Diasporas and Outsourcing: Evidence from oDesk and India

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Ghani, Ejaz; Kerr, William R.; Stanton, Christopher
• 署名单位: The World Bank; Harvard University; Bank of Finland; National Bureau of Economic Research; Utah System of Higher Education; University of Utah
• 刊物名称: MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0025-1909
• DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.2013.1832
• 发表日期: 2014
• 页码: 1677-1697
• 关键词: diaspora; ETHNICITY; Outsourcing; oDesk; networks; INDIA; South Asia

摘要

We examine the role of the Indian diaspora in the outsourcing of work to India. Our data are taken from oDesk, the world's largest online platform for outsourced contracts. Despite oDesk minimizing many of the frictions that diaspora connections have traditionally overcome, diaspora connections still matter on oDesk, with ethnic Indians substantially more likely to choose a worker in India. This higher placement is the result of a greater likelihood of choosing India for the initial contract and substantial path dependence in location choices. We further examine wage and performance outcomes of outsourcing as a function of ethnic connections. Our examination of potential rationales for the greater ethnic-based placement of contracts assesses taste-based preferences and information differences.