Checklists and worker behavior: A field experiment

Kirabo K. Jackson, Schneider S. Henry

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

We analyze data from a field experiment in which an auto repair firm provided checklists to mechanics and monitored their use. Revenue was 20 percent higher during the experiment, and the effect is equivalent to that of a 1.6 percentage point (10 percent) commission increase. Checklists appear to boost productivity by serving both as a memory aid and a monitoring technology. Despite the large benefits to the firm, mechanics did not use checklists without the firm directly monitoring their use. We show that a moral hazard can explain why mechanics do not otherwise adopt checklists.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)136-168
Number of pages33
JournalAmerican Economic Journal: Applied Economics
Volume7
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Economics, Econometrics and Finance(all)

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