LinkedOut? A Field Experiment on Discrimination in Job Network Formation
通过400多个虚构领英档案的两阶段实地实验，发现黑人档案的好友请求接受率低13%，且网络规模差异导致黑人获得更少职业建议回复，表明门禁歧视是种族差距的关键驱动因素。
Abstract We assess the impact of discrimination on Black individuals’ job networks across the United States using a two-stage field experiment with 400+ fictitious LinkedIn profiles. In the first stage, we vary race via AI-generated images only and find that Black profiles’ connection requests are 13% less likely to be accepted. Based on users’ CVs, we find widespread discrimination across social groups. In the second stage, we exogenously endow Black and white profiles with the same networks and ask connected users for career advice. We find no evidence of direct discrimination in information provision. However, when taking into account differences in the composition and size of networks, Black profiles receive substantially fewer replies. Our findings suggest that gatekeeping is a key driver of Black–white disparities.