Locus of Control and the Labor Market

Deborah Cobb-Clark

Melbourne Institute Working Paper Series from Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne

Abstract: This paper reviews the role of locus of control in the labor market. I begin with a discussion of the conceptual origins of locus of control, including its relationship to related concepts such as self-efficacy, motivation, and self-control. The relationship between locus of control and labor market success is then summarized. In doing so, I pay careful attention to what we know about three potential mechanisms – human capital investments, hiring decisions, and optimal incentive contracts – through which locus of control might operate. Finally, the broader implications of these relationships for public policy and future research are discussed.

Keywords: Locus of control; labor markets; non-cognitive skills; behavioral labor economics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J01 J08 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 35pp
Date: 2014-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cbe, nep-hrm, nep-lab and nep-neu
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Locus of control and the labor market (2015)
Working Paper: Locus of Control and the Labor Market (2014)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:iae:iaewps:wp2014n25

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