Oswald, A. J., Proto, E. and Sgroi, D. (2015) Happiness and productivity. Journal of Labor Economics, 33(4), pp. 789-822. (doi: 10.1086/681096)
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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: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Proto, Professor Eugenio |
| Authors: | Oswald, A. J., Proto, E., and Sgroi, D. |
| College/School: | College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Economics |
| Journal Name: | Journal of Labor Economics |
| Publisher: | University of Chicago Press |
| ISSN: | 0734-306X |
| ISSN (Online): | 1537-5307 |
| Published Online: | 07 August 2015 |
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