Interdependent preferences and segregating equilibria

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Economic Theory
Year: 2008
Volume: 139
Issue: 1
Pages: 99-113

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

This paper shows that models where preferences of individuals depend not only on their allocations, but also on the well being of other persons, can produce both large and testable effects. We study the allocation of workers with heterogeneous productivities to firms. We show that even small deviations from purely "selfish" preferences leads to widespread workplace skill segregation. That is, workers of different abilities tend to work in different firms, as long as they care somewhat more about the utilities of workers who are "close". This result holds for a broad class and distribution of social preferences.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:jetheo:v:139:y:2008:i:1:p:99-113
Journal Field
Theory
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-25