Perceived fairness and the consequences of affirmative action policies

Category: Applied Microeconomics and Organization Seminar
When: 29 Januar 2020
, 17:15
 - 18:30

Titel: Perceived fairness and the consequences of affirmative action policies (with Chi Trieu and Jana Willrodt)

Abstract:

Does the fairness perception of affirmative action policies relate to their consequences? We study policies that favor individuals whose performance is low, either due to bad luck (discrimination), low productivity, or choosing a short working time. Affirmative action favoring discriminated individuals is perceived as fairest, followed by targeting individuals with short working time. Favoring low productivity individuals and no affirmative action are perceived least fair. Higher fairness perceptions encourage willingness to compete, prevent retaliation against beneficiaries, and induce individuals to internalize the norm behind the policy in post-competition interactions. Overall, no policy harms efficiency, willingness to compete, post-competition teamwork, or induces retaliation.

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