Search, Screening, and Sorting

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics
Year: 2025
Volume: 17
Issue: 3
Pages: 205-36

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

We examine how search frictions impact labor market sorting by constructing a model consistent with evidence that employers interview a subset of a pool of applicants. We derive necessary and sufficient conditions for sorting in applications and matches. Positive sorting is obtained when production complementarities outweigh a counterforce measured by a (novel) quality-quantity elasticity. Interestingly, the threshold for the complementarities depends on the fraction of high-type workers and can be increasing in the number of interviews. Our model shows how policies like Ban the Box can backfire because when screening workers becomes harder, firms may discourage certain workers from applying.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejmac:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:205-36
Journal Field
Macro
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25