Università Cattolica, Italy, and IZA, Germany
IZA World of Labor role
Author, Topic spokesperson
Current position
Professor of Economics, Università Cattolica, Italy
Research interest
Labor economics, economics of education, health economics
Website
Positions/functions as a policy advisor
Consultant for ISFOL, Italian Ministry of Labor and Equal Opportunities; CNEL, Employment and Labor Agency
Past positions
Associate Professor, Political Economy, Università Cattolica (Piacenza), 1999–2000; Associate Professor, Political Economy, Università degli studi di Palermo, 1998–1999
Qualifications
PhD Economics, University of Warwick, 1991
Selected publications
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“Paying for Performance: Incentive Pay Schemes and Employees’ Financial Participation.” In: Boeri, T., C. Lucifora, and K. Murphy. Executive Remuneration and Employee Performance-Related Pay. Oxford University Press, 2013 (with A. Bryson, R. Freeman, M. Pellizzari, and V. Pérotin).
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“Cheating and Social Interactions. Evidence from a Randomized Experiment in a National Evaluation Program.” Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization (2014) (with M. Tonello).
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“Performance-Related Pay and Firm Productivity: Evidence from a Reform in the Structure of Collective Bargaining.” Industrial and Labor Relations Review 68:3 (2001): 606–632 (with F. Origo).
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"The Effect of Comprehensive Smoking Bans in European Workplaces." Forum for Health Economics & Policy 16:1 (2013): 1–27 (with F. Origo).
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"Mental Health and Working Conditions in European Countries." Industrial and Labor Relations Review 66:4 (2013) (with E. Cottini).
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Performance-related pay and labor productivity
Do pay incentives and financial participation schemes have an effect on a firm’s performance?
Claudio Lucifora, May 2015Many firms offer employees a remuneration package that links pay to performance as a means of motivation. It also improves efficiency and reduces turnover and absenteeism. The effects on productivity depend on the type of scheme employed (individual or group performance) and its design (commissions, piece-rate or sharing schemes). Individual incentives demonstrate the largest effect, while group or team incentives are smaller in magnitude. The case for government intervention through tax breaks and other financial incentives is highly debated due to differences across firms and the potential for economic inefficiencies.MoreLess