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From bias to bliss: Racial preferences and worker productivity in tennis

Author

Listed:
  • Carsten Creutzburg

    (Chair for Economic Policy, University of Hamburg)

  • Wolfgang Maennig

    (Chair for Economic Policy, University of Hamburg)

  • Steffen Q. Mueller

    (Chair of Service & Operations Management, University of Zurich)

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of differences in consumers’ racial preferences on worker productivity through the example of the home advantage (HA) effect using data on wins in men’s professional tennis from 2001 to 2020 (pre-COVID-19). We identify players’ racial affiliation as one of five distinct race groups by combining clustering algorithms and facial recognition software. Our empirical design innovates by allowing us to distinguish among HA factors related to the presence of fans, referee bias, travel fatigue, and home-court familiarity. We provide evidence for social environments where Black players benefit more strongly from fan support than players of other races.

Suggested Citation

  • Carsten Creutzburg & Wolfgang Maennig & Steffen Q. Mueller, 2024. "From bias to bliss: Racial preferences and worker productivity in tennis," Working Papers 075, Chair for Economic Policy, University of Hamburg.
    • Handle: RePEc:hce:wpaper:075
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    File URL: http://www.hced.uni-hamburg.de/WorkingPapers/HCED-075.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Leo Doerr, 2024. "Aid and growth: Asymmetric effects?," Working Papers 076, Chair for Economic Policy, University of Hamburg.
    2. Carsten Creutzburg, 2024. "The Superstar Effect in Tennis - A within-match analysis," Working Papers 079, Chair for Economic Policy, University of Hamburg.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Labor market discrimination; consumer discrimination; racial bias; productivity; home advantage;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J71 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Discrimination - - - Hiring and Firing
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism
    • Z22 - Other Special Topics - - Sports Economics - - - Labor Issues

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