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Globalization and European Labour Markets

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Author Info

  • Burda, Michael C
  • Dluhosch, Barbara

Abstract

This paper examines the linkage between trade and the dismal state of labour markets in Europe. On the face of superficial evidence, the nexus is weak and is overshadowed by more compelling evidence of skill-biased technical change. Yet a complete dismissal of globalization is inconsistent with current opinions of businessmen, policy-makers and workers in globalized industries. We propose an alternative model in which globalization - defined as the increase in world trade relative to other indicators of real economic activity - occurs along with deterioration of labour market prospects, especially for the less-skilled. As an alternative or complement to conventional trade and technology explanations, we model both the fragmentation of production and resulting reallocation of economic activity across national boundaries as equilibrium responses to trading opportunities as well as the technology of production. Increasing integration is therefore linked to both trade as well as pervasive skill-biased technical change. The model's predictions are consistent with a number of outstanding empirical puzzles in the trade-wages debate and can also explain the bimodal growth in services (high and low skill) observed in all OECD countries, and especially those with deregulated labour markets.

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Bibliographic Info

Paper provided by C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers in its series CEPR Discussion Papers with number 1992.

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Date of creation: Oct 1998
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Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:1992

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Related research

Keywords: European Labour Markets; International Trade; organization of production; Services; technology choice; vertical division of labour;

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Cited by:
  1. Francois, Joseph & Nelson, Doug R, 1998. "A geometry of Specialization," CEPR Discussion Papers 1813, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
  2. Staveren, I.P. van, 2002. "Towards monitoring mutual trade-gender links," ISS Working Papers - General Series 1765019102, International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University (ISS), The Hague.
  3. Burda, Michael C. & Dluhosch, Barbara, 2001. "Fragmentation, globalization and labor markets," SFB 373 Discussion Papers 2001,41, Humboldt University of Berlin, Interdisciplinary Research Project 373: Quantification and Simulation of Economic Processes.
  4. Ekholm, Karolina & Midelfart, Karen Helene, 2005. "Relative wages and trade-induced changes in technology," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 49(6), pages 1637-1663, August.
  5. Barbara Dluhosch & Michael Burda, 2000. "Cost Competition, Fragmentation and Globalization," CESifo Working Paper Series 393, CESifo Group Munich.

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