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Affirmative action and effort choice: An experimental investigation

Author

Listed:
  • Juliana Silva-Goncalves
  • Uwe Dulleck
  • Anita Lee Hong
  • Markus Schaffner
  • Stephen Whyte

Abstract

We study the effect of affirmative action on effort in an experiment conducted in high schools in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas in Queensland, Australia. All participating schools have a large representation of indigenous Australians, a population group that is frequently targeted by affirmative action. Our participants perform a simple real-effort task in a competitive setting. Those ranked in the top third receive a high piece-rate payment and all the others receive a low payment.

Suggested Citation

  • Juliana Silva-Goncalves & Uwe Dulleck & Anita Lee Hong & Markus Schaffner & Stephen Whyte, 2016. "Affirmative action and effort choice: An experimental investigation," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2016-54, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2016-54
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    References listed on IDEAS

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