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on Neuroeconomics |
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Issue of 2014‒08‒02
three papers chosen by |
| By: | Sara Bonesso; Fabrizio Gerli; Claudio Pizzi |
| Abstract: | . |
| Keywords: | Emotional, social and cognitive competencies, career success, career satisfaction, life satisfaction |
| JEL: | M12 J2 J28 |
| Date: | 2014–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:vnm:wpdman:83&r=neu |
| By: | Kodila-Tedika, Oasis; Rindermann, Heiner; Christainsen, Gregory |
| Abstract: | Good governance or “government effectiveness” (per the World Bank) is seen as a critical factor for the wealth of nations insofar as it shapes political and economic institutions and affects overall economic performance. The quality of governance, in turn, depends on the attributes of the people involved. In an analysis based on international data, government effectiveness was related to the cognitive human capital of the society as a whole, of the intellectual class, and of leading politicians. The importance of cognitive capital was reflected in the rate of innovation, the degree of economic freedom, and country competitiveness, all of which were found to have an impact on the level of productivity (GDP per capita) and wealth (per adult). Correlation, regression, and path analyses involving N=98 to 201 countries showed that government effectiveness had a very strong impact on productivity and wealth (total standardized effects of =.56-.68). The intellectual class’s cognitive competence, seen as background factor and indicated by scores for the top 5 percent of the population on PISA, TIMSS and PIRLS, also had a strong impact (=.50-.54). Cross-lagged panel designs were used to establish causal directions, including backward effects from economic freedom and wealth on governance. The use of further controls showed no independent impacts on per capita wealth coming from geographical variables or natural resource rents. Finally, we discuss background factors and ways in which governance might be improved. |
| Keywords: | government effectiveness, human capital, cognitive ability, intelligence, economic freedom, innovation, competitiveness |
| JEL: | D73 I2 I20 O43 O55 |
| Date: | 2014–07–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:57563&r=neu |
| By: | Antonios Proestakis (Institute for Health and Consumer Protection); Pablo Branas-Garza (Middlesex University); Praveen Kujal (Middlesex University) |
| Abstract: | Empirical evidence suggests that physical characteristics such as obesity can result in a salary gap in the work place. It is, however, not clear how much of this (gap) is due to factors emanating from the demand or supply side of the market. In this paper we use a field experiment to study whether a part of this wage gap can be attributed to personality traits of individuals on the supply side. Monitors randomly select individuals to respond to a questionnaire. Individuals can make money requests for completing the questionnaire. In the questionnaire they also self-report several personality chracteristics. We find that the more obese individuals perceive themselves to be, lesser is the money they request. The negative association between money requests and obesity is mostly driven by female participants. The effect of (self-perceived) non-obese individuals is asymmetric across gender. Self perceived "normal" females, perceived thin by the monitors, request more, meanwhile, males in this category request less relative to those that do not overstate their obesity levels. Our results suggest that lower salary request may anchor obese individuals to lower thresholds and may partly explain the wage gap. |
| Date: | 2014–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:beb:wpseet:201404&r=neu |