Is Asian flushing syndrome a disadvantage in the labor market?

B-Tier
Journal: Health Economics
Year: 2023
Volume: 32
Issue: 7
Pages: 1478-1503

Score contribution per author:

0.503 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

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

Abstract

A large fraction of people in East Asia are incapable of digesting alcohol because of a genetic deficiency. This study examines whether the variation in alcohol tolerance contributes to inequality in the labor market. We conduct our original surveys in Japan, Taiwan, and Korea with the measurement of respondents' degree of alcohol tolerance by a bio‐marker test. We find that alcohol‐tolerant men consume significantly more alcohol, but their earnings and hours worked do not differ from those of alcohol‐intolerant men. Despite a prevalent view that drinking alcohol is indispensable to establish good relationships with colleagues and business partners, our results suggest that there is no systematic impact of alcohol tolerance on labor market outcomes.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:wly:hlthec:v:32:y:2023:i:7:p:1478-1503
Journal Field
Health
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-25