Bridging the Intention-Behaviour 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

From:
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Published
1 September 2019
Country:
South Africa
Document Type:
Journal Article
Theme:
Economic Growth
Authors:
Abel, M, Burger, R, Carranza, E, Piraino, P

Abstract

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%) 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%) and employment (26%). Weekly reminders and peer support sub-treatments do not improve the impacts of plan making.

This work is part of the Closing the Gender Gap in Africa: evaluating new policies and programmes for women’s economic empowerment programme

Citation

  • Abel, Martin, Rulof Burger, Eliana Carranza, and Patrizio Piraino. 2019. “Bridging the Intention-Behavior Gap? The Effect of Plan-Making Prompts on Job Search and Employment.” American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 11 (2): 284-301.

  • Abel, Martin; Piraino, Patrizio; Burger, Rulof; Carranza, Eliana; Piraino, Patrizio. 2017. Bridging the Intention-Behavior Gap? : The Effect of Plan-Making Prompts on Job Search and Employment. Policy Research Working Paper;No. 8181. World Bank, Washington, DC.

Published 1 September 2019
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