SIRE Chair in Economics
- About
-
- Email Address
- kabender@abdn.ac.uk
- Telephone Number
- +44 (0)1224 273411
- Office Address
- School/Department
- Business School
Biography
I specialise in applied microeconomics, particularly interested in labour economics. Early in my career I focused on the role of institutions and labour market outcomes, looking at differences between union and nonunion workers, public and private sector workers, and the subjective wellbeing of retirees and retirement behaviour. More recently I have been looking at the interactions of health and labour economics, particularly the effect of different kinds of labour contracts on stress and the health of workers. In addition, I have previously done research on issues around in the educational and skills mismatch in the labour market, examining its incidence, causes and effects, particularly among the very highly educated.
I am an Associate Editor of the British Journal of Industrial Relations and a Research Fellow of the IZA.
In addition to working at the Unversity of Aberdeen, I have held previous positions at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the US Social Security Administration, as well as visiting positions at Louisiana State University, University of Potsdam, Giessen University and the National Institute for Labour Studies at Flinders University in Australia.
Performance Related Pay and Health
Research in economics have established a link between performance-related pay (PRP) – where workers’ pay is contingent upon their performance at work – and poor health. However, the causal direction of this relationship is not known. The aim of the project is to explore this relationship using an experimental work task and by measuring stress through cortisol. This paradigm will then be altered to measure other effects that may influence the relationship between PRP and stress.
Qualifications
- PhD Economics1994 - Duke University
- MA Economics1992 - Duke University
- BA Economics1990 - Furman University
Memberships and Affiliations
- Internal Memberships
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Director of Research - Business School
Member of the Centre for Labour Market Research (CeLMR), the Scottish Experimental Economics Laboratory (SEEL) and the Just Transition Lab (JTL).
- External Memberships
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Nonexecutive Board Member of the Keith and Strathisla Regional Partnership (InKeith).
- Research
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Research Overview
Labour Economics, Subjective Well-being, Health Economics, Economics of Ageing
Member of the Centre for Labour Market Research (CeLMR), the Scottish Experimental Economics Laboratory (SEEL) and the Just Transition Lab (JTL).
Research Areas
Economics
Research Specialisms
- Applied Economics
Our research specialisms are based on the Higher Education Classification of Subjects (HECoS) which is HESA open data, published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence.
Current Research
My current research projects investigate:
- Employment contracts and wellbeing
- Labour market effects of energy transition
- Educational mismatch
- Labour supply elasticities near retirement
- Union and nonunion forms of worker voice
- Skills shortages from the firm's point of view
- Labour market (earnings) discrimination
Past Research
Determinants of trade unionism
Public-private wage determination and differentials
Knowledge Exchange
Interview on Faculti, Performance-related Pay, Mental and Physiological Health found here: https://faculti.net/performance-related-pay-mental-and-physiological-health/
Podcast: Performance-related Pay: The Good, The Bad, The Stressful found here: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/engage/podcasts/explorathon-lunch-bytes-episode-2.php
School teaching resource on performance-related pay and stress: How does the type of payment you receive impact your health?
Supervision
I generally supervise PhD topics in various aspects of applied labour economics.
Funding and Grants
- 'A Just Transition for Workers and Communities in the North-East of Scotland', Uplift Foundation (please see the following website for more information: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/geosciences/research/research-projects-2144.php#panel2149)
- 'Performance-Related Pay and Health: An Interdisciplinary Study', ESRC (please see the following website for more information: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/business/research/PRPH.php)
- 'Performance Pay and Stress: A Pilot Study', Scottish Economic Society
- Teaching
-
Programmes
- Undergraduate, 4 year, September start
This is the undergraduate Economics degree with all the joint honors programmes that are associated with it.
- Postgraduate, 3 stage, September start
Teaching Responsibilities
For the 2023-24 first teaching session, I will be coordinating EC1006 (Economics of Business and Society) and the QB5027: Employment Relations in Qatar as well as helping with the teaching of BU501S: Employment Relations. In the second teaching session, I will be supervising undergraduate Economics Dissertations (EC4526) .
