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Responses of Austrian Firms to a Decline in Demand – Results of a Company Survey

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Abstract

Based on a survey of around 560 Austrian firms conducted within Wage Dynamics Network (WDN) of the ESCB this study investigates how these firms respond to a decline in demand. About 80% of the firms surveyed report that they consider cutting costs a relevant or highly relevant measure in response to a demand shock. The interpretation of the responses suggests that such cost cuts mitigate, at least in part, the drop in output and thus tend to dampen the shock. Furthermore, 55% of firms stated that they would primarily cut nonlabor costs, while 45% would rather cut labor costs; also, firms would rather dismiss employees than cut their base wages. This attitude of Austrian firms can be mainly traced to their fear of declines in labor productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Claudia Kwapil, 2009. "Responses of Austrian Firms to a Decline in Demand – Results of a Company Survey," Monetary Policy & the Economy, Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austrian Central Bank), issue 2, pages 68-82.
    • Handle: RePEc:onb:oenbmp:y:2009:i:2:b:3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jonas Agell & Per Lundborg, 2003. "Survey Evidence on Wage Rigidity and Unemployment: Sweden in the 1990s," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 105(1), pages 15-30, March.
    2. Peter Howitt, 2002. "Looking Inside the Labor Market: A Review Article," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 40(1), pages 125-138, March.
    3. Josef Baumgartner & Claudia Kwapil & Johann Scharler, 2005. "The Price-Setting Behavior of Austrian Firms: Some Survey Evidence," Working Papers 100, Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austrian Central Bank).
    4. George A. Akerlof & William R. Dickens & George L. Perry, 1996. "The Macroeconomics of Low Inflation," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 27(1), pages 1-76.
    5. Carl M. Campbell III & Kunal S. Kamlani, 1997. "The Reasons for Wage Rigidity: Evidence from a Survey of Firms," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 112(3), pages 759-789.
    6. Bewley, Truman F., 1998. "Why not cut pay?," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 42(3-5), pages 459-490, May.
    7. Bewley, Truman F, 1995. "A Depressed Labor Market as Explained by Participants," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 85(2), pages 250-254, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Doris Ritzberger-Grünwald & Alfred Stiglbauer & Walter Waschiczek, 2016. "Banking employment in Austria," Financial Stability Report, Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Austrian Central Bank), issue 32, pages 80-100.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    survey data; demand shock; wage rigidities;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C25 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions; Probabilities
    • E31 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Price Level; Inflation; Deflation
    • J30 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - General

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