Research highlights
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In our meta-analysis (published in European Economic Review), we synthesise a quasi-exhaustive register of correspondence audit experiments in hiring from across the globe published between 2005 to 2020. We show that hiring discrimination is equivalently severe for candidates with disabilities, older age, and less physical attractiveness as for those with distinct racial or ethnic characteristics. Older candidates face more discrimination in Europe than in the United States. We find no clear evidence of decreasing discrimination over time.
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In an experimental study (published in Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans), I explore whether OpenAI’s GPT-3.5 language model displays ethnic or gender bias in job applicant screening using an audit approach. I show that GPT’s evaluations are influenced by ethnic cues, with some evidence for a gender–ethnicity interaction. The chatbot produces similarly stereotyped output as humans would, e.g. favouring females as clothing sellers or ethnic minorities for jobs with poor working conditions.
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In our contextual study of hiring discrimination (published in Labour Economics), we empirically test theoretically linked moderators of discrimination. We observe a distinct role of the organisation in shaping hiring discrimination, with ethnic minorities facing less discrimination when applying to non-profits or large organisations. We also find some evidence that hiring discrimination increases in jobs with more colleague interaction or less labour shortage.
Publication overview
The selection* of publications below was taken directly from my Google Scholar profile on 20 October 2024.
| Title | Authors | Source | Year | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peer-reviewed Publications | ||||
| Computer says ‘no’: Exploring systemic bias in ChatGPT using an audit approach | L Lippens | Computers in Human Behavior: Artificial Humans | 2024 | 8 |
| The state of hiring discrimination: A meta-analysis of (almost) all recent correspondence experiments | L Lippens, S Vermeiren, S Baert | European Economic Review | 2023 | 140 |
| Beyond the hype: (How) are work regimes associated with job burnout? | K du Bois, P Sterkens, L Lippens, S Baert, E Derous | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health | 2023 | 6 |
| Understanding ethnic hiring discrimination: A contextual analysis of experimental evidence | L Lippens, A Dalle, F D'hondt, PP Verhaeghe, S Baert | Labour Economics | 2023 | 14 |
| Is labour market discrimination against ethnic minorities better explained by taste or statistics? A systematic review of the empirical evidence | L Lippens, S Baert, A Ghekiere, PP Verhaeghe, E Derous | Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies | 2022 | 70 |
| The COVID-19 crisis and telework: A research survey on experiences, expectations and hopes | E Moens, L Lippens, P Sterkens, J Weytjens, S Baert | The European Journal of Health Economics | 2021 | 513 |
| How do employees think the COVID-19 crisis will affect their careers? | L Lippens, E Moens, P Sterkens, J Weytjens, S Baert | PLOS ONE | 2021 | 190 |
| Loss aversion in taste-based employee discrimination: Evidence from a choice experiment | L Lippens, S Baert, E Derous | Economics Letters | 2021 | 7 |
| Discussion Papers | ||||
| Humans vs GPTs: Bias and validity in hiring decisions | L Lippens | OSF Preprints | 2024 | 0 |
| Labour market disadvantages of citizens with a migration background in Belgium: A systematic review | L Devos, L Lippens, D Lens, F Rycx, M Volral, S Baert | IZA Discussion Paper | 2024 | 2 |
| Speeding up on the learning curve: The evaluation of telework following a surge in telework experience | E Moens, L Lippens, L D'hert, S Baert | IZA Discussion Paper | 2024 | 0 |
| Compressed work schedules as flexible working arrangement: A longitudinal study on the role of off-job activities, gender and job demands | K du Bois, S Baert, L Lippens, E Derous | OSF Preregistration | 2024 | 0 |
| Unemployment, inactivity, and hiring chances: A systematic review and meta-analysis | L D'hert, S Baert, L Lippens | IZA Discussion Paper | 2024 | 0 |
| Nothing really matters: Evaluating demand-side moderators of age discrimination in hiring | A Dalle, L Lippens, S Baert | IZA Discussion Paper | 2023 | 0 |
| An Arab, an Asian, and a Black guy walk into a job interview: ethnic stigma in hiring after controlling for social class | H Van Borm, L Lippens, S Baert | IZA Discussion Paper | 2022 | 3 |
| Selecting names for experiments on ethnic discrimination | S Baert, L Lippens, H Van Borm | IZA Discussion Paper | 2022 | 4 |
*The full overview is available from my Google Scholar profile. The value in the Citations column also includes citations of previous versions of the article (e.g. citations of a discussion paper later published in a peer-reviewed journal). Clicking the citation value will take you directly to the Google Scholar entry.
Online profiles
You can find more detailed, up-to-date information about my research via my Google Scholar, ResearchGate or ORCID profile.
This page was last updated on 20 October 2024.