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Evaluating the Performance of the Search and Matching Model

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  • Eran Yashiv

Abstract

Does the search and matching model fit aggregate U.S. labor market data? While the model has become an important tool of macroeconomic analysis, recent literature pointed to some failures in accounting for the data. This paper aims to answer two questions: (i) Does the model fit the data, and, if so, on what dimensions? (ii) Does the data "fit" the model, i.e. what are the data which are relevant to be explained by the model? The analysis shows that the model does fit certain specifications of the data on many dimensions, though not on all. This includes capturing the high persistence and high volatility of most of the key variables, as well as the negative co-variation of unemployment and vacancies. It offers a workable, empirically-grounded version of the model for the analysis of aggregate U.S. labor market dynamics. The paper provides macroeconomists guidance concerning the relevant "building block" for modelling the labor market, both in terms of the model and in terms of the data.

Suggested Citation

  • Eran Yashiv, 2005. "Evaluating the Performance of the Search and Matching Model," CEP Discussion Papers dp0677, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    • Handle: RePEc:cep:cepdps:dp0677
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    search; matching; U.S. labor market; vacancies; labor market flows; business cycles.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • J32 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions
    • J63 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Turnover; Vacancies; Layoffs

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