News Finding: "For instance, in a computer-assisted assignment process, the algorithm might provide several recommendations, and placement officers could use their own discretion to determine the final assignment or override any suggestions."
Paper Finding: This approach can provide governments with a practical and cost-efficient policy tool that can be immediately implemented within existing institutional structures.
News Context: "Our approach preserves the ability of policy-makers to set their own parameters and priorities," the researchers write. "For instance, in a computer-assisted assignment process, the algorithm might provide several recommendations, and placement officers could use their own discretion to determine the final assignment or override any suggestions." Yet in contrast to more expensive policy interventions, such as job or language training for refugees, the results of the algorithm, the code of which is available for free to any organization or government, are promising, the researchers say.
Paper Context: Our approach led to gains of roughly 40 to 70%, on average, in refugees' employment outcomes relative to current assignment practices. This approach can provide governments with a practical and cost-efficient policy tool that can be immediately implemented within existing institutional structures. It is also one of the most consequential in maximizing refugees' economic integration and self-sufficiency as a first step toward a more comprehensive integration into society (7) (8) (9) .