- Publications
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Page 1 of 1 Results 1 to 68 of 68
Performance-Related Pay: The Expected and the Unexpected
Handbook of Labor, Human Resources and Population Economics. Zimmermann, K. (ed.). Springer, 28 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: ChaptersPerformance-related pay, mental and physiological health
Industrial Relations, vol. 63, no. 1, pp. 3-25Contributions to Journals: ArticlesStress in performance-related pay: the effect of payment contracts and social-evaluative threat
Stress, vol. 26, no. 1, 2283435Contributions to Journals: ArticlesMeasuring Just Transition: Indicators and scenarios for a Just Transition in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire
University of Aberdeen. 104 pagesBooks and Reports: Commissioned ReportsJust Transition for Workers and Communities in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire: Rapid Evidence Review
University of Aberdeen. 57 pagesBooks and Reports: Commissioned ReportsSalivary cortisol in university students after the COVID-19 pandemic
Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology, vol. 12, 100160Contributions to Journals: ArticlesAthena SWAN Gender Equality Plans and the Gendered Impact of COVID-19
Gender, Work and Organization, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 591-608Contributions to Journals: ArticlesPerformance-Related Pay and Objective Measures of Health after Correcting for Sample Selection
Working Papers: Discussion Papers- [ONLINE] https://docs.iza.org/dp15000.pdf
The Political Economy of Skilled Workers and Innovation
Handbook of Labor, Human Resources and Population Economics. Zimmermann, K. F. (ed.). Springer, pp. 1-33, 33 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: ChaptersHow does the type of payment you receive impact your health?
FuturumContributions to Journals: ArticlesPerformance pay and assortative matching
Scottish Journal of Political Economy, vol. 68, no. 4, pp. 485-493Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/sjpe.12232
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/15169/1/PRP_and_Matching_Accepted_version.pdf
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Employment Contracts and Stress: Experimental Evidence
Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, vol. 187, pp. 360-373Contributions to Journals: ArticlesEmployment contracts and stress: An experimental study
International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, vol. 28, no. Sippl1, pp. S76-S76Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-021-09997-7
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
525 Years in the Pursuit of Truth Podcast: Economics at Aberdeen: The Legacy of Sir Thomas Jaffrey, Bt (1861-1953)
Non-textual Forms: Digital or Visual ProductsStress and the Post-Covid Economy
Non-textual Forms: Web Publications and WebsitesA Sea Shanty Ode to EC1006
Non-textual Forms: Performances- [ONLINE] https://youtu.be/DpIoPhqceMA
Performance pay and low-grade stress: An experimental study
WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, vol. 67, no. 2, pp. 449-457Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/WOR-203294
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/15253/1/Theodossiou_WORK_PerformancePay_AAM.pdf
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Educational mismatch in developing countries: A review of the existing evidence
The Economics of Education: A Comprehensive Overview. Bradley, S., Green, C. (eds.). 2 edition. Academic Press, pp. 269-289, 21 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: ChaptersPerformance-Related Pay: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly?
Non-textual Forms: Web Publications and WebsitesEconomic insecurity: A socioeconomic determinant of mental health
SSM - Population Health, vol. 6, pp. 184-194Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2018.09.006
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/11376/1/Economic_insecurity.pdf
The Unintended Consequences of Flexicurity: The Health Consequences of Flexible Employment
Review of Income and Wealth, vol. 64, no. 4, pp. 777-799Contributions to Journals: ArticlesEducational mismatch and the earnings distribution
Southern Economic Journal, vol. 85, no. 2, pp. 441-456Contributions to Journals: ArticlesPensions and Financing Retirement
Encyclopedia of Elder Care: The Comprehensive Resource on Geriatric Health and Social Care. Capezuti, E., Malone, M. L., Gardner, D. S., Khan, A., Baumann, S. L. (eds.). 4 edition. Springer, pp. 549-551, 3 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: ChaptersFact Check: would banning zero-hours contracts harm more people than it would help?
The ConversationContributions to Specialist Publications: ArticlesEducational mismatch and retirement
Education Economics, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 347-365Contributions to Journals: ArticlesHow zero-hours contracts could be making you ill
The ConversationContributions to Specialist Publications: ArticlesPerformance Pay and Stress: An Experimental Study
Working Papers: Discussion PapersClaims of employment discrimination and worker voice
Industrial Relations Journal, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 133-153Contributions to Journals: ArticlesEducational Mismatch and the Earnings Distribution: Where Does the Mismatch Bite?
