Public Work History & Reputation Ratings

In Simple Words

Public work history ratings act like a restaurant review score on a public map app. Instead of customers taking a gamble on an unknown diner, verified ratings from past diners immediately show which kitchens consistently deliver good food and service.

Research question

In online labor platforms and gig economies, hiring firms face severe asymmetric information regarding entry-level workers' actual performance and reliability. Without verifiable past performance records, high-performing candidates remain indistinguishable from low-performing candidates.

Participants

Human independent contractors seeking short-term jobs on oDesk (a global online marketplace).

Study Design

Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) evaluating public display of detailed past work experience and ratings.

Results

Displaying detailed public information about workers' previous performance significantly increased job matches and overall earnings for strong performers on the platform.

Takeaway

Publish objective performance ratings and verified job completion histories on job seeker profiles to enable hiring firms to identify top performers.

Read alongside the research

Plain-English glossary

Original explanations, informed by the references below. Examples are illustrations, not data from the studies above. The research text stays unchanged.

Randomized controlled trial

A study that uses chance, like drawing lots, to decide who receives each option being compared. Researchers compare the groups’ outcomes to estimate the effect of those options.

ExampleA lottery assigns volunteers to a training programme or a comparison group. Researchers then compare their outcomes.

GET-IT glossary · Randomized study ↗Read more about randomized controlled trial →

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