Department of Theoretical Economics Research Seminar with Soubhagya Sahoo, HSE

Dear colleagues,  

Department of Theoretical Economics invites you to attend the research seminar with Soubhagya Sahoo Assistant Professor ,  HSE

Date: November 19, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Working language: English
Speaker: Soubhagya Sahoo, Assistant Professor of the Department of Theoretical Economics

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The link to the seminar: https://telemost.yandex.ru/j/9836403803251

Title: "Job Search, Employment and Skilling in the Digital Age" 

 

Abstract: In low-income settings, expanding employment opportunities remains a critical challenge, exacerbated by the prevalence of informal work and high job search costs. In India, this issue is particularly severe for women, who face significant barriers to labor market entry, contributing to one of the lowest female labor force participation rates globally. Digital job platforms offer a potential solution by reducing information asymmetries and facilitating efficient job matching, yet evidence on their effectiveness remains mixed. This study investigates the impact of providing information and assistance for using digital job search platforms on job search behavior, skilling, and employment outcomes among urban youth in India. We implemented a cluster-randomized controlled trial in Delhi, testing two interventions: an in-person information session with general phone messages and a session with personalized, preference-based messages.

Our findings indicate a significant positive impact on job search activity, with increased usage of online job platforms and enhanced skilling behavior. The personalized treatment yielded larger gains, particularly among women, who experienced substantial improvements in employment rates and earnings. These results suggest that digital job platforms, when combined with targeted informational nudges, can effectively reduce labor market frictions, offering a promising pathway to increase female labor force participation and improve overall employment outcomes in India.