Working Papers: Discussion PapersClaims of Employment Discrimination and Worker Voice
Working Papers: Discussion PapersSelf-employment and the paradox of the contented female worker
Small Business Economics, vol. 47, pp. 421-435Contributions to Journals: ArticlesSelf-employment and the Paradox of the Contented Female Worker
Working Papers: Discussion Papers- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/5867/1/DP_16_4.pdf
Economic Fluctuations and Crime: Temporary and Persistent Effects
Journal of Economic Studies, vol. 43, no. 4, pp. 609-623Contributions to Journals: ArticlesThe Unintended Consequences of Flexicurity: The Health Consequences of Flexible Employment
Working Papers: Discussion PapersEconomic Fluctuations and Crime: Temporary and Persistent Effects
Working Papers: Discussion PapersA reappraisal of the unemployment–mortality relationship: transitory and permanent effects
Journal of Public Health Policy, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 81-94Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2014.40
The living wage may cut poverty, but not by very much
The ConversationContributions to Specialist Publications: ArticlesThe unintended consequences of the rat race: the detrimental effects of performance pay on health
Oxford Economic Papers, vol. 66, no. 3, pp. 824-847Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oep/gpt032
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/4952/1/Health_Performance_Pay.pdf
Pensions and Financing Retirement
Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Entries for Encyclopedias and DictionariesPerformance Pay: Trends and Consequences Introduction
National Institute Economic Review, vol. 226, pp. R1-R3Contributions to Specialist Publications: Special Issues‘And He Laid Down His Hammer and He Died’: Health and Performance Pay
Non-textual Forms: Web Publications and WebsitesThe temporary and permanent effects of unemployment on mortality in Europe
International Labour Review, vol. 152, no. 2, pp. 275-286Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1564-913X.2012.00002.x
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Educational mismatch and self-employment
Economics of Education Review, vol. 34, pp. 85-95Contributions to Journals: ArticlesReal and Perceived Losses from Unemployment: a cross-country study
Applied Economics, vol. 45, no. 25, pp. 3625-3636Contributions to Journals: ArticlesAn analysis of well-being in retirement: The role of pensions, health, and 'voluntariness' of retirement
Journal of Socio-Economics, vol. 41, no. 4, pp. 424-433Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socec.2011.05.010
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/2517/1/Retiree_Well_Being_Final_Draft.pdf
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Piece rates and workplace injury: Does survey evidence support Adam Smith?
Journal of Population Economics, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 569-590Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00148-011-0393-5
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/2554/1/JPopEconFinalcorrected.pdf
Trends in the Relative Compensation of State and Local Government Employees
Public Jobs and Political Agendas: The Public Sector in an Era of Economic Stress. Mitchell, D. (ed.). Labor and Employment Relations Association, pp. 133-166, 34 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: ChaptersThe effect of local area unemployment on compensating wage differentials for injury risk
Southern Economic Journal, vol. 78, no. 2, pp. 287-307Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.4284/0038-4038-78.2.287
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/2515/1/Unemployment_and_CWD_SEJ.pdf
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Educational mismatch and the careers of scientists
Education Economics, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 253-274Contributions to Journals: ArticlesOut of balance?: Comparing public and private sector compensation over 20 years
National Insitute on Retirement Security. 28 pagesBooks and Reports: Commissioned ReportsControlling for endogeneity in the health-socioeconomic status relationship of the near retired
Journal of Socio-Economics, vol. 38, no. 6, pp. 977-987Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socec.2009.07.009
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/2546/1/Health_SES_Final_Draft.pdf
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Constrained by hours and restricted in wages: The quality of matches in the labor market
Economic Inquiry, vol. 47, no. 3, pp. 512-529Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1465-7295.2008.00159.x
Educational Mismatch among PhDs: Determinants and Consequences
Science and Engineering Careers in the United States: An analysis of markets and employment. Freeman, R., Goroff, D. (eds.). University of Chicago Press, pp. 229-255, 27 pagesChapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: ChaptersHow are pension integration and pension benefits related?
The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, vol. 49, no. 1, pp. 26-41Contributions to Journals: ArticlesAre there differences in the health-socio-economic status relationship over the life cycle?: Evidence from Germany
Labour, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 107-125Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9914.2007.00400.x
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Replacing income in retirement for the newly retired: A distributional analysis of gross and net replacement rates
Journal of Income Distribution, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 83-105Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Unemployment and Other Measures of Labor Market Inefficiency: A Comparison of UK and US Labor Markets 1931-1996
Economic Inquiry, vol. 44, no. 4, pp. 629-643Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ei/cbj039
Job satisfaction of the highly educated: The role of gender, academic tenure, and earnings
Scottish Journal of Political Economy, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 253-279Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9485.2006.00379.x
Risk compensation for hospital workers: Evidence from relative wages of janitors
Industrial & labor relations review, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 226-242Contributions to Journals: ArticlesJob satisfaction and gender segregation
Oxford Economic Papers, vol. 57, no. 3, pp. 479-496Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oep/gpi015
Examining equality between public- and private-sector wage distributions
Economic Inquiry, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 62-79Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ei/41.1.62
Test statistics and critical values in selectivity models
Chapters in Books, Reports and Conference Proceedings: Conference Proceedings- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0731-9053(03)17004-1
Money and Real Wages and Employment Levels: International Comparisons
Journal of Post Keynesian Economics, pp. 621-638Contributions to Journals: ArticlesTrade union membership, tenure and the level of job insecurity
Applied Economics, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 123-135Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/000368499324615
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
The central government-private sector wage differential
Journal of Economic Surveys, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 177-220Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6419.00052
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
The changing determinants of U.S. Unionism: An analysis using worker-level data
Journal of Labor Research, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 403-423Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12122-997-1047-y
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Decentralization and pay reform in central government: A study of three countries
British Journal of Industrial Relations, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 447-475Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8543.00063
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Specification issues in the modelling of union status determination
Applied Economics Letters, vol. 4, no. 8, pp. 481-485Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/758536630
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus