Abstract
Changes in working hours have important economic, social, and environmental implications. However, scientific knowledge on workers’ preferences is highly fragmented across disciplines and journals. To overcome this, we systematically reviewed the literature, analysing 173 studies. Results suggest that working time outcomes and mismatches are mostly studied in a small group of OECD countries using survey data and statistical methods. Gender, care responsibilities, and current working hours are the best-known influences. Regarding professions, only the medical workforce receives substantial attention. Norms and preference formation are poorly understood. More qualitative research is essential to understand how working time reductions could spread.