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Search Frictions and Evolving Labour Market Dynamics

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  • Ellington, Michael
  • Martin, Chris
  • Wang, Bingsong

Abstract

This paper puts Search Frictions models under novel empirical scrutiny. To capture changing dynamics, we fit a Bayesian time-varying parameter VAR to US labour market data from 1965–2016. Using a DSGE model with Search Frictions, we identify several structural shocks, including a shock to worker bargaining power that we name a wage shock. We argue that the wage shock is a key driver of cyclical variation, explaining a higher proportion of the variation of these variables than productivity, demand or job separation shocks. We also document stark differences between empirical and theoretical impulse response functions that cast doubt on the core transmission mechanism of search and matching models.

Suggested Citation

  • Ellington, Michael & Martin, Chris & Wang, Bingsong, 2021. "Search Frictions and Evolving Labour Market Dynamics," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:dyncon:v:127:y:2021:i:c:s0165188921000397
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jedc.2021.104104
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    time-varying parameter model; real wages; search frictions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E23 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Production
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • J30 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - General
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search

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