讲题：Switching sides: Market development and job-referring in China

嘉宾：Prof. Elena Obukhova（McGill University）

时间：2017年5月24日 15：00-17:00

地点：商学院二楼研讨室

Biography of Prof. Elena Obukhova

Elena Obukhova is an Assistant Professor in Strategy and Organization at the Desautels Faculty of Management of McGill University. Her research investigates when and how social networks benefit individuals and organizations, with a particular focus on China. Her studies tackle these questions by developing unique datasets primarily though the use of survey methods. Professor Obukhova was trained as an economic sociologist at the University of Chicago.  Her work has appeared in American Journal of Sociology, Management Science, Social Forces, and other journals. She is a recipient of Fullbright-Hays Fellowship from the U.S. Department of Education and two Fellowships from the Social Science Research Council.  A native of Russia, Professor Obukhova is professionally fluent in Mandarin and has been conducting research in China since 1995. At McGill, she is a co-organizer of Social Networks Working Group.  

Abstract of the Lecture

While it is a commonly accepted that social networks enhance the operation of labor markets, we also know that markets and networks can be substitutes.  To resolve this puzzle, we use the expansion of markets in China as a strategic research site to examine the effect of market development on the use of networks in hiring.  Our approach is distinctive from prior research in two important ways. First, we adopt the perspective of the referrer, or those who pass of information about job opportunities to potential job-seekers. Second, we distinguish between two types of job-referring: the demand-side referring, or when referrers act on behalf of their employer and the supply-side referring, or when referrers act on behalf of their family and friends. Consistent with the networks as market complements perspective, we hypothesize that market development increases demand-side referring.  And consistent with the networks as market substitutes perspective, we hypothesize that market development decreases supply-side referrals.  Using a large-scale nationally representative dataset with a unique module on job-referring behavior, we find support for our hypotheses.  Our results help to clarify the relationship between markets and networks, they also have implications for our understanding of transition economies and job-referring.

商学院

2017-5-23