A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Do Microcredentials Help New Workers Enter the Market? Evidence from an Online Labor Platform
Authors: Kässi, Otto; Lehdonvirta, Vili
Publisher: University of Wisconsin Press
Publication year: 2024
Journal: Journal of Human Resources
Volume: 59
Issue: 4
First page : 1284
Last page: 1318
eISSN: 1548-8004
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.0519-10226R3
Web address : http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2022/03/01/jhr.0519-10226R3.abstract
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/73954222
We investigate the effects of a voluntary microcredentialing scheme on an online freelancing labor market. Drawing on transaction-level data, we show that obtaining a microcredential increases workers’ earnings. This effect is not driven by increased worker productivity but by decreased employer uncertainty. The increase in worker earnings is realized through an increase in the value of the projects won rather than an increase in the number of projects. We also find that the effect of microcredentials is lower for more experienced workers, which suggests that signaling by microcredentials and other forms of verified information are partial substitutes.
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