682406
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25