About
I am a PhD student in Economics at LMU Munich. I received my Bachelor’s degree from Galatasaray University and my Master’s degree from University of Bonn.
Research Focus
I specialize in Labour and Personnel Economics, exploring how firm dynamics shape employment, wages, and inequality. My research investigates how organizations evolve, adapt, and influence labor market outcomes by leveraging large-scale datasets. I joined the Economics department at LMU in 2024 as a doctoral researcher.
Working Papers
Gender Norms and the Gender Gap in Volunteerism
This paper examines how gender norms influence the gender gap in volunteerism among second-generation immigrants in the United States. Using an epidemiological approach, I analyze whether cultural norms from maternal countries of origin affect individuals’ participation in formal volunteering. Drawing on data from the Current Population Survey (CPS) September Volunteer Supplement (2002–2023), I link second-generation immigrants to the prevailing gender norms in their ancestral countries. The findings indicate that gender norms significantly impact volunteering decisions—with women from less traditional societies showing higher participation rates compared to men. Moreover, the strength of cultural transmission appears greater among individuals with two foreign-born parents, those married within their cultural group, and residents of areas with high concentrations of co-ethnic communities.
Education and Wage Inequality in Turkey before the Pandemic
I investigate the relationship between education and wage inequality in Turkey, finding that higher levels of education are strongly associated with higher earnings. Those with secondary, high school, and particularly tertiary or advanced degrees receive significantly larger wage premiums compared to individuals with little or no education. Moreover, the influence of education on wages is unevenly distributed: in 2017, the wage benefits were most pronounced at both the lower and upper ends of the distribution, whereas by 2020 a U-shaped pattern emerged with the most substantial gains occurring among the lowest and highest earners. Additionally, changes in workforce composition and labour market conditions have helped reduce disparities at the lower end while wage gaps at the upper end persist.
Work in Progress
Reducing Information Asymmetries to Improve Employee Retention: A Randomized Hiring Intervention in Manufacturing Firms
This project investigates whether reducing information asymmetries in the hiring process can improve employee retention in blue-collar manufacturing jobs. I implement a randomized controlled trial in Turkish heavy machinery manufacturing firm with four arms: standard hiring practices (control), psychological assessments revealing candidate suitability, hands-on job testing assessing physical capabilities, and realistic job previews informing workers about job demands. I track retention over six to twelve months to determine which mechanisms most effectively reduce turnover. The findings will identify which low-cost interventions are most effective at reducing turnover and guide the design of a larger trial across multiple firms. (Piloting Stage)
Contact Information
- Email: simal.koseoglu@econ.lmu.de
- LinkedIn: Connect with me