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  3. American Economic Review
  4. June 2024
  5. Task-Based Discrimination

American Economic Review

ISSN 0002-8282 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7981 (Online)

Task-Based Discrimination

  • Erik Hurst
  • Yona Rubinstein
  • Kazuatsu Shimizu
American Economic Review
vol. 114, no. 6, June 2024
(pp. 1723–68)
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Abstract

We develop a task-based model of occupational sorting to identify and quantify the effect of discrimination, racial skill gaps, and aggregate task prices on Black-White differences in labor market outcomes over time. At the heart of our framework is the idea that the size and nature of racial barriers faced by Black workers vary by the task requirements of each job. We define a new task that measures the extent to which individuals interact with others as part of their job. We show that this measure is a good proxy for the extent of discrimination in the economy.

Citation

Hurst, Erik, Yona Rubinstein, and Kazuatsu Shimizu. 2024. "Task-Based Discrimination." American Economic Review, 114 (6): 1723–68. DOI: 10.1257/aer.20220234

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • J15 Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
  • J23 Labor Demand
  • J31 Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
  • J71 Labor Discrimination
  • M51 Personnel Economics: Firm Employment Decisions; Promotions