Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/26968 
Year of Publication: 
2005
Series/Report no.: 
Center Discussion Paper No. 927
Publisher: 
Yale University, Economic Growth Center, New Haven, CT
Abstract: 
We use a novel dataset and research design to empirically detect the effect of social interactions among neighbors on labor market outcomes. Specifically, using Census data that characterize residential and employment locations down to the city block, we examine whether individuals residing in the same block are more likely to work together than those in nearby blocks. We find evidence of significant social interactions operating at the block level: residing on the same versus nearby blocks increases the probability of working together by over 33 percent. The results also indicate that this referral effect is stronger when individuals are similar in sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., both have children of similar ages) and when at least one individual is well attached to the labor market. These findings are robust across various specifications intended to address concerns related to sorting and reverse causation. Further, having determined the characteristics of a pair of individuals that lead to an especially strong referral effect, we provide evidence that the increased availability of neighborhood referrals has a significant impact on a wide range of labor market outcomes including employment and wages.
Subjects: 
Neighborhood effects
job referrals
social interactions
social networks
labor supply
JEL: 
J0
J2
J3
J6
R0
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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