Learning and Work hybrid seminars, spring/summer 2026

The Maastricht University - SBE hybrid seminar series features researchers from different disciplines, with focuses on both academic and policy issues.

The hybrid seminar series takes place every Tuesday from 12:00 to 13:00, on site and also via Microsoft Teams.

Organisers of L&W seminars

Raymond Montizaan: r.montizaan@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Katarina Wessling: k.wessling@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Steffen Künn: s.kuenn@maastrichtuniversity.nl

  • Upcoming seminars

    When: Tuesday, January 13
    Time: 12.00 - 13.00
    Where: TS53 - A1.22

    Speaker: Jinci Liu (Institute for International Economic Studies, Stockholm University)

    Titel: Managing by Feedback

    Abstract: This paper studies how managers influence worker productivity through feedback. Using data from GitHub and LinkedIn, I analyze over 200 million pieces of feedback during code reviews across 1.7 million software teams. I apply large language models to classify feedback by tone (toxicity, positivity) and informational content (constructiveness). I exploit random reviewer assignments to estimate the causal effects of feedback on developer productivity and retention. Toxic feedback reduces future code quantity and quality and lowers developer retention within the firm, whereas non-toxic criticism has no such detrimental effects. Positive feedback increases productivity and retention and generates spillovers to coworkers. Constructive feedback does not affect future code quantity, though it lowers quality because revisions to reviewed code crowd out time spent on new code development. Finally, I show that feedback explains a sizable share of variation in manager quality, measured by value added to worker productivity. Overall, this paper shows that feedback tone and information shape worker productivity and retention, offering new insights into effective management.

     

    Scheduled seminars

    20.01.2026 tba
    03.02.2026 tba
    17.02.2026 tba
    24.02.2026 tba
    10.03.2026 Wieteke Conen (UvA)
    24.03.2026 tba
    21.04.2026 tba
    12.05.2026 tba
    26.05.2026 tba
    09.06.2026 Hannah Klauber (PIK)
    23.06.2026 tba
    07.07.2026 Amelie Schiprowski (Uni Bonn)
     

     
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