Peer effects on worker output in the laboratory generalize to the field

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Economics
• Organizational Behavior
• Experimental Economics

Background:

• Understanding peer effects on worker productivity is crucial for optimizing workplace dynamics.
• Previous research has relied on both laboratory experiments and field studies, raising questions about generalizability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare and synthesize estimates of peer effects on worker output from laboratory experiments and field studies.
• To determine if laboratory findings on productivity spillovers quantitatively generalize to naturally occurring work environments.

Main Methods:

• Meta-analysis of 34 studies, combining data from laboratory experiments and field studies.
• Comparison of mean effect sizes (γ) and between-study variance (τ) for peer effects on productivity.
• Statistical controls for sample characteristics like incentive schemes and work complexity.

Main Results:

• The average estimated peer effect (γ) across all studies is 0.12 (SE = 0.03).
• Mean estimates of peer effects and their variance were statistically similar between laboratory and field studies.
• This similarity persisted even after controlling for factors like incentives and task complexity.

Conclusions:

• Laboratory experiments provide a quantitatively accurate representation of mean and variance in productivity spillovers.
• Findings suggest strong generalizability of peer effect research from controlled lab settings to real-world workplaces.