Bridging the Intention-Behavior Gap? : The Effect of Plan-Making Prompts on Job Search and Employment
The paper tests the effects of plan-making on job search and employment. In a field experiment with unemployed youths, participants who complete a detailed job search plan increase the number of job applications submitted (by 15 percent) but not th...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Working Paper |
| Language: | English en_US |
| Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2017
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/676321504718177942/Bridging-the-intention-behavior-gap-the-effect-of-plan-making-prompts-on-job-search-and-employment http://hdl.handle.net/10986/28358 |
| Summary: | The paper tests the effects of
plan-making on job search and employment. In a field
experiment with unemployed youths, participants who complete
a detailed job search plan increase the number of job
applications submitted (by 15 percent) but not the time
spent searching, consistent with intention-behavior gaps
observed at baseline. Job seekers in the plan-making group
diversify their search strategy and use more formal search
channels. This greater search efficiency and effectiveness
translate into more job offers (30 percent) and employment
(26 percent). Weekly reminders and peer-support
sub-treatments do not improve the impacts of plan-making,
suggesting that limited attention and accountability are
unlikely mechanisms. |
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