世界银行-良心与劳动力市场回报：来自西非实地实验的证据（英）-2023.3+46页_661kb

This study tests the impact of a conscientiousness training intervention on labor market outcomes for low-skilled workers in Senegal. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 386 workers, divided into treatment and control groups. The intervention consisted of a two-hour training session and eight weekly phone reminders focusing on four facets of conscientiousness: industriousness, punctuality, responsibility, and orderliness.

Key findings include:

• Treatment group workers were 10% more likely to stay employed at the construction company nine months post-intervention.
• Their monthly wages increased by approximately 40 USD (about 20% from average baseline earnings).
• The training had a significant positive effect on job retention, but no significant impact on overall employment rates.

The results suggest that non-cognitive skills, specifically conscientiousness-related behaviors, can be modified and may lead to substantial labor market returns, such as improved job retention and higher wages.

However, the study also highlights challenges in measuring these traits through self-reported scales due to potential biases and lacks a long-term follow-up. While the effect sizes were generally small, the findings support the potential of behavioral interventions to improve labor market outcomes in low-income contexts.