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Efficiency Wages and the Wage Structure

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  • Alan B. Krueger
  • Lawrence H. Summers

Abstract

This paper examines differences in pay for equally skilled workers in different industries. The major finding is that there is substantial dispersion in wages across industries, even after allowing for measured and unmeasured labor quality, working conditions, fringe benefits, transitory demand shocks, threat of unionization, union bargaining power, firm size and other factors. Some direct evidence in favor of efficiency wage theories is presented. The evidence suggests that industry wage differentials are successful in eliciting better performance through reduced turnover and increased effort.

Suggested Citation

  • Alan B. Krueger & Lawrence H. Summers, 1986. "Efficiency Wages and the Wage Structure," NBER Working Papers 1952, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:1952
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Robert E. Hall, 1975. "The Rigidity of Wages and the Persistence of Unemployment," Brookings Papers on Economic Activity, Economic Studies Program, The Brookings Institution, vol. 6(2), pages 301-350.
    8. John T. Dunlop, 1957. "The Task of Contemporary Wage Theory," International Economic Association Series, in: John T. Dunlop (ed.), The Theory of Wage Determination, chapter 0, pages 3-27, Palgrave Macmillan.
    9. Charles Brown, 1980. "Equalizing Differences in the Labor Market," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 94(1), pages 113-134.
    10. Calvo, Guillermo A & Wellisz, Stanislaw, 1978. "Supervision, Loss of Control, and the Optimum Size of the Firm," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 86(5), pages 943-952, October.
    11. Mellow, Wesley & Sider, Hal, 1983. "Accuracy of Response in Labor Market Surveys: Evidence and Implications," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 1(4), pages 331-344, October.
    12. William T. Dickens & Kevin Lang, 1985. "Testing Dual Labor Market Theory: A Reconsideration of the Evidence," NBER Working Papers 1670, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    13. Robert S. Smith, 1979. "Compensating Wage Differentials and Public Policy: A Review," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 32(3), pages 339-352, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mabel Pisa & Rosario Sánchez, 2016. "Work Incentive and Productivity in Spain," Prague Economic Papers, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2016(1), pages 99-111.
    2. James M. Holmes & Patricia A. Hutton, 2005. "A Stochastic Monopsony Theory of the Business Cycle," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 43(1), pages 206-219, January.
    3. Josheski, Dushko & Magdinceva-Sopova, Marija, 2014. "Еconomic theory and the New-Keynesian school," MPRA Paper 53284, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Chang, Juin-jen & Lai, Ching-chong, 1999. "Carrots or sticks? A social custom viewpoint on worker effort," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 297-310, June.
    5. George A. Akerlof & Lawrence F. Katz, 1986. "Do Deferred Wages Dominate Involuntary Unemployment as a Worker Discipline Device?," NBER Working Papers 2025, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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