Comparative Advantage, Information and the Allocation of Workers to Tasks: Evidence from an Agricultural Labour Market

S-Tier
Journal: Review of Economic Studies
Year: 1996
Volume: 63
Issue: 3
Pages: 347-374

Authors (2)

Andrew D. Foster (not in RePEc) Mark R. Rosenzweig (Yale University)

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

We use data from an agricultural labour market in which workers receive both time- and piece-rate wages and shift frequently among employers and tasks, to assess the roles of comparative advantage, information problems and preferences in determining the allocation of workers. The estimates which impose minimal structure not implied by economic theory are consistent with a one-factor productivity model, and indicate that information asymmetries are present but workers are sorted according to comparative advantage. In particular, the disproportionate presence of female workers in weeding activities is due not to worker or employer preferences but to comparative advantage and statistical discrimination.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:restud:v:63:y:1996:i:3:p:347-374.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29