Experimental Design
We utilize a cluster random sampling technique to sample households across six districts of Delhi. First, drawing on data from the State Election Commission, we sample 15 assembly constituencies (ACs) across the six districts. 130 randomly selected polling stations within the sampled ACs form our primary sampling units or clusters. From each of these polling stations, 25-28 households are selected randomly for the survey. Households with a member aged between 18-40 years, willing to participate in the labor market, with an education level above grade 12, and with access to a smartphone are considered eligible for the survey.
Our baseline data consist of a sample of over 3000 men and women, surveyed between May and August 2023. We randomize our intervention at the cluster level, where a cluster is defined as the polling station. 130 clusters are randomized into three groups–
(1) T1, in which we offer in-person information and assistance on job search/skilling via digital resources plus up to 6 general/non-personalised phone messages to increase usage of digital platforms (44 clusters).
(2) T2, in which we provide the same in-person information and assistance (as in T1) plus up to 6 personalised phone messages based on job preferences, education and other characteristics measured at baseline (44 clusters) .
(3) Control group, which gets neither the in-person information and assistance nor the phone messages (42 clusters).
The in-person information session will consist of explanations of the benefits of digital job search platforms in obtaining information for preferred job vacancies and reducing search costs, how to register and develop a profile on a job search platform, opportunities for up-skilling on the platform, and how to search for preferred jobs on the platform. This will be followed by 6 phone messages (both text and WhatsApp) sent at intervals of about 10 days each (beginning with approximately 10 days after the in-person intervention session). These messages will aim to nudge towards registration of individuals on our collaborating digital portal, provide information on benefits of skilling and opportunities for up-skilling on digital platforms.
We collaborate with a Mobile App & Web based job aggregation platform that advertises job openings, matches job seekers with employers and also provides opportunities for up-skilling. We intend to implement the intervention between September, 2023 and February, 2024.
To measure the change in the employment status and nature of work by the respondent we will conduct two follow-up surveys, approximately 6 months and 12 months, respectively, after the in-person information session. We will also utilize platform data at the individual level that we obtain on our sample of respondents who register on the collaborating digital platform.