Oswald, Andrew J., Proto, Eugenio and Sgroi, Daniel (2015) Happiness and productivity. Journal of Labor Economics, 33 (4). pp. 789-822. doi:10.1086/681096 ISSN 0734-306X.
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Abstract
Some firms say they care about the well-being and ‘happiness’ of their employees. But are such claims hype, or scientific good sense? We provide evidence, for a classic piece-rate setting, that happiness makes people more productive. In three different styles of experiment, randomly selected individuals are made happier. The treated individuals have approximately 12% greater productivity. A fourth experiment studies major real-world shocks (bereavement and family illness). Lower happiness is systematically associated with lower productivity. These different forms of evidence, with complementary strengths and weaknesses, are consistent with the existence of a causal link between human well-being and human performance.
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General) B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BJ Ethics H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HF Commerce H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics |
| Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Work--Psychological aspects, Happiness , Employee motivation, Quality of work life , Job satisfaction, Well-being |
| Journal or Publication Title: | Journal of Labor Economics |
| Publisher: | University of Chicago Press |
| ISSN: | 0734-306X |
| Official Date: | October 2015 |
| Dates: | Date Event October 2015 Published 7 August 2015 Available 3 March 2014 Accepted 23 March 2013 Submitted |
| Volume: | 33 |
| Number: | 4 |
| Page Range: | pp. 789-822 |
| DOI: | 10.1086/681096 |
| Status: | Peer Reviewed |
| Publication Status: | Published |
| Access rights to Published version: | Restricted or Subscription Access |
| Date of first compliant deposit: | 28 December 2015 |
| Date of first compliant Open Access: | 7 August 2016 |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | https://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/63228/ |
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