Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/170999 
Year of Publication: 
2017
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 11015
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We address the question of whether media influences occupational choices. To theoretically examine media effects, we construct a dynamic Bayesian occupational choice model with sequential decisions under ambiguity due to imperfect information. We show that sufficiently intensive positive media articles and reports about entrepreneurship increase the probability of self-employment and decrease the probability of wage work. To test our model, we use an instrumental variable approach to identify causal media effects using US micro data and a country-level macro panel with two different media variables. We find that an increase in positive media articles and reports about entrepreneurs generates effects on choice probabilities that are consistent with our model.
Subjects: 
media
occupational choice
Bayesian learning
ambiguity aversion
JEL: 
D81
D83
J62
L26
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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