|
on Economics of Happiness |
|
Issue of 2010‒02‒05
three papers chosen by |
| By: | Cahit Guven; Claudia Senik; Holger Stichnoth |
| Abstract: | This paper asks whether the gap in subjective happiness between spouses matters per se, i.e. whether it predicts divorce. We use three panel databases to explore this question. Controlling for the level of life satisfaction of spouses, we find that a higher satisfaction gap, even in the first year of marriage, increases the likelihood of a future separation. We interpret this as the effect of comparisons of well-being between spouses, i.e. aversion to unequal sharing of wellbeing inside couples. To our knowledge, this effect has never been taken into account by existing economic models of the household. The relation between happiness gaps and divorce may be due to the fact that couples which are unable to transfer utility are more at risk than others. It may also be the case that assortative mating in terms of happiness baseline-level reduces the risk of separation. However, we show that assortative mating is not the end of the story. First, our results hold in fixed-effects estimates that take away the effect of the initial quality of the match between spouses: fixed-effects estimates suggest that a widening of the happiness gap over time raises the risk of separation. Second, we uncover an asymmetry in the effect of happiness gaps: couples are more likely to break-up when the difference in life satisfaction is unfavourable to the wife. The information available in the Australian survey reveals that divorces are indeed predominantly initiated by women, and importantly, by women who are unhappier than their husband. Hence, happiness gaps seem to matter to spouses, not only because they reflect a mismatch in terms of baseline happiness, but because they matter as such. |
| Keywords: | Divorce, happiness, comparisons, panel, households, marriage |
| JEL: | J12 D13 D63 D64 H31 I31 Z13 |
| Date: | 2010 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:diw:diwsop:diw_sp261&r=hap |
| By: | Dewenter, Ralf; Haucap, Justus; Kuchinke, Björn A. |
| Abstract: | -- |
| Date: | 2009 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:tuiedp:65&r=hap |
| By: | Frukh, Nousjheen; Herani, Gobind M.; Mohammad, Mahmud; Mohammad, Tariq |
| Abstract: | Research has been conducted in order to critically evaluate and examine the level of employees’ satisfaction as well as the factors of dissatisfaction among the employees of Karachi Electric supply Corporation (KESC). The purpose of this study is also to observe and analyze the factors which create job dissatisfaction especially among the hardworking managers, and to find out the reasons which make them realize that they don not have a clear career path along working with KESC. The primary data for this study was compiled through questionnaire filled in on a one-to-one basis by 60 respondents from a representative sample of employees of (KESC) in Karachi district in the last quarter of 2008. The results have shown that Working Environment, Total Compensation, Growth Opportunities and Training & Development are significant factor and these four are affecting Job Satisfaction and correlated with each others. The study was faced by certain limitations and those limitations included time constraints and resources constraints, which limited this research to only the Karachi Head office of the KESC organization. According to a number of literatures studied, lack of job satisfaction is a serious issue in various organizations and job dissatisfaction has become a major obstacle in employees’ productivity and company’s growth. There are numbers of factors which can create job dissatisfaction among employees but in this study the very critical factors are discussed upon which KESC management should really work on. |
| Keywords: | KESC; Factors; Employees’ Job Satisfaction; Productivity; Growth; Compensation |
| JEL: | J45 J44 J28 J88 J83 J33 J30 |
| Date: | 2009–12–31 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:20218&r=hap |