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Gaining more, producing less: the link between an obese workforce and firm-level productivity

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  • Ummad Mazhar

Abstract

Purpose - The health costs associated with obesity are increasing in developed and emerging economies. Particularly important, though remaining underexplored, is the overall impact of health risks associated with being obese and overweight on the productivity of firms in a cross-country setting. The purpose of this paper is to address these issues. Design/methodology/approach - This paper exploits the natural variation in the percentage of obese males in the population as an exogenous health risk randomly distributed across firms in each country. Findings - Investigating this link for a sample of around 80 emerging countries, the evidence suggests a significant negative effect of health risks on productivity. Research limitations/implications - The identification assumptions are checked using different approaches to establish the robustness of the empirical link. Originality/value - This study helps us understand the microlevel effects of the rising average obesity rate. This knowledge is rare in emerging economies which are facing the highest risks of obesity and cardiovascular diseases associated with it.

Suggested Citation

  • Ummad Mazhar, 2022. "Gaining more, producing less: the link between an obese workforce and firm-level productivity," Journal of Economic Studies, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 50(6), pages 1190-1209, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:jespps:jes-08-2022-0416
    DOI: 10.1108/JES-08-2022-0416
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Obesity; Firm productivity; BMI; Emerging economies; IV regression; D01; D8; I12; I15; J24; J71; L6;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D8 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • L6 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Manufacturing

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