Bridging the Intention-Behaviour Gap? The Effect of Plan-Making Prompts on Job Search and Employment

The paper tests the effects of plan making on job search and employment

Abstract

The paper tests the effects of plan making on job search and employment. In a field experiment with unemployed youths, participants who complete a detailed job search plan increase the number of job applications submitted (by 15%) but not the time spent searching, consistent with intention-behavior gaps observed at baseline. Job seekers in the plan-making group diversify their search strategy and use more formal search channels. This greater search efficiency and effectiveness translate into more job offers (30%) and employment (26%). Weekly reminders and peer support sub-treatments do not improve the impacts of plan making.

This work is part of the Closing the Gender Gap in Africa: evaluating new policies and programmes for women’s economic empowerment programme

Citation

  • Abel, Martin, Rulof Burger, Eliana Carranza, and Patrizio Piraino. 2019. “Bridging the Intention-Behavior Gap? The Effect of Plan-Making Prompts on Job Search and Employment.” American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 11 (2): 284-301.

  • Abel, Martin; Piraino, Patrizio; Burger, Rulof; Carranza, Eliana; Piraino, Patrizio. 2017. Bridging the Intention-Behavior Gap? : The Effect of Plan-Making Prompts on Job Search and Employment. Policy Research Working Paper;No. 8181. World Bank, Washington, DC.

Updates to this page

Published 1 September 2019