Air pollution and indoor work efficiency: Evidence from professional basketball players in China

Previous studies analysing the effects of air pollution on work efficiency did not pay much attention to indoor impacts. This paper attempts to fill this gap by using technical data from Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) players. For the first time, we present personal work efficiency using a comprehensive evaluation index, the player efficiency rating (PER). The information is then combined with daily air quality data. We find that air pollution reduces work productivity: for every 10% increase in the air quality index (AQI), the average PER decreases by 0.4221, and the effects vary by air pollutant. Heterogeneity analysis shows that at the level of competition venues, the negative impact of air pollution on work efficiency can be weakened at home, while the rising temperature in the competition city can amplify the negative impact of air pollution on work efficiency. At the level of individual players, older players and foreign players are less affected by air pollution. Moreover, we find that air pollution affects work efficiency by reducing total work output and work accuracy. Our research constructs a comprehensive evaluation index for work efficiency, enriches research on the influence of air pollution on work efficiency, and provides a policy basis for identifying groups that are sensitive to air pollution, which might help with air pollution control policy making.

Automated summary

This study aims to investigate the impact of air pollution on work efficiency, specifically focusing on indoor impacts which have been previously overlooked. Using data from Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) players, the study introduces a comprehensive evaluation index, the player efficiency rating (PER), to measure personal work efficiency. The findings reveal that air pollution reduces work productivity, with every 10% increase in the air quality index (AQI) leading to a decrease of 0.4221 in average PER. Moreover, the study identifies variations in the effects of air pollution on work efficiency based on different air pollutants, competition venues, and individual player characteristics.