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Matching, Human Capital, and the Covariance Structure of Earnings

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Daniel Parent ()

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Abstract

Using method of moments techniques (ref: Chamberlain (1984), Gallant and Jorgenson (1979)), this paper's objective is to test the predictions of the theory of job-matching and the theory of human capital pertaining to the covariance structure of residuals from a typical Mincer log earnings equation. The selection process implicit to job matching is such that we should observe a decrease in the contribution of the variance of the job-match component when we follow the workers as they acquire tenure in their job. Results are generally in agreement with these predicted patterns, especially in the case of more educated workers. On the other hand, if jobs are considered as pure experience goods, the predicted increase in the variance at the start of the employment relationship is not supported by the data, except perhaps for less educated workers. Turning next to human capital theory, the predicted trade-off between the job-specific intercept and slope parameters is strongly supported by the data, especially in the case of workers having at least a High School diploma.

Par le biais de la méthode des moments (réf.: Chamberlain (1984), Gallant et Jorgenson (1979)) et avec des données non balancées du NLSY, cette étude cherche à tester les prédictions engendrées par la théorie du matching ainsi que la théorie du capital humain quant à la structure de covariance des résidus d'une équation de salaire typique à la Mincer. Le processus de sélection qu'implique le matching fait en sorte que l'on devrait observer une diminution de la contribution du terme reflétant la variance dans la qualité du match lorsque l'on suit les travailleurs à mesure qu'ils acquièrent de l'ancienneté dans leur emploi. Les résultats corroborent cette prédiction surtout pour les travailleurs plus scolarisés. Par contre, dans la version pure experience good de la théorie, la prédiction à l'effet que la variance devrait s'accroître au tout début de la relation d'emploi s'avère non validée par les résultats, sauf peut-être pour les travailleurs moins scolarisés. Par ailleurs, la théorie du capital humain prédit que l'on devrait observer une corrélation négative entre la pente (le rendement lié à l'ancienneté) et l'ordonnée (ou salaire) à l'origine dans un emploi puisque les travailleurs sont supposés payer pour la formation. Ce résultat aussi est corroboré, surtout pour les travailleurs ayant au moins un diplôme d'école secondaire.

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Paper provided by CIRANO in its series CIRANO Working Papers with number 95s-25.

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Date of creation: 01 Apr 1995
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Handle: RePEc:cir:cirwor:95s-25

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Related research
Keywords: Method of moments; Job-matching theory; Human capital theory; Méthode des moments ; Théorie du matching ; Théorie du capital humain;

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
J41 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Labor Contracts

References listed on IDEAS
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Full references

Cited by:
(explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)

  1. Stephanie Lluis, . "The Role of Comparative Advantage and Learning in Wage Dynamics and Intra-Firm Mobility: Evidence from Germany," Working Papers 0103, Industrial Relations Center, University of Minnesota (Twin Cities Campus). [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  2. Petr Hanel, 2003. "Impact Of Government Support Programs On Innovation By Canadian Manufacturing Firms," Cahiers de recherche 04-02, Departement d'Economique de la Faculte d'administration à l'Universite de Sherbrooke. [Downloadable!]
  3. Sprumont, Y., 1995. "On the Game-Theoretic Structure of Public-Good Economies," Cahiers de recherche 9519, Universite de Montreal, Departement de sciences economiques. [Downloadable!]
  4. Pene Kalulumia, 2002. "Effects of government debt on interest rates: evidence from causality tests in johansen-type models," Cahiers de recherche 02-07, Departement d'Economique de la Faculte d'administration à l'Universite de Sherbrooke. [Downloadable!]
  5. repec:ese:iserwp: is not listed on IDEAS
  6. Stéphanie Lluis, 2001. "Wage Policy of Firms: An Empirical Investigation," CIRANO Working Papers 2001s-47, CIRANO. [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  7. Paul Makdissi & Cyril Téjédo, 2000. "Problèmes d’appariement et politique de l’emploi," Cahiers de recherche 00-04, Departement d'Economique de la Faculte d'administration à l'Universite de Sherbrooke. [Downloadable!]
  8. Pene Kalulumia & Denis Bolduc, 2004. "Generalized Mixed Estimation Of A Multinomial Discretecontinuous Choice Model For Electricity Demand," Cahiers de recherche 04-01, Departement d'Economique de la Faculte d'administration à l'Universite de Sherbrooke. [Downloadable!]
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