Non-Monetary Recognition and Labor Efficiency in Sustainable High-Value Crop Production: Evidence from Hired Agricultural Workers in China*

<title>Abstract</title> <p>Labor-intensive high-value crop production plays an important role in sustainable food systems, but it often relies on seasonal and temporary hired workers whose effort and work quality are difficult to monitor. Formal supervision and contractual enforcement are relatively weak, making low-cost non-monetary incentives important for improving labor efficiency. Using survey data from 1,059 hired agricultural workers in high-value crop sectors in Liaoning Province, China, this paper examines how workers’ perceived frequency of employer recognition practices affects labor efficiency. We distinguish between two forms of recognition: on-site verbal praise and digital platform display. The results show that public performance recognition significantly improves labor efficiency, but its effects differ across margins. On-site verbal praise has a stronger effect on labor quality, whereas digital platform display has a stronger effect on labor quantity. Mechanism analysis indicates that on-site verbal praise works mainly by increasing workers' emotional benefits. Digital platform display increases labor input by expanding the digital visibility of work performance and strengthening reputational pressure. Heterogeneity analysis shows that responses to public performance recognition differ by gender. The findings provide empirical evidence for understanding informal reputational governance in rural non-platform flexible labor markets. The findings highlight the role of low-cost non-monetary recognition in improving labor governance and supporting the social sustainability of high-value crop production.</p>