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A Theory of Discrimination Based on Signaling and Strategic Information Acquisition

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  • Ajit Mishra

    (University of Dundee)

Abstract

The paper develops a `signaling' based theory of discrimination where workers face different incentives for skill acquisition purely because of their group membership. Workers belonging to the disadvantaged group bear substantial signaling cost. The difference in signaling costs between groups is not due to any unexplained group heterogeneity but discriminatory information policy of the employer. Based on its belief about the group, an employer may not acquire relevant information about the workers of this group, even if such information were costless. It is shown that affirmative action policies can help in the presence of non-convex signaling technology. Factors like co-ordination amongst workers, presence of a 'dynamic' labor market and sub-group formation seem to affect the nature and degree of discrimination.

Suggested Citation

  • Ajit Mishra, 2000. "A Theory of Discrimination Based on Signaling and Strategic Information Acquisition," Econometric Society World Congress 2000 Contributed Papers 0675, Econometric Society.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecm:wc2000:0675
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    References listed on IDEAS

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