The Upside Potential of Hiring Risky Workers: Evidence from the Baseball Industry

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Labor Economics
Year: 2003
Volume: 21
Issue: 4
Pages: 923-944

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

Making use of performance data for baseball players, this article provides empirical evidence in support of Lazear's (1998) theoretical predictions that (1) risky workers will earn a premium for their upside potential, (2) this risk premium will be higher the longer a worker's work life, and (3) firms must enjoy some comparative advantage in the labor market to be willing to pay a premium to risky workers. The validity of Lazear's predictions carries implications for wage differentials between young and old workers and between men and women.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jlabec:v:21:y:2003:i:4:p:923-944
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